They say beauty comes at a price, but what happens when you stop paying it? In a world where 12-step skincare routines and luxury serums have become status symbols, four Kenyan women made a radical choice: they stepped off the beauty industry's endless treadmill of promises and products.
For years, Winnie, Mical, Mercy, and Charity played by the rules – investing thousands in miracle creams, cult-favorite brands, and the latest "must-have" treatments. Their bathroom shelves grew heavy with half-used bottles, each promising the elusive perfect skin. Then they did the unthinkable – they quit.
In raw, honest conversations with Lifestyle, these women reveal what happened when they stripped their routines back to basics. From withdrawal-like breakouts to surprising transformations, their stories challenge everything we've been told about what our skin "needs." As the global skincare industry pushes toward the $200 billion mark, these women's experiences beg the question: Are we overthinking – and over-treating – our skin?
A decade living makeup-free, I have a natural glow
Winnie Kathure, administrator
For 13 years, Winnie Kathure, an administrator in a media house, has chosen to leave her face entirely natural—no makeup, and no skincare products.
After spending a fortune on beauty products, Winnie Kathure decided to go make-up free a decade ago and the results are glowing skin.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation
Her glowing, smooth complexion defies expectations, making it hard to believe she hasn’t used any products for so long.
“This is just my natural face—no oil, no makeup,” she says with a bright smile, gently touching her face.
For Winnie this a decision she had to come to after a lifelong, very public struggle with her skin since her teenage years and into adulthood.
"Before 2012, I had pimples all over, and I tried different skincare products for a very long time, but none worked," Winnie recalls.
“There was a time I spent about Sh18,000 on facial products, hoping for smooth, youthful skin,” she shares.
In 2012, Winnie tried a different tactic. She didn't add more products to her routine-she stopped using any products at all.
“Since I have an oily skin, I thought I should try letting my face be,” she says.
“For the first three to six months, my face broke out badly. It was peeling, dry, and very difficult to look at. But after that, my skin started improving. By the end of six months, it had cleared up on its own.”
From 2012 to now, January 2025, Winnie has embraced a minimalist skincare routine.
“I’ve used nothing on my face for years,” she shares.
“My skin produces its own oil, and I no longer spend money on skincare products.”
Winnie reflects on her journey, emphasising that skincare products aren’t always the solution.
“These companies hype their products so much, but they don’t always work,” she explains. “If they did, they would have worked for me, especially since I was using top brands at the time.”
Dr Roop Saini, a Consultant Dermatologist, advises women to approach skincare trends and social media advice with caution.
“Not everything you see online suits all skin types. Viral trends, DIY remedies, or influencer recommendations may not align with your skin’s needs,” she warns.
Dr Roop Saini, a Consultant Dermatologist, advises women to approach skincare trends and social media advice with caution.
Photo credit: Pool
“While these products can sound appealing, not all claims are supported by scientific research,” she says. “Focus on clinically proven active ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C. Avoid being swayed by buzzwords like ‘natural’ or ‘chemical-free,’ as they don’t always guarantee effectiveness or safety.”
Winnie believes stress was a major contributor to her skin issues, underscoring the importance of addressing internal factors alongside external treatments. This balance, combined with a personalised approach to skincare, can be the key to healthier skin.
“Stress, whether from family issues, finances, or relationships, reflects on your face,” she explains.
“When I look back, I realise that my stress levels were high during those years, and that likely contributed to my bad skin.”
Winnie’s advice for those struggling with skincare is to understand their skin type and avoid overloading it with products.
“For people with oily skin, just let your face be. Initially, it might break out as your pores adjust, but over time, it will regulate itself.”
She also warns against touching your face unnecessarily or using oils and sprays that might irritate it.
“The dirt and oils from your hair or hands can easily tamper with your face, so it’s better to minimise contact.”
Ultimately, Winnie believes that good skin requires more than just products.
“A flawless face needs more than money. It’s about managing stress, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and understanding what works for your skin,” she concludes.
Now, with over a decade of experience living makeup-free, Winnie’s natural glow stands as proof that sometimes less is more.
I was stressing my face with too many products
Mical Imbukwa, 32, administrative assistant story
For Mical Imbukwa, a 32-year-old administrative assistant, her skincare story began with simplicity and a touch of serendipity.
I spent Sh10,000 on a moisturiser and eye cream, but they didn’t work for me, Micah says. She later returned to everyday products and her skin thanks her.
Back in 2011, as a college student, she didn’t give her skin much thought.
“I wasn’t really using many products then,” she recalls.
“I started with Gold Touch—the blue one—and occasionally used an apricot facial scrub that came in a tin. My skin was great then. People would ask me what foundation I was using, but I wasn’t wearing any.”
However, her confidence in her natural glow was short-lived.
In 2014, Mical decided to upgrade her routine, purchasing a full set of high-end products.
“I bought a cleanser, toner, and moisturiser. It was expensive, but I thought it would be worth it,” she says.
Instead of the radiant skin she envisioned, Mical experienced her first major setback.
“My skin broke out terribly. Someone even insulted me, saying I looked ugly because of the acne. It was so hurtful that I considered giving up on skincare altogether.”
Slowly, her skin improved, but the lure of high-end products remained.
Despite this progress, Mical chose not to consult a dermatologist for a personalised skincare plan, as recommended by Dr. Saini.
“You see a professional assessment ensures you’re not wasting time or money on ineffective or unnecessary products and helps you avoid complications from improper use of active ingredients,” Dr Saini says.
Over the years, Mical experimented with many high-end and famed beauty brands, each time hoping for a miracle.
