They say moms have superpowers. That’s a truth that no one can deny.
On the other hand, there is only so much that busy moms can juggle: There’s child-rearing, school matters, career, household chores, bills/expenses, and family time. Little time is spent on self-care that looking tired and stressed out just adds to their endless list of things to worry about. The more tired, sleepless, and distressed they are, the more their skin becomes susceptible to early signs of aging, drying, hyperpigmentation, and uncontrollable breakouts.
At first glance, it might be a bit of a stretch for hustlin’ mothers to scour the internet for beauty hacks to look better instantly. Fortunately, this blog is created for all mommies who need a little guidance on how to start a skincare routine to suit their hectic lifestyle.
What are the essentials of a perfect skincare ritual for hardworking mommies? It’s time to find out!
Beauty Basics: Which Products are a Must-Have to Pamper Your Skin?
As a mom, you need to ensure that the products you choose are within a set budget. In other words, you must set your eyes on what is essential for your skin from those that are not.
The most basic and important skincare products to have in your arsenal are:
- Cleanser
Use a facial cleanser twice a day. Washing your face regularly with a facial cleanser is the first step to achieving a softer, brighter, and smoother complexion. It helps rinse off the dirt, oil, and grime that have built up on your skin’s surface. Furthermore, face washing is a great pick-me-up in the morning and an effective trick to rid yourself off of the day’s stress at night.
Choose a cleanser based on your skin type. This will also apply to all other products. Gentle cleansers with built-in moisturizers work best with dry skin. A hypoallergenic cleanser with no parabens or added fragrance should be your go-to choice if you have combination or sensitive skin. Oil and alcohol are two ingredients that women with oily skin should avoid when buying a cleanser. These ingredients will end up increasing oil production on your skin. Soap-based and gel-based products should help do the trick instead. Normal skin is a perfect match for mild cleansers, even those with a mild, exfoliating feature.
Are you looking for something more aligned with your skin type and routine? Try a personalized face cleanser like the one offered by Proven. On their website, you will find a test that helps you explore and flesh out a customized skincare combination to suit all your beauty woes.
- Toner
Skipping this product is a huge no-no. Toners are key to locking in hydration in your skin. While facial cleansers help remove dirt and excessive oil, it also tends to leave your skin dry in the process. You need to balance its purifying effect with the pH-balancing and pore-minimizing effects of an excellent toner.
The regular use of toners is likewise instrumental in removing dark spots and keeping sudden breakouts at bay.
- Moisturizer
If you have ever had to go days without moisturizing, you will notice that your complexion may have gone darker and it is also lackluster. As you age, the amount of sebum you produce decreases, making the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines more prominent.
As its name suggests, moisturizers retain your skin’s natural moisture. It aids in strengthening the protective barrier on your skin, effectively maintaining your inner, youthful glow.
Moisturizing daily build your skin’s resistance against irritation, breakouts, inflammation, and drying.
- Sunscreen
Exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays speeds up the rate at which your skin ages and loses elasticity. The sun has serious damaging effects on your skin. Aside from causing discoloration, sunburn, redness and itchiness, and premature aging. Staying indoors is no different, either. Even when you are quarantined at home, UVA rays may still penetrate through your skin and cause damage.
Religiously using sunscreen boosts your protection against any of these potential adverse effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. A sunscreen with SPF 15 is a good start, but if you want a stronger barrier you can try one with higher SPF.
- Under-Eye Cream
Motherhood will not be complete without a string of sleepless nights. This is especially true for new moms. Lack of sleep, or frequently sleeping late strains your eyes. It also causes the formation of dark circles and fine lines. The skin underneath your eyes is so thin and delicate that it needs constant rehydration.
Rejuvenating your under-eye with a hydrating cream promotes faster cell turnover, a brighter complexion, and less fatigue. At the same time, it removes dark circles and fine lines so you don’t have to worry about always looking fatigued.
Additional beauty regimens to add to your skincare kit are serums, spot treatments, facial sheet masks, and makeup remover. Serums are lightweight, topical, and absorbed quickly by the skin. It contains active ingredients that help make you look younger, glowing, and fights off dullness.
Spot treatments are designed to help calm acne overnight. Sometimes, pimples mysteriously pop right when you have an important event to attend or a business presentation to prepare for the following day. Treating these enormous zits with spot treatments reduces inflammation and drains acne overnight.
Facial sheet masks have several variations. Some are designed to hydrate your skin, while others are built to calm irritation and breakouts. Use sheet masks two to three times a week. Last but not least is a makeup remover. Never go to bed with your makeup on! It will clog your pores and let bacteria multiply on your skin’s outer and inner layer.