Skin gets sweaty, pores clog easily, and dark spots deepen fast without sunscreen. The good news is you don’t need luxury products to look good.
With simple, ingredient-first choices and small sizes, you can build effective routines for roughly ₦5,000 per set, depending on your city and where you shop.
Here are 12 Nigerian skincare routines under ₦5,000:
1) Oily, acne-prone skin
In the morning, use a gel cleanser with salicylic acid, follow with a light gel moisturiser that contains niacinamide, and finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30+. At night, cleanse again, apply a thin layer of azelaic acid 10% or benzoyl peroxide 2.5% on breakout zones, and seal with your gel moisturiser. Salicylic acid keeps pores clear, niacinamide calms oil and redness, and azelaic or low-dose benzoyl tackles spots without wrecking your barrier.
2) Dry, tight, or flaky skin
Start the day with a non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser, then use a creamy moisturiser rich in glycerin, ceramides, or shea, and protect with SPF 30+. At night, repeat the gentle cleanse, reapply the moisturiser, and tap a rice-grain amount of petroleum jelly on very dry patches. Humectants pull in water while shea and ceramides lock it in, and sunscreen prevents dryness from turning into dull, uneven tone.
3) Combination skin
Wash with a mild gel cleanser in the morning, layer a niacinamide toner or serum, use a lightweight lotion, and finish with SPF 30+. At night, cleanse and apply lactic acid 5% on the T-zone two nights per week, then use the same lotion. Niacinamide balances the mix of oily and dry areas, while lactic acid smooths texture without stripping the cheeks.
4) Hyperpigmentation
Cleanse gently each morning, apply niacinamide or a vitamin C derivative, moisturise, and use SPF 30+ without fail. In the evening, cleanse again, spread a thin layer of azelaic acid 10% on dark spots, and moisturise. Pigmentation only fades if you block UV daily and use brighteners consistently; azelaic plus niacinamide is a budget-friendly, beginner-safe pair.
5) Post-acne marks (PIH)
Use the same simple cleanse-moisturise-SPF routine in the morning with niacinamide underneath. At night, cleanse and apply azelaic acid 10% or a gentle retinoid alternative if you find one within budget, then moisturise. This keeps new breakouts calm while steadily lifting leftover brown marks.
6) “Fungal acne”-prone bumps
Keep mornings light with a simple cleanser, an oil-free gel moisturiser, and SPF 30+. At night, cleanse your skin, and on two or three nights per week, apply a short contact mask using an anti-dandruff shampoo for two to three minutes before rinsing, then moisturise. Avoid heavy oils and stick to simple gels. If irritation appears, stop and see a professional.
7) Low-fuss routine for men
Wash your face, apply a light gel or lotion, and finish with SPF 30+ every morning. In the evening, cleanse again—especially after shaving—use your moisturiser, and dab azelaic acid on shaving bumps if needed. Fewer steps done consistently protect against shadowy patches and ingrowns.
8) Teen skin (first routine)
Begin with a gentle cleanser, a light moisturiser, and SPF 30+ in the morning. At night, cleanse and moisturise, and use benzoyl peroxide 2.5% only as a spot treatment. Most teens don’t need strong acids at the start; barrier-safe basics work best.
9) Harmattan repair
Switch to a creamy cleanser in the morning, use a richer moisturiser with shea or ceramides, and still apply SPF 30+. At night, cleanse, moisturise on damp skin, and press a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the driest areas such as lips, cheeks, and heels. Low humidity calls for thicker creams and a proper seal.
10) Make-up wearers
Cleanse in the morning, apply a hydrating lotion that sits well under foundation, and let SPF 30+ set before makeup. At night, take everything off with micellar water or an oil-based balm, follow with a gentle cleanser, moisturise, and use azelaic acid twice a week to smooth tone and texture. Proper removal prevents clogged pores and dullness.
11) Gym and sweat days
If you train early, a quick rinse and SPF is enough before you head out. After workouts, rinse or do a short cleanse and use a gel moisturiser. At night, cleanse and apply a salicylic acid toner on the chest or back two or three times weekly if you get body acne, then moisturise. Sweat under tight clothing clogs pores; quick post-workout care keeps skin clear.
12) Outdoor workers and travellers
Begin with a cleanse, layer an antioxidant such as niacinamide or a vitamin C derivative, and apply SPF 30+, carrying a small sunscreen for re-application. At night, cleanse, soothe with an aloe or glycerin gel, and lock in with moisturiser; add petroleum jelly on wind-burned spots. Long hours in the sun demand frequent protection and calming layers after dark.