Abuja -Some women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday said they now prefer natural organic body products against chemical-based ones because of increased prices of the imported products.
They attributed the hike in prices of chemical-based body products to rising dollar exchange rate.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the women said the dwindling value of the Naira against the dollar had forced them to find alternative products.
Ms Lilian Olarewaju, a telecom worker, said she was introduced to organic body products by a friend due to the increase in the prices of the imported body products she was accustomed to.
“The prices of body products that I was using increased with over 50 per cent without any warning.
“I had to quickly start using organic body products immediately because it was safer, cheaper and easily available for me,’’ said Olarewaju.
According to her, even though there were some organic body products that are expensive to make, she still preferred using them against the chemically based products because they were more suitable for her skin type.
“I actually prefer it because all the contents are natural organic that I was familiar with and I realised that it suits my skin type better than the chemically-based ones I was using previously,’’ she said.
Also, Mrs Aisha Bello, a banker, said although she was forced to start using organic body products for herself and her children, when the prices of the products increased, she had no regret using natural organic products.
“I have no regret for using organic body products, my only regret was that I didn’t start using it earlier,’’ she said.
Ms Chinelo Nnaji, a student, also told NAN that she uses organic products because they were easily accessible, noting that all the contents are natural products and affordable, depending on the ingredients.
“It is a lot cheaper, easier to access and even make, and because we know the contents of these products with record of minimal or no side effects for its users,’’ she said.
On her part, Hajiya Sadiyat Momoh, a beautician, said she mixes organic products using natural ingredients for various skin types, especially for people that use make-up, which exposes the skin to some health risk.
Momoh added that she also teaches people how to make organic body products.
“A lot of women now realise the value of natural organic body product, which is suitable with no side effect on all skin types.
“I have even taught a lot of women how to mix their body products with natural ingredients such as turmeric, lime, honey, coconut oil, shea butter, etc, that would leave the skin glowing, radiant, flawless, clear blemish with the use of pure herbal solutions with natural extracts,’’ said the bautifician.
Meanwhile, some cosmetic dealers told NAN that they have recorded low patronage due to the increase in the value of dollar as well as the awareness for more natural body products.
Mr Donatus Chibuike, a cosmetic dealer in Garki market, said he recorded fewer sales from the sale of his cosmetic products.
“I used to make at least N30,000 on a daily basis from the sale of body cream, soap, deodrants and perfumes. But now, I barely make N10,000,’’ he cried.
Chibuike also attributed the low patronage to the increase in the value of dollar, which he said had increased the prices of products by at least 50 per cent.
Similarly, Mrs Linda Isaiah, another cosmetic dealer, said the low patronage was due to the awareness and craze for more natural organic products as against the chemically based ones that customers used to demand.
“It is not just because of the increases in prices of these products, which are mostly imported from other countries that had made some women not to buy these products.
“But also, there is this awareness for natural products. Some women prefer to use organic body products for their skin and hair as against the chemically based one for lightening, toning and skin moisturing,’’ she said.
A medical practioner, Dr Idi Martins, underscored the health benefit of organic products, which he said revitalises the skin, protect it from aging, adds nutrients to the skin, prevents irritation and diseases, and had no side effects.
Martins, therefore, advised Nigerians to adopt organic products for their skin and body care, particularly for children.
