Harmattan is a cold, dry and dusty trade wind blowing over the West African sub-region between the end of November and middle march. I heard temperatures this year is as low as 9°C (48°F) in parts of the country like Jos (Wow, that's really cold) and due to the low moisture associated with harmattan, the weather gets very dry and harsh which could cause the skin not only to wrinkle fast, but to also look dry and scaly. The hair is another part of the body that suffers a huge blow during the harmattan season, but don't worry much, i bring you very helpful tips on the best care for your hair and skin during this Harmattan season and also the best products you can use to achieve best results. Enjoy!
1. Avoid Antiseptic Soaps, use only cream bars.
Antiseptic soaps are mainly for prevention and treatment of skin infections but Cream bars like Dove beauty soap helps retain your body's natural moisture after every shower, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother.
2. Use moisturizing lotions
Moisturizing lotions are formulated to moisturize your skin. Use Vaseline 'spray and go' moisturizer, Vaseline 'spray and go' Cocoa Radiant or Vaseline 'spray and go' Aloe Vera fresh. These moisturizers moisturizes deeply and absorbs in seconds to help heal dry skin.
3. Avoid lightening cream or Lotion
Lightening cream/lotion thins outs your skin and not only make it weak but also dry.
4. Use oils
I suggest oils such as Olive oil, Coconut oil, Almond oil or Baby oil. Oils work effectively against dry and scaly skin. Pears baby oil is also perfect for your skin.
5. Milk
Milk contains lactic acid which exfoliate dead and dry skin cells thereby improving the skin's natural ability to retaining moisture. Add few drops of lemon juice to milk and rub on various parts of your body.
6. Lip balms and Lip gloss
Except you love the feel of dry and cracked lips, Lip balm is a "must have" this season. Try Lip balms or gloss from Victoria secrets, EOS or sleek. Most people prefer Victoria secret lip gloss cos its long lasting and doesn't leave a white line on your lips like most lip gloss.
7. Drink alot of Water
Drinking water regularly is the simplest and most common home therapy against dry skin. Research have shown that at least 8 glasses of water a day help retain body water content thereby preventing the skin from losing moisture.
FOR HAIR
1. Moisture, moisture, moisturize!!
Due to the dryness associated with this season, its important to retain as much moisture in our hair as much as possible. Use only moisturizing or an extra moisturizing shampoo and conditioner only. Clarifying shampoos strips the hair of its essential oils so please avoid it. I suggest Dove daily moisture shampoo and conditioner, great for your hair this season.
2. Ditch that cotton pillow!!
Yes, u read right! Lol! Here is why, cotton is an organic fiber that drains moisture away from your hair and the friction between the hair and the cotton also breaks your hair. The only solution is to wear a hair net or silk scarf to protect your hair.
3. Protective styles
Try to hide your hair as much as possible from this harsh weather. Corn rows, weaves or braids are great styles that hide your hair. Please Do not leave your weave or braids on for long because it encourages hair breakage.
4. Hair oils
Oiling the hair everyday with hair cream mixed with Olive oil, Coconut oil or Shea butter will help make the hair healthier during this season. Our local Shea butter (Ori), is a nutritional cream that is very good for the hair. It also prevents flaking, splits end and dry hair.
5. Hot oil treatment
This helps to retain and lock in moisture in the hair. Heat up the oil a little and apply to the entire hair. Cover with a shower cap and sit under a dryer for some minutes, rinse with a gentle shampoo, condition and air dry.
Tell me if you have found this post helpful at the comment section, cheers!
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