Building a Simple, Safe and Effective Skincare Routine for Moms

Pregnancy and postpartum are exciting, life-changing stages, but they also come with many changes—especially for your skin. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can bring about new skin concerns, and postpartum care requires extra attention as your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. The key to maintaining a healthy glow is to create a skincare routine that is simple, safe, and effective for you and your baby.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build a skincare routine tailored to the unique needs of pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Whether you're a mom-to-be, a new mom, or years into motherhood, this routine will help you keep your skin healthy and radiant through every stage.

During Pregnancy:

• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations can cause acne, hyperpigmentation (like melasma), and increased sensitivity.
• Stretch Marks: Skin stretching, especially around the belly, hips, and thighs, may lead to stretch marks.
• Dry or Oily Skin: Some moms experience drier skin, while others notice increased oiliness.

Postpartum:

• Skin Recovery: After giving birth, your skin needs time to heal and adjust.
• New Concerns: Postpartum issues like lack of sleep, stress, and breastfeeding can affect skin health, leading to dryness, dullness, or acne.

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. Opt for a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Cleansing twice a day—once in the morning and once at night—is enough to remove impurities and prepare your skin for the next steps.

What to Look For:

• Hydrating Ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, panthenol, squalane, ceramides, niacinamide, Jojoba Oil, Chamomile Extract, Green Tea Extract, or Calendula Extract.

What to Avoid:

• Harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, which can dry out your skin.

Your skin’s moisture barrier may need extra attention, especially as it adapts to hormonal changes. A good moisturizer will hydrate and nourish your skin without being too heavy. For daytime, choose a lightweight formula, and for nighttime, go for a richer cream to support skin repair overnight.

What to Look For:

• Nourishing Ingredients: Antioxidants (Vitamin C and E), ceramides, shea butter, natural oils (like jojoba, castor or almond), Centella Asiatica (Cica), Polyglutamic Acid, Allantoin, Bakuchiol. 

What to Avoid:

• Heavy fragrances and alcohol, which can irritate sensitive skin.

Sun protection is a must during pregnancy and postpartum, especially if you're experiencing hyperpigmentation or melasma. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher will protect your skin from UV damage and prevent dark spots from worsening.

What to Look For:

• Mineral Sunscreens: Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are safe options for pregnant and breastfeeding moms.

What to Avoid:

• Chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone, which may be absorbed into the skin.

One common mistake when building a skincare routine is trying to tackle multiple skin issues simultaneously. This can overwhelm your skin, leading to irritation and decreased effectiveness of the products you’re using. Instead, prioritize your primary concern and address it before adding additional treatments.

Why Focus Matters:

• Prevents Irritation: Introducing too many active ingredients at once can irritate sensitive skin, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
• Enhances Effectiveness: Concentrating on one issue allows targeted products to work more effectively. Certain products should not be layered with each other because they make each other become ineffective and it’s a whole chemistry lesson to learn which can be used together and not. Also, products are ineffective if they are not layered in the correct order due to their molecular weight and composition. Using one product will give you more results in the long run, than adding on 3 serums that are canceling each other out. 
• Simplifies Your Routine: A streamlined routine is easier to follow consistently, which is crucial for seeing results.

Transitioning Focus: Once you’ve successfully managed your primary concern, and that issue is resolved and no longer a concern, you can address another skin issue. This step-by-step approach ensures each product has time to work effectively without causing irritation.  

Exfoliation

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, promoting a brighter complexion. However, during pregnancy, your skin may be more sensitive, so it’s essential to choose gentle exfoliants and use them no more than 1-2 times a week.

Safe Ingredients:

• AHAs: Lactic acid, azelaic acid, mandelic acid or glycolic acid in low concentrations. (Refer to my “Safe Exfoliation Tips for Moms” Blog for more options. 

Caution:

• Avoid over-exfoliation, which can lead to irritation. Always patch test new products.

Morning Routine:

1. Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser to start your day. *Sometimes a cleanser in the morning is not needed for everyone because their skin is already too dry, so play around with it and see if you need it, a splash of water might be enough for your skin. If you want to clean off any bacteria that could have transferred from your pillows at night you can use a hypochlorous acid spray instead of washing your face. 
2. Moisturizer: Apply a hydrating, antioxidant moisturizer. My favorite is our Mother’s Vitamin C Moisturizer. *If you used hypochlorous acid to cleanse your face you must wait 30 minutes before using an antioxidant or your antioxidant will be ineffective. 
3. Sunscreen: Protect your skin with mineral-based sunscreen.

Evening Routine:

1. Cleanser: Remove makeup and impurities from the day. *Sometimes double cleansing is needed to remove all your makeup and impurities, you don't need a separate product, just double cleanse with the same cleanser you are using. 
2. Exfoliate: 1-2 times a week, use a gentle exfoliant. *I have a whole blog on exfoliation and what to use called “Safe Exfoliation Tips for Moms” 
3. Moisturizer: Use a richer cream at night to aid in skin repair. 

It’s essential to check the ingredients in your skincare products when pregnant or breastfeeding. Here are some ingredients that are generally safe to use:

• Vitamin C: Great for brightening and protecting the skin.
• Niacinamide: Soothes irritation
• Polyglutamic Acid: A hydrating powerhouse 5x more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid and safe for pregnancy.
• Azelaic Acid: Treats acne and hyperpigmentation safely.

• Retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives)
• Hydroquinone (for hyperpigmentation)
• High doses of Salicylic Acid
• Certain essential oils (consult your doctor)

A good skincare routine during pregnancy and postpartum doesn’t have to be complicated. By sticking to gentle, nourishing, and pregnancy-safe products, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing through all the changes your body goes through. Remember to adapt your routine as your skin evolves, and always consult with a healthcare provider or dermatologist if you’re unsure about any products or treatments.

If you’re looking for skincare tailored specifically to pregnant and nursing moms, check out Ariu Skincare. We’re dedicated to offering safe, effective solutions that give you peace of mind and help you feel your best, inside and out. best skin care routine best skin care routine