My Skincare Routine - Postpartum Edition

My skincare routine is something that is rather special to me. It’s my me time. As a new parent, having that time to myself is really important. It’s a reminder that I’m more than just a caregiver to a little boy, that I have to care for myself as well if I want to be the best mom I can be for him. I may be a mom, but I’m still me. A very tired me!

source: giphy

Depending on the amount of time I have, and products on hand, my routine can be the bare bones basic or a full blown ten step Korean routine, it really varies. It's gotten a lot easier now that Joey is six months old. Those first few months it was really hectic finding any time to myself!

The routine I’m laying out is my general routine if I have a lot of time to devote to my skincare.

First Cleanse

A first cleanse is pretty essential I think, especially if you wear makeup.

I have several different cleansers for this step, but my holy grail is the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. It was my first exposure to the world of double cleansing and has been a standby for me ever since.

The beauty of cleansing oil is how multipurpose it can be. It can be used to remove all kinds of makeup, even the most stubborn waterproof eye products. Sometimes I let it sit for several minutes before washing it off almost like a mask. I love how it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and ready for the second cleanse.

Because I wear a really stubborn mascara (Etude House Curl Fix), I use their Curl Fix remover. It’s more effective than just the DHC oil for that particular product.

Second Cleanse

This is the step that most people start at. I know this was my starting point before I discovered the world of Asian beauty!


This step changes for me depending on what my needs are at the moment.

My normal cleanser is Etude House’s Pure Water Baobab Cleansing Foam. It’s very gentle on skin and doesn’t strip of natural oils. This is something that can be used all of the time because of the gentle effectiveness. It’s also great for a winter product. The product itself is very creamy and makes a wonderful foam that cleanses and leaves the face soft. I can't seem to find it in my usual stores, so I think it's been discontinued T_T

If my skin is acting up at all, I’ll use either Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam or the Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Wash (which is a powder). I like the deeper clean that those products offer when it comes to my skin breaking out. These can be a bit harsher than I prefer so I only use them when needed.

Exfoliating

This isn’t a daily step for me because it easily tears my skin to shreds. I recommend it twice a week, though you may be able to get away with more. Ever since I had the baby my skin has changed drastically. I used to be able to exfoliate almost every day and my skin tolerated it, now it's borderline dry and will easily break out if I over do it.

I have loads of exfoliates that I love, especially Tatcha cleansing powders. They offer light exfoliation without irritation. It’s best described as a polishing effect, I think. So far, their powders have been the best to my changed skin.

source: tatcha.com

The main exfoliating product I use is the Etude House Baking Powder Crunch Pore Cleanser. It is quite rough but does a great job. I like that it’s available in to go packets, perfect for travel.

source: etudehouse.com

Sometimes I also shave my face. Yeah. I shave my face. It exfoliates and gets rid of those stubborn peach fuzz patches that I have, plus the random hormonal hair that has popped up since I had Joey. It also makes my makeup go on more smoothly! That may be me being delusional, but I see a difference!

If you do the shaving route, be sure to make sure your skin is prepped beforehand. I’ll have more on that later in the post.

Toner

This has been a staple for me for years, though I've gone back and forth over the actual necessity until I researched into why it's actually needed. Anyone remember those high school days of Sea Breeze? I hated that stuff because of the alcohol content. It lit my face on fire!

I now understand toner is pretty essential when it comes to restoring the balance to your skin after cleansing to prepare it for the moisturizing steps that follow.

These days I prefer Etude House Wonder Pore Pore Freshener. On the bag itself it says 10 in 1, though some of the claims I don't think it lives up to. From over two years of using it I haven't seen a reduction in blackheads, nor in the reduction of the appearance of pores, but I do like the cooling feeling that it leaves behind, and it’s rather cost effective at just under $14USD for 500ml.

It can be applied with a cotton pad or hands, but I usually just use my hands.

Essence

This is a step that I’d never considered until I started the ten step Korean skincare routine. It wasn’t even on my radar, to be perfectly honest. I haven’t seen essence in American beauty aisles.

I typically use Holika Holika Cheoeum Balhyo Miracle Seed essence, but I’m currently out.

Treatment

After essences come the various treatment steps. These will wildly vary depending on your needs.

This is when I will use my anti-aging products and other actives. Right now I’m not using anything as my skin is going through a sensitive phase.

Mask

I. Love. Masks.

Sheet masks were my introduction to Korean skincare so they hold a very special place in my heart.

My most used are Etude House masks, but I've tried loads of them. I have bought tons from Beauteque - they have excellent prices and a pretty large selection to choose from. They even do subscription boxes!

I like to mask once a week. #sheetmasksundays!



I love anything with snail mucin! It makes my skin feel so bouncy afterward!

Eye Cream

I didn’t truly realize the importance of this until I had my son and live with constant eye bags.

