Let’s be real, "skincare routine" sounds like something fussy, complicated, and expensive. It sounds like a lot of uzungu(foreign/complex) nonsense. But when your face is staging a mutiny, you don’t need a fussy plan; you need a battle plan. A simple, repeatable, no-nonsense strategy that gets the job done. This isn't vanity. This is basic maintenance, like shining your shoes or getting a sharp line-up.
Your Grandfathers Bar Soap Is Not Your Friend
The first step is a divorce. You must separate from that harsh, all-purpose bar of soap that you use for everything. That soap is a sledgehammer; your face is a smartphone screen. Using it strips all the oil, which sends your skin into a full-blown panic, forcing it to produce even more oil to compensate. It’s a vicious cycle. You need a real, formulated face wash—preferably with Salicylic Acid—to clean out the grime and oil, not to blast your skin into the stone age.
Treatment Products Are Your Secret Weapon
This is the step that makes all the difference. This is the askari (guard) you hire to specifically deal with the intruders. After you’ve cleaned the compound (your face), you apply a targeted treatment. This could be a Benzoyl Peroxide gel to kill bacteria or a Salicylic Acid serum to keep the pores clear. This isn't a moisturizer. This is the active, tactical part of the plan. It’s the sniper, not the foot soldier.
Moisturizing Oily Skin Is Not A Typo
This is the moment most men quit. "Moisturize? My face is already an oil slick!" Here is the secret: a dry, dehydrated face is a panicked face. By giving your skin a lightweight, "oil-free," or "non-comedogenic" (a fancy word for "won’t clog you") moisturizer, you are sending a message. You’re the boss. You’re telling your skin, "Relax. I’ve got the hydration covered. You can stop pumping out all that extra oil."
Sunscreen Is Your Most Valuable Player
You live under the beautiful, intense Kenyan sun. Skipping sunscreen is like going into a nyama choma competition without a plate. You’re going to get burned. For acne-prone skin, the sun is a double-agent. It might look like it’s "drying out" pimples, but it’s actually busy cooking those dark marks (post-acne spots) into permanent residents on your face. A good sunscreen is the non-negotiable bodyguard for your future face.
Keep Your Hands Off The Merchandise
Your hands have been everywhere. They've been on your phone, your keyboard, the matatu railing, and handling cash. They are a walking, talking bacteria convention. Every time you touch your face, rest your chin on your hand, or pick at a spot, you are personally escorting a fresh army of invaders onto your skin. This is the simplest rule and the hardest to follow. Stop giving the enemy a free ride.
Consistency Is The Only "Magic" That Works
This routine is not a one-time harambee (fundraiser) where you do it once and expect miracles. It's a daily, boring, consistent job, like brushing your teeth. You are the man in charge of this asset. At HIs.Doctor, we can give you the blueprint, but you have to build it. Cleanse, Treat, Moisturize, Protect. That’s the script. Stick to it, and you’ll get to write a much, much clearer ending.