“If only there were more time in the day…”
Time is a commodity few moms can spare. We’re just always busy! Fortunately, we are also masters at multi-tasking. Chances are that if we did have one more hour to work with, we’d figure out how to cram at least five things into it.
With this in mind, it benefits us to make the most of what we have on hand. More than likely, your cabinets are bursting with more baby stuff than beauty goods these days ... or are they?
Squeeze more time out of your day, stretch a dollar a bit further, and have a little fun with these baby products that moonlight as beauty goods. A list of our double-duty favorites:
A diaper station and baby bag staple. You use it to wipe baby’s bum, clean little fingers and anything else that baby might get messy.
Beauty Use: sensitive and hypoallergenic choices are great make-up removers or for quick facial cleansing post-workout. Wipes also remove food, make-up (and other stuff) from clothing when on the go.
Double-Duty All-Stars: Pampers Sensitive Wipes, easy to find and available in a fragrance-free version. Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes, super eco-friendly and smell fantastic.
Used after a bath, it helps prevent baby’s skin from over drying, also excellent for a soothing and bonding baby massage.
Beauty Use: just like baby use after a bath for super soft skin, rub on anytime to soften rough patches, helps prevent razor burn when used after shaving, removes eye make-up, especially stubborn waterproof mascaras, use sparingly to combat frizzies.
All-Stars: Johnson’s Baby Oil Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, great price and extra nutrients aid in skin softening. Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Angel Baby Oil, contains soothing chamomile and calendula and is virtually fragrance-free.
Prevents chaffing, diaper rash, and wind burn.
Beauty use: use around hair line to prevent colorant from bleeding into skin, coat hands and feet then cover with cotton socks and gloves for tremendously soft skin, slick on lips for superior shine, or dab a small amount on cheeks and lids to give a bit of glow.
All Stars: Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, inexpensive staple usually found in every grocery or drug store. Alba Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly, good as the old stand-by, but made from pure plant oils and waxes.
Used by breastfeeding moms to treat sore nipples.
Beauty Use: great for lips, cuticles, calluses, and just about everywhere else that needs deep moisture or soothing relief (on mom and baby!).
All Stars: Lansinoh, made from high-grade pure lanolin so it’s safe for baby to ingest, and therefore just about any other part of the body. Motherlove Nipple Cream, made from organic ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, shea butter, and marshmallow root it’s an excellent herbal option.
Perfect for cleansing baby’s delicate skin without over drying.
Beauty Use: pour into bath for a relaxing soak that’s super gentle, great for your skin, and just feels good.
All-Stars: Mustela Relaxing Bath with Cleansing Milk, the hypoallergenic orange flower in this milk helps you relax and has a spectacular scent. Butt Naked Baby Oatmeal Soothing Milk Bath, made in the USA from natural and organic ingredients like oatmeal, milk, and sea minerals.
These extra gentle lotions help keep baby’s skin soft and contain scents believed to induce sleep when combined with massage.
Beauty Use: rub on anytime, works as well as the grown up kind but less likely to be greasy and irritate your skin.
All-Stars: Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion, this well-known brand smells like heaven and is light on the skin. Babēcology Serenity Balm, chemical-free and full of organic goodness like almond oil, lavender and chamomile.
When buying products for your baby, keep yourself in mind and you’ll save a ton of time. Remember, caring for your little one round-the clock doesn’t mean that you stop taking care of yourself. If you can’t find the time for a spa day, squeeze in a few spa minutes every now and then.
Tia O'Neill is a glamour diva turned new mom. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and newborn son, Justice.
Comments
Thanks for this story and product recommendations. Keep them coming, it's quite the topic of conversation in my group and tough to find information on.