We all know skincare can cost an arm, a leg, maybe even your left butt cheek. It is expensive, af. Between all the serums, moisturisers and sunscreens out there, it’s hard to know what’s worth your hard-earned money, especially when one bottle can set you back ₦20 – 50k and still do nothing.
So, we asked some of our favourite beauty girlies — the ones whose skin we stalk and trust — to tell us the one skincare product they absolutely swear by. If you’ve been thinking of trying something new, their holy grail picks might just help you figure out what to add (or skip) in your next skincare haul.
1. Saskay (@officialsaskay)
Well, it’s actually two products from Sanaa Beauty. One is called Beam Serum, and the other is Morning Dew. The Morning Dew is generally just a hydrating serum, but for achieving a glow and combating hyperpigmentation or blemishes, the Beam Serum does the job. There’s a 50% clearance sale going on now, actually, so you can get both products for as little as ₦15,000.
How She Uses It
“I typically use these every time I wash and cleanse my face. I use micellar water to take off any extra dirt after washing my face, then the Morning Dew first and after a minute or two, the Beam Serum.”
Skin type: I think I have an oily skin, although it’s mostly around my T zones.
Go-to product: Sanaa Beauty Morning Dew & Sanaa Beam Serum
Available at: www.Sanaabeautyltd.com
Price: ₦15,000 NGN
2. Oma Jay Nneji (@omajaybrand)
It’s a facial cleanser and I swear by it, especially for my acne-prone, sensitive skin. It’s the SkinScience Gly/Sal Exfoliating Cleanser. I love it because it just works. It’s one of the few cleansers that gives me instant, visible results without being harsh on my skin. It helps with occasional breakouts and reduces active acne almost instantly overnight.
How She Uses It
“I honestly use it any time of the day, depending on how my skin is feeling. Some days it’s part of my morning routine, other times, I reach for it at night when I feel like my skin needs a proper deep cleanse. Especially after a long day or if I wore makeup earlier on.”
Skin type: Dry, acne-prone, and sensitive.
Go-to product: Skin Science Gly/Sal Exfoliating Cleanser
Available at: www.beautyhutafrica.com or any PharmaSolutions Pharmacy near you.
Price: ₦17,500+ NGN
3. Loliaba (@theloliaba)
In the last few years, I’ve eliminated mechanical exfoliants like facial scrubs from my routine, opting for gentler chemical exfoliants.
I found my go-to, the Overnight Exfoliation Treatment by Good Molecules, at the beginning of my journey with skin cycling two years ago, and I have not looked back since then. This serum is absolutely perfect for me. It exfoliates the skin gently and effectively, without stinging, and leaves my complexion feeling lighter, brighter and cleansed.
It’s the one product I know will never leave my routine.
How She Uses It
“As part of my skin cycling routine, I use it once every four days at night. I typically use this after cleansing, and follow up with a moisturiser.”
Skin type: Dry, sensitive
Go-to product: Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliation Treatment
Available at: www.nectarbeautyhub.com
Price: ₦10 – 13k NGN
4. Tamara (@tamara.aig)
Ahh, this one’s easy! It has got to be the Uncover Aloe Invisible Sunscreen. I absolutely swear by it! I love everything about it; the feel on my skin, the texture, it’s not heavy or greasy. It just feels like you’re applying a really great moisturiser. Very hydrating. No sunscreen I’ve tried gives me the kind of glow that this one gives me. It has the perfect glowy, dewy finish, no white cast, no sting, not oily or watery. Just perfect.
How She Uses It
“I use my sunscreen as a part of my morning skincare routine. It’s the last step after using a moisturiser.”
Skin type: Combination
Go-to product: Uncover Aloe Invisible Sunscreen
Available at: Beautyhut (Physical store or online store)
Price: ₦ 21,500 NGN
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5. Ifedayo Agoro (@ifedayoagoro)
My go-to skincare product is sunscreen, and I always recommend the Dang! Hydra Glow Sun Protection Gel SPF 50+ PA+++. I love the flawless finish, the hydrating effect, and the fact that I don’t have to worry when I need to apply make-up afterwards. Most importantly, I love it because it effectively protects my skin from harmful UV rays in the atmosphere.
