Things You'll Need:
- Pre-moistened wipes
- Witch hazel pads or liquid (can be from the hospital)
- An SPF daytime cream with multitasking properties
- A nighttime treatment or antioxidant cream
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Step 1
The first step to creating a post-partum skincare routine is to master the art of cleansing your face. After returning from the hospital, the last thing you want to do is spend minutes with scrubs and suds in front of the bathroom sink. Instead, stock up on pre-moistened cleansing wipes and keep them near your bed or nursing chair at all times. Try to wipe your makeup or skin clean at the start and end of each day to avoid product buildup or breakouts.
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Step 2
If you miss your previous lengthy skincare routine that involved toners and powerful astringents, try holding onto the bottle of witch hazel that doctors may give during post-partum recovery. Try swiping a small amount of witch hazel (or purchase affordable and pre-moistened pads at a local drugstore) to minimize oil on your T-zone or refresh your skin daily.
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Step 3
If pregnancy or hormones left you with a troubled complexion, try to find a multitasking product that treats both acne and wrinkles or heals zits while moisturizing. When you are short on time, you need products that can work double time for you. Make sure that a daytime moisturizer contains no less than SPF 15 to protect your skin (whenever you leave the house) and choose a different moisturizer for night.
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Step 4
Before going to bed, apply a problem specific night cream or treatment that can replenish your tired skin for the next day. If you are not nursing, then try using the mother of all super creams, retinol. If you are breastfeeding, skip retinol in favor of an antioxidant packed cream (with ingredients like green tea, vitamin A or vitamin C) to combat free radicals and help reverse signs of aging.
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Step 5
Your post-partum skincare routine should contain no more than three steps: cleanse, treat and moisturize (with a daytime and nighttime cream.) Try to remember that even using basic household items to care for skin is better than ignoring it all together. Try using hydrocortisone cream if skin is inflamed or to calm a breakout, or a thick diaper ointment on extremely dry or rough areas.
