The search for products for dry skin care in Kenya has increased due to the cold weather in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
The cold weather in Nairobi is causing many Nairobians to have dry skin because cold air tends to dry the skin. Putting on room heaters to keep warm reduces the humidity in the air which makes the skin even drier. Sitting in front of a fire or a fireplace further dries the skin. Taking long, hot showers to fight the chills also contributes makes the skin drier since the hot water strips the skin off its natural oils. Using harsh soaps and other bath products also compounds the dry skin problem.
As a result of all these factors, the skin becomes parched and since dry skin produces less sebum or oil, it begins to flake, crack, become itchy and even feel rough to touch.
This Kenyan skincare blog post is the ultimate guide for dry skin care in cold weather and it will help you take the best possible care for your skin so that you can maintain your healthy glow in the middle of the Nairobi winter.
The Ultimate Guide For Dry Skin Care In Cold Weather
Use Non-Drying Cleansers
Do not use harsh soaps and cleansers that dry the skin as they will make the dryness even worse. Read the ingredients of your skincare products and avoid those with alcohol and other additives that dry the skin.
Non-drying cleansers that you can use for your face include CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser because it cleanses while moisturizing the skin. This hydrating face wash contains hyaluronic acid which holds 1000 times its weight in water and glycerine which is a humectant that draws water to the skin. It also contains ceramides which help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. This moisturizing face wash can be used by persons with dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and even those with eczema because it is non-drying, fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, soap-free and non-irritating.
Click here to read the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser Review
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleansing Gel is another great option for the face since it cleanses without drying and also removes makeup. It contains hyaluronic acid which enables it to leave the skin both cleansed and hydrated. It can be used by persons with dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and acne-prone skin because it is non-drying, hypoallergenic, soap-free, non-comedogenic, oil-free and paraben-free.
Click here to read the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleansing Gel Review
Non-drying cleansers that you can use for the skin on the other parts of your body include Dove Body Wash Deep Moisture because it contains a blend of moisturizing ingredients that nourish your skin while they clean it. This mild and pH balanced body wash has a rich, creamy formula that will leave your skin softer than most other body washes since its moisturizers are absorbed into the top layers of your skin.
Dove Bar Soap is another good option since it contains ¼ moisturizing cream to leave your skin softer and smoother after cleanses it.
Click here to read the Dove Bar Soap Review
The Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser can also be used to cleanse the skin on your face as well as on the rest of your body.
Click here to read The Best Cleansers in Kenya
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Moisturize, Moisturize and Moisturize
Moisturizing dry skin is very important since it reduces the dryness and itchiness and helps it appear smoother and feel softer.
Therefore apply a hydrating moisturizer immediately after cleansing your skin and patting it dry to lock in hydration. Generally this should be within 3 minutes of leaving the shower or bath. Ensure that you also moisturize your skin several times during the day.
A great moisturizer for dry skin on the face is CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 because it contains three essential ceramides that maintain the skin’s barrier. It also contains niacinamide to calm the skin and hylauronic acid to keep it hydrated. This moisturizer can be used by persons with dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin and eczema because it is non-drying, fragrance-free, paraben-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating and soap-free.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer is another fantastic option for extra dry skin since because it also helps restore the skin’s barrier. It contains hyaluronic acid and is perfect for those who want a soothing moisturizer that is rapidly absorbed into the skin like a gel but has the staying power of a cream. It can be used by persons with dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and acne prone skin since it is fragrance-free, dye-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic.
If you have very dry skin, consider using a face cream instead of a face lotion.
A good example is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream because it contains hylauronic acid in addition to essential ceramides. Ceramide deficiency in the skin during cold weather is a double tragedy since it is linked to dry, itchy and flaky skin. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is therefore doubly beneficial for the cold weather in Nairobi because it has been shown to increase the skin’s level of ceramides after one month. This moisturizer can be used by persons with dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone and even eczema because it is non-drying, fragrance-free, paraben-free, soap-free, non-comedogenic and non-irritating.
For the skin on the rest of your body, moisturize with lotions or creams with ingredients like the following:
Aloe vera
Aloe vera hydrates the skin while soothing it to reduce redness and irritation.
