If you scroll through TikTok in Kenya these days, you’ll notice a few skincare products keep popping up. Creators everywhere—from Nairobi to Mombasa—are raving about them. What’s interesting is that people don’t just show the product; they show it working on their skin. That makes a difference. Here’s a list of products Kenyan influencers are loving, what they promise, whether they deliver, and why they might just be worth adding to your routine.
What Makes a Product Influencer-Approved
Before I dive in, let’s be real: influencers don’t always pick the “best” products—often they pick ones that are visible, affordable, trending, or offer good returns (affiliate links, sales, etc.). But some products earn their hype. These are:
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Authentic in results (texture, tone, dryness, acne etc.)
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Accessible in Kenya (available online / in local stores)
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Priced reasonably so people can actually try them
So when you see a product recommended repeatedly, it usually means it works for different skin types, especially melanin-rich/dark skin, which so many Kenyan creators have.
Skincare Products That Keep Coming Up
Here are some influencer-favourites that seem to hit the mark most frequently:
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
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What people say: It’s lightweight, gives glow, helps with dark spots, smooths skin texture, calms irritation. You’ll often see TikTokers showing “before & after using snail mucin”.
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What it offers: 96% snail mucin, plus hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin which help support a healthy skin barrier.
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What influencers especially love: That you can use it morning or night, it absorbs well, doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on melanin skin. Also it’s not wildly expensive for what it does in Kenya.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
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What people say: Deep hydration without making skin feel like there’s thick layer on top. Great for dry patches, sensitive skin. You’ll often see people using this after harsh weather, travel, or when their skin feels compromised.
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What it offers: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and sometimes niacinamide (depending on the version) to restore the skin barrier. Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic.
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Why it shows up so often: It’s considered a “safe” cream—if you’re trying new actives or treatments, this is what you use to protect your skin. Influencers often pair it with brightening serums or sunscreens.
Garnier Even & Bright Vitamin C Booster Serum
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What people say: It gets dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and dullness under control (slowly but surely). Some TikTok videos show users after several weeks visibly having a more even tone.
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What it offers: Vitamin C (or vitamin C derivative), sometimes paired with brighteners like niacinamide or salicylic acid for texture or acne-mark control. Lightweight formula. Accessible price.
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What to watch out for: Sometimes people say it takes time. If you expect overnight glow, disappointment. Also those with very sensitive skin tend to test patch first.
What Sets These Apart: Why They Get Repeated
Here are a few reasons these products keep coming up again and again among Kenyan content creators:
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Real Use Cases – Influencers show them in their routines, under local weather (sun, humidity, heat) not just in staged photos. That means we see actual wear, how makeup sits, how products feel on sweaty days.
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Visible Improvement – Dark spots, acne scars, uneven tone: these are common concerns. Products that actually help with those are what people will swear by.
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Texture & Comfort – If something feels too greasy or heavy, especially under Kenya’s heat or for oily skin, people will call it out. All of the above get praise for not leaving a film, or for absorbing well.
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Value for Money – Even though some of these are more “premium” than basic creams, creators often talk about how long the product lasts, how many drops/amount it takes, whether it feels like you get bang for your buck.
Things to Be Mindful Of: TikTok Hype vs Your Skin
Just because something’s trending doesn’t mean it will be perfect for you. Here are smart tips to avoid wasted cash:
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Always patch-test especially with active ingredients (vitamin C, acids, snail mucin etc.).
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Don’t mix too many actives at once. If you’re already using an exfoliant or retinol, adding something new may irritate.
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Look at fragrance and essential oils—if your skin is sensitive, these can cause reactions even when everyone else says the product is “amazing.”
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Check if what influencer shows is real / long-term. A fresh glow might be photo lighting or filters; lasting even tone or skin health takes weeks.
Final Take: Are These Worth Trying?
For me, yes—if one of your skin goals is glow, brightening, repairing damage or dark spots, or simply better hydration—these influencer-approved products are solid bets. COSRX Snail Essence and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream offer great skin barrier support. Garnier’s Vitamin C booster is useful for starting out with brighteners without breaking the bank.
If I were building a solid routine for Kenyan skin, this is how I might layer:
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Gentle cleanser
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COSRX Snail Essence (for hydration + repair)
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Garnier Vitamin C Booster (morning)
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Sunscreen every day
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CeraVe Cream at night (or as barrier support)
Also, keep your routine simple—you’re more likely to stick with it, and the effects become more real.
