It’s December already. Yayy!

Let me begin by saying Happy new Month. This is definitely the month for festivities, coupled with a lot of eating and enjoyment.

But despite the numerous good tidings that come with this month, they do not extend to our dear skin.

This is one of the months in the year that put our skin under unfavourable weather conditions which can damage our skin.

How can my skin get damaged?

First, it is the dry wind that comes with harmattan. It makes our skin dry and flaky. Some people’s skin even starts to peel. The weather coupled with dry skin makes your skin easily susceptible to wounds.

Not only that, the heat of the sun triples this time of the year. So, we begin to experience sunburns, hyperpigmentation, etc.

And then, there is the dust that comes along, especially in places without tarred roads.

Not only does dust cause health issues (especially when you inhale it), it also clogs your skin pores, which leads to intense breakouts.

So, you can imagine what your skin is in for this period. This is why you need to be extra conscious about taking care of your skin. You need to protect it so that skin blemishes do not pop up and your skin remains glowing when you begin the new year.

Enough about the unpleaseant things that can happen to your skin. Let’s talk about how you can protect your skin.

The truth is you can maintain a glowing skin throughout this period no matter how harsh the weather condition is.

How?

Ways to protect your heat from dust and heat this December

1. Moisturize

I do not care if your skin is as oily as an oil well, moisturize!

Both the heat from the sun and the dry weather can dry out your skin and strip your skin of its natural oils.

In fact, it is better you use a moisturizing cream than a moisturizing lotion, especially if you have a dry skin. It has more oily content and can replenish the natural oils on your skin.

You can even get natural oils like coconut oil, olive oil, etc. They serve as a protective barrier against the sun.

Also, this is not the time to be stingy with your moisturizer. Apply enough quantity to keep your skin soft and well moisturized throughout the day.

2. Drink lots of water and eat fruits

The heat of the sun can cause your entire body to get dehydrated.

It is easy to yield to the temptation to take chilled drinks but remember that sugar is not good for your skin.

So, instead, keep a bottle of water close to you at all times so you can keep sipping throughout the day.

Also, make it a point of duty to eat fruits daily, especially those that have huge amounts of water like watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, etc.

All these contain nutrients that help to keep your skin glowing. Moreover, water provides your skin moisture from the inside out.

3. Wear the proper clothes

This is not the time to be flaunting skimpy dresses and sleeveless gowns.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun damage your skin and can cause skin diseases like cancer. And now that the heat is intensified, it is worse.

Make sure that your skin is properly covered as much as you can. You can make use of hats and caps.

Wear light fabrics, not the thick ones. Thick ones can also generate heat which can lead to heat rash and the likes.

Light fabric allows fresh air into your body and help to prevent heat rash.

4. Use sunscreen

Using sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to protect your skin from the sun.

With sunscreen, the chances that your skin can get damaged by the sun are greatly reduced. We know it is almost impossible to escape the sun during this period.

So, if you must expose your skin, use a sunscreen – preferably a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and above.

And do not just apply once in a day. Apply every four hours if your skin is exposed to the sun.

5. Do not stick to the morning and night bathe routine

Most times, when we think of taking our bath, we think in the morning and at night. But during this period, you shouldn’t stick to that.

Agreed, you take your bath in the morning. But if you go out and come back in the afternoon, please take your bath.

It relaxes your body, helps with dehydrated skin, cleans off the dust, dirt, and sweat which can clog your skin pores.

If it gets too hot in the evening, take your bath again.

Take your bath as many times as is necessary. However, do not spend too much time in the shower, even though you might be tempted to.

Exposing your skin to water for a long period of time can dry out your skin. Ironic, right? but it is true. Five to ten minutes is okay.

6. Follow your skincare routine strictly

This is the most important of them all.

Make sure you follow your skincare routine like your life depends on it. Use a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, an anti-acne treatment, a serum, and a moisturizer daily.

In the morning, it helps to protect your skin from the harsh environmental conditions it might be exposed to during the day.

And at night, it replenishes your skin with the right ingredients to heal itself while you sleep.

Use a face mask thrice in a week to help unclog your skin pores. Exfoliate twice weekly to scrub off dead skin cells from your skin’s surface.

If you do not have a skincare routine, please read this article to learn all about the right skincare routine for you -> 7 Things to Include in Your Beauty Regimen This November

Also…

For more tips on how to take care of your skin during the harmattan, please read this article: How To Keep Your Skin Fresh This Harmattan Period

In conclusion,

It is totally possible to keep your skin glowing, and the truth is, it does not require hard work.

All you have to do is follow the tips I gave above. For more tips, click on the link I gave. By the time you are done doing all of that, your skin will go through this season like nothing happened.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment. I always love to hear from you. Cheers!