Ceramides
Ceramides are found in the skin’s lipid barrier and they strengthen it to help it retain moisture. Examples include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream which can be used both on the face and on the rest of the body.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a humectant which draws water to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which holds 1000 times its weight in water and draws it to the skin. Examples include Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Body Gel-Cream which contains hyaluronic acid. It is fragrance-free and paraben-free and has a fast absorbing formula that leaves the skin non-greasy.
Squalane
Squalane is an emollient which adds moisture to the skin making it soft and supple. It is also an antioxidant which protects the skin from free radical damage.
Shea butter
Shea butter is an emollient which moisturizes the skin and forms a protective layer around it to help it trap moisture within it.
Mineral oils
Mineral oils or paraffinum liquidum are colorless and odorless liquids obtained from refining crude petroleum. They work as occlusive barriers that reduce the amount of moisture that the skin looses. Examples include liquid paraffin.
Petrolatum
Petrolatum or petroleum jelly is an occlusive barriers that reduce the amount of moisture that the skin looses. This mixture of mineral oils and waxes is totally safe when fully refined. Examples include Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Emulsifying Ointment contains emulsifying wax, liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin and it is an effective moisturizer for dry skin especially if you are on a budget because it costs Ksh 500 for 500 grams.
Click here to read The Best Moisturizers in Kenya
Layer Your Moisturizers
Layering moisturizer is an effective method of combating dry skin during cold weather seasons.
For the face you can layer by applying a hydrating serum followed by a good moisturizer after cleansing the skin and dabbing it dry.
For example you can begin with CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum and follow it up with CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great choice for the face because it contains Vitamin B5 which soothes the skin as well as ceramides which maintains the skin’s natural barrier by filling in the gaps between the cells so that your skin can seal in moisture. This hydrating serum which has a gel texture also contains hyaluronic acid which keeps the skin moisturized and helps it appear smoother.
Another great layering duo that you can use is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer.
LOC Skincare
For the body you can layer your moisturizers by adapting the LOC method for natural hair care to your skincare regimen by first using a L or liquid followed by an O or Oil and then a C or Cream to LOC in moisture into your skin.
For example you can apply Aloe Vera Gel followed by Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream and follow it up with the Neutrogena Body Oil for Dry Skin.
For super parched skin, apply Aloe Vera Gel followed by Neutrogena Hydro Boost Whipped Body Balm which is formulated for extra dry ski and follow it up with the Neutrogena Body Oil for Dry Skin.
Another great skincare LOC for dry skin can be achieved by applying Aloe Vera Gel followed by Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Dry Body Oil and finishing it off with Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Lightweight Body Lotion.
Another great combination is with Aloe Vera Gel followed by and completed with Bio Oil which is a hydrating oil with a light scent.
For an effective Kenyan skincare LOC regimen, you can begin with Sheth Naturals Aloe Vera Gel followed by Shea Organics Whipped Butter and completed it with Sheth Naturals Jojoba.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Use Sunscreen Daily
The fact that you cannot feel the warmth of the sun on your skin does not mean that your skin is not feeling the harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation. Therefore apply sunscreen each day.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is awesome for dry skin since it hydrates it without leaving it feeling greasy. It is also oil-free and non-comedogenic and can therefore be used by persons with acne-prone skin.
Click here to read The Best Sunscreens in Kenya
Hydrate and Moisturize In Your Nighttime Routine
Take advantage of the many hours of the night to hydrate and moisturize your skin. To hydrate your skin is to increase the water content of the skin cells. This keeps the skin plump and bright by battling dehydrated skin. Hydration is done by using serums and sheet masks with ingredients like aloe vera, glycerine (glycerol), hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, urea.
To moisturize your skin is to keep the water in the skin by preventing its loss to the environment or transepidermal water loss. This keeps the skin soft and supple by battling dry skin. Moisturization is done by using lotions, creams and butters with ingredients like ceramides, dimethicone, coconut oil, almond oil, shea butter.
An effective night time routine that hydrates and moisturizes the skin should begin with a hydrating cleanser followed by an eye gel, a hydrating serum and then a night cream. A hydrating sheet mask should be used once a week for an extra boost of hydration.
