Moms Know Best: Skincare Tips for New Mothers

Motherhood is undoubtedly one of the most special periods in a woman's life, as it has been for me. But as any woman knows, motherhood also brings with it a lot of changes, some of which might be hard to accept. After the birth of my first child, I noticed how my skin had become dull, rough and patchy. All those notions about a "pregnancy glow" are mostly myths; what really follows after your child's birth are stretch marks, sagging and bloated skin, rashes and acne.

Now that you're a mom, your skin care routine will undergo a massive change. As a new mom, I too had to make some changes and compromises. For example, I found to my surprise, that every time I applied the face wash I had always used since my college days, rashes erupted on my face! Also, I couldn't get my mind off the stretch marks I had developed. Helpless and desperate, I resorted to websites like WebMd, where this particular article on stretch marks- "The Truth About Pregnancy Stretch Marks", was of immense help.

Skin Care Tips for New Moms

Having a baby to take care of, doesn't mean your skin doesn't require nurture. In fact, it needs you now more than ever. These few tips might be of use to you, if you're just as desperate as I was-

• Now you might think that your skin care is the least of your worries, and like you I made the same mistake. Before I knew it, my skin had become so dry that I hardly recognized it. Get hold of a moisturizer today! Apply it twice daily, after waking up and before going to bed. And soon, you'll start getting back the skin you once loved.
• You'll start noticing stretch marks in the third trimester, and if you think it'll disappear with the arrival of your baby, think again! To get rid of those ugly lines, apply a layer of castor oil on your stomach. Put a plastic wrap in this area and use a heating pad to apply heat for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process to get better results.
• A common problem that women face after childbirth is a breakout of acne, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. But you can stop it from spreading further. Use face washes or skincare products which contain salicylic acid. This will prevent clogging of pores and bacterial infection which causes acne. Also wash your face regularly. You can do what I did, take a shower after you've put your baby to sleep. That way you'll have ample time to lather up and take a nice, long bath.
• You just had a baby. You cannot expect your tummy to go back to shape immediately after childbirth, can you? Sagging skin is the one of the most common problems faced by new moms. Loose skin around your stomach can mar your whole look. Just because you're a mom, you shouldn't stop caring about how you look! Opt for an hour of cardio daily, it will tighten up your loose skin. You can also use lotions containing collagen and Vitamin E on the affected areas. If you have the time, try massage therapy; it can do wonders for your skin.
• Have you noticed blackening or dark patches around your neck post-delivery? It would have started while you were pregnant and seems persistent. These patches are due to hormonal changes. Your hormones take some time to go back to normal, and until they do, these patches are likely to stay. But it's quite common and normal, there is nothing to worry about. You can apply lemon juice regularly on the region, and soon these dark patches will disappear.

Take it from someone who has been in the same position as you, motherhood is not easy. And that is precisely why you need to take better care of yourself. These natural skin care tips for moms like me will surely rejuvenate your skin, and make you feel like your old self.