Your body in harmattan

Here today and gone tomorrow, the harmattan season this year has been quite a touch and go affair, making surprising comebacks when we thought it was over, and still biting in the hinterlands.

The typical weather pattern is still hot, humid and dry leading to dry skin with accompanying cracking of the lips and soles of the feet.

The skin also tends to look ashy while our hair may feel dry and brittle.

Here are tips to combat these issues, so that you can always look glowing and beautiful.

Hydrate
Even if you don’t remember to do other things here, just remember to drink plenty of water. Drinking lots of water is a must for the season. This would help keep your body hydrated and your skin moist and refreshed.

Facial Care
Your face is the first thing most people notice.
Use mild soaps (even if you have oily or combination skin) to wash your face, as harsh soaps and cleansing bars will remove all the oil on your face.

Stop the use of cleansers and toners that contain alcohol or astringents. Use only mild facial cleansers and toners. Facial cleansers and toners with a neutral PH of 5.5 are best.

Always moisturize your face after cleansing (even if you have oily or combination skin).

Invest in good lip balm/gloss. Always moisturize your lips before going to bed. Exfoliate your lips once a week using brown sugar and sweet almond oil then apply the balm all through the day. This also helps to prevent dark lips.

For women, always apply lip balm or primer before lipstick or if you prefer gloss, apply after lipstick.
For men, well kept lips makes you appear groomed. So, invest in a lip balm today.

Skin Care
Like your face, use mild moisturizing soaps or body bath creams.

Invest in body oil to retain moisture on the skin after bath. Do not completely dry your skin after shower; about 10 per cent of moisture is retained if you apply on damp skin. You can pour few drops of oil into water before bath if you prefer.

Use moisturizing cream or lotion all over your body, especially your feet. Hydrating creams and lotion are best for all skin types this season. Look for one with natural oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil e.t.c. Or you could whip up some natural shea butter at home, add some natural oils and essential oils and you’ve got your own body cream.

Apply hand cream during the day and night before going to bed. Invest in a good hand cream if you don’t have one.

Applying nail polish can help protect nails from excessive drying and hardening.

Hair Care
*  Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual but don’t dry hair completely to retain some moisture in hair.
*  Apply hair oil, pink oils, lotions and creams to hair daily or every other day depending on hair type and severity of the weather.
* Avoid using hair sprits, edge control, gel and strong hair hold. Mild styling mousse can be used for styling in their stead.
* Use hair sprays to add shine to your hair.
* Scarves and hats are amazing accessories that can be use to protect hair and still be fashionable.

VITAMIN C
Very good for the skin, nails and hair. One should have at least 70mg to 100mg everyday. Add zinc tablets where possible to keep flu at bay and keep your skin looking supple, fresh and healthy.