For a Neutrogena Nighttime Routine for Dry Skin you can use the following:
a.Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleansing Gel to clean your face and remove makeup
b. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing & Hydrating Sheet Face Mask for Dry Skin which contains purified hyaluronic acid. This gentle face mask is made of 100% hydrogel material which holds up to 50% more essence than a standard paper face masks and it thus is better able to smother the dry skin with hydrators. This non-comedogenic face mask should be left on for 15 to 30 minutes and used once or twice a week.
c. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Eye Cream contains hyaluronic acid and provides intense hydration to the eye area without irritation since it is ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free, dye-free as well as oil-free and noncomedogenic.
d. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
e. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel-Cream Face Moisturizer
For example you can begin with and follow it up with . This Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great choice for the face because it contains Vitamin B5 which soothes the skin as well as ceramides which maintains the skin’s natural barrier by filling in the gaps between the cells so that your skin can seal in moisture. This hydrating serum which has a which keeps the skin moisturized and helps it appear smoother.
For a CeraVe Nighttime Routine for Dry Skin you can use the following:
a.CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser which contains hyaluronic acid, glycerine and ceramides.
b. Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream to hydrate the delicate eye area since it contains hyaluronic acid.
Use the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream which contains ceramides, marine and botanical complexes to repair the delicate skin barrier around the eyes while reducing dark circles and puffiness.
c. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum which has a gel texture and contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
d. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. These should be applied after the other skincare products have been fully absorbed by the skin.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Use A Hand Cream
The skin on your hands is more prone to drying in the cold weather in Nairobi because of all the hand washing and sanitizer application that has to be done due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Therefore, wash them with a gentle cleanser like Dove Bar Soap or Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
Then ensure that you moisturize them after every wash them with a thick, rich hand cream. Keep a bottle of your favorite hand cream in your kitchen, bathroom and on your office desk. Fill small travel size containers with your favorite cream and carry it in your handbag at all times so that you can moisturize many times during the day.
The Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hydrating Hand Cream is one of the best in the market since it is formulated with glycerin specifically for dry and rough hands.
You can also use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream since it also doubles as a hand cream.
You can also apply Emulsifying Ointment on your hands as a hand cream.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Pamper Your Pout
During cold weather, the thin skin on your lips tends to dry out faster than the skin on the rest of your body and this leads to the development of dry, chapped lips.
The first thing you should do to take care of your lips during the cold weather in Nairobi is to stop licking them since this aggravates the dryness. Ensure that you also avoid using lip products with drying ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus and menthol. Use those with ingredients like castor seed oil, ceramides, dimethicone, shea butter, petrolatum, and white petroleum jelly.
A great lip product to use is Aquaphor Lip Repair which contains moisturizing shea butter, nourishing vitamins C, E and provitamin B5 as well as soothing chamomile to relieve dryness and soothe chapped, cracked lips and seal in moisture.
When choosing lip color, avoid matte lipsticks and use those with a creamy finish.
A great example is Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick because it contains avocado oil and vitamin E. This moisturizing creamy lipstick has high impact lip colors and is available in more than 100 shades that include nudes and browns, reds and corals, pinks and purples, plums and berries.
Another great choice is Loreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick which contains argan oil, vitamin E and omega 3s. This creamy and hydrating lipstick provides luxuriously rich color to the lips while keeping them soft.
Perfect your pout by regularly using a lip scrub weekly.
A great example is Burt Bees Conditioning Lips Scrub which contains exfoliating honey crystals. This 100% natural product gently exfoliates chapped lips and perfectly conditions them leaving them soft and smooth. This makes them the perfect base for applying lipstick or lip balm.
You can also make your own lip scrub at home by mixing 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Massage the scrub gently onto your lips, rinse if off with warm water and follow it up with a hydrating lip balm.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation is the process of removing the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Regular exfoliation brightens dull skin and helps you continue glowing despite the weather changes. It also helps even the skin tone and makes it smoother. Exfoliation also allows skincare products to penetrate the skin better in addition to making it smoother.
To exfoliate the skin on your face use products with chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid and other alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or products with salicyclic acid and other beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a great example since it contains alpha hydroxyl acids to offer mild exfoliation. It should be used in the evening after cleansing with skin by swiping it across the face and neck with a cotton pad while avoiding the eye area. It is gentle enough to be used daily on dry, oily, combination and normal skin.
