Msamiati · Swahili skincare glossary
Skincare in
your own words.
The words you already use to describe your skin — alama, chunusi, ngozi kavu — and what they map to in the evidence-based catalog. A bridge, so the technical names don't get in the way of finding what works.
Maneno haya ni mwanzo. The Ledger na guides bado ziko kwa Kiingereza — tutaongeza Kiswahili kwa hatua, kuanza na vitu vinavyokusaidia kuchagua kile unachohitaji.
Mambo ya ngozi
Skin concerns
Alama · Madoa
Marks, dark spots
The marks left behind after a breakout heals, or that appear from sun exposure. The single most common skin concern for African women.Weusi wa ngozi
Hyperpigmentation
Skin getting darker in some areas — from sun, inflammation, hormones, or after a wound heals. Treatable, but slow.Chunusi · Vipele
Acne, breakouts
Pimples, blackheads, congested skin. On melanin-rich skin the breakout itself is often less worrying than the mark it leaves behind.Mawaa makubwa ya ngozi
Melasma
Large symmetrical patches on the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip. Often hormonal — pregnancy, contraceptives — and made worse by sun.Ngozi kavu
Dry skin
Skin that feels tight, flaky, or 'ashy.' Sometimes a hydration issue rather than an oil issue.Uharibifu wa kinga ya ngozi
Barrier damage
Skin that has been over-washed, over-exfoliated, or reacted to a product — and now stings, peels, or reddens at the slightest provocation.Hali ya ngozi isiyolainika
Texture / rough skin
Bumpy, uneven, or rough-feeling skin. Light doesn't reflect evenly off it — which can make hyperpigmentation look worse than it is.
Aina za ngozi
Skin types
Ngozi yenye mafuta
Oily skin
Shine appears within an hour or two of cleansing. Visible pores in the T-zone. Often the right type for lighter, water-based routines.Ngozi kavu
Dry skin
Feels tight after cleansing. Sometimes flakes around the cheeks or nose. Needs richer creams and humectants like hyaluronic acid.Ngozi mchanganyiko
Combination skin
Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), normal-to-dry cheeks. The most common type — and the trickiest to balance.Ngozi nyeti
Sensitive skin
Reacts easily to new products. Prone to redness, stinging, or itching. Needs the gentlest version of every routine.Ngozi ya kawaida
Normal skin
Balanced — neither oily nor dry on most days. The widest range of products will work.Ngozi iliyokomaa
Mature skin
Some loss of firmness, fine lines, slower cell turnover. Responds well to retinol-family ingredients and steady humectants.
Tabia za ngozi
What your skin does
Kuwasha
Itching
A common sign of barrier damage, dryness, or a reaction to a product. If a new active causes itching, stop using it.Kuvimba
Inflammation, swelling
Redness, heat, puffiness. On melanin-rich skin, inflammation is the primary trigger for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — treat it gently.Kushuka kwa ngozi · Kupasuka
Peeling, flaking
Skin coming off in small pieces. Can be over-exfoliation, dryness, or aggressive actives. Pull back; rebuild the barrier.Kunata
Sticky finish
A product that doesn't fully absorb. Common with hyaluronic acid serums in humid climates. Layer a light moisturizer over it.Kungara
Glow, radiance
Even-toned, well-hydrated, light-reflective skin. Less about expensive products, more about consistent SPF and gentle exfoliation.Mzio
Allergic reaction
Sudden redness, swelling, or hives after a product. Stop using it immediately. Not the same as irritation — allergy persists; irritation passes.
Maneno ya kawaida
Skincare terms
Vinyweleo
Pores
The tiny openings where oil and sweat reach the surface. They don't 'open' and 'close' — but they can clog. You don't shrink them; you keep them clear.Mafuta ya ngozi
Sebum (skin oil)
The oil your skin produces. Not bad in itself — it's part of the barrier. Problems come from over-production or trapped sebum.Kinga ya ngozi
Skin barrier
The outermost layer of skin that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it's damaged, every other skin issue gets worse. Always rebuild the barrier first.Maji ya ngozi
Hydration
Water content inside the skin. Different from oil. Even oily skin can be dehydrated. Hyaluronic acid and humectants address this.Kinga ya jua
Sun protection · SPF
The single most important product for any skin tone, but especially for African skin where UV makes every pigment issue worse. Daily, year-round.Utaratibu wa ngozi
Skincare routine
The order in which you use products: cleanse, hydrate, treat, protect. Not the number of products — the right order.Asubuhi · Jioni
Morning · Evening
Morning routines protect (SPF, antioxidants). Evening routines treat and repair (retinol, exfoliants). Don't mix them up.Orodha ya viungo · INCI
Ingredient list
The list of every ingredient in a product, ordered by amount. The first five lines tell you most of what you need to know. Below the 1% line, the order is alphabetical.
Tayari kuanza? · Ready to start?
Find what your skin needs.
Tafuta utaratibu wako.
The 60-second finder asks three questions — what your skin is doing, your skin type, and where you live — and surfaces the evidence-based ingredients and products built for your concern.