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Opal / Journal / Seasons

Harmattan skin: comfort first

Dry air, dust and cool mornings ask for a softer routine for a few weeks. Here is how to adjust without starting again.

12 October · 4 minute read · Written by the Opal team

A soft smear of cream on a pale surface
Example photograph.

Uyo's harmattan is milder than in the north, but the dry, dusty weeks still show on the skin. Cheeks tighten, lips crack, and products that felt fine in September can start to sting. The fix is rarely a new product. It is usually a gentler version of what you already do.

Cleanse less hard

Switch to a cream or milk cleanser, use lukewarm water and keep it short. If you wash twice a day, consider plain water in the morning.

Moisturise on damp skin

Apply moisturiser within a minute of washing, while the skin is still a little damp. A slightly richer cream at night helps. Shea butter works well on the body and around dry patches for many people.

Pause the strong stuff

If you use exfoliating acids or strong actives, reduce how often for a few weeks. Comfort first; you can build back up when the air softens.

Lips, hands and heels

  • A plain balm on lips several times a day
  • Hand cream after every wash
  • A thick cream on heels at night, with socks

If dryness becomes painful, cracked or itchy in a way that does not settle, book a consultation. Some conditions look like dryness and need a doctor's care.

General information, not medical advice. For anything that worries you, please book a consultation or see your doctor.

"Protect the work your skin is already doing."
The Opal team

Every routine we suggest ends the same way in the morning: a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It is the least exciting step and the one that matters most.

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Readers asked

Can you recommend a brand?

In clinic we look at your skin and your budget and suggest a type of product. We do not push one brand, and we are happy to work with what you already own.

Is this advice right for me?

It is general. Your skin, history and any conditions matter, which is why a consultation exists.

Do you sell products?

A small shelf of gentle basics. You never have to buy anything to book a visit.

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