Nay or Bae: Practices That New Mothers Must Avoid And Include In Their Skincare Routine

New moms need to be vigilant about their skincare routine to ensure both their health and the safety of their baby. First, it is essential to avoid skincare products that contain harmful ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid, and certain essential oils. Instead, opt for gentle and natural products suitable for sensitive skin. Adequate hydration through drinking water and using moisturizers is important to maintain skin health. Sun protection is important, so wearing sunscreen and protective clothing is recommended. Additionally, maintaining a consistent skincare routine, including cleansing, moisturizing and gentle exfoliation, can help rejuvenate and nourish the skin.

Dr Rashmi Shetty, Cosmetic Dermatologist, Ra Skin & Aesthetics, Mumbai and Hyderabad, says, “During a woman’s pregnancy, feel-good hormones are at their peak as they need to be carried to the growing human inside her. However, after birth, all these hormones decrease. Apart from this, during labor and delivery, the body also goes through a lot of stress which results in obvious changes in the skin and hair.

Dermatologist Dr Batul, founder and medical director of Bombay Skin Clinic says, “When it comes to breastfeeding, it is essential to use proper skin care products to maintain your skin as well as ensure that Your child is safe.”

7 exercises new moms should stick to:

1. supplement
   While some moms may doubt the effectiveness of supplements due to overfeeding, it is important to consider supplements for better skin and hair and overall health. “Right after childbirth, our body becomes vulnerable and supplementation is one of the most effective ways to increase the nutrient levels in our body,” says Shetty.
2. Moisturization
   To keep the face and skin smooth and hydrated, it is very important to use an adequate amount of moisturizer. “During pregnancy, the belly, breasts and bottom tend to increase in size, which leads to stretch marks after childbirth. Moisturization will help to deal with these stretch marks better to regain the original glow of your skin. Night creams are equally important as they aid in the rejuvenation process of the skin overnight,” says Shetty.
3. mildly active
   If you were concerned about using active ingredients during your pregnancy, it’s perfectly fine to reintroduce mild ingredients like niacinamide or glycolic acid into your skincare routine after baby is born.
4. vitamin C
   “Vitamin C works to reduce hyperpigmentation that is common in pregnancy due to hormones and is safe to use,” says Dr. Patel.
5. glycerin
   Works as an excellent moisturizing ingredient.
6. physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
   Provides protection from sun tan, burns etc.
7. azelaic acid
   “A molecule that not only acts on acne and acne scars, but also on pigmentation,” says Dr. Patel.

3 Items New Moms Must Carry Avoid,

1. retinol
   “Retinol is an antioxidant, which means it protects your skin from free radical damage. It also stimulates collagen to provide firmer, plumper skin. Lastly, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” . While research is still ongoing, preliminary studies do not recommend the use of oral retinol during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects. Therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry,” says Dr. Patel.
2. salicylic acid
   This ingredient is commonly used to treat acne, but should be avoided by breastfeeding women as it may cause Reye’s syndrome to your baby.
3. hydroquinone
   Dr Patel opines, “Hydroquinone is a potent pigment reducer, but there is not enough research to consider it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, it would be wise to avoid its use.”

3 exercises to avoid include:

1. very hot bath
   Dr Shetty says, “Extremely hot baths are not recommended after childbirth as it can dilate the blood vessels, which can lead to dizziness.”
2. scalp massage
   Due to fluctuating hormones and nutrients in the body, excessive head massage can worsen the condition of your hair.
3. Scrubbing / Over-Exfoliation
   “It is advisable to stay away from scrubs and exfoliants for the time being, as these can further dehydrate the skin and lead to irritation and redness,” opines Dr Shetty.