The journey of motherhood is a beautiful and transformative experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to postpartum hormones and skin care. As a new mother, you may find yourself facing a range of skin-related issues such as acne, dryness, and pigmentation due to hormonal fluctuations. In this blog post, we'll explore the world of herbal skin care and how it can be a gentle and effective solution for addressing these postpartum skin concerns.
Understanding Postpartum Hormonal Changes
Before diving into herbal skin care, it's essential to understand the hormonal changes that occur during the postpartum period. After giving birth, your body goes through a dramatic shift in hormones, including a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormonal changes can affect your skin in various ways:
Acne and Breakouts: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased oil production, which may result in acne breakouts, even if you didn't have acne before pregnancy. Choosing non-comedogenic skincare products (like ours) may help with excess clogged pores.
Dry Skin: Some new mothers experience dry and dehydrated skin as a result of hormonal imbalances. Making sure your skin is not only moisturized but hydrated can help with this issue. Read on to discover what we mean by "hydrated".
Pigmentation: Melasma, also known as the "mask of pregnancy," can cause dark patches on the face. Also, you may be more prone to sun damage at this time. Using products specifically oriented for hyper-pigmentation and sun protection (like Green Gold Overnight Oil, and Spring Tea Face Oil) can mitigate the extent of pigmentation that may occur.
Sensitivity: Hormones can make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation. Using natural products that are formulated for sensitive skin is a safe way to ensure you don't experience unwanted side effects. Also, using natural products without odd ingredients that may cause cancer is probably what you are looking for if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Now, let's explore how herbal skin care can help you navigate these skin challenges effectively and naturally.
The Benefits of Herbal Skin Care
Gentle and Nourishing: Herbal skin care products are often formulated with natural ingredients like herbs, botanical extracts, and essential oils. These ingredients are known for their gentle and soothing properties, making them ideal for sensitive postpartum skin.
Hormone Balancing: Some herbs, such as gotu kola and lavender, are believed to help balance hormones naturally, potentially reducing hormonal acne and other skin issues.
Anti-Inflammatory: Many herbal ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness and swelling.
Herbal Skin Care for Postpartum Skin
Cleansing: Use a gentle herbal cleanser to remove dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils. Soot Solve facial cleanser utilizes activated charcoal, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane; a derivative of sulphur), and Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia) oil to effectively & gently cleanse the skin.
Hydrating: Herbal hydrosols (distilled plant waters) like aloe vera and lavender can provide hydration to dry skin, helping it regain its natural moisture balance. Check out Pixie Mist Hydrating Toner to aid in balancing your skin and locking in hydration.
Moisturizing: Choose cold-pressed botanical moisturizers that nourish and support clear skin such as golden jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, and grapeseed oil. Check out Green Gold Overnight Oil for more information.
Sun Protection: Don't forget to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Opt for herbal sunscreens that contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for natural sun protection.
Consultation: If you have severe postpartum skin issues or are unsure about which herbal products to use, consider consulting a dermatologist or a herbal skincare specialist. We offer 1 on 1 consultations with herbalist and founder, Anaka Decker. Please refer to our bookings page to schedule.
Navigating the world of postpartum hormonal changes and skin care can be challenging, but herbal skin care offers a natural and gentle way to address these issues. Prioritize herbal products in your skincare routine to nourish your skin & spirit. We believe that using our products can effectively center and ground an individual through the holistic herbal actions in each formula. Topically and aromatically, these products are formulated with care for the whole-being. Showing up for yourself daily by incorporating herbal skincare into your mornings and evenings can effectively shift experiences other than what's on the surface.
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