Every year, harmattan arrives with cool mornings, dusty air and skin that suddenly feels tight, itchy or ashy. Lips crack, heels split and your usual lotion stops working. If you live in Nigeria, you know the season well. The good news is that a few changes in your routine can make a real difference.
This guide shares practical, dermatologist-backed tips for harmattan skincare, with product ideas from Reginah.
Why harmattan dries out your skin
Harmattan is a dry, dusty wind that blows across West Africa from roughly late November to March. The air has very little moisture, so skin loses water faster than usual. When the outer layer of skin lacks moisture, it can look dull and ashy, feel rough and sometimes itch or crack. Darker skin often shows dryness as a greyish or whitish film, which is why “ashiness” is so visible.
The American Academy of Dermatology offers dry skin tips that are helpful at any time of year, and several apply directly to harmattan.
Adjust how you wash
- Keep showers and baths short and warm. Very hot water strips skin of oils.
- Pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
- Use gentle cleansers only where needed. The AAD advises skipping fragranced products, including deodorant soaps, which can dry skin further.
Our guide on how to choose a body wash explains what to look for.
Moisturize while skin is still damp
The AAD recommends applying a thick cream or ointment several times a day, especially while your skin is still damp and after washing your hands. In practice:
- Step out of the shower and pat skin lightly.
- Apply moisturizer within a couple of minutes.
- Focus on elbows, knees, shins, feet and hands.
- Reapply during the day on the driest areas.
If your lotion no longer feels enough, move to a richer cream or butter. Our article on body butter vs lotion vs body oil explains how to choose and layer them.
Moisturizers and butters to consider
Browse Reginah’s body moisturizers, body butters and body oils.
Tree Hut Whipped Body Butter Moroccan Rose 240g Buy now
A 240g whipped body butter with shea butter and argan oil, listed as giving 24-hour hydration with a Moroccan rose scent. Note that it is fragranced, which may not suit very sensitive skin.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – 250g Buy now
A rich, non-greasy cream with niacinamide and sweet almond oil, described as giving 48-hour hydration and restoring the moisture barrier of sensitive skin.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream Daily Face And Body Moisturizer For Dry Skin Buy now
A rich moisturizing cream with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, listed for 24-hour hydration for face and body. Practical if you want one jar for everything.
Dakore Beauty Luminous Silk Rose Buds Infused Body Oil 200ml Buy now
A body oil infused with rose buds, described as giving deep moisture and a silky finish. Apply on damp skin to help seal in moisture.
Look after your face
Your face may need a gentler, richer routine during harmattan.
- Cleanse with a creamy, non-foaming cleanser if foaming ones leave skin tight.
- Add hydration with a serum that contains hyaluronic acid, on damp skin, followed by moisturizer. See our hyaluronic acid guide.
- Use a richer night cream if daytime moisturizer is not enough.
- Pause or reduce strong actives. If you use retinol or exfoliating acids, you may need to use them less often. The AAD’s dry skin advice lists retinoids among products to avoid when skin is very dry. See retinol for beginners.
- Keep wearing sunscreen. UV still reaches you in the dry season, and dusty haze does not block it. Read our sunscreen guide.
Protect lips, hands and feet
Lips: Use a balm regularly and avoid licking or peeling them. Overnight lip masks can help. Our guide on how to care for dry lips has a full routine, and you can browse lip care products.
Hands: Apply a fragrance-free, non-greasy hand cream after each wash. Gloves can help for wet chores.
Feet: Moisturize heels at night and wear cotton socks to hold it in.
Habits that help
- Drink water through the day. Hydrating from inside supports general health, though creams do the main work on skin.
- Wear soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton, which are less irritating on dry skin.
- Use a humidifier if you have one, especially in air-conditioned rooms.
- Protect your hair and scalp. Dryness affects them too. See our natural hair wash day guide and our tips on deep conditioning at home.
- Wash your face after dusty trips if possible, then moisturize.
A simple harmattan routine
Morning 1. Rinse or use a creamy cleanser 2. Hydrating serum on damp skin 3. Moisturizer 4. Sunscreen 5. Lip balm and hand cream
Evening 1. Short, warm shower with a gentle body wash 2. Body cream or butter within a couple of minutes of drying off 3. Richer night cream on the face 4. Lip treatment and foot cream before bed
Keep a small moisturizer and lip balm in your bag so you can top up when skin feels tight. Dust and dry air also affect contact lenses, eyes and nasal passages, so see a doctor if you have persistent irritation.
Choosing fragrance-free vs scented
Scented body butters and creams smell lovely, but fragrance is a common cause of irritation when skin is already dry and cracked. The AAD advises avoiding fragranced products when skin is very dry and says that “unscented” can still hide masking chemicals, so look for “fragrance-free.” If your skin is only mildly dry, a scented butter may be fine, but if you notice stinging or itching, switch.
When to see a doctor
Dry skin is usually harmless, but see a doctor if you have intense itching that disturbs sleep, red, weeping or infected patches, cracks that bleed or do not heal, or a rash that spreads. These can be signs of eczema or another condition that needs treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my skin ashy during harmattan?
Dry air pulls moisture from the skin, which makes the surface look dull and grey or white, especially on deeper skin tones. Regular moisturizing helps.
Is body oil enough?
Oils help seal in moisture but do not add water by themselves. Apply them over a lotion or cream on damp skin.
How often should I moisturize?
At least twice a day, and after washing your hands. Apply more often on very dry areas.
Can I use scrubs during harmattan?
Use gentle exfoliation less often. Over-scrubbing can worsen dryness and irritation.
Should I stop using sunscreen in the dry season?
No. UV exposure continues year-round.
Final thoughts
Harmattan skincare comes down to four things: short warm washes, moisturizer on damp skin, richer products and lip, hand and foot care. Small changes made early in the season prevent the worst dryness.
Stock up on body butters, body moisturizers and lip care from Reginah before the dry season peaks.
