For many Nigerian students, skincare isn’t just a luxury—it is a necessity. Yet, with prices driven by inflation and counterfeit products flooding the market, maintaining healthy skin has become an uphill battle. Students are caught in the struggle of self-care and financial constraint just to achieve a flawless glow. But how much does it cost to maintain good skin?
Two students of Obafemi Awolowo University spoke about their ordeal, struggles, and challenges, as well as the amount of money they spend to care for their skin.
Favour Motunrayo, a 400-level student and skincare consultant, said, ‘Skincare, to me, as a lady, is more than just a routine—it is self-care, confidence, and overall well-being.’ According to Favour, skincare is about using the right products to nourish, protect, and enhance the skin, helping people feel comfortable and radiant in their natural beauty.
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‘I started my skincare journey part 1 though, not skincare major just using natural products (turmeric and the likes). I took it more seriously after I had an acne breakout in 200 level, and that was 2023 placed me on the edge,’ she added.
However, she almost lost her self-worth and confidence during the breakout, and that significant event inspired her to dive into skin care after she got rid of it through a lot of research and personal training.
‘I told myself that I would help other people achieve that desired skin goal and make both genders look pretty,’ she said further. Speaking about being a skincare consultant, she noted that in the journey of being able to give a standard review of how to care for skin to her customers, she has used a lot of skincare products. ‘I mostly go with my cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream and most importantly, my sunscreen, and I spend nothing less than 15-20k monthly,’ she added.
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Helen Abadoni, a 200-level Student and a Voice-over Artist, said, ‘skin care is a form of self-care. It gives me that constant feeling of refreshment and excitement that I am taking care of my skin. It is my little way of appreciating and taking care of myself.’
She narrates her ordeal of struggling to get a perfect product that suits her skin. According to her narration, she has used many skincare products which worsened the condition of her skin. In addition to the struggles of getting original products, she noted that it is a hassle to get products which are perfect for one’s skin type.
‘I once ordered a product worth more than 40,000 from Abuja, and it arrived in Ife in 3 days. I went through so much stress because of it, and it still did not work,’ she added. She revealed that she spends 30,000 or 40,000 at times on skin care products to look glowing and radiant. She said, ‘I just wanted a glass skin, one that shines and looks healthy.’
She stated the consequence of trying a recommended product. She said, ‘I once had a little breakout, and I tried out a recommended product. It resulted in a massive breakout, and I became so dark. I had people talking and complaining. Some even confronted me and asked if I went to work on the farm during the semester break.’ This resulted in low self-esteem throughout the period for Helen, but she pulled through.
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In her words, Favour Motunrayo advised other students to take care of their skin consistently; doing so will prevent skin issues rather than treating them later in future. She stated, ‘My advice is simple: your skin is an investment, not an afterthought. Whether you have a routine or not, start with the basics—cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection—and choose quality products that nourish your skin. Healthy skin is not about perfection; it is about care and consistency.’
Helen Abadoni also advised other students not to push themselves too hard if they are struggling with caring for their skin. She emphasizes further that oftentimes, those hyped and expensive ones will not work to cure the skin issues, and it might be frustrating and discouraging, but the ones that are way cheaper or not hyped would be perfect for one’s skin. She said, ‘If you have tried and it is not working, then see an expert in the field. If your products are working perfectly, be consistent; achieving that good look takes a lot, but it takes nothing to lose it. So take care of yourself. You are your biggest asset, and your skin is a big part of your beauty.’
Ultimately, skincare for many students, like Helen and Favour, is it is a form of self-care, confidence, and personal expression. However, students are faced with financial hurdles, trial and error frustration, and counterfeit products in their journey to attain healthy skin. While some students spend thousands monthly to care for their skin, others struggle to find affordable yet effective solutions. But one truth stands out: good skincare isn’t about the price tag—it’s about consistency, knowledge, and finding what truly works.
In the end, the best investment is not just in the products but in understanding and caring for one’s skin.