6 Affordable Beauty and Hygiene Kenyan Products I Loved Using in Q1 2025

I know we’re way past Q1 by now. However, in this post, I will share five of my favorite beauty and hygiene products that have significantly and positively impacted my routine. I believe I will carry them along with me as the year progresses, and I hope it will be a source of inspiration for you. If you’re interested, keep reading.

1. Chocomusk Perfume Oil

In a past blog post titled 5-step cocoa butter-inspired routine, I mentioned that the most suitable perfume for this routine is the Al Rehab Choco Musk perfume. Well, aside from the perfume, there’s also perfume oil.

A perfume oil is an oil-based formula that provides a more intimate and subtle scent. Its formula makes it more suitable for you if you have sensitive skin, as normal perfume has alcohol, which may be drying and irritating. 

I love the chocomusk perfume oil because it has a sweet, chocolatey, and yummy scent. It smells like vanilla ice cream or vanilla wafers. Before I spray, on the ChocoMusk perfume, I rub the perfume oil on my pulse points, i.e, inside the wrists and elbows, as well as my neck. I use it to layer and further enhance the scent of the Choco Musk perfume, and I adore it. I got it from Middle Eastern Scents for Ksh 300.

2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

The next product that has made my Q1 is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner. Glycolic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which is an acid extracted from plants. Glycolic Acid is extracted from sugarcane. It has exfoliating properties that remove the top layers of dead skin cells. It also helps to reverse sun damage, soften rough areas of the body, such as the soles, and lighten dark areas like the armpits. 

I use mine as an exfoliant for my skin. After cleansing and drying my face, I pour a few drops onto a cotton pad and apply it all over my skin. This I do 2-3 times a week, and at night only, since it makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

After years of suffering from acne that left hyperpigmentation and dark marks, this product is honestly saving my skin! My skin feels and looks smoother, more even, and the dark marks have lightened. I love it so much!

I won’t lie, this product is quite pricey, but I took a risk and bought it from a vendor on Jumia, instead of a beauty shop, and crossed my fingers hoping it was legit! Thank God it was! I bought the Glycolic Acid 7%, the 240ml bottle for Ksh 1200. 

Also, do a patch test before you use it on your skin by applying a small amount behind your ear, and pay attention to how your skin reacts.

3. Aryuv Premium Cotton Pads

Speaking of the glycolic acid toner, I cannot fail to mention the Aryuv Premium Cotton Pads. I use these to apply my toner and remove nail polish. This is one of my favorite beauty and hygiene products because it’s highly absorbent, soft, and strong.  They are also biodegradable and chemical-free. They are usually sold in a pack of 70 pads for about Ksh. 195.

4. Menstrual Cup

The fourth item among my top 6 beauty and hygiene products I loved using in Q1 is the menstrual cup. Monthly periods are stressful enough. From the cramps to fatigue, nausea, and even diarrhea. We girlies have it rough! Plus, don’t even get me started on the feeling of standing up with a pad after sitting down for a long time. It feels like all the blood just pours all over your clothes, and you’re constantly worrying about staining your clothes.

Well, until now. Ever heard of the menstrual cup? This is a bell-shaped or cup-shaped device made of silicone that’s usually inserted in the vagina during your menstrual cycle. It literally collects the blood in a cup. 

I love this product because it’s reusable, thus environmentally-friendly as compared to pads and tampons, plus it is cost-effective as you’ll significantly reduce your spending on period products. Also, you can stay with it, depending on how heavy your flow is, for up to 12 hours at a time.

With this, I rarely have to worry about staining my clothes, I don’t feel it at all when it’s in there, and the only time I’d wear a pad, just for extra protection, is on day one or two of my period. 

I bought mine almost five years ago during Covid Time, and it was my first purchase from Jumia for about Ksh 800. Alternatively, you could check out these options from Cuppie.

5. Megagrowth Regular Relaxer

I have relaxed hair, and I recently retouched my hair after six months since I first relaxed it. I used the MegaGrowth regular relaxer for this, and the results were amazing. It comes in a box with pre-measured products that only need to be mixed during application. It leaves the hair smooth, soft, and bouncy. It also defends your hair from dryness and split ends. Since I have quite a lot of hair, I usually get the big box, sufficient for two touch-ups. It goes for Ksh 950.

6. MaraMoja Painkiller Tabs

The last product on this list of beauty and hygiene products I loved using in Q1 2025 is the MaraMoja Painkiller tabs. I use these particularly to manage my cramps. These are aspirin tablets, which are blood thinners, so if you take them during your period, you may find that your bleeding is heavier. This is not to cause worry, it’s just that the aspirin breaks down the endometrium lining that sheds as your period much faster than normal. It also gets rid of the pain, so I highly recommend it. When it comes to medication, please take the necessary precautions before taking it. Read and take the dosage as indicated on the pack and consult a medical professional before taking it. A box goes for about Ksh. 600. However, you can purchase a sachet with two tablets for about Ksh. 10-20, I think. ;)

Alright, that’s it. Those were my top 6 beauty and hygiene products I loved using in Q1 2025. I hope you’ll try one or two of these or even all of them!

Till the next post,

Miss Kambe.