Look what the cat dragged in!

It’s that season of the year again. Where people start to appear homeless with a look reminiscent of what the cat dragged in. Harmattan is here people! The sun is also not smiling at all.
No matter the skin type you’ve been blessed with; whether oily or dry, you’re going to need to pay a bit more attention to your skin.

Were you thinking it will require lots of money? Not at all. Just some lifestyle modifications and you’re good to go.

1) Avoid the use of antiseptics except you have a reason or a condition that requires you to use it.

2) No need for aggressive sponging of the skin. You’re better off with something soft. No matter how dirty you think your skin is, you don’t need hard sponges. Most of the time, that ‘dirt’ that you see is just regular skin turnover. You’re not a pit latrine. Stop with the excessive scrubbing.

3) Spend less time in the bathroom. This way, you’re sure you’re not scrubbing all your skin away.

4) Moisturize! Moisturize! Did I say moisturize? Petroleum jelly or Shea butter is good enough. It is extremely important to do this while the skin is still wet/damp. It helps to lock in the moisture more. Put a small tube of cream in your bag or office. You don’t want to be shaking a client with hands that look like that of a grizzly bear or that feels like sandpaper. Not good.

Note that if you have dry skin, or if your skin itches you after bathing (which I’ve written about on this blog and on my twitter page previously) you’re more at risk of itching this period. Intense hydration and moisturising is very important else you’ll be scratching continuously everyday and this can be very embarrassing.

5) The trunk is part of the body too. You know the gender that keeps saying ‘I don’t rub cream or I just rub on my face hands and feet’…I’m here to let you know that No 4. up there is particularly for you. Be out there looking like a caveman. Please moisturize your skin.

6) Sunscreen. Very important. People erroneously think that only Caucasians need sunscreen. Very wrong. While it is particularly important to them because of their skin type that puts them more at risk of Ultraviolet (UV or sun) induced skin cancers, it is also important in blacks to prevent photoageing (rapid ageing of the skin caused by sun exposure). In blacks, it is extremely important that albinos use sunscreen judiciously. Their skin behaves like a Caucasian skin in response to the sun. They have a high incidence of sun induced skin cancers.
Please use a sunscreen with SPF 30 to 50. Anything more than 50 is oversabi and does not really offer any additional benefit. Your skin will thank you for it later in life. You’ll be looking 10 years younger than your age.
For more information on how to use a sunscreen, please check my Instagram page @skinandall_ where I put up a video explaining how to use it.

8) Wear protective clothing. Use wide brimmed hats when you need to be out in the sun. Stay away from intense sunlight around the hours of 10am to 3pm.

7) Don’t forget your lips. Good old petroleum jelly will do. Or if you can get a lip balm with sun protective factor (SPF) of between 15 to 30.

8) As cliché as it often sounds, please eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. Ensure you hydrate well by taking lots of water. 3L or at 8 glasses of water per day is not a bad idea.

9) Exercise. Brisk walking for 30 minutes five times a week is enough. Please make sure you do this early morning or evening when the sun is not going to fry you.

10) Easy on the facial creams and exfoliation. Less is more. All the glycolic/lactic/ mandelic acid should be used minimally. If you use any of this, please follow up with moisturising.

11) Cut out the smoking. Smoking ages the skin really fast.

12) Avoid combing your hair excessively especially if you have natural hair. Hair falls off easily during harmattan. You should also have a spritz bottle with water and a bit of oil to spray on your hair regularly. This helps keep the moisture in and makes the hair less brittle.

13) Avoid nail biting or pulling your nail folds and cuticles out. Keep your hands well moisturized.

Here’s to great skin, hair and nails all year round. Having great skin is through consistency and a deliberate effort to live a healthy lifestyle.

Can you see the picture of my daily skin care routine down to my lip balm and night cream?😊 That’s my good old whipped shea butter in the middle without any additive.

P.S….Not like I’m advertising any products…just showing you my daily skincare routine.

Any questions?