With December around the corner, harmattan has begun to settle in Nigeria.
If there’s one thing every Nigerian knows, it’s that Harmattan season respects no one. One minute, your skin is glowing, and the next minute, you look like you just finished bathing yourself in white powder. Lips start to crack, ankles turn dry, and your skin begins to cry out for moisture. December in Nigeria is fun, but harmattan is always ready to humble you.
To avoid all that, we’ve created the ultimate harmattan survival kit, so you can step into Detty December with skin that stays hydrated — without looking like the Sahara just passed by.
Deep Moisturising Body butters and oils (non-negotiable)
Harmattan strips your skin barrier faster than Lagos traffic strips your patience. You need moisturisers and body oils that hydrate and lock in moisture all day. Arami essentials has two rich, skin-loving staples that deliver moisture without stress — Glow oil and Dream Butter (ores cheesecake)
Glow oil
Made with 100% pure, cold-pressed shea nut oil, this oil nourishes deeply and seals in moisture all day. The oil tackles dryness, dullness, scars, and stretch marks while keeping things lightweight and non-greasy. It sinks in beautifully, leaving skin soft, supple, and radiant. Perfect for all skin types (there’s an unscented version for sensitive skin and little ones), it’s basically your on-the-go hydration hero, and that’s why it sits at the top of our ultimate harmattan survival kit.
Dream butter (Ore’s Cheesecake)
Imagine a creamy slice of vanilla cheesecake… now imagine that going on your skin. The whipped blend of almond butter, shea butter, baobab, and mongongo oil melts in smoothly, leaving your skin (and even your hair) soft, cosy, and well moisturised. And the scent? The best part, the warm vanilla cheesecake scent that lingers, leaving you feeling sweet and warm.
Read also: Why body butter is your Harmattan hero
Say no to cracked lips!
Harmattan will drag your lips without shame. Keep something moisturising in your bag, pocket, everywhere. For lips that stay puckered all day, I recommend the Osaz Sun glaze Hydrating Spf Lip Gloss and Cape & Coco – The Lip Lacquer Butter Vanilla Moisture Soothe.
SunGlaze Hydrating SPF 30+ Lip gloss
This high-gloss lip treat is packed with broad-spectrum SPF to shield your lips from the sun’s rays while keeping them soft, hydrated, and kissably smooth. Lightweight, non-sticky, and subtly scented with strawberry, it’s the perfect everyday gloss for a healthy, radiant and harmattan-free pout.
Cape & Coco – The Lip Lacquer Butter Vanilla Moisture Soothe
This buttery lip lacquer glides on as Sleek as butter, nourishing and softening your lips while giving them a glossy, polished finish — without the sticky aftermath. The warm vanilla scent makes it feel like your lips are cake— be careful not to eat them all up
Read also: How to keep your lips lush and lovely during harmattan
Your hair deserves better this harmattan
Most people forget that during harmattan or any sort of cold weather, your hair can soak up dryness like a sponge. That’s why it’s just as important to give it some extra love and care during this season. For this, your go-to is the Olori cosmetics Damage Be Gone: Happy Hair Butter
Happy Hair Butter by Olori
Protective styles are lifesavers, but they can leave your scalp dry and sensitive if you’re not careful. Happy Hair Butter was literally made to nourish and moisturise, targeting dry spots(did someone say harmattan), flakes, and areas prone to tugging like the temples and nape. It keeps hair conditioned, healthy, and naturally shiny, making protective styling feel effortless and worry-free.
SPF- yes, you still need sunscreen
Harmattan might feel dry and chilly, but don’t be deceived, those UV rays are still working overtime. To tackle this, the Tiam B3 Niacin Sunscreen is your best friend.
This SPF 50+ sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, helping prevent dryness, sunburn, and premature ageing. It’s lightweight, perfect for daily use and goes on clear with no white cast, leaving your skin glowing and natural all day.
An all-in-one solution — Amila Naturals: the complete harmattan package
If you’re looking for a cheat code, this would be it. The Amila Naturals Harmattan Essentials set is literally everything your skin could need to survive the dry, dusty season.
From keeping your skin deeply moisturised and glowing, to ensuring your lips stay supple and your hands remain smooth, this set covers all the bases. No confusion, just the complete package for anyone who wants to tackle harmattan by the bull’s horn.
Harmattan doesn’t stand a chance
We know Detty December is coming, but your skin cannot glow on vibes alone. December in Nigeria can be chaotic, fun, dusty, loud, exciting and extremely dry. However, with the right skincare line up, you can step into every party, wedding or concert looking soft, hydrated, and completely unbothered. Harmattan can’t touch skin that’s already nourished and glowing.
Read more: It’s sweater season! Here is how to upgrade your Harmattan wardrobe
