Finding the perfect Work/Life balance as a new mum can be stressful. I currently have lots of patients who are Mums juggling life and young children and their biggest request? How not to look so tired after having children! And as a new busy working mum myself, I can totally relate. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF Firstly, you have to realize that there are SO many factors that are affecting your skin, your health, and you in general right now. So, be kind to yourself! Here are five things I want you to remember first…
1. You have been through a pregnancy; you physically grew a baby!
2. You have been through the birthing process!
3. Your sleeping pattern is no longer what it once was.
4. You are possibly breastfeeding or looking after more than just a New-born.
5. Your time for yourself and your usual skincare routine will now be at an all-time low. It is totally ok to not feel like you have it altogether, or that you're not looking or feeling like yourself. I often feel like I need to rebuild my face and start again when I first wake up. Now more than ever, we all have so much pressure to be this superhuman who's spinning so many plates...and is still expected to look immaculate. AND the saddest part is that we feel like we are failing if we don't! The great news is you can take some small steps to look and feel more like you again. SKIN TIPS FOR BUSY MUMS Right now, you might be feeling exhausted, but you’ll be glad to know you can boost your skin health with some simple steps.
1. GLOW BABY GLOW My first tip is for you to bring back some glow. And the best way to get it on is with a facial. Don’t switch off just yet, hear me out. You might be tempted to buy at-home facial gadgets, but for a busy working mum, my advice is don't waste your money! Yes, you might use them a couple of times but then they will quickly start to gather dust. They are great if you have the time to use them regularly, if not then save your pennies. Instead, invest in advanced bespoke facials, perfectly tailored to your skin’s current condition with actual results and a much-needed moment for you. The time you spend having expertly curated skincare and treatments over a six-week period (we’re talking 360 minutes here!) compared to minutes here and there with your at-home gadgets is incomparable. This is your best bet for kickstarting the process.
2. CLEANSING IS KEY Next, you need to master your homecare routine. This is key to achieving beautiful skin. And the most important part? Cleansing! Cleansing morning and night is essential. Never skip your cleansing routine – AM or PM! Ditch the wipes and opt for something that really removes the day. Double cleansing on an evening is a great way to remove makeup and any build-up of pollution throughout the day and keeps the skin fresh and clean.
3. POUR SERUM ONTO YOUR ENTIRE LIFE You need a serum!! I can’t say it enough, if you want results this is where you have to invest. Serums are going to give you the results you’re looking for. And if you really want to work wonders, get some antioxidants into your routine. Antioxidants protect the skin by reducing free radical production – the process that breaks down collagen and damages otherwise healthy skin cells. They reduce pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. As one of the most powerful antioxidants, Vitamin C is well known and well documented to be helpful to skin rejuvenation and skin health in general – it’s fantastic for brightening and smoothing. As are the AHA’s (essentially fruit acids), which are often used to reduce the size of pores, particularly in acne-prone skin. Lactic acid and glycolic are also perfect for aiding cell turnover and reducing acne scarring. But make your choice with caution. Be sure to pick out the products that are most suited to your skin type.
4. MULTI-MASK IN THE MORNING A quick win is to put on a face mask when you first wake up. Multitask with your mask. Make breakfast and go about your morning for the five to ten minutes, then wash it off. If you’re really strapped for time – splash your face with really cold water and switch the shower temp to cold just for a few seconds. This will boost circulation, give you a healthy glow, your complexion a revived appearance, and supports the incredible lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the tissues and organs that remove toxins and waste from the body and circulates white blood cells around the body to fight off infection. Essentially, you’re going to have a good chance at beating inflammation, puffiness, and any bloating this way.
5. FACIAL MASSAGE IS A MUST Another of my favorites is facial massage. Giving yourself a really good massage will really help to wake the face up, get the blood flowing, and bring back some life.
6. TURN DOWN THE TOXINS This one can come as a shock, but trust me, it’s worth it. Cut down on the caffeine – even more than the wine. When you’re sleep-deprived, stressed, and always on the go, coffee can feel like your best friend. In reality, it’s your skin’s worst enemy. Believe me, I am the biggest Coffee lover and still trying to cut back. It’s not easy especially when you are tired and caffeinated beverages give you a boost. Long term they’re only adding to the list of things that are causing chaos with your complexion. If you can cut it down, you should find that you start to get your glow and reduce eye bags. I will let you know how I get on!!
7. USE A LITTLE CONCEALER And lastly, there’s nothing a good concealer can’t hide – especially when you’re really working on the first six steps. opt for a lightweight liquid concealer (ideally in a slightly lighter, brighter shade) so that lines don’t look worse. If you’re keen to kickstart your skin health journey, begin with a bespoke facial, tailored to your skin type.
