Nigeria’s beauty industry is growing fast, with skincare leading the way. International brands no longer hold all the power—Nigerian skincare brands are stepping up, creating products tailored to African skin, climate, and concerns. From fighting dark spots to achieving a natural glow, these brands prove that “Made in Nigeria” stands for quality, innovation, and results.

If you want authentic, high-performing skincare, here are six Nigerian brands making waves in 2025 that deserve a spot in your routine:

1. Arami Essentials – Minimalist, Natural, and Effective

Founded by Ore Runsewe, Arami Essentials has built a reputation for its simple yet luxurious skincare products made from raw, organic ingredients. The brand focuses on minimalist formulations that nourish and protect the skin without unnecessary additives.

Top products include:

✓ Glow Oil – A lightweight body oil that locks in hydration and gives a dewy glow.

✓ Onyx Polish (Black Soap Scrub) – A deep-cleansing scrub made from African black soap.

✓ Elixir Body Mist – Nourishes skin while providing a refreshing natural scent.

Why we love it: It’s eco-friendly, vegan, great for sensitive skin, and uses locally sourced ingredients.

2. Skin by Zaron – Where Science Meets Skincare

Zaron, founded by Oke Maduewesi, is a well-known Nigerian beauty brand that expanded into skincare with Skin by Zaron, offering scientifically formulated products designed for melanin-rich skin. Their products target hydration, acne control, and brightening.

Top products include:

✓ Skin Regenerating Hydrating Serum – Boosts skin moisture and plumps fine lines.

✓ Balancing Face Toner – Reduces excess oil while refining pores.

✓ Ultimate Glow Brightening Face Cream – Fades dark spots and evens out skin tone.

Why we love it: Affordable, effective, and perfect for Nigeria’s humid weather.

3. R&R Luxury – Shea Butter Royalty

Founded by Valerie Obaze, R&R Luxury (Radiance and Renewal) is all about shea butter and African botanicals that promote radiant skin. Their products are deeply nourishing and ideal for hydration and skin repair.

Top products include:

✓ Shea Oil – A multipurpose oil for skin and hair hydration.

✓ Liquid Black Soap – A gentle cleanser perfect for acne-prone skin.

✓ Lavender Shea Butter – A soothing moisturizer infused with calming lavender.

Why we love it: Sustainable luxury rooted in African traditions, with rich and moisturizing formulas.

4. Bath Kandy – Skincare That Looks Like Dessert

Founded by Blondie Okpuzor, Bath Kandy is one of Nigeria’s most exciting skincare brands, delivering products made with natural ingredients in the ‘yummiest’ ways. Inspired by desserts, their products make skincare fun while remaining highly effective.

Top products include:

✓ Cake Soap – A soap that looks like a slice of cake.

✓ Cookie Scrub – A scrub that looks like a cookie.

✓ Ice Cream Soap – A soap that looks like a scoop of ice cream.

Why we love it: Creative packaging, eco-friendly ingredients, and an indulgent bath-time experience.

5. Narganics – Organic Luxury

Founded in 2016 by Susan Tobor Akinyooye, Narganics is a natural and organic skincare and fragrance brand. All its products are handmade with ingredients sourced from Africa and beyond.

Top products include:

✓ Body Soufflé – A whipped body butter that melts into the skin.

✓ Body Scrub – A sugar scrub that gently buffs away dead skin cells.

✓ Body Mist – A refreshing spray that hydrates and scents the skin.

Why we love it: Handmade, ethically sourced, with luxurious textures and divine scents.

6. Ajali – Handmade, Cruelty-Free Skincare

Founded by Ifeyinwa Ojekwe, Ajali is a spa-quality skincare brand offering products crafted from raw, organic ingredients. Their formulations focus on hydration, exfoliation, and skin renewal.

Top products include:

✓ Lemon & Vanilla Body Scrub – Brightens and smoothens the skin.

✓ Whipped Shea Butter – Deeply moisturizes and protects the skin.

✓ Coconut & Honey Face Mask – Hydrates and soothes irritated skin.

Why we love it: 100% natural, handmade, and perfect for dry or sensitive skin.

Conclusion

These six brands are leading the charge in Nigeria’s skincare industry, proving that local products can compete with global giants. Whether you’re looking for hydration, brightening, acne control, or indulgent self-care, these brands have something for you.

So, if you’re ready to upgrade your skincare game with products made for your skin, by your own people, these Nigerian brands are the perfect place to start. Each one offers something special—whether it’s hydration, glow, or gentle care. Support local. Invest in your skin. Start your glow journey today.

Read more: Off Duty Style Goals: Amina Cocoa’s Best Casual Fashion Moments 

Oily skin is the ultimate nemesis of many Nigerians. You wake up in the morning, and your face is already shining like the golden gates of heaven. While most people might see it as “glow” you know it’s a disadvantage to your skin; when you have oily skin your pores can become clogged with dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. This can lead to skin issues like blackheads, white heads, and acne.

