When you’re a postpartum mama, it’s all too easy to get completely wrapped up in life with your newborn baby. It’s obvious: your baby depends on you to take care of their every need. But… you depend on you, too, and taking care of yourself is an important part of being a mom as well. We know adding another step to your already busy schedule can sound overwhelming, and that finding the right postpartum beauty products probably isn’t high on your list. So we did the work for you.
Here’s a list of our favorite postpartum beauty products every new mama should try.
Skincare
Making sure you have the right skincare products is an important thing to consider for both mama and baby. If you have a product all over your face and body and pick your baby up for a snuggle, some of it can get onto him or her. Plus, if you’re breastfeeding, some topicals can make their way from your skin to your blood, and blood is used to produce breast milk. Unfortunately, there’s really not a good understanding of what passes into breast milk, so we’re making our best recommendations based on what we do know here.
While it’s important to know what is and isn’t safe, rest easy knowing that there are plenty of great products available. Here are some of our favorites:
- Anti-aging skincare: If you’re looking for anti-aging postpartum beauty products, look for lactic acid products instead of retinols. Lactic acid is naturally occurring in our bodies, though the kind you get in skincare is usually synthetically made. The Ordinary is an affordable brand that produces quality products, and it makes a lactic acid peel that’s great for exfoliating your skin while also keeping your breast milk safe for baby. Another great anti-aging skincare product for new mamas is Sunday Riley Good Genes. Good Genes is an all-in-one lactic acid treatment that will exfoliate your skin and clean your pores, giving you fresher, younger-looking skin.
- Anti-acne skincare: If you thought you left acne behind in your teenage years, think again. The fluctuation in hormones both pre- and postpartum can wreak havoc on your skin. When it comes to anti-acne skincare, there are three “holy grail” ingredients to look for: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. The good news is, products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are safe for breastfeeding moms. According to Thomas Hale, PhD, author of Medications and Mother’s Milk, “The transcutaneous absorption of both of these drugs is minimal to nil. Peroxides, even if absorbed, would be instantly metabolized in the body and would not be able to reach the milk.” If you’re looking for a budget acne product, check out Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense. They have a whole line of face wash, spot treatments, and even a face mask.
- Moisturizers: A lot of moisturizers are either silicone- or petrolatum-based, and you may find that lots have preservatives or other ingredients that seem iffy. So now can be a good time to clean up and simplify your routine. A good swap for a postpartum beauty product is moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in your body, so it’s safe for breastfeeding moms to add into their skincare routines. You can get a hyaluronic acid serum from brands like The Ordinary and you can even find it at your local Trader Joe’s!
Haircare
During pregnancy, your hormones change quite drastically. A great side effect of pregnancy hormones is thick, shiny hair. Unfortunately, when your hormones change again postpartum, a common side effect is hair loss. Super fun stuff, right? Most moms deal with some hair loss, so don’t pull out whatever hair you have left worrying about it.
When it comes to postpartum hair loss, try to find volumizing products, and avoid too many chemicals that will weigh your hair down. Of course, don’t forget to keep drinking plenty of water because that will also help stimulate hair growth. Some great postpartum beauty products for your hair are:
- A good mask and dry shampoo: Let’s be real: We aren’t spending a lot of time washing our hair postpartum. It can be easy to push it down on our to-do list with a newborn baby around! But after quite a few days of dry shampoo, your hair definitely could use a little TLC. If you can find five extra minutes every now and then, a hair mask will do wonders. Love Beauty and Planet is a clean brand with a line of great smelling, deeply nourishing hair oils. Whether you’re looking for added shine or a repairing oil, they have a variety of options to choose from. Dry shampoo is another saving grace for busy women everywhere, and Living Proof is one of our favorites.
- Tea tree shampoo: Another postpartum side effect from fluctuating hormones is an itchy scalp. While the science on tea tree oil is mixed, shampoo with tea tree oil has given some new mamas (our founder included!) relief. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo is a favorite, and its natural tea tree oils, peppermint, and lavender are sure to refresh your scalp. If you’re unsure about any product, run it by your OB.
- Clean hair brands: In an effort to keep your hair from being weighed down, consider going with clean hair care products, or those without any heavy chemicals in them (the same goes for other postpartum beauty products, too!) True Botanicals has a few hair care products that are perfect for postpartum moms. Sephora has a list of clean hair care products free of chemicals like sulfates, parabens, or formaldehydes. That way you can look for a clean hair care product that is perfect for your specific hair needs.
Pain management
Pain management may not seem like a postpartum beauty issue, but it’s hard to look and feel good when you’re constantly in pain, and pain and fatigue are the two most commonly reported issues for new moms.
Remember, if the pain is extreme, you can ask your doctor to make sure you’re as healthy as can be postpartum. However, if you are looking for postpartum pain management tips to try at home, consider:
- Acetaminophen: According to the Center for Advising Health, acetaminophens like Tylenol are good for managing pain postpartum.
- Heating pad: Cramping is completely normal postpartum because your uterus is contracting and returning to its pre-pregnancy size. If you want to ditch the sticky Bengay, try a heating pad. Try holding it over your abdomen, and if it’s comfortable, lie on your stomach. If not, lie on your side and place a pillow between your legs. Any old heating pad will do the trick, but if you’re looking for an upgrade, this microwavable bear might cheer you up a bit, too.
Lactation tea
We’ll be frank: The science is still out on how much milk galactagogues like lactation tea actually help you create. But lots of women swear by it. So, what is lactation tea? Lactation tea is an herbal tea that’s meant to boost your milk supply. Sometimes, milk supply doesn’t come in nearly as much as you want it to, and you need a little something to help your girls out. Pink Stork lactation tea is a favorite.
Hygiene products
- Epsom salts: Soaking in Epsom salts is good for achy, sore muscles, but it’s also good for postpartum mamas’ sore everything. Soaking in Epsom salts helps reduce swelling, can prevent infection, supports the healing process, and can even prevent hemorrhoids.
- Preparation H wipes: Unfortunately, hemorrhoids are another postpartum reality for many of us. Fortunately, Preparation H makes wipes to help relieve itching and burning. The wipes are infused with chamomile, aloe, and cucumber to help you heal.
Stretch mark creams
Stretch marks are another normal part of pregnancy, and you might be thinking about investing in expensive creams to get rid of them. The thing is, this category of postpartum beauty products hasn’t really been proven to work. The best thing you can do is moisturize, and they may fade over time.
Vitamins
Keeping your body healthy is important for you and baby, and not just during pregnancy. If you’re breastfeeding, you should keep taking prenatal vitamins so you can ensure your baby is getting everything they need for continued development. Theralogix has a great Prenatal Vitamin and Mineral Supplement line that will give you all the DHA, B6, and choline that your body needs.
Gummy prenatal vitamins are great if you’re dealing with nausea, and they can be easier to take than a huge pill. Ritual prides itself on being the vitamin company founded by skeptics, for skeptics, and it has a highly reviewed prenatal vitamin that can be shipped to you monthly.
Disclaimer: The information herein is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.