African women have always cared for their skin with natural ingredients and timeless rituals. These beauty lessons were passed down through generations, and many of which we still carry with us today.
Most of our earliest beauty lessons came from watching our mothers mix natural aromatic oils with shea butter to form the perfect balm, then carefully smooth it over our skin. They believe in the rich texture these balms give to our skin.
Long before skincare became a buzzword, African women already knew what worked and made our skin glow like the sun. From skin moisturisers to rice water and palm kernel oil for growing and darkening hair, these routines remain familiar throughout generations.
Call it heritage, pride, or intuition, but after speaking with four Nigerian women, it’s evident that we often follow the ways of our mothers. These women shared how the beauty lessons their mums taught them are still woven into their everyday rituals.
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My mother taught me that shea butter is the ultimate
For Ifeoluwa, a sales consultant living in Ibadan, shea butter was more than just for skincare; it was a constant in her childhood. “My mum used to melt it in her palms before rubbing it into our skin. Face, arms, chest, even our lips — there was nothing ori couldn’t fix,” she laughed. “It became a healing balm. At some point, I had to research it, and what I found sealed it for me,” she continued.
Whether it was dry patches during harmattan or softening the scalp before braiding, shea butter is always Ifeoluwa’s go-to. Before she ever knew what a serum was, it was already doing the work — healing, protecting, and keeping her skin glowing.
Even now, in her mid-20s, Ife still reaches for it before bed. “I might use sunscreen and hyaluronic acid now, but I always use shea butter. It’s something I’ll never stop using.”
Shea butter is now a global skincare favourite found in serums and luxury creams, but it has always held its place in Nigerian homes. These self-care routines from our mothers weren’t just about appearance. They were about consistency, resourcefulness, and daily care.
Water, Vaseline and no soda kept my skin clear
Victoria, a fashion entrepreneur, believes beauty starts from the inside. “My mum taught me to drink water regularly to make sure my pee comes out either pale yellow or almost whitish,” she says with a laugh. “When I do it, I’m satisfied.”
That internal glow shows up on her skin. She rarely breaks out, and she credits that not to cutting soda completely out of her diet, not a fancy skincare line up. “I stopped taking carbonated drinks and unhealthy sugars, and I noticed my skin became smoother and healthier.”
For actual products, she keeps it minimal. Vaseline has been her main skincare product for as long as she can remember. “It just works for me,” she says.
She’s also consistent with her beauty routine: she washes her face twice and practices oil pulling, swishing coconut oil in her mouth to help remove toxins and boost oral health. “It’s not just beauty, it’s wellness,” she explains.
Victoria’s beauty lessons may not come in fancy packaging, but they speak to something more sustainable — a ritual rooted in discipline, clean habits, and deep self-respect.
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It wasn’t a routine; it was a way of living
Charity, a data analyst based in Lagos, believed beauty was never about the price tag; it was rhythm, ritual, and what it meant to be home. “Growing up in Lagos, beauty was everywhere,” she said. “Braiding under mango trees, black soap displayed at roadside stalls.”
There was no fancy language for it. No 10-step routines or imported serums. Just the trusted things — black soap, ori, and the gentle hands that passed these rituals down. For Charity, these weren’t just childhood memories; they were her foundation.
“It wasn’t luxury; it was life,” she said. “Resourceful, rhythmic, and rich with meaning.” Even now, as she navigates adulthood, Charity smoothly blends old and new traditions. A clay mask might sit next to a bottle of micellar water. Shea butter follows hyaluronic acid. Her rituals have evolved, but they’ve never left home. For her, beauty isn’t just something you buy; it’s an inheritance.
My mum kept it simple, so I followed her steps
Nancy, a financial analyst in Lagos, understands that some of the most powerful beauty lessons are the simplest. Her skincare routine is refreshingly no-fuss. “My mum has one of the smoothest skins I’ve ever seen, and all she used was Vaseline, consistently,” she said. That consistency shaped Nancy’s approach: “I exfoliate at least three times a week, cleanse, moisturise, and I never skip sunscreen. I also keep my pillowcases clean and wear sunglasses anytime I’m out in the sun.”
In a world obsessed with multi-step routines and trending ingredients, Nancy’s discipline feels like a quiet kind of wisdom, passed down through watching, learning, and refining over time. These beauty lessons aren’t loud or elaborate. They’re in the everyday habits, in caring for your skin with intention, and knowing that simplicity can be powerful too.
We didn’t learn these beauty lessons— we lived them
The beauty lessons these women shared with me aren’t just about skincare. They’re about being true to themselves.
In short, they didn’t need 10-step routines or trending products to feel beautiful; they used what they had. From shea butter to taking the time and care for their skin, these lessons come from real life and have been tested through generations by real people.
