Skin care · Seasonal health
Your harmattan skin care survival guide
Dry air, dust and cool mornings can leave skin cracked and lips sore. Simple steps to keep your family's skin healthy all season.
By DenRich Pharmacy Team · · 2 min read
From around November to March, the harmattan winds bring dry, dusty air across Ghana. Skin loses moisture quickly, which leads to dryness, itching, cracked heels and sore lips.
Daily habits that help
- Moisturise straight after bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp. This locks water into the skin.
- Choose thicker products. Creams, shea butter and petroleum jelly work better than light lotions in harmattan.
- Keep showers warm, not hot. Hot water strips the skin's natural oils.
- Use a gentle soap. Strongly perfumed or antiseptic soaps can dry skin out further.
- Protect your lips with a lip balm or a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and try not to lick them.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Cracked heels
Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes, gently rub with a pumice stone, then apply a thick moisturiser and wear socks overnight.
Don't forget sunscreen
The harmattan haze can make the sun feel weaker, but UV rays still reach your skin. Use sunscreen on exposed skin if you spend long hours outside.
When to see us
Talk to a pharmacist if your skin is very itchy, cracked and bleeding, or showing signs of infection such as redness, swelling or pus. People with eczema often find their skin gets worse in harmattan, and we can recommend suitable treatments.
Ask in store about moisturisers that suit your skin type.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a pharmacist or doctor who knows your situation. Read our medical disclaimer.