About nine months ago, I welcomed my little bundle of joy, Ruby. But along with that came a lot of stubborn dark freckles, thanks to pregnancy’s gift, melasma. Not to mention, a lovely set of eye bags from the lack of sleep in the newborn days. I felt like my skin was dull, splotchy, textured, and really dry.

Fast forward to today, and I feel like I’ve finally reclaimed my skin’s glow—all while balancing breastfeeding and the limitations it places on ingredients I can use. I’ve since bid farewell to heavy makeup, embracing a more natural vibe that feels oh-so-liberating.

Now before I jump into the details below, I think it’s worth mentioning that I’m not a doctor, so obviously, it’s crucial to consult with your physician before making any decisions about your skincare routine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, based on what I’ve learned through my own research and discussions with healthcare professionals, there are certain skincare ingredients and products that many people tend to avoid during these stages. Being informed about these potential risks can empower you to make the best choices for yourself and your baby’s health.

Also, I know skincare can sometimes be a splurge and I totally get that not everyone’s budget allows for it so I’ll also share some dupes that I’ve either tried or heard great things about!

Products to Avoid During Pregnancy:

• Retinoids (like Retin-A, Retinol)
• Salicylic Acid
• Hydroquinone
• Chemical Sunscreens
• Certain Essential Oils (such as rosemary and peppermint)

Products to Avoid While Breastfeeding:

• Retinoids (topical)
• Hydroquinone
• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Chemical Peels
• High Levels of Vitamin A

Morning Routine:

• Cleanse: Begin my day by washing my face with Eminence Mangosteen Cleanser. If I feel the need for a deeper clean, I gently exfoliate with Eminence Stone Crop Oxygenating FizzFoliant.
• Tone: Follow up with Eminence Pineapple Tonique to refresh and balance my skin’s pH. This is so refreshing and reminds me of Summer.
• Serum: Apply SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum, a powerhouse antioxidant blend, to combat environmental stressors. If you are looking for a more affordable price point, I’ve heard Paula’s Choice makes a really good alternative.
• Firm: Next, I massage Eminence Bamboo Firming Fluid onto my skin to promote firmness and elasticity. It’s a great retinol alternative!
• Eye Care: Gently dab on Eminence Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream to hydrate and diminish dark circles and puffiness.
• Moisturize: Apply SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Face Cream, which provides essential lipids for barrier repair. If you want a more affordable option, I’d try the Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Barrier Repair Cream with Ceramides. It’s highly regarded and known to be a great dupe for SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Face Cream. I’ve read that the lead cosmetic chemist at Dieux worked at Skinceuticals, which I thought was interesting.
• Protect: Finish off with Tula Sunscreen Gel to shield my skin from harmful UV rays throughout the day. I’d say about 80% of the time, I stop here and don’t even put makeup on, or if I do, it’s just a little mascara and cream bronzer.

Night Routine:

• Cleanse: Wind down with Osea Ocean Cleanser, a calming and replenishing formula that removes impurities without stripping the skin. I just recently started using this and I absolutely LOVE it.
• Exfoliate (2x week): Incorporate Liquid Gold™ Exfoliating Treatment with Glycolic Acid for gentle yet effective exfoliation, promoting cell turnover and a brighter