“One worked wonders for a while,” she recalls.
“People complimented me, saying my skin looked like that of a child. But the products were too expensive to maintain.”
However, her experiment with another one was particularly disheartening.
“I spent Sh10,000 on a moisturiser and eye cream, but they didn’t work for me. It felt like such a waste.”
Peninah Mwapaga, an esthetician says that the mistake people make when it comes to skincare products is, ‘wanting a miracle overnight’.
“When using skincare products, you have to be very patient. You know skin always takes 28 days to regenerate itself. So this is why you need to be very patient and consistent,” Peninah says.
On the other hand, she says that acne takes 90 days to form on the skin and if you want results, then you have to be very patient since it cannot come overnight.
After countless trials and errors, Mical rediscovered the effectiveness of her trusted affordable moisturiser, this time paired with a cleanser.
“Now, I’ve simplified my routine. I use regular bath soap and the moisturiser. My skin has never been better,” she says.
“Looking back, I realise I was stressing my face with too many products. Less is more.”
It's not about products; it's taking care of your body from the inside out
Mercy Mumo, 28, Hansard reporter
For Mercy Mumo, 28 years old, and a Hansard reporter in the Nairobi County Assembly, it was an end of a tedious painful emotional journey into clear skin.
A picture of Mercy Mumo in 2016 when she struggled with acne and tried all manner of expensive remedies and a recent photo when she embraced lifestyle changes, including a clean diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration.
Photo credit: Pool
For a couple of years, acne seemed to be inseparable from her life; however, nowadays, this same complexion turns out the other way-it is smooth and so tender; what a contrast from the year 2022 when pain-filled and pus-filled pimples almost decorated her face.
Her struggle with acne began in 2016 during her second year of college. "I used to have flawless skin, but then small dots started appearing on my face. Within weeks, it escalated into full-blown acne," she recalls. The sudden transformation was quite shocking and devastating, which had her struggling with self-esteem issues while trying to find a solution.
At her wit's end, Mercy searched online and found acne.org , where she was introduced to the likes of glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide cream.
Being a college student, most of the products were a little expensive.
She later consulted a dermatologist, who prescribed her cream that contained BP. The medication treatment irritated, giving her a painful feeling.
The doctor told me, 'This is all I can recommend,' and I had to persevere.
Determined to find a solution, Mercy saved her semester’s allowance to purchase acne.org products for Sh11,000.
“The products helped, but my skin would flare up whenever I stopped using them,” she explains.
This cycle continued throughout college, leaving her financially strained and emotionally drained.
After graduation, Mercy’s challenges persisted as she navigated the demands of her new job.
“As a journalist, the long hours and sun exposure took a toll on my skin. I didn’t even know about sunscreen back then,” she admits.
"People would pull me aside to suggest remedies, not realising how much it hurt my self-esteem."
Mercy's breakthrough came when a colleague introduced her to a doctor who recommended Accutane, a powerful acne medication.
Despite its steep cost of between Sh3,000 and Sh5,000 per month—Mercy committed to the six-month treatment.
The results were transformative, but the journey wasn't without its challenges.
"The medication had brought severe dryness, depression, and hormonal disruption. I wish the doctors had warned me about the side effects," she says.
Beyond medication, Mercy embraced lifestyle changes, including a clean diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration. Today, her skin is clearer, and her confidence has grown.
"It's not just about products; it's taking care of your body from the inside out," she says.
“While cosmeceuticals can be a great addition to a skincare routine, they are not a substitute for healthy habits like wearing sunscreen, maintaining hydration, and eating a balanced diet.
Her advice to others? “Don’t give unsolicited advice to someone struggling with acne. They already know what they’re going through.”
Striking a balance between skincare and self-acceptance
For 27-year-old Charity Phoebe, the journey to clear skin began in 2012 when she was in Form Two.
Inspired by a friend’s radiant complexion, she decided to try Aloe Vera glycerin, a product her friend recommended.
Charity Phoebe says her motivations were rooted in insecurity. “I thought having a beautiful face would make me more attractive,” she says.
Photo credit: Pool
However, Dr Saini warns that following such recommendations without proper guidance can lead to skincare issues, a common mistake many women make.
“I wanted a smooth, beautiful face like hers,” Charity recalls. But the results were far from what she hoped.
Within weeks, her face broke out in pimples that resembled measles.
Her parents urged her to stop using the product, but the damage had already been done.
For six months, Charity endured the breakouts, which took a toll on her self-esteem.
“Even my classmates noticed and asked what was wrong with my skin,” she says.
In desperation, she turned to raw Aloe Vera gel, which eventually cleared her skin.
After her KCSE exams, Charity tried another friend’s recommendation: Puclear.
The product lightened her skin within two months, but her father quickly intervened.
“He warned me to stop using it, and I did,” she says.
Looking back, Charity realises her motivations were rooted in insecurity.
When Charity joined university, she began experimenting with makeup.
"I used a foundation shade that didn't match my skin tone. My face was light, but the rest of my body was dark," she says, laughing.
Undeterred by setbacks, she persisted in finding out what worked for her.
These days, Charity strikes a balance between skincare and self-acceptance.
She spends between Sh3,000 and Sh5,000 monthly on products such as Vitamin C serum, toner, cleanser, and foundation.
Peninah, however, advises individuals like Charity to prioritise a thorough skin analysis before trying new products. This helps determine skin condition, texture, tone, hydration levels, and the presence of issues like acne, pigmentation, or fine lines.
“When you go for a skin analysis, don’t hold back,” she emphasises. “Be as inquisitive as possible—ask all those questions that have been troubling you.”
