This year again, we are bringing you an epic battle between our hero Dorcas and well…Dusty, who is making a comeback and not giving up on his attempts to cause dry ashy skin. Dusty can woo you with that great cool breeze but will you fall for the ‘ashyness’? We hope not! Follow Dorcas and Dusty’s latest adventures here.

Take extra precaution during the harmattan season to ensure that your skin does not get dry, ashy and cracked.

Here are some points to note:

Make sure to use a generous amount of any of our deep moisture lotions to keep your skin protected and moisturized for up to 48hrs.

When buying skincare products, it is important to look through the ingredients. Any lotion which contains “aqua” or “water” is a plus, as it helps to hydrate the skin. Also be sure to avoid lotions with alcohol in them as alcohol components can dry out your skin.

The flaky and chapped skin during Harmattan is something most of us have experienced. Using the NIVEA Perfect and Radiant 3-in-1 cleanser which is a gentle exfoliating scrub, can be great for removing everyday debris and dead skin cells from your face.

Exfoliators also allow the ingredients in your other skin care products, such as serums and moisturizers, to penetrate the skin more effectively. This is ideal if you experience dehydrated and dry skin in the harmattan months. Don't be too aggressive when you exfoliate as this can damage your skin's natural protective layer and cause further problems.

When you've got the harmattan itch it can be tempting to have a hot lengthy bath or shower especially when it's bleak outside and the weather is cold. Showering with NIVEA Fresh Powerfruit Shower Gel and washing your face with lukewarm water is preferable. If the water is too hot it will remove moisture from your skin, making things worse for your skin in harmattan. Also, try having a quick wash because the longer your skin is exposed to hot water the more chances it will result in dry and irritating skin.

If you have dry skin, the harmattan air tends to be much drier and this can strip your skin off essential moisture. So, ensure to always stay hydrated.
Drinking enough water is probably one of the best things you can do. While you might not feel as thirsty as you would in warmer seasons, it's important to keep your hydration up.

In addition, incorporate effective hydrating products like NIVEA Nourishing Cocoa, NIVEA MEN Revitalizing, and NIVEA Rich Nourishing,  amongst others into your Harmattan skin care routine.

Cold weather and sensitive skin go hand in hand... but they don't have to!

The low humidity during harmattan can increase sensitivity, combine that with the harsh winds and you'll agree you need protection. Make sure to cover your skin and use a jacket to add an extra barrier against the cold and dry weather.

And stay moisturized indoors; apply a generous amount of body lotion even if you don’t plan on going out.

Having combination skin or oily skin might seem like a curse sometimes, but these skin types are the least affected by the harsh harmattan weather.

The rule of thumb for these skin types is to keep up your usual routine in terms of cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating and applying SPF.  You might have to do less of this than someone who has sensitive or dry skin or even those with a normal skin type.