Another great face exfoliator is Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant.
To exfoliate the skin on the rest of your body you can use products with chemical exfoliants as well as those with physical exfoliants like sugar or almonds.
Dove Exfoliating Body Scrub for Dry Skin contains crushed almonds to physically exfoliate the dead skin cells and mango butter to moisturize the dry skin. Its almond grains are small enough to used on sensitive skin.
SheaMoisture Illuminating Hand and Body Scrub for Dull Skin uses sugar to physically exfoliate the skin and shea butter with coconut oil to moisturize it.
You can also make your own body scrub at home by mixing 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of sunflower oil or any other vegetable oil. Massage this mixture onto the skin on your thighs, knees, legs, arms, elbows, forearms and back using circular motions. Wash it off with a hydrating body wash and then moisturize your skin.
You can also use exfoliating bath gloves, baths scrunchies and loofas to exfoliate the skin on your body.
These products can be purchased from our Nairobi Almasi Skincare Shop in Moi Avenue, Sawa Mall, 3rd floor, shop C15. Call 0721963 156 or email almasiskincare@gmail.com for countrywide delivery.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Get Dermaplaning Done
Dermaplaning is a procedure in which the peach fuzz hairs and dead cells on the surface of the skin are removed with a sharp blade. This painless procedure leaves the skin feeling smooth, looking brighter and enables better penetration of moisturizers and other skincare products. At Almasi Skincare we do dermaplaning for dry skin. Call 0721 963 156 to book your appointment.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Take Short Lukewarm Showers
Long, hot showers are very tempting when the temperature outside drops. However they are damaging to dry skin since they can strip the skin off its natural oils which are important for keeping it hydrated. Therefore take lukewarm showers or baths which last for not more than 5 minutes.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Use Hydrating Makeup
Avoid matte makeup and use hydrating foundations preferably those with a dewy-finish if the skin on your face is dry.
Examples include Maybelline Dream Radiant Hydrating Foundation which contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin for up to 12 hours. It comes in 20 different shades that include dark browns like Java, Cocoa and Mocha which are perfect for the darker skin tones of Kenyan women. This lightweight, liquid foundation offers medium coverage to give a natural makeup look.
Another great example is Loreal Parish Infallible A Pro-Glow Foundation.
Apply the foundation to your face with a moist beauty blender using stamping and rolling to blend it into your skin. Complete your look by using setting or finishing spray. Hold the bottle 8 inches from your face, shake it and spray it onto your face using “X” and “T” motions to keep your makeup from transferring onto your clothes. A great choice is Loreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil Free Setting Spray.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Eat Food For Healthy Skin
A study found that a deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids can cause dry skin. Therefore increase your intake of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and herring since they are good sources of these omega 3s, vitamin E and protein. The omega 3s help maintain healthy skin that is thick and supple while the vitamin E protects the skin cells from free radical damage since it is a potent antioxidant. Protein is needed by body to make collagen and other structures that are vital for the skin’s integrity.
Avocados are other foods that you should add to your diet since they provide healthy fats that keep the skin supple and moisturized. They are also good sources of vitamins C and E which are potent antioxidants. Vitamin C is also required by the body to make collagen and its deficiency is associated with dry skin that bruises easily.
Increase your intake of water to keep your skin hydrated from within. Ensure that you avoid alcohol, coffee and other sources of caffeine since they act like diuretics and make you lose water.
Dry Skin Care in Kenya Tips: Invest In A Humidifier
Since the drier the air, the drier the skin becomes, consider investing in a humidifier to add some moisture to the air. Place the humidifier in the room you spend the most of your time in and if your room heater is always on, ensure that it is not set on high.
Consult our Doctor to Rule Out Dry Skin Diseases
Please note that although the cold weather in Nairobi can cause or aggravate dry skin, other dermatological and medical conditions like atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis and hypothyroidism can also cause dry skin on xerosis. Therefore if your dry skin is not improving despite adopting these measures, Consult our Doctor for a thorough evaluation by calling 0721 963 156.
Share your dry skin care in Kenya tips and tell us how you are coping with the cold weather in Nairobi in the comments section.