Motherhood is often associated with glowing skin. A deeply happy woman beaming radiantly as she cradles her newborn in her arms.
A beautiful image indeed! But not exactly an accurate description of the newly post-partum life for many.
Reality is sleep deprivation, high levels of stress, inadequate nutrition, and the resultant under eye dark circles, pimples, bloatedness, and overall dull looking skin. The entire being of the new mother looks like it needs huge doses of tender loving care. As she busies herself in taking care of the little creature who is entirely dependent on her for his nourishment, this woman herself could do with similar levels of love and care.
This is the time when women need more sleep and even greater nutrition but often they don’t get either, and not necessarily for the lack of trying. A post-partum woman is fatigued. (Pregnancy and childbirth are taxing on the body!) Even with sound family support, she may or may not feel like eating. She certainly doesn’t have the luxury of sleeping as much as she wants to.
A number of factors help a woman recover from pregnancy and childbirth. The focus primarily needs to be on deep rest and nutritious meals. But a couple of months after delivery would be a good time to start thinking about your skin.
That was certainly the case with me. The first time ever in my life I decided to curate a skincare regimen was when I was two months post-partum and utterly sleep deprived. The state of my skin alarmed me. My face looked exhausted, dull, acne-ridden, and scaly. I had never had great skin up until that point but this was something else. I had a feeling that this time around things won’t get better just on their own, that help will be needed. And that the sooner I started, the better off I will be.
Since both time and energy for selfcare are in short supply for a new mother, it’s important for the skincare regimen to be brief but effective.
Something that you can carry out at least a few days per week, if not every single night. That way you set yourself up for long-term success. My tried and tested techniques are as below. Their are only four steps, but the sequence is important to follow. (I did a lot of research in this regard so, come learn from my experience!)
A minimalist but effective nighttime post-partum skincare routine:
- Use a non-drying face wash/cleansing foam
This is where it begins. You want a deep cleansing but non-irritating product for this purpose. I highly recommend The Face Shop’s Herb Day 365 Aloe Cleansing Foam or the Herb Day 365 Mung Bean Cleansing Foam for this purpose. They also have this cleansing foam in a lemon formula, which I thought would work better for my oily skin but I found it a bit too drying. Cetaphil’s face wash for sensitive skin has also worked for me in the past but I’m not using it anymore because it contains parabens, something I’m trying to move away from.
Whichever face wash works for you, will do. But cleansing your face properly before you retire for the night, however little sleep you may be getting, is important.
2. Apply a night eye cream
I’m currently using Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream, and frankly not sure if it’s working, so I’m not recommending it. My hunt for an eye cream is on. (If you have any recommendations please post them in the comments below.) I have in the past used the St. Botanica Vitamin C 10% Brightening Eye Serum, and I swear I could feel the eye area brighten because of it. (I used only one bottle.) I think Vitamin C eye serums are a good bet. However, Vitamin C serums on the face make me break out.
3. Apply a face serum/ hydrating moisturizer
Even those with oily skin need hydration, and the level of hydration varies from season to season. I definitely need a nourishing moisturizer in winters. The Chia Seed No Shine Intense Hydrating Cream by The Face Shop has worked very well for me in both humid and dry climates. Another excellent product is the White Seed Brightening Serum, again by The Face Shop. (You’ll find me mention this brand again and again, not because I’m being paid by them but because their products have actually worked for my skin and made it visibly better. Post-partum was also when I first tried this brand. I had heard a lot about Korean skincare and decided to give this brand a try. As you can tell, I wasn’t disappointed.)
You don’t necessarily have to try the products I am suggesting here; focus more on the steps outlined here rather than the products themselves. Find your own products that are best suited to your unique needs.
At the height of humidity if you want to skip the moisturizer, you may safely do so. But do apply a serum. (Serums are lightweight and penetrate into the skin to do their work.) Don’t leave the skin bare.
4. Essential oils are essential
Now would be a good time to start experimenting with essential oils. Tea tree oil, moringa oil, sea buckthorn oil, and peppermint oil are some of the essential oils that are beneficial for oily skin. Exactly which oil, or a combination of oils, to choose will depend on your specific concern.
For those looking to inject their skin with a healthy dose of hydration, I highly recommend peppermint essential oil. For those looking to give their face a glow, seabuckthorn oil has worked wonders for me in this regard. For those looking to cure their acne, or get it somewhat in control, I recommend tea tree essential oil. Add a drop or two of the essential oil(s) to a carrier oil. For the uninitiated, Nykaa’s Skin Potion Anti-Acne Facial Oil mixed with one drop of peppermint essential oil will do the trick. (You can read my detailed post on the importance and relevance of essential oils here.)
For a daytime routine, I recommend a light hydrating moisturizer/serum and a sunscreen. Stay away from essential oils during the day.
On to better skin
If you find the right products for yourself, and stick to the routine suggested here, you will see a marked improvement in the quality of your skin in as little as a week, sometimes the very next day.
When it comes to skincare regimen, consistency is the key, not the length of your nightly beauty routine. (You may add more products as per your needs but the basic structure remains the same.) Aim to do this every single night, but realistically, at least 5 days a week. It’s ok if you fall of the wagon every now and then, you can always get back on it. Trust me, your skin will thank you for it.
What were/are some of your post-partum skincare essentials? How did they help you? Please comment below or connect with me on Instagram to share your experience.
See you later!
