New Moms, Get Your Glow Back!

20 Aug 2020

Habits Lifestyle new mom

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It’s said that women have a different glow when they are pregnant. Their skin is more radiant and beautiful, but sadly, the glow doesn’t last forever. Soon after the delivery, the hormones and the new, stressful lifestyle wreak havoc on the skin, fading the glow only to replace it with acne, blemishes, stretch marks and other skin issues. These changes are inevitable as levels of estrogen and other hormones start to drop back to normal. In addition to the effects of changing hormone levels, you’re now a mother. This means that your stress levels are through the roof, you’re getting almost no sleep, and have no time for a skin care routine. Fortunately, there’s a lot that you can do to look and feel great again, without much effort and without following any elaborate routine. When it comes to post delivery skincare, you just need to live by three simple rules to get your glow back.

Superfoods For Mom-Glow

Most days, you’ll be pressed for time to follow a dedicated skincare routine, or get enough sleep. And oh, the hormones! They’ll wreak havoc on your skin, body, mood, and more . This makes it important to keep hormonal levels in check, and the best way to do this is by controlling them from within – by eating right. You can also opt for supplements, but make sure you consult your doctor first.

Include selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, fiber, and Omega-3 in your diet. These nutrients can help balance hormones and will work wonders for your skin. You can find selenium in Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meat, cereals, oatmeal, and grains. Some rich sources of vitamin D and B12 include green leafy vegetables, soybeans, cheese, egg yolk, chicken, yogurt, and fish. Table salt, when consumed in moderation, is the best source of iodine. Good sources of fiber include beans, whole grains, brown rice, nuts, berries, oatmeal, and veggies .

Of all these nutrients, Omega-3 is most notable, working wonders for the skin. It curbs inflammation, reduces puffiness, and helps reduce skin irritation. It also works as a moisture barrier, keeping your skin supple and fresh. Some rich sources of omega-3 include oily fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines, while it can also be found in flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, spinach, and avocados . Make a note, for post pregnancy skincare and to get glowing skin, eat right!

Hydrate Your Way To Glowing Skin

Skin care after delivery may not be as easy as it once was. It involves a ton of things now, and one of it is keeping your skin hydrated from the inside is very important. Although you should drink plenty of water throughout the day, a few glasses of water alone cannot help give you better skin. When we drink water, it goes through our digestive system, gets absorbed in the bloodstream, and is filtered in the kidney before it can finally hydrate the cells. In addition to the length of this process, water provides no nutrition at all. This is precisely why it’s a good idea to boost your fluid intake with other beverages that contain specific nutrients .

Sip on unsweetened green tea, coconut water, and fresh juices every now and then. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental stressors and it’s also known for potent anti-inflammatory effects that can help soothe skin irritation and redness . Coconut water has intense hydration properties and is a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium – nutrients that not only benefit your skin but your overall health too . Lastly, fresh fruit juices contain a wide range of macro and micronutrients that are good for the maintenance and restoration of skin health.

Self-love: The Secret Key

Finding time for yourself in the initial months after childbirth will be challenging, but it’s absolutely vital. Without adequate self-care, you won’t be able to give your baby the care he or she needs. To get started, make it a point to exercise as much as you can. From minor desk stretches to walking with your baby, the idea is to keep moving despite feeling fatigued likewise, sleep might be elusive, but you need to adapt by taking regular mental breaks and naps whenever you can. Ideally, whenever your baby is napping.

And, of course, don’t forget self-love. Enjoy a day off and pamper your skin with a DIY face mask or a massage. Making these choices will not only help your skin look better, but will also help your body recover (physically and emotionally). Be a healthy and happy mother for your baby, and it’ll show on your face too!

Elizabeth Bangera

Armed with an MSc. in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, Elizabeth wears many hats and is skilled in everything from weight loss to diabetes and cardiac care management.