There’s something behind the saying that a pregnant woman’s skin “glows.” Extra blood and water plump and flush your face, reducing the appearance of lines and providing a rosy tint. Add to this an increase in oil production and voila! “You’re absolutely glowing!” Even if you didn’t feel that way, people noticed.
Now that the baby has arrived and your hormones are on the downside of the rollercoaster, “glowing” isn’t exactly a term that comes to mind. Many women experience an increase in acne in conjunction with dry skin, a tricky combination to manage. It’s likely those lovely dark patches of melasma haven’t quite disappeared yet either. To top it off, the fine lines have returned and your rosy glow has been replaced with an ashen tone. The stress of being a new mom probably isn’t helping too much either.
Like any other postpartum issue, your skin will improve over time. Here are a few tips to help treat and resolve some of the most common postpartum skin complaints.
Cleanse your skin. It sounds like a no-brainer, but chances are your routine is a bit less, well – routine – these days. The result when we don’t wash? Dirt, oils, and make up build up and you get zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, ugh. It’s like you're 15 all over again.
If your pimples are particularly problematic be sure to choose a cleanser with glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide, but avoid ones containing salicylic acid if you are breastfeeding. The same goes for prescription-grade retinols (like Tretinoin), as tempting as they may be. While research is inconclusive regarding exactly how much of these medications get excreted in breast milk, we do know that at some point they can become toxic for an infant. Don’t take the risk. If baby is on formula, however, the door is wide open.
Cleansing morning and night might be recommended, particularly if you’re breaking out, but if you have to pick one, opt for night. In the morning, wipe your face with an alcohol-free toner before applying your moisturizer.
Is it possible to have breakouts and dry skin? Unfortunately, yes. To make matters worse, when we over treat one issue we can make the other worse. It’s all about balance here. Choose an oil-free moisturizer that says “non-comedogenic” on the label (this means it won’t clog your pores) and one with an SPF of at least 15 for daytime use.
Sun exposure will dry your skin, which then reacts by producing more oils and before you know it, you’re back on the breakout express. (Let’s not forget that sun damage also carries with it the potential for wrinkles, cancers, and hyper-pigmentation.)
Look for a moisturizer with similar features at night, but you can skip the SPF. Instead, why not choose something that will treat those wrinkles or brighten those dark spots?
The extra estrogen your body produced for baby caused an increase in melanin, sometimes resulting in dark splotches on your face. This “mask of pregnancy” should become gradually lighter as time passes, usually within six months of giving birth. However, sun exposure and estrogen-containing birth control can hinder fading.
Glycolic acids are great for treating hyper-pigmentation, but if you’re getting too much sun, your efforts will be fruitless, another reason to use that sunscreen. If you think your birth control might be an issue, talk to your doctor about a progesterone-only option. The “mini pill” is often the choice of breastfeeding moms anyway, as it doesn’t affect milk production.
It's a fact that pregnancy hormones impact your skin. But with the passage of time, a little effort, and the right products, your postpartum face will be restored to its former glory.
Tia O'Neill is a glamour diva turned new mom. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and newborn son, Justice.
