Motherhood is a blissful period in the life of every woman, however, being a mother we are so focused on the child that our needs tend to take a backseat. While post-pregnancy looks and changes in skin texture is not a bad thing, however, not taking care of your skin may result in a variety of changes such as melasma, acne, stretch marks, and puffy eyes.
At the same time, it is also important to look after baby skincare needs as their skin is sensitive and gets exposed to harsh environments such as pollution, chemicals.
Here, we bring top skincare tips for new moms to get glowing skin post-pregnancy.
GET ORGANISED
It always pays to be organised, to begin with, keep all your skincare needs in one place as it helps to better take care of yourself rather than wasting time looking for essential things. Make optimum use of your ‘Me time’ and manage it properly to pamper your needs.
HAVE A ROUTINE
• Our skin undergoes a renewal cycle by dispensing toxins and debris as we sleep, so it is important to cleanse your skin thoroughly with a face wash suitable for your skin type before you hit the bed.
• Steaming is another important step of your skincare routine, take steam for two to three days a week as it will help to open up your clogged pores.
• Facial scrub removes the dead skin and helps make your skin softer and radiant. Scrub your face for five minutes and wash it with tap water.
• A toner forms a vital part of skincare for new moms. Look for toners that help to maintain the pH value of your skin.
• Moisturising your face is the last step to give hydration
BABY PRODUCTS
Baby products being mild in nature are ideal for new mothers as well. They are created in such a way as to lock moisture in the baby’s skin, so new moms can use them as well. Every time you use body oil, lotion or cream for your baby, you can apply some on your skin as well, this way you do not need to dedicate extra time every day for your skincare needs.
All said about skincare routine for new moms, we cannot ignore skincare needs of newborns as well. Their skin being sensitive needs to be protected from the harsh environment—pollution, high temperature etc. here we bring some simple and easy tips to help you with the skincare needs of your young one.
STAYING CLEAN
Babies need to bathe only two to three times a week with warm and not hot water to stay clean. Their skin being soft and sensitive may be ripped-off of essential oils and nourishment with a regular bath.
REGULAR BODY MASSAGE
Regular massage with coconut, olive or almond oil hydrates the skin and helps in a good blood flow which finally results in glowing skin. Moreover, slightly heating the oil before the massage has therapeutic benefits on the skin.
PROTECT FROM THE HARMFUL RAYS OF THE SUN
While early morning rays of the sun work wonders for your baby, direct exposure to sun rays in the later hours can irritate the skin. Therefore, if you happen to venture out with your young one during the day, make sure to cover the baby adequately to prevent the sun from directly hitting the skin.
DIAPER BASICS UNEARTHED
It is important to get the diaper basics right or else it may end up in diaper rashes and harm your baby’s sensitive skin around the area of use. Make sure to change the diaper at regular intervals and as and when it gets spoiled, cleaning tenderly however completely each time with child wipes. While several myths surround the use of diapers such as rashes and irritation of the skin, nevertheless, it is not due to the diaper itself but due to lack of attention and knowledge about proper usage of diapers.
PROPER AWARENESS OF BABY PRODUCTS
Do not forget to read the product label before you purchase your baby’s products. It is best to avoid chemical and alcohol-based products and instead use products made explicitly for infants. Baby’s skin is very delicate and needs optimum care, a single mistake here-and-there could make things worse.
While you work hard to take optimum care of your newborn, still you may come across rashes, skin-peeling, acne or flea-bite like marks on the baby’s skin. Some of these are quite normal and would fade away quickly as they come. If they take time to go away, consult your doctor as it might take a toll on a newborn’s sensitive skin.
The writer is a Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, Jupiter Hospital, Pune.