Take Control Of Your Skin After Pregnancy

Hey, new mama! Congrats on your new arrival. You’re juggling so much right now that the last thing you should be worried about is your skin acting up, but skin changes after pregnancy are super common. Now that baby is here, you need a regimen as strong as you are—ready to over come any issue and get you back to feeling your best. Here are some quick tips to restore skin balance as your hormones find their way back to equilibrium.

Keep Your Cleanser Simple

Postpartum breakouts happen, but they’re not forever. If you’re struggling with acne, it can be tempting to reach for a super foamy cleanser packed with anti-acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. But this kind of cleanser might do more harm than good for hormonal skin that’s trying to recalibrate its oil production. Harsh cleansing agents like sulfates strip your skin of its natural oils, which can actually cause your skin to produce more oil. Potent anti-acne ingredients, particularly benzoyl peroxide, can cause serious irritation and dryness that can further disturb hormonal skin. Stick with a mild hydrating cleanser to protect your skin’s pH balance and rely on peels and serums to do the heavy lifting.

Reintroduce Salicylic Acid

Thanks to hormonal fluctuations, many women experience melasma, hyperpigmentation, and breakouts after pregnancy. Fortunately, breastfeeding mamas can safely start using salicylic acid again after child birth. In addition to its acne-fighting power, salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, which means that it can help quell redness and inflammation around breakouts. It also helps gradually lift stubborn pigmented areas. Use a peel like our TCA Multi-Acid Face Peel 2-3 times per week to help gradually lighten hyperpigmentation and treat breakouts. It contains salicylic acid, plus lactic and malic acids, to dissolve dead skin, fight acne, and brighten uneven tone.

Dermaplane to Remove Peach Fuzz

The same hormone fluctuations affecting your complexion may also cause unwelcome facial hair to pop up. Don’t stress--this is totally normal and will go away once your hormones rebalance. The easiest way to get rid of little hairs is with our Dermaplaning Tool. It removes dead skin and peach fuzz, revealing brighter, softer skin in an instant. And don’t worry: your hair won’t grow back thicker or darker. Like shaving, dermaplaning doesn’t affect your follicle, so it can’t change the color or texture of your hair. And because it removes dead skin cells, weekly dermaplaning also increases the efficacy of your peels and serums, helping you achieve results even more quickly.

Book a Facial

Your skin has changed so much in the past 9 months that now is a great time to consult a professional. If you’ve taken a break from heavy-duty skin care while pregnant, you may benefit from extractions and specialized treatments that will revitalize skin. An in-office treatment can also double as a great excuse to make time for some personal TLC. If you’re breastfeeding make sure to let your aesthetician know, so she can choose the safest products to clear congested pores and remove dead skin build-up.

Speed Cell Turnover With Growth Factors

Your body is really busy healing itself after labor and might not be sending the same nutrients, water, and resources to your skin to support cell turnover. Common postpartum skin changes like breakouts, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and uneven texture are all signs that skin cell turnover has slowed. Luckily, there are topical solutions that can help reignite your cell turnover. Our EGF Activating Serum is loaded with epidermal growth factors that tell your skin cells to start regenerating. It’s great for new mamas as it helps heal active breakouts more quickly, treats texture concerns, and can speed regeneration that may have temporarily slowed since birth.

Treat Stretch Marks & Texture

Stretch marks are a completely normal part of your body growing and shrinking during and after pregnancy. Some women seem to experience stretch marks more than others, but the majority of new mamas have them. While keeping your skin hydrated during pregnancy can help, postpartum care is also important. Using a weekly body peel like our TCA Multi-Acid Body Peel can help gradually fade dark areas and resurface uneven skin texture. Follow with a body oil rich in essential fatty acids like avocado oil to lock in moisture and support elasticity.

Take It Easy

Postpartum can be a hard time, but trust when we say that the changes your body is going through are temporary. As you adjust to life with a newborn, your body is adjusting to less sleep. Drink lots of water and take your family and friends up on offers to supply you with healthy dinners so that your body has the fuel it needs. Try winding down at night with an herbal tea like rooibos, which is rich in flavonoids that fight pathogens and prevent breakouts. Most of all, don’t put too much pressure on yourself when it comes to your skin. Stretch marks will gradually fade, breakouts will start to heal, and your skin will make its way back to a healthy balance. Your body just did something truly incredible, and you’re doing great. You’ve got this, mama!