Skincare Tips For Harmattan 

Harmattan as we generally know is a season with benefits such as the low proliferation of bacteria because of the very low moisture in the environment, and with it comes the season of love and joy for most Christian believers – Christmas, etc.

Also has disadvantages like the quick spread of uncontrolled fire, way too much dust, flu, excessive morning and night colds, and dry skin.

As regards our topic, this article treats the dilemma of dry, ashy, and broken skin during the season, and will assist readers to understand and master simple ways to care for the skin during harmattan.

Firstly, dry skins happen as a result of how low the humidity of the atmosphere is and how the weather strives to drain water out of every exposed surface, including our skins and hairs.

Below are ways to manage water loss from the skin, retain water and maintain healthy glowing skin amidst the dry and dusty season.

Drink water regularly

As the humidity is low during the harmattan season, moisture tends to be easily absorbed from any exposed surface by the atmosphere, this includes the ground, plants, fruits, and our skin.

This begs the need to constantly moisturize our skin from within by drinking enough (not cold) water.

This not only helps the skin but our general health as well because dehydration in humans could lead to other nasty health conditions.

Eat fruits

For some, drinking water regularly may seem boring or drab, so consuming fruits like watermelons, pineapples, oranges, and cantaloupe, can serve as sustainment to such individuals.

Vegetables should also not be left out, as they help protect the skin from cellular damage caused by free radicals that can be found in the atmosphere.

Use warm water for baths

Neither Cold nor hot Baths are suitable for the season of harmattan. While the cold water will cause your skin to dry out more, the hot water too will not ease the situation. 

Ideally, use warm water to take your bath. It keeps the cold out and makes your bath less frightening, without any of the other disadvantages. 

Note: avoid taking long baths.

Avoid scratching and scrubbing 

Our skins happen to be very susceptible to injuries caused by scratching an itch or scrubbing during a bath, because of the dry condition of the skin.

This should be avoided at all costs.

When prompted to scratch a spot, gently tap on it instead, or apply a lubricant to the area before you scratch it, if you have to.

Scrubbing during baths is also unnecessary, using bare hands, damp towels or non-abrasive sponges are better alternatives.

Use essential oils 

Oils are good occlusive’s, and as such help to lock in moisture within the skin, they also have properties that make the skin look healthy, and glow.

Oils like olive oil, shea butter, soy oil, coconut oil, baby oils, petroleum jelly or oil-based lotions, etc are suitable for use.

Ensure to carefully select a good product that wouldn’t irritate or darken your skin.

Avoid harsh skin products

The use of skin care products should be restricted to important and weather-beneficial ones only. Most skincare products are made of chemicals that will dry out the skin, consequently causing more harm than good.

Ensure to apply these tips and enjoy keeping your skin smooth, moist, and supple when everything else seems to be dry.. #wink

Skincare Tips For Harmattan 

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Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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