5 struggles people using sunscreen in Nigeria face

The skin is an important part of the body, and keeping it healthy should be a priority for everyone – both male and female. A step in the right direction would mean applying sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh effects of the sun.

While this is a great option to have healthy skin, we cannot overlook the challenges people using sunscreen in Nigeria face. Is it the beliefs, the cost, or even the climate? 

Well, let’s examine these struggles and simple solutions to them. 

1. Lack of understanding

People sometimes lack an understanding of the purpose of sunscreen. Many a time people use it based on hearsay, or assumptions and never really understand its use. Some people believe it’s an essential beauty routine, others think that it should be applied occasionally – when you’re under the sun, at the beach, or on a vacation.

Contrary to what people assume, it isn’t just applied to enhance beauty, it is essential for your health to protect your skin from UV rays. Do well to apply regularly whether you’re going out or staying indoors. 

So, learn about the appropriate use of sunscreen and use it accordingly. 

READ ALSO: 5 toxic chemicals that can damage the skin

2. Less access to quality product

It’s hard to find quality products that suit your skin in just about any store or supermarket. You’re more likely to encounter a fake than an original of the product that you need, and that can be harmful to your glow. 

So, what do you do in a case where you want to get sunscreen in Nigeria? Seek advice from a certified dermatologist on what products and where to get them. You can also shop from credible online stores or pharmacies. 

3. Inadequate awareness

Sunscreen seems to be a popular word, but it doesn’t come as a surprise that most people don’t have enough knowledge about the use of sunscreen. So, they make mistakes. For example, some people don’t believe that it should be applied regularly, others don’t believe that it’s for a specific skin complexion, and others believe that lotion is enough for the skin. 

The truth is that the sun can damage your skin such that it leads to skin problems, early aging, skin irritation, and most likely, skin cancer. 

So, in a bid to solve this problem, health, skincare, and beauty brands should create more awareness about the usefulness of this product, and help people see the reason using sunscreen in Nigeria is important. 

4. It’s expensive

The cost of living in the country is off the roof, and in fairness, people would rather not spend money on sunscreen in Nigeria because it is expensive, and because they have other priorities. The thing is, when it comes to matters of the skin, quality matters a lot, and the purchase of skincare products can be costly. 

So, to strike a balance, you can opt for budget-friendly but high-quality products especially the kinds that suit the climate. 

READ ALSO: 6 simple ways to protect your skin from dryness

5. It can irritate the skin

It’s not news anymore, Nigeria is hot and the application of sunscreen can make your skin feel irritable and sticky, especially when it blends with your sweat. This is most likely to happen when your product is not lightweight. And applying it to your skin can make it encourage a buildup of dirt. 

To play it safe, do well to get a product that’s not heavy, on the skin. 

Realistically speaking, using sunscreen in Nigeria is quite the challenge, but it’s worth it. If you’re not used to the product, don’t overwhelm yourself with its use. Take things a step at a time. Remember, the goal is to have healthy and glowing skin regardless of the climate.