A black oily-skined lady

It’s important to note that clogged pores can lead to inflammation such as redness, swelling, pain etc, scarring, and skin discoloration. To prevent these problems you need to be intentional about your skincare routine and pamper your skin. Skincare isn’t vanity, it’s self-love. Your morning and night routines will determine and help you nurture healthy-looking skin.

Morning Routine for Oily Skin

Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of the day. When you have oily skin, it’s essential to start with a clean slate. Here’s a simple yet effective morning routine:

Oil-free clean and clear blackhead cleanser

1. Cleanse your face: Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser that removes dirt and excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Look for a cleanser containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, these help exfoliate the skin and unclog pores.

Face toner for oily skin

2. Tone your skin: Use a toner that balances your skin’s pH and removes any remaining impurities. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel is a great option.

Light-weight moisturizer for oily skin

3. Apply a lightweight moisturizer: Yes, you read that right! Even oily skin needs moisturizer. Look for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is an excellent choice.

Water-based sunscreen for oily skin

4. Use a broad-spectrum or water-based sunscreen: Protect your skin from the harsh Nigerian sun with a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing at least SPF 30-50.

Nighttime Routine for Oily Skin

Your night routine is just as important as your morning routine. It’s time to remove all the dirt, oil, and makeup that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day. Here’s a simple night routine:

Micellar cleansing water

1. Remove your makeup: Use a gentle makeup remover that removes all makeup without stripping your skin of its natural oils. Look for one that contains micellar water.

2. Cleanse your face: Double-cleanse using a gentle, oil-free cleanser. This ensures that all dirt, oil, and makeup are completely removed.

Chemical face exfoliant containing AHAs and BHAs

3. Exfoliate once or twice a week: Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Use a gentle scrub or a chemical exfoliant containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).

Spot treatment for breakout on oily skin

4. Apply a spot treatment: If you have any active breakouts, apply a spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

5. Moisturize: Yes, again! Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to balance your skin’s moisture levels.

6. Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can cause stress, which can trigger excess oil production. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

In addition to the above tips, always use oil-free products, avoid heavy makeup, and stay hydrated to help flush out toxins and keep your skin clear.

Read also: 4 Natural Remedies for Hyperpigmentation 

Managing oily skin requires patience, persistence, and the right skincare routine. By following these morning and night routines, you’ll be well on your way to achieving balanced, healthy-looking skin.

Remember, everyone’s skin is different, so it may take some trial and error to find the right products and routine that work for you. Be gentle with your skin, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It is a condition characterized by clogged pores, inflammation, and bacteria buildup that leads to breakouts. While acne is often associated with adolescence, many adults also struggle with the condition. The good news is that it is possible to manage and improve acne with the right skincare routine. However, crafting a routine that works for acne-prone skin can be a bit tricky, as it requires balancing acne treatment with maintaining the health of your skin. 

Acne occurs when the hair follicles (pores) become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. This creates an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to inflammation and the development of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, or other types of acne lesions.

Some factors that can contribute to acne include excessive oil production, hormonal changes, bacteria, diet and lifestyle and so many others. 

Having gotten an insight as to how acne works, here is a step by step routine that would work for your acne prone skin and keep your face healthy and clean at all times. 

Cleanse Properly

The first step in any skincare routine is cleansing, especially for acne-prone skin. Cleansing helps remove excess oil, dirt, sweat, and makeup that can clog pores. However, when it comes to acne-prone skin, it’s important to choose a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils or irritate your skin.

Some things to pay attention to includes: 

• Cleanse twice a day; once in the morning and once at night using lukewarm water.
• Avoid scrubbing your face too hard; instead, use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin for 30 seconds.
• Don’t overwash your face, as this can strip your skin and lead to further oil production

Read Also: Top Concealers for Acne

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliation is a crucial step for acne-prone skin, as it helps remove dead skin cells that can clog pores. However, it’s essential to choose the right type of exfoliator and use it in moderation to avoid irritation. 

Ensure to: 

• Use a chemical exfoliant 2 to 3 times a week. Over-exfoliating can irritate the skin and lead to more breakouts.
• Apply exfoliant after cleansing, and allow it to absorb into your skin. Follow up with a moisturizer.
• Avoid physical exfoliants as scrubs with coarse grains can irritate the skin and worsen acne, especially if you have inflamed or cystic acne. 

Treat Acne with Spot Treatments

If you’re experiencing active breakouts, acne spot treatments can help target individual pimples and reduce inflammation. Spot treatments are concentrated formulas that help kill bacteria, reduce oil, and minimize the appearance of pimples.

Moisturize Regularly

Moisturizing is a crucial step in an acne-friendly skincare routine. Acne-prone skin can often be dry or dehydrated due to the use of acne treatments and this can strip the skin of its natural moisture. A good moisturizer helps keep the skin hydrated and balanced.

Also ensure to avoid touching your face constantly as your hands carry bacteria and oil, so touching your face can spread these to your skin and contribute to breakouts. Remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle by  staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress to help support your skin’s health. 

If you stick to this routine, you can be sure to have a smooth and healthy face for yourself.