Vanessa Obioha
Sol Beach, Lagos, recently played host to the launch of Beiersdorf Nivea’s latest product, the Nivea UV Face Sunscreen. The event pooled guests from various walks of life, treating them to a blend of entertainment and education on the importance of sun protection.
Right from the entrance, guests were welcomed into the beach vibe as ushers in Nivea’s signature white and blue outfits handed out flower leis, while a DJ kept the energy high with back-to-back hits that had many nodding along to the beat.
They didn’t remain seated for long. The event’s hosts, social media influencer Oluwabukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, better known as Kiekie, and media personality Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, soon took the stage and kicked off a lively dance competition. A male dancer, Yakubu, emerged winner and took home Kiekie’s N200,000 cash prize.
Welcoming the guests, Fiyin Toyo, Marketing Director, Central, East and West Africa at Beiersdorf Nivea shared the importance of using sunscreen.
“Nigeria is hot and we’re exposed to the sun every single day,” she said. “We’ve been seeing the statistics – more and more Black people are diagnosed with skin cancer, melanoma, and so on. The reason for this is because we don’t protect our skin.
“At Beiersdorf, we care about our consumers, partners, and the general public. So, to demonstrate this care, we’ve launched a product that protects them from the adverse effects of the sun.”
While sunscreen is for everybody, Toyo added the company’s focus is on “males and females between 25-45 years old who go out to work, to the office, engage in sports, and participate in other activities that expose them to the sun.”
“You need sunscreen. If you don’t use sunscreen, you can get sunburn and hyperpigmentation, and that means your skin isn’t going to be even. Sunscreen helps your skin prevent premature ageing because you don’t want to have skin cancer or hyperpigmentation. This sunscreen can be worn under your makeup, so it’s perfect. It’s also very affordable in the market.”
The event provided attendees with an opportunity to ask questions and clarify common misconceptions about sunscreen.
For instance, it was advised that sunscreen should be applied to all parts of the body, not just the face and neck as wrongfully advised. The organisers also debunked the application of sunscreen only on sunny days. They emphasized that sunscreen isn’t just for sunny days and the new Nivea Sun is also effective on cloudy or rainy days.
Wilson Okpani, Pharmacist and Medical Manager for Beiersdorf Nivea, Central, East and West Africa, provided more insight on the efficiency of sunscreen.
“Sunscreen actually protects against sun rays which are responsible for causing sunburn or darkening of the skin called hyperpigmentation. Darkening of the skin is the major reason why many people resort to bleaching. That is why it’s very important to have sun protection.
“Some people are ordinarily fair and start getting dark all of a sudden, sunscreen protects that. And the possibility of developing skin cancer is also there if we continue to stay exposed to the sun rays.”
While sun protections are considered safe for everybody, Okpani however warned that there are peculiarities for pregnant women. “Care should always be taken in the case of pregnant women, though we do not have available data to suggest if it does any harm. Even if you’re indoors, the sun’s rays can impact your skin negatively. You should use sunscreen.”
From interactive booths to lively entertainment and expert insights, Nivea’s beachfront event not only celebrated a new product but also reinforced a crucial message: that skincare, particularly sun protection, is essential and is for everyone, rain or shine, beach or boardroom.
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