If you have ever stood in front of a shelf of skincare and felt lost, you are not alone. The good news is that a good routine does not need ten steps. Three simple ones, done regularly, are a great place to start: cleanse, treat, moisturise.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing removes the oil, sweat, dust and sunscreen that build up on your face during the day. Nairobi traffic and dust make this one worth taking seriously.
- Wet your face with lukewarm water. Very hot water can leave skin feeling tight.
- Massage a small amount of cleanser over your face for about a minute, using gentle circles.
- Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel. Pat, do not rub.
Pick a cleanser that leaves your face feeling clean and comfortable, not squeaky or tight. If your skin feels tight after washing, the cleanser may be too strong for you.
Step 2: Treat
This is the step where a serum or mask comes in. A serum is a light layer that goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser. You only need a few drops. Face masks are a nice extra once or twice a week when you have a few quiet minutes.
If you are new to a product, introduce one new thing at a time. That way, if your skin does not like it, you know which product to stop using.
Step 3: Moisturise
Moisturiser helps your skin hold on to water and feel soft and comfortable. This step matters for every skin type, including oily skin. Apply a small amount to your face and neck while your skin is still slightly damp from cleansing or serum.
Morning and evening
Morning: cleanse (or just rinse with water if your skin is dry and sensitive in the morning), treat, moisturise, and finish with sunscreen. Nairobi sits high above sea level, so the sun can be strong even on cool, cloudy days.
Evening: cleanse well to remove the day, treat, then moisturise. Use your mask on one or two evenings a week.
Be patient and keep it steady
Skin takes time. Give any new routine at least a few weeks before deciding how it feels, and avoid changing everything at once. A simple routine you actually follow beats a complicated one you skip.
Patch test first
Before you use a new product on your face, try a little on a small area, such as behind the ear or on the inner forearm, and wait 24 hours. If you notice redness, itching or discomfort, stop using it.
Skincare is a helpful habit, not a treatment. If you have persistent or painful skin problems, it is best to see a doctor or dermatologist.
A simple starting set
If you would like to begin with a cleanser, a serum and a moisturiser, here are three from our collection. Not sure which suits you? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
