Pregnancy & Postpartum Skincare: Why it changes and how to care for your new skin
Pregnancy and postpartum bring so many changes to the body—and your skin is no exception. Hormonal fluctuations, increased nutritional demands, dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, and breastfeeding can all influence how your skin looks and feels.
As someone who is going through the postpartum experience myself, I can personally attest to this: my skin has never been drier.
I’ve had to completely rethink what my skin needs. Products and routines that worked beautifully for me before pregnancy suddenly weren’t enough. I’ve added more soothing and hydrating products to my daily routine, while also increasing how often I exfoliate.
And honestly? It has been a reminder that our skin is constantly changing and our skincare routine sometimes needs to change with it.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Skin?
Pregnancy causes significant hormonal changes throughout the body, and these changes can show up on the skin in many different ways.
Some people experience the famous pregnancy glow, while others may notice:
Increased dryness or dehydration
Increased oil production
Breakouts or acne
Increased skin sensitivity
Changes in pigmentation or dark spots
Melasma, sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy”
Changes in texture
Increased redness or irritation
Every pregnancy is different, and even your own skin can behave differently from one pregnancy or stage of motherhood to another.
Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate significantly during pregnancy and after delivery, which can affect oil production, pigmentation, sensitivity, and the skin’s overall appearance.
Why Is My Skin So Dry After Having a Baby?
Postpartum dry skin can be especially noticeable, and there are several reasons why your skin may suddenly feel tight, flaky, rough, or less radiant.
After giving birth, hormone levels shift dramatically. At the same time, your body is recovering from pregnancy and delivery while adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn.
And if you are breastfeeding, your body has another major job to do.
Breastfeeding, Hydration & Skin Health
Breastfeeding requires additional energy and fluid. It’s known that about 30% of your body’s energy is used to breatfeed. Your nutritional and hydration needs are important not only for supporting your body and milk production, but also for how you feel day to day.
When you're caring for a baby, it can be surprisingly easy to realize at the end of the day that you haven't had enough water, haven't eaten enough, or haven't had a moment to yourself.
And your skin can be one of the places where those changes become noticeable. Not only from internal factors but also could be that you haven’t even touched your skincare in a few days.
For me, breastfeeding has made it even more important to be intentional about hydration, nutrition, and skincare. I've found that my skin needs significantly more moisture and soothing support than it did before pregnancy.
Postpartum Skincare: Your Routine May Need to Change
One of the biggest lessons I've learned during this stage is that the skincare routine that worked before pregnancy may not be the routine your skin needs now.
Before pregnancy and postpartum, my skin only needed exfoliation a couple of times a month. Now, I've found that incorporating gentle exfoliation once or twice a week has been much more beneficial for keeping my skin feeling smooth and comfortable.
At the same time, I've added extra soothing and hydrating products to my daily routine.
The goal isn't necessarily to use more products. It's about using the right products for what your skin needs right now.
A postpartum skincare routine may benefit from focusing on:
1. Gentle Cleansing
Avoid over-cleansing or using harsh cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight after washing. A gentle cleanser can help remove impurities while supporting the skin's natural barrier. My go to: Cream Cleanse
2. Hydration
Look for hydrating ingredients and products that help replenish water and support comfortable, healthy-looking skin.
Hydrating serums, mists, creams, and masks can all be helpful additions depending on your individual skin needs. My got to: Ultimate Regenerating Serum
3. Nourishing Moisture
Hydration and moisturization aren't exactly the same thing. Your skin may benefit from products that provide both water-based hydration and nourishing ingredients that help support the skin barrier. It is important to always follow serums and mists with oil or cream. Lock in the hydration with moisture support
If your skin feels tight shortly after applying your moisturizer, it may be a sign that your routine needs more support. My go to: Specialty Blend Oil
4. Gentle Exfoliation
When your skin is dry and flaky, it can be tempting to exfoliate aggressively.
Resist the urge.
Over-exfoliating can leave already-sensitive skin feeling even more irritated. Instead, consider incorporating gentle exfoliation once or twice a week if your skin tolerates it. My go to: Flawless Skin Serum a few times a week or Charcoal Microfoliant once a week
My own skin has needed more frequent exfoliation postpartum than it did before pregnancy, but the key has been keeping it gentle and balancing exfoliation with plenty of hydration and soothing care.
What About Postpartum Acne?
Not everyone experiences dry skin postpartum. Some people experience the opposite and notice increased oiliness or breakouts.
Again, hormones are a major factor.
As your body transitions out of pregnancy, shifting hormone levels can influence sebum production and contribute to clogged pores and breakouts.
If you're breastfeeding or recently postpartum, it's especially important to be mindful about which skincare ingredients and treatments you use. Not every ingredient or professional treatment is appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Always check with your healthcare provider and your skincare professional before introducing new active ingredients or treatments during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
When Should You Get a Facial After Pregnancy?
There isn't one universal timeline for when someone should return to professional facials after giving birth.
Your skin, recovery, hormones, breastfeeding status, and overall health all matter.
Once you've been cleared by your healthcare provider and you're ready to prioritize yourself again, a customized facial can be a wonderful way to give your skin some extra hydration and support.
Postpartum skin often benefits from treatments focused on:
Hydration
Soothing and calming
Supporting the skin barrier
Gentle exfoliation
Improving the appearance of dullness
Relaxation and stress relief
A customized approach is especially important because postpartum skin can be unpredictable. What your skin needed before pregnancy may not be what it needs now. My recommendation: Oxygen Infusion
Your Skin Is Changing—And That's Okay
Pregnancy and postpartum are seasons of enormous change.
Your body has created, carried, and nourished another human being. That's incredible—but it can also be exhausting.
Caring for another human being who is, quite literally, an extension of yourself is hard in more ways than one.
It's easy to put yourself at the very bottom of the list.
But taking care of yourself isn't selfish.
Taking care of yourself allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for the people you love.
Sometimes self-care looks like drinking another glass of water. Sometimes it's eating a nourishing meal. Sometimes it's getting outside for a walk, taking a shower, or simply having ten quiet minutes.
And sometimes, it's taking an hour to let someone else take care of you.
Your skin deserves that care, too.
Postpartum Skin Care Is About Listening to Your Skin
There is no perfect postpartum skincare routine.
Your skin may be dry one month and oily the next. You may experience breakouts you've never had before, pigmentation that seems to appear overnight, or sensitivity that makes your favorite products suddenly feel too strong.
Rather than fighting your skin, listen to it.
Give it hydration when it feels dry. Soothe it when it feels sensitive. Gently exfoliate when it needs help shedding buildup. Protect it from the sun. And give yourself permission to adjust your routine as your body continues to change.
Because postpartum skincare isn't about getting your “old” skin back.
It's about caring for the skin you're in right now.
And just like motherhood, that deserves a little patience, compassion, and care.
Looking for Personalized Postpartum Skincare?
If your skin has changed during pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding and you're not sure what it needs, a customized facial and personalized skincare routine can help you navigate those changes.
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