My Favorite Skincare Routine – Victory Against Pregnancy Hormones

Pregnancy can do a real number on your skin. It can go two ways, you either miraculously get amazing skin, or your skin starts hating you and makes you look like a 13 year old boy.

I with each pregnancy have fallen into the latter. Hurray! It took two pregnancies and two rounds of postpartum hormone craziness for me to finally get serious about my skin care. It wasn’t that I didn’t care before, believe me I did, it was that I didn’t know what to use. So like most American mamas I headed to Target and got whatever sounded the most appealing and likely to work.

Here’s the thing about doing it that way – it doesnt work. Or well not usually, and certainly not in my case.

Then one day everything changed! We had taken a family outing to the mall, rainy days at the beach mean mall here we come, and I had decided that I had had enough of dry flaky skin that broke out constantly. There was no winning! Or so I thought. We arrived at the field of dreams (Nordstrom) and I was instantly drawn to the bright skin care and perfume counters!

I stared in wonder at all the choices and had no idea where to start. It was totally overwhelming! I had told EM that I wanted to get “big girl skincare products” and finally start taking care of the face I was going to have for many many more years. Haven’t found the fountain of youth quite yet. He was super supportive and took two screaming kids with him while I shopped, or rather learned. I spoke to Clinique, Clarins, and Laura Mercier. The girl at Laura Mercier was the only one who didn’t try to sell me, didn’t try to get me to come back for a facial event (hear sales event), or start telling me about the science of how they are far superior to the rest! And you know what – the honest, “this stuff works” was all I needed to hear. No trying to convince me, no trying to impress me with fancy names of new agents they have in their moisturizer, just plain ole “I use it and I love it.” It probably helped that her skin was flawless but you know what, after using the products myself – I see why!

I was sold. I bought skincare, and I bought makeup and now only (bar one concealer stick and mascara I love from other brands) use ONLY Laura Mercier!

*I’ll do a makeup post another time

I went home after spending way too much money telling EM that this would all work, and praying to God that it was true!

It was! So here is my new and improved skin care routine!

First and foremost, I apply a mud mask twice a week before hopping in the shower. The Majestic Pure Natural Dead Sea Mud Mask Facial Cleanser is hands down my favorite! EM got it for me and I’ve loved it! I was surprised as I didn’t think he could possibly pick a good one, let alone a great one. *bad doubting wife* I rinse it off once I hop in the shower and continue with my skin care routine. What I love about this mask is that for someone like me, that has drier skin, it doesnt leave your face feeling like a desert, something most others have done. It is AMAZING on blackheads and my pores have never been smaller. Not to mention the saying, smooth like a baby’s butt comes to mind.

The Laura Mercier Face Polish is what I use next, or by itself for the days that I don’t use the mask. You really don’t need to use a lot to get a good scrub! The microbeads are fine yet effective, so it feels like a gentle scrub with face polishing super powers! Bonus: It smells like roses! I don’t know about you, but if I don’t like the smell of my skincare, I sure as heck don’t want it on my face!

That’s it! Easy right?! Two things. You’re probably thinking that it’s too simple – but mamas know we don’t need complicated and this is mama friendly! Those two things keep my skin clean and clear, and smoother than I’ve ever felt!

Now an important part of all good skincare routines is MOISTURIZERS! NOT LOTIONS! I repeat DO NOT USE LOTIONS ON YOUR FACE!!!! They accomplish NOTHING but the opposite of what you want. There are lotions and there are moisturizes. Moisturizers are emollient and give added hydration that your face needs. A good moisturizer is also lightweight and won’t contribute to wrinkles. Who here has time for that?! I don’t need my skincare products giving me more wrinkles – my boys will take care of that!

I use two. One, is the Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Creme which I normally use in the evening after removing any makeup, or anytime I simply feel I could use a bit of moisture. It has rose oil, which as everyone knows, is amazing for your skin. Again while smelling really good! Anytime EM has said “wow you smell good” when I crawl into bed at night, have been thanks to this cream. I also like to apply it under my tinted moisturizer before applying makeup in the am. It helps give a fresher look!

The second one I use isn’t actually a moisturizer in the traditional sense, it’s an oil. The Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil. It seems counterintuitive to put oil on your face but this oil doesn’t feel oily, doesn’t clog your pores, and works wonders! It’s a dry oil meaning it dries!!! Who would’ve thought! Basically you can leave the house with this on and not look like an oil slick! Like the moisturizer it’s lightweight and doesnt feel like you have stuff on your face. That to me is important – it’s why I don’t wear foundation. I don’t like feeling like I’m wearing anything – on my face. I want the products to work so well that they make it look like my natural amazing glow! These accomplish that! I normally use the oil after a shower, to let it absorb into my skin while I do my hair. Then I apply my cream and do makeup. Easy peasy!

There is a part of my routine that I totally and miserably fail at. Removing makeup! If I’m not being lazy, I love using the Flawless Skin Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover . It’s oil free! However, I’m half asleep by the time I normally remember to remove my eye makeup, so I grab everyones favorite Neutrogena Makeup Remover wipes. They’re so effective and gentle on your skin, so no weird breakouts! I’m really trying to stick to the same line of products so my skin doesn’t get too confused, however these are a great addition.

I don’t know about y’all but this mama has JUST NOW (only took being pregnant with our third) figured out how to get my self organized in the morning. I need quick and easy! I don’t want to worry about how horrible my skin looks while also trying to chase down a kid who’s hands won’t get out of his pants and another who cant find his shoes! We mamas need simplicity…and clear skin! This routine finally made both happen!