Nairobi weather is a moving target. January is hot and dusty, the long rains arrive in April, and July mornings are cold enough that you will see people in puffer jackets. My skin used to react to every change. These days I keep things simple, and that has made all the difference.

A note before we start: I am not a dermatologist. This is what works for me — if your skin is giving you real trouble, please see a professional.

Morning: three steps

1. Rinse. Most mornings just lukewarm water. A gentle cleanser only if I worked out or slept badly.
2. Moisturise. A light lotion in the hot months, something richer from June to August.
3. Sunscreen. Every day, even when it's grey. We are close to the equator and at altitude — the sun here is stronger than it feels.

Evening: take the city off

After a day of matatu dust and traffic fumes, I cleanse properly at night. Then moisturiser, and once or twice a week a few drops of oil on the dry patches around my nose and chin.

The dusty season

When it's dry, I drink more water than I want to, keep a small tub of shea butter in my bag for my hands and lips, and wear a scarf on dusty walks. Shea butter from the market is cheap, simple and wonderful.

What I stopped doing

• Buying every new product a friend recommended.
• Scrubbing hard when my skin felt rough. Gentle is almost always better.
• Skipping sunscreen because it's "cloudy".

Good skin is mostly boring consistency.

That's it. No twelve-step routine, nothing imported at three times the price. Tell me in the comments what's in your own bag for Nairobi weather.