Pregnancy takes a toll on your body. But if you’re like many moms, you might be worried about just how much it will affect your looks once your baby arrives. Here’s how to make sure your skin stays bright and glowing after your little one arrives!
1. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water alone probably won’t give your skin a magical glow. But it certainly helps! When you drink enough water, your skin stays hydrated. Water also helps you quickly flush toxins from your body, so your skin will be healthier.
As a bonus, when you drink enough water, you’ll almost certainly have more energy. That’s especially important when you’re trying to keep up with a baby!
2. Target Puffy Eyes
Waking up to feed your baby around the clock can be exhausting. Sooner or later, you might start to see a visual indicator of that exhaustion with puffy eyes. Thankfully, this is an issue that is relatively easy to address. You might consider trying some under-eye patches for puffiness. While you’re waiting for them to arrive, try placing a cool washcloth over your eyes for 10-15 minutes a few times a day.
3. Cleanse, Tone, And Moisturize
Different skin experts have different opinions on how to keep your skin looking its healthiest. But most of them agree that for best results, it’s important to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face.
Be sure to choose a cleanser that suits your skin type. Hydrating cleansers can effectively clean your face without drying out your skin. And if you’re prone to acne or have oily skin, you may want to choose a cleanser designed to fight acne.
A skin toner can do wonders for your face when used regularly. Toners do some additional cleansing, tighten the skin, and make it feel generally refreshed before you apply moisturizer. There are endless toners on the market, but you can also make a simple one at home with a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water.
Lastly, the right moisturizer can help you maintain a youthful glow. Moisturizer staves off excess dryness. It also speeds up cell turnover to promote a more even skin tone. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type. If you find that your skin still looks dull, try a skin-brightening serum with vitamin C.
4. Eat Healthy Foods
When your body is well-nourished, your skin will have a healthy glow. Eating right goes a long way toward helping you look and feel more like yourself after your baby arrives. Be sure to include fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. When your diet has lots of variety and a range of vitamin-rich foods, your skin will show it!
5. Try A Glycolic Acid Peel
Most new moms don’t have the time to get multiple professional facials. But fortunately, at-home glycolic acid peels can speed up your skin’s exfoliation process. That’s great for dry, tired skin: as it exfoliates, the older cells fall away, making room for newer, brighter skin cells.
These over-the-counter peels aren’t quite as powerful as the chemical peels you can get at the salon. But when you use them as directed, they can gradually give you the same or similar results.
6. Experience The Benefits Of Breast Milk
Some new moms swear that breast milk works wonders on their skin. If you want to try it, freeze some of your breast milk in an ice cube tray. Run the cubes over your face. This is perfect for days when your skin looks or feels inflamed. The cold from the ice soothes it, and the milk will make your face soft and smooth.
If you aren’t breastfeeding, you can achieve a similar result with formula powder. Mix some of the powder with honey, cinnamon, and rose water to form a paste. Apply it like a face mask and let it sit for about 10 minutes before gently rinsing it off. Your face should feel soft and refreshed!
Conclusion
Your first few weeks with your baby are a time of joy, but they also bring you all the stresses of being a parent. When you take a little time for yourself, you can make sure you continue to look and feel healthy!
