Step One
The first step to creating a post-partum skincare routine is to master the art of cleansing your face. After returning from the hospital, the last thing you want to do is spend minutes with scrubs and suds in front of the bathroom sink. Instead, stock up on pre-moistened cleansing wipes and keep them near your bed or nursing chair at all times. Try to wipe your makeup or skin clean at the start and end of each day to avoid product buildup or breakouts.
Step Two
If you miss your previous lengthy skincare routine that involved toners and powerful astringents, try holding onto the bottle of witch hazel that doctors may give during post-partum recovery. Try swiping a small amount of witch hazel (or purchase affordable and pre-moistened pads at a local drugstore) to minimize oil on your T-zone or refresh your skin daily.
Step Three
If pregnancy or hormones left you with a troubled complexion, try to find a multitasking product that treats both acne and wrinkles or heals zits while moisturizing. When you are short on time, you need products that can work double time for you. Make sure that a daytime moisturizer contains no less than SPF 15 to protect your skin (whenever you leave the house) and choose a different moisturizer for night.
Step Four
Before going to bed, apply a problem specific night cream or treatment that can replenish your tired skin for the next day. If you are not nursing, then try using the mother of all super creams, retinol. If you are breastfeeding, skip retinol in favor of an antioxidant packed cream (with ingredients like green tea, vitamin A or vitamin C) to combat free radicals and help reverse signs of aging.
Step Five
Your post-partum skincare routine should contain no more than three steps: cleanse, treat and moisturize (with a daytime and nighttime cream.) Try to remember that even using basic household items to care for skin is better than ignoring it all together. Try using hydrocortisone cream if skin is inflamed or to calm a breakout, or a thick diaper ointment on extremely dry or rough areas.
Tips & Warnings
- If you don’t have the money or energy to purchase pre-moistened face wipes, simply use a baby wipe instead when you’re in a bind.
- Avoid products with any variant of retinol (such as retin-A or anti-aging creams) if nursing or pregnant, because the abundance of Vitamin A can prove harmful to the baby.
