HOW TO CREATE A BUDGET FRIENDLY SKINCARE ROUTINE AS A NIGERIAN

 HOW TO CREATE A BUDGET FRIENDLY SKINCARE ROUTINE AS A NIGERIAN 

Did you know that you could do skincare without having to break the bank? Contrary to the popular belief that Skincare always cost a fortune, Skincare can actually be budget friendly. 

To an average Nigerian, skincare is expensive and it is for the financially bouyant. While for some, skincare is a whole chore. This is because the economic state of the country calls for extra work and hustle, stringent or minimal spending. So, you are either too busy hustling to have time to do skincare or you are barely even living well to add skincare to your already tight budget.

However, should we look like our problems? No. Also, Lack of proper knowledge on the importance of skincare has fostered a lackadaisical attitude towards it.  Nevertheless, whatever category you fall into, know that skincare is never cliche, it is as important as taking care of your health and you do not have to break a bank to start your skincare journey. This is why it is important to define what skincare is.

Skincare is not all about applying luxurious or expensive beauty products on the skin. Skincare is way more than that. Skincare is the intentional care of one's skin. It involves all the actions we take to make sure how skin is healthy. From the consciousness of what you eat,  drink, apply on your body, you take care of your skin. Your skin is literally what you eat and drink.

Thus, my dear Nigerian, you are already doing skincare once you start being intentional about your lifestyle and how it affects your skin. Here are some ways to create a budget friendly skincare routine:

1. Know Your skin type: The first step to creating a budget friendly skincare routine is to know your skin type. Knowing your skin type will help you in choosing the right products, so you wouldn't end up wasting money on things that don’t suit your skin.

There are majorly 5 types of skin; oily, dry, combination normal and sensitive. You can run a simple home test of washing your face and leaving it bare overnight, to know your skin type. If your face feels dry and tight the next morning, you may have a dry skin. If it feels oily, you have an oily skin. If it feels dry in some areas and oily some areas, especially your T-zone, then you have a combination skin. If, however, it feels moisturized, not dry not oily, then you have a normal skin. A sensitive skin is usually one of the previously mentioned skintypes but usually is easily irritated by products or environmental factors.

2. Stick to a simple skincare routine with less products: Depending on your skin type, stick to a simple beauty routine. You do not have to use seven products at a time for you to get results when doing skincare. What matters the most, for an effective skincare regimen, is consistency. Using too many products on your skin may do more harm than good.

Here are some simple recommendations.

• For Dry and normal skin: a good cleanser, a good scrub or exfoliator, an hydrating moisturizer and a sunscreen for protection. Exfoliation is important in skincare. It helps unclog pores and allow new skin cells appear. Thus, never sleep on a good body scrub or face scrub. 

• For Oily skin or combination skin, which are usually more prone to acne, adding a good toner or serum with active ingredients that treat acne to the bag would do. Also, go for lightweight face moisturizers. Your face produces enough sebum you do not want to get your pores clogged from oily or heavyweight moisturizers. 

• For sensitive skin, always check labels for the ingredients in a products. Avoid comodogenic products.

3. Opt for homemade remedies or DIY skincare. routine: It doesn't always have to be a product from a brand, you can make your own skincare products. This would save you from a lot of spending and still help you achieve a healthy looking skin on a budget.

There are ingredients in your kitchen that have great benefits to your skin. Ingredients such as milk, sugar, honey, egg, orange, banana, avocado, spinach, etc. You can make homemade body scrubs with lemon and sugar or milk, honey and sugar. Face masks could be made with ingredients such as Tumeric, oatmeal, banana, Avocado, yoghurt, milk, honey, cucumber etc. You can also make natural oils like coconut oil, carrot oil, avocado oil, etc. These oils have great benefits to the skin. These oils could serve as your body moisturizer.

SOME TIPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE SKINCARE ROUTINE

• Be consistent with your regimen. As earlier said, consistency is key to an effective skincare routine. This simple routine of washing your face twice a day, always applying moisturizer and using a Sunscreen of at least SPF 30, goes a long way in having a healthy looking skin. 

• Always wash your face twice a day. 

•  Wash your face towels, pillow case and bed sheets regularly. 

• Avoid touching your face with your hands. 

• Eat healthily. Your skin is an organ of your body, just like your heart is. Scrap food like junks and soda drinks. Go for healthier foods: foods with veggies and the likes. Add fruits and smoothies to your diet.

• Exercise regularly. Exercising has a lot of benefits to the body which includes the skin. 

• Most importantly, drink a lot of water. Taking a lot of water not only helps the kidney but also improves the condition of the skin. 

In conclusion, you can always do skincare without breaking the bank. Know your skin type, get the right products for your skin, stick to a simple routine, exfoliate, protect, eat healthily and exercise. Also, ensure you take a lot of water. You can also use ingredients available in your kitchen for DIY masks, scrubs and so on. Be consistent with the regimen and in no time, you will have a healthy looking and glowing skin. Keep in mind that skincare is not always about using luxurious or high-end products. Skincare can be simple and budget friendly. Take care of your skin.