My Skincare Essentials: A Busy Mom's Version
My Skincare Essentials: A Busy Mom's Version
Through my high school and college years, I had very clear skin and it was rare that I broke out, so I didn’t put much thought into products that I put on my face. I could use clean & clear face wash and call it a day. Fast forward to getting pregnant with my oldest daughter four years ago - my skin was a disaster. And the worst part about your skin tanking during pregnancy is that you can’t use anything strong to try to “fix it”. Over the past few years, my hormones and my skin have been on a wild ride between pregnancy, breastfeeding, pregnancy again, breastfeeding again, and now finally in this steady state of having my body to myself.
I have finally found a very simple skincare routine for morning and night, and my skin has never looked better. It is a good mix of affordable, simple products and a few splurge worthy items that last forever.
Morning:
Cerave cleanser $15 This cleanser is refreshing and moisturizing. It is very reasonably priced and does the trick.
Skinceuticals Phloretin CF $169 This is my one “fancy pants” item that I use every morning. It has lasted me almost a year though. I tried another skinceuticals vitamin C serum that I did not like as much as this one.
Tula undereye balm $30 I started using this when the Maeve was a newborn to feel more awake and I haven’t stopped using it since.
Supergoop unseen sunscreen $36 According to my dermatologist, the three most important things to use are vitamin C serum, sunscreen and retinol for anti-aging. I use this every morning year round.
Tula primer $38 I use this on “no makeup days” AKA most days to even out my skin tone. It is slightly tinted.
Evening:
Cerave cleanser $15 I use the same cleanser as I do in the morning as part of my evening skincare routine.
Tretinoin, prescribed by dermatologist - I swear this has changed my skin for the better. It can be a little drying, but it is such a game changer. Talk with your dermatologist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (probably can’t use this until after).
Cerave night cream $21 I was using way more expensive moisturizers, but this is IT, I promise.
Laneige lip mask $24 This makes your lips feel so good and ever since I started using it, my lips do not get chapped at all.
Occasionally:
Elemis cleansing balm $66 I only use this if I am wearing eye makeup, before my normal cleanser. A little goes a long way.
St. Tropez bronzing mist $30 A few sprays of this gradually build up a little color. It is very subtle and impossible to mess up.
Goop Glow exfoliator $42 I use this about once a week. It makes your skin super smooth. Again, a little goes a long way and it lasts forever.
I spend about 5 minutes on skincare in the morning because that is about all I have, and about 5-10 minutes at night.