The rainy season in Nigeria brings relief from the sun’s scorching heat, but with this much needed relief also comes humidity, breakouts, and dull skin. If you’ve noticed your skin acting up i.e. more oiliness especially in the T-zone area, unexpected dryness, or sudden acne, you’re not alone.
My skin went through it last rainy season too until I cracked the code. Now I’m sharing all my hard-earned (and frankly, much needed) skincare wisdom so you can weather this season with glowing skin.
In this article, there are no complicated 10-step routines, just real, practical tips that work for Nigerian weather irrespective of if you have oily, dry, or combination skin.
Why Does Rainy Weather Affect Your Skin?
Before offering solutions on how to tackle this, let’s first understand the problem:
- The humidity. It’s basically turning your face into a breeding ground for breakouts
- The fluctuating weather. One minute it’s pouring, next minute sun is blazing, leaving your poor skin confused on whether to hydrate or protect itself
- The rainwater which mixes with all the pollution before it hits your face
- Rashes which sometimes lead to rashes.
How to fix it?
1. Cleanse Gently (But Thoroughly)
What works:
1. Double cleansing at night (start with micellar water or any oil-based cleanser that works for you, before using a gentle foaming wash)
Pro-tip: Avoid harsh soaps (they strip natural oils, making skin produce even more sebum). Try using Cerave Hydrating Cleanser for deep cleansing.
2. Use Lightweight Moisturizers Instead of Heavy Creams
Humidity makes thick creams feel suffocating, leading to clogged pores and milia (tiny white bumps usually found at the T-zone).
Instead use;
a) Neutrogena Hydro Boost (that gel texture is everything)
b) Aloe vera gel with a few drops of glycerin
c) Hyaluronic acid serums (they hydrate without the grease)
Pro Tip: If your skin feels tight after washing, apply some rose water before moisturizing.
3. Sunscreen
There’s a myth that I’m sure some of us believe where it says that since “there’s no sun in the rainy season, there’s no need for sunscreen.” Well that’s false. The truth is that UV rays penetrate clouds, and humidity acerbated sun damage even during gloomy weather (a.k.a the rain).
Instead;
Use at least SPF 30+ (try La Roche-Posay Anthelios or Nivea UV Face Shine Control) and reapply every 4 hours if you’re outdoors.
4. Tackling Fungal & Bacterial Breakouts
Damp skin folds (under breasts, between thighs) and sweaty faces tend to breed fungal acne and rashes, especially when the weather gets warmer.
What Works:
1. Antifungal powders like DermaGuard for underboob and thigh areas
2. Tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil for spot treatment
3. Wearing breathable fabrics eg cotton, linen to reduce sweat buildup.
5. Hydration
Humidity will trick you into drinking less water, often leading to dehydrated, flaky skin.
What to do;
1) 2-3L water daily add lemon or cucumber for flavor.
2) Eat water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, oranges.
3) Limit caffeine/alcohol intake as they tend to dehydrate the body.
A Quick Rainy Season Skincare Routine
Morning
1. Gentle cleanser
2. Vitamin C serum (optional)
3. Light moisturizer
4. SPF 30+
Evening
1. Double cleanse
2. Hyaluronic acid
3. Night cream/gel
