Always wash off your make-up before sleep — Tayo Fadaka

Mrs Tayo Fadaka is a skincare specialist and runs a skincare line that specialises in natural and organic skin care products. In this interview by MOTUNRAYO SULEIMAN, she shares her opinion on the dangers of using harsh chemical products on the skin.

When did the journey as a skincare specialist start?

My entry into the skincare business was an interesting one. I took my daughter to a training school for make-up artists and I told my husband that I cannot be driving her there every day without doing anything to engage my time while I wait for her. So I enquired about their courses and the skincare course caught my attention and I enrolled for the training.  There, I learnt how to make cream from the scratch but my mastery in black soap was from learning from a woman in Accra, Ghana.

Did you attend any skin care specialist school?

I just enrolled with Formula Botanica or a Masters class that will span for a year. I am learning formulating from the scratch and the science of skincare.  I The journey started seven years ago but it became a business three years ago. I started my business out of passion; I have always been interested in taking care of the skin but was not lucky with the management process. I bought many products that rather than improve the texture of my skin, damaged it. I became desperate to buy natural products and I started reading about them. I am also currently researching on skin care for mature skins without having to undergo surgical procedures for skin defects.

Is it true that one cannot completely get rid of stretch mark lines, no matter how sophisticated the stretch mark cream removal is?

I am of that school of thought too, one cannot completely get rid of stretch marks but with a special cream, one can manage the marks and it becomes less visible. Stretch marks are caused by the breakage of collagen and elastin in the dermis. You can stop the spread from the dermis and that is what I meant by managing the scaring which is what we all see, which will become less visible with time, if properly managed. There are three kinds of stretch marks; the first is growth induced either by fats or due to pregnancy, the second is caused by the use of harsh chemicals to the skin, while the third is hereditary.

What is your take on skin bleaching and what are the health risks?

Bleaching involves using chemicals to lighten up the tone of the skin or to give the skin a more even and uniformed complexion. The risks involved in skin bleaching are that with time, the layers of the skin will thin out. Most bleaching creams are mixed with two toxic chemicals in play; hydroquinone and mercury and when people apply the chemicals on their skin, they more they use it, the more chances of having skin cancer. This is where organic skincare comes into play, organic skincare products are harsh-free chemical based ingredients that are processed and used to produce natural healthcare and skin products. They keep the skin flawless renewed without after-effects like visible green veins, stretch marks, black spots and so on.

What is your advice on everyday skincare routine for a healthy facial glow?

Skincare routine is vast, you must understand your skin and find out what really works for you. A routine that works wonders for lady A may not be ideally suitable for lady B. however, what is applicable to everybody is to never go to bed without washing your face and ridding it off makeup and sweat patches.  Most people remove their make up with makeup wipes but for me, I use coconut oil and afterwards, a good facial soap.

What is the secret of your beautiful skin?

I can’t do without my herbal black soap; I call it ‘miracle in a jar’. It works for all skin types. It not only tightens the skin but also refreshes it. The natural black soap is fortified with different fruits and herbs that enhance the skin.

What are your goals?

My goal is to be the best in what I am doing. I want to always meet a need in the skincare sector and for my line to be a benchmark.
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Made-in-Aba attires: Politicians who are blazing the trail

Aba clothiers can imitate any designer merchandise. Name that designer clothe, wristwatch, shoes or bag, there is a made-in-Aba version for it. Before now, made in-Aba clothes, like other made-in-Aba products, were treated with derogation and disdain. Aba, the “commercial-hub of Abia and the entire SouthEast” and which is fast assuming the leadership of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) of the nation is now the destination for fashion. There are reports that wears sewed in Aba are exported to neighbouring African countries, repackaged and smuggled into Nigeria as foreign clothes.

Due to the dwindling economy and the need to revitalise it, there have been campaigns spearheaded by political officeholders on the need to embrace and patronise the made-in-Nigeria attires. Among some of these political figures championing the cause are:

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce: Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa-East senatorial district, is an advocate of made-in-Nigeria goods. He recently traded his designer suits for a made-in-Aba attire, which he coordinated with his son. Posting the picture on Instagram, he captioned it “My son and I dazzle in made in Naija clothes as we promote #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira”

Senator Chris Ngige: The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, once revealed that he is an ardent patron of made -in-Aba products. At the launch of the ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign in Umuahia, he disclosed that all he wore on that occasion were made in Aba. Ngige said he was used to buying his wears from Malaysia before he realised that such items were actually made locally, particularly from Aba and exported to Malaysia.

Senator Bukola Saraki: The Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has redeemed his pledge to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods. During the recent Made- in-Aba Trade Fair in Abuja, Saraki  promised to be an advocate of increased patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods as a show of patriotism. During one of the Senate plenaries, Saraki was pictured wearing  a  made-in-Aba attire.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu: In the same vein, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, during his inauguration speech after being sworn as governor, vowed to only wear made-in-Aba attires throughout his tenure and beyond not because of lack of options but, according to him, “because it is good to be proud of what we have, especially if it’s the best”, he said.