If you see a person wearing stockings in Nigeria between December and February, it may not be fashion that is motivating it. It could just be a harmattan skincare trick.
Harmattan skincare is something everyone who wants to go through the season without losing the beauty of his/her skin should know.
The fear of harmattan gives people wisdom to cover their legs for two major reasons. First, the harmattan could make the feet crack or become too dry and disgusting.
Imagine laying on a bed with a sheet that is not cotton with cracked feet.
In fact, the way it irritates some persons, it could have a damaging effect to a budding relationship.
Harmattan
Harmattan is a dry and dusty wind that blows over West Africa, especially during the months of November to February. It can be quite harsh on the skin.
Often, this leads to dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
Harmattan Skincare Tips
Here are some Harmattan skincare tips to help you take care of your skin during this season.
1. Moisturise Your Skin
You see, the first and most important thing to do in harmattan to care for your skin is to moisturise it.
Use a rich emollient moisturiser like a body butter to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness.
In harmattan, you need to pay special attention to areas that are prone to dryness, such as your hands, feet, and elbows.
In fact, you should increase the amount of cream you apply to these parts of your body.
2. Use A Humidifier
Knowing about harmattan skincare goes beyond just the skin. Often, the air around you in your home is what dries up your body.
As a result, adding a humidifier in your home could help to add moisture to the air and prevent your skin from becoming too dry.
A humidifier can prevent dryness that can cause irritation in many parts of the body.
This is especially important if you live in areas that are extremely dry in harmattan.
3. Wear Protective Clothing
In harmattan, some persons do special shopping to change some of their clothing.
You need a certain kind of cloth that helps reduce how much this dryness have effect on your body.
For instance, if you are going outside, be sure to wear protective clothing that covers your skin.
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This can help to prevent dust and other particles from settling on your skin and causing irritation.
4. Avoid Hot Showers
If you are used to taking hot showers, the harmattan season is not a good time to service that habit.
Basically, hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and lead to further dryness.
Instead, opt for lukewarm water and limit your shower time to no more than 10 minutes.
5. Exfoliate
One of the harmattan skincare activities you should engage in is exfoliation. T
he truth is that your skin dries up fast, producing so much dead skin in the process.
Check your lips for instance, you will see dead skin there.
But exfoliating can help to remove dead skin cells and allow your moisturiser to penetrate more deeply.
However, you need to be gentle when exfoliating and avoid overdoing it, as this can cause irritation.
Have Your Read Bout This Beautiful Exfoliating Agent?
6. Drink Plenty Of Water
Water is one of the harmattan skincare solutions that many people do not consider. If you have maintained a habit of not drinking water, the harmattan period is not a period to also service that habit.
In fact, drinking plenty of water can help to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out (1).
Basically, there is so much oxygen in the air in harmattan and that affects your skin, making it dry fast and toughen.
Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day during harmattan.
7. Protect Your Lips And Feet
Your lips and feet are particularly vulnerable to dryness and cracking during Harmattan.
Use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from the sun and keep them moisturised. Afterwards, use a good moisturiser for your feet to ensure that it stays fit against harmattan harshness.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your skin healthy and hydrated during Harmattan.
Let us know in the comment section the things you do to reduce the effect of harmattan on your skin.