I still haven’t found my true holy grail. I currently use Etude House Eye’s Cream because it’s cooling and I enjoy the sensation. Unfortunately I don’t think it anymore. I’ve also been using Etude’s Honey Cera Priming Eye Serum. I haven’t seen any true difference - if you have any suggestions, please share!

Moisturizer

This is another part of my routine that used to be neglected until I discovered products that truly worked with my skin. Generally if you think you've got super oily skin I think you should ask yourself exactly what you're doing to your skin. You could be stripping it by using harsh cleansers and not following with a moisturizer after. When you strip it, your skin makes more oil to make up for it and you end up an oil slick.

I have combination skin so I like to stick to products that aren’t too heavy.

I also tend to change this depending on the season.


I love Holikia Holika Aqua Fantasy Cream, which is more of a gel than a cream. It's got a lovely light gel texture that spreads out smoothly. Because it is so thin it also absorbs very quickly and very easily without leaving any sort of stickiness behind like some gel type moisturizers can. The scent almost reminds me of a men's cologne!

For winter I use Holika Holika Bird’s Nest Gold Leaf cream. It has more of an almost ointment like texture that quickly melts down into a liquid when warmed with your hands. I do not suggest this for oily skin as it will make it feel even oiler. I only get away with using it in the winter because my skin dries out terribly. It is for aging skin, which I have started to deal with now that I’m in my 30s.

Sunblock/Night Cream

Sunblock for day and night cream for night are essential, no matter the season.

I’m from Florida. We are taught from the time we can walk to put on sunscreen year round. Slip, slap, slop, anyone?

I prefer the highest SPF I can get. Depending on the weather I have several sunscreens to choose from. Etude House Sunprise sun milk is my absolute favorite because it leaves a matte powdery finish which is perfect for oily skin. If it’s dry and cold I use the Sunprise sun cream.

Yes, the packaging has changed, but I hoarded during a sale a while back. I love a good bogo!

Night creams are probably something I should have been serious about all along. I didn’t really start using them religiously until several years ago, mainly because I could never find one that truly suited my skin.

Right now I am using Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream. I’ve been using it for about a year and a half now and I like the results. It is extremely soothing and helps manage the redness on my cheeks after exfoliation or the days when my skin is generally just unhappy. I think it feels rather cooling when applied, leaving me feeling better almost immediately.



The best advice I can give when it comes to order is start with your lightest products and move to the heaviest.

Body

You can’t neglect your body! You may have the best skin in the world on your face, but when it comes to aging other places can totally give it away.

For body wash I use Tone and an Italy cloth. For the unfamiliar, an Italy cloth or towel is an exfoliating cloth. It’s made of viscose and has a very rough texture. You wouldn’t believe the dead skin you can get off with one of those bad boys! I’ll never go back to a normal wash cloth or bath pouf again!

Another thing I do for my skin, and sanity, is shave daily. I’m not going to lie - I’m a hairy chick. If I don’t keep it under control I go from zero to Sasquatch in the blink of an eye.

I shave in the shower for convenience, and because it’s much better on your skin. The steam from the shower softens the hair, making it easier to shave. If this is something you do don’t forget to take your razor out of the shower when you’re finished! It can cause the blades to rust faster, then there is bacteria - ick. Use a stand or hanger that allows it to dry. You’ll be able to use it longer! (I’m a penny pincher at heart - I’ll do what I can within reason to save a buck.) Average use is six to eight shaves. Keep it clean and get your money’s worth! Harry’s has a subscription service so you never have to worry about getting stuck with a bum blade. You can even set your own delivery schedule!

To keep my skin protected when I shave I use my boyfriend’s shave foam. With so many different options anymore there isn’t any reason to skip this. A good hydrating foam or cream is a must. Harry’s has a foam with aloe and cucumber, or a cream with eucalyptus if that is more your style. I really prefer men’s products for shaving over women’s because I’ve achieved better results. I rationalize it this way - if it’s gentle enough for a man’s face, it’s gentle enough for my legs. A touch of shave foam or gel will keep your skin safe since it doesn’t have the cleansers that you find in soaps. It may feel like things are golden when using your favorite body wash to shave, but in reality you’re setting yourself up for disaster, and probably some nicks along the way.


If you’re interested in trying Harry’s blades and shave gel, they offer a two week trial. All you have to do is pay shipping! When you break it down, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than picking up blades from the drug store, even if you’re a couponer like I am.

My current favorite body lotion is Nivea Oil Infused lotion Cherry Blossom & Jojoba Oil. Jojoba oil is about the closest thing you’re going to get when it comes to replacing your own body oils so it’s a personal favorite for me. I also use straight jojoba for nail oil (thanks, Cristine from Simply Nailogoical!). I’ve been mildly obsessed with the cherry blossom scent for years so this lotion is perfect for me.



And that is my current routine from head to toe!

While this routine works for me, it may not work for you. Play with products and experiment to find what works best for your skin!

Tell me about your skincare routine!

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