Three must-have Nigerian skincare secrets

Skin is the largest organ in your whole body, and its functions include protecting your body against water loss and infection. Other equally important functions include the production of vitamin D for healthy bones and regulating temperature.

In Nigeria, weather conditions can sometimes swing between two extremes. Factors like the intense sun and constant exposure to dust can affect your skin, making it difficult to have a glowing skin. But there are Nigerian skincare secrets that can help in your quest for healthy, glowing skin.

Your skin is composed of many layers of cells. As the outer skin cells gradually reach the surface, they mature and eventually die. Everyone has a layer of dead skin cells at the surface. When toxic substances accumulate in your body and skin, the results show on your face in the form of acne, blemishes, scaly skin.

Three Nigerian skincare secrets

Here are skincare secrets that can help you achieve and maintain healthy and radiant skin in Nigeria.

• Shea Butter

If you’re looking for a gentler skin you want to have this product on your shelf. When your body is exposed to certain conditions like pollution free radicals are generated. This is where vitamin E comes in handy. It is an effective antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, and products that contain shea butter boosts the production of collagen.

Also, it offers UV protection (SPF 6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production.

Additionally, apart from the anti-ageing benefits of vitamin E, it also helps protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. This can be attributed to shea butter’s antioxidant, which strengthens and protect your skin from damaging. Nonetheless, shea butter is not an alternative to sunscreen.

• Turmeric and Black Soap

Turmeric is great for your skin. It helps remove acne and revitalize your ageing skin. Black soap is famous for its wonders on the black skin. Because of the antioxidants and vitamins A and E in the African black soap, it is radical in removing skin issues such as dry and irritated skin, acne, eczema and generally evening your skin tone

So, when the African black soap is combined with the revitalizing powers of turmeric, it works marvelously for your skin. Together they leave your skin moisturized and glowing every day.

•  Palm Kernel Oil

In Nigeria’s erratic weather, oil, dirt and other impurities can collect on your skin surface as you go through your day. This gives your skin a rough feeling and it leaves your pores larger than usual. The consequence of this is the accumulation of dead skin cells on the skin surface. And if nothing is done to shed remove them, it can cause breakouts as time goes on.

To remove dry skin cells, it’s very important to exfoliate regularly. Also, deep cleaning removes any collected impurities that may be clinging to your skin. This is is where the palm kernel oil comes in handy. Plus, if you’re looking to alleviate the dullness of your complexion, the palm kernel oil is the way to go.

The key to using these products effectively is knowing your skin type. A lot of people don’t readily have this information. There are a few stress-free ways to know your skin type at home, without having to go through hoops.

Additionally, if your skin problems persist or look like something unusual, it is time to take a trip to your doctor’s office.

This article was first published on AfricaParent.com