Best Skincare Products for New Moms

No matter how many babies a mom has, her life is still temporarily turned upside down in the throws of having a newborn. The best skincare products for new moms listed here can help moms feel a little more like themselves. We go from plump, sort-of-rested skin to dry, completely sleep-deprived, and maybe hormone-induced acne-ridden skin. I remember wondering if I had aged five years in two months. If you are the new mom reading this, don’t worry. Your skin will look radiant again, and you will sleep again!

Best Skincare Products for New Mom’s Skin

Lanolin Cream

Lanolin cream is essential, in my opinion, for new mamas who intend to breastfeed. Lanolin is safe for mom and baby and helps heal cracked skin (read: nipples). Even if breastfeeding doesn’t work out, or if they don’t use it all, there are plenty of other ways to use lanolin. The Bump has a genius list of different ways to use lanolin here. There are plenty of brands on the market to choose from as well.

Vitamin C Serum

The dull, tired skin that comes from new motherhood is no joke. I tried a lot of creams and serums to help my skin feel and look its best while running on a few hours of sleep at night. While your skin won’t look its best until you are getting more shut-eye, vitamin C serum is helpful in the meantime. I use La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Salicylic Acid. My dermatologist said this small amount of salicylic acid is acceptable while breastfeeding, but always check with your doctor.

Collagen Powder

While not a topical product, collagen powder helps your skin from the inside out. The benefits are fewer fine lines, firmer skin, and healthier and stronger skin and nails. Even YouTube dermatologist Dr. Dray posted a video highlighting that studies show positive correlations between using collagen powder and these benefits. I stir a little in my coffee each morning and can’t taste it. I feel less stiff and notice a difference in the supple look of my skin. I use Orgain Collagen Peptides. I have used a more expensive brand but found this to taste (because it doesn’t taste) just as good and does the job.

Tinted Moisturizer

This is one of my top skincare product recommendations for new moms. In early motherhood, your teeth are lucky to get brushed some days, much less putting on some makeup. Even indoors, your skin still needs SPF. And your skin may not look its best with the lack of sleep and perhaps proper nutrition (let’s be honest, you’re eating whatever you can grab and eat with one hand). I use a tinted moisturizer every day no matter what season of life. But in the throws of caring for a newborn, I especially appreciated that it gave my face an even tone with a little bit of color.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid retains water, which helps your skin stay moisturized and appear more supple. Many skincare products already have this, but I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost to add to the efficacy. I apply the vitamin C serum, wait at least 10 minutes, and then apply the Hydro Boost. The last thing I do after getting ready for the day is to apply a tinted moisturizer.

SPF for Mom and Baby

You’ll need sun protection in addition to the tinted sunscreen mentioned above. SPF is your friend always and forever, and I would say especially as a new mom. Your body is going through so much, so protection from UV rays is extra help your skin needs. My favorite way to protect myself from the sun is to use Eucerin Daily Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen Body Cream. The American Academy of Dermatology has a great article on all things sunscreen, like why you should wear it, SPF number, and how to protect your baby and toddler from the sun.

Best Skincare Products for Baby’s Skin

Believe it or not, for the best skincare products for new moms list, there are some baby items. There are two products that helped my baby and me, aside from the regular baby lotion.

Baby Balm

Baby needs a good moisturizer since their skin is getting used to their new environment outside the womb. I used Era Organics Healing Ointment for Babies on any rash that popped up and used it for cradle cap. It is pretty oily and has a distinct smell, but it works. I would put it on baby’s head about an hour before bathtime, which helped reduce cradle cap flaking.

Lotion for Baby (that may help them sleep)

8 Sheep Organics has products for pregnancy, postpartum, and even baby. When baby is over three months old, he can use “Junior’s Bedtime Lotion.” This contains magnesium, which may help him sleep better. They also have products for you. “Organic Sleepy Body Lotion” is great for restless leg and muscle aches and pains that are almost certainly part of a mom’s journey.

A lot is going on in new motherhood for both mom and baby. Hopefully, this list rounds out some good moisturizers and skin-saving products for both mom and baby. Check out the post on gifts to give yourself (for Mother’s Day) for more items that make my life easier and better.