By Destiny Uko
Rampant inflation in Nigeria has taken a toll on beauty. Once-affordable face washes, moisturisers, and toners now cost a fortune. But caring for the skin need not be an an expensive pursuit.
There exists a range of natural alternatives that enhance the spark on our skins as much as the factory-made lotions and moisturisers.
The African black soap, locally known as ose dudu, remains one of the most powerful cleansers from nature. Made from plantain skins, cocoa pods and palm kernel oil, the soap is suited for both deep cleansing and a gentle scrub. And, with its antibacterial properties, it is helpful for skin prone to acne.
When it comes to toners, rose water is an effective alternative tò glycolic acid or facial mists. Pure rose water refreshes the skin, soothe irritation and maintains an oil balance. While commonly sold in local markets, it can be made at home by steeping fresh rose petals in warm water.
Another simple solution is diluted apple cider vinegar, a pH-balancing toner that tightens pores and reduces inflammation. It must be diluted with clean water to avoid burns. Despite its strong smell, its impacts on oily or acne-prone skin can be significant.
Moisturisers are another product group that has become harder to afford. While popular lotions like Aveeno and Cetaphil rise significantly, staples like shea butter and aloe vera are excellent substitutes.
Raw shea butter, rich in fatty acids and vitamins, melts into the skin, and helps with dryness, eczema, and scars. Ideal for the harmattan, it’s also best for people with very dry skin. For those with oily skin, fresh aloe vera gel is a soothing alternative that moisturises without clogging pores.
In lieu of harsh scrubs, which can sometimes damage the skin, you can exfoliate using a mix of ground oatmeal and honey. This combo gently removes dead skin cells while hydrating and calming the skin.
Similarly, a mix of sugar and lemon also works for exfoliation—with some caution. Lemon can irritate sensitive skin and should never be used under sunlight exposure.
Lemon peels soaked in sunflower oil approximates the brightening and anti-aging qualities of vitamin C serums. Also effective is raw turmeric mixed with honey or oil and applied as a paste.
Like Carmex, Vaseline, or lip glosses raw shea butter and coconut oil are effective against chapped lips. You can even store them in tiny tins or old balm containers that you can easily reach for when outdoors.
As with micellar water or cleansing balms, virgin olive oil or coconut oil can help with cleaning makeup. These natural oils easily rid the skin of heavy makeup, mascara, and sunscreen.
To wash away the oils completely, a mild cleanser or black soap can work. These oils are already being used in Nigerian kitchens, which means one product can serve both skin and food needs.
Blending shea butter with either olive oil or coconut oil creates a rich, all-purpose moisturiser that’s free of addictives.
Cocoa butter particularly works well for stretch marks, dryness, and skin tone repair.
As inflation bites harder, embracing natural skincare not only helps you saves money and but also helps you appreciate the powerful resources around us.
While not rapid in action compared with synthetic products, these natural remedies are gentler and nourishing.
With skincare product prices increasing in Nigeria, many are turning to affordable natural alternatives that are effective. African black soap made from natural ingredients like plantain skins and cocoa pods offers deep cleansing and is beneficial for acne-prone skin. For toners, rose water and diluted apple cider vinegar, which balance pH and soothe irritation, serve as cost-effective solutions. In place of pricey moisturisers, shea butter and aloe vera provide hydration and nourishment, suitable for dry and oily skin types respectively.
Exfoliation can be achieved using mixtures such as ground oatmeal with honey or sugar with lemon, though caution is needed with lemon. Natural alternatives for vitamin C serums like lemon peels and turmeric with honey offer brightening effects without the high cost. Raw shea butter and coconut oil are effective substitutes for lip moisturizers. For makeup removal, virgin olive or coconut oil can replace micellar water, with black soap used afterward, leveraging products commonly found in kitchens.
Body care now includes mixtures of shea butter with oils as alternatives to commercial lotions, providing hydration and repairing skin tone. Embracing natural skincare alternatives during financial constraints not only saves money but also taps into rich local resources, offering gentle yet effective skin nourishment.