How She Uses It
“I use it as the last step in my morning skincare routine in this order: The Dang! Everyday Gentle Foaming Face wash, Beauty Water (toner), Vitamin C concentrated serum, Ceramide Buffet Day Cream (face moisturiser), then the Hydraglow Sun Protection Gel.
On the days I’m feeling up to it, I apply my makeup shortly after my sunscreen.”
Skin type: Combination
Go-to product: Dang! Hydra Glow Sun Protection Gel SPF 50+ PA+++
Available at: www.danglifestyle.co.
Price: ₦20,000 NGN
6. Chizi (@chizi.a_)
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen. I honestly don’t know how I lived without it before. It’s the one product I’ve consistently repurchased for years. It has really helped with my hyperpigmentation and reduced my sunburns, plus I love how glowy it makes my skin look right after. And of course, no white cast. 10/10 would recommend. They have different versions depending on your needs (oil control, anti-dark spots, etc).
How She Uses It
“I use it in the morning, right after my moisturiser. A lot of the time, I forget to reapply it, but it’s such a beautiful product.”
Skin type: Combination and sensitive. I get dry in some areas, but I also get hormonal breakouts occasionally.
Go-to product: La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen
Available at: Beauty Hut Africa or Medplus
Price: ₦ 25k – 35k NGN
7. Henrietta Itepu (@Henrietta.Itepu)
The Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser has been a staple in my skincare routine for a while now. It gives my face a proper deep clean, helps with breakouts, and leaves my skin feeling fresh without drying it out. I reach for it whenever I want something that will cleanse my skin without being too harsh.
How She Uses It
“Morning and night.”
Skin type: Combination
Go-to product: Cosrx Salicylic Gentle Cleanser
Available at: Coco Rosey, Beauty Hut, or Beauty Essentials Store
Price: ₦14,000 NGN
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8. Shade (@Skin_carebyshade)
Definitely COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum. It’s top on my list because it’s a powerful antioxidant. It contains a blend of 6 peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. The combination brightens, hydrates, and repairs my skin barrier when it’s damaged.
How She Uses It
“I use it every day. It’s a staple in my morning skincare routine. I love to use it in the morning because it helps my sunscreen function better. So after cleansing, I use a toner (or sometimes skip that step), then the serum, moisturiser, and lastly, sunscreen. Antioxidants are more effective during the day to protect the skin against environmental stressors.”
Skin type: My skin type changes, but it’s mostly dry.
Go-to product: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Available at: BeautyHut Africa
Price: ₦18,000 NGN
9. Marizu (@thatskincareexpert)
The Uncover ‘I Am Smooth’ Argan Hydrating Moisturiser. I love it because it hydrates without clogging my pores. It has the perfect cocktail of ingredients (argan oil, squalene, hyaluronic acid, moringa extract & niacinamide). As an oily-skinned girl, I break out often. I get flare-ups from diet changes or hormonal shifts, but the Vitamin B3 in this helps regulate oil and fade acne scars. It works so well with my salicylic acid serum. This moisturiser is gentle but has seriously improved my glow.
How She Uses It
“I use it daily, in the evening after cleansing, as the final step in my skincare routine.”
Skin type: Oily, sensitive
Go-to product: The Uncover ‘I am Smooth’ Argan Hydrating Moisturiser
Available at: Uncoverskincare.com, Teeka4, or BeautyHut Africa
Price: ₦15 – 18K NGN
10. Femi (@femi6.0)
My biggest skin concern is acne scarring. I didn’t know how to fade them effectively until I saw a dermatologist who recommended the Isispharma Teen Derm Anti-Imperfections Cream. It’s a bit scarce, though, so the best alternative has been the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ M Cream. It claims to fade dark marks in three months, and I have to say, it’s been doing just that. I also wear sunscreen every day, which helps prevent dark marks from getting worse. The cream is gentle and pairs well with any moisturiser I use.
How She Uses It
“I use this cream day and night as instructed. It goes on after cleansing and before moisturising.”
Skin type: Oily
Go-to product: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ M Cream
Available at: Beauty Hut (online and in-store)
Price: ₦21,000 NGN
Whether you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation, breakouts, or just looking for your next glow-up product, these tried-and-true recs might be the best place to start.
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