You are Overdoing! Dermatologists Warn Kenyans over Skincare Routines

As Kenya’s beauty industry expands and social media fuels increasingly complex skincare routines, dermatologists in the country are now urging Kenyans to rethink what healthy skin really means.

Speaking during the official launch of Pierre Fabre’s dermo-cosmeceutical portfolio in Kenya, Dr. Roop Saini, a committee member of the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD), delivered a clear message: more products do not equal better skin. She emphasized that skincare is fundamentally a medical issue, not just a cosmetic one.

“Effective skincare is not defined by the number of products we use, but by how well those products respect skin biology and support long-term skin health,” Dr. Saini said.

Kenya’s skincare market is rapidly expanding, with the sector projected to reach about USD 125 million (roughly KSh 16 billion) by December 2026, driven by rising demand for dermo-cosmetics and increased consumer awareness.

Yet this growth has coincided with a surge in complex and often counterproductive routines. According to local healthcare reports, conditions such as acne, eczema, dry skin and hyperpigmentation now account for roughly 10-30 percent of all outpatient dermatology visits nationwide.

According to her, whereas skincare should be simple and rewarding, most Kenyans are doing too much and too often and this she says, is the cause of most skin problems in the country.

This overuse, she warned, often leads to barrier damage, chronic irritation and inflammation, particularly problematic in a country where hyperpigmentation is a common concern.

“Many patients today are using multiple active ingredients at the same time, harsh exfoliants and inappropriate viral or TikTok trends from social media,” she warns.

Healthcare reports tracking dermatological trends in Kenya indicate that conditions such as acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and dry skin make up roughly 10–30 percent of all outpatient dermatology visits nationwide, a notable proportion that highlights a broad public health concern rather than a niche issue.
To effectively tackle this, Dr. Saini advocates for a straightforward approach.

“The honest truth is, a simple skincare routine. Simple routines are sustainable, and sustainable routines are effective. Consistency for us is far more important than the number of products that are used on the skin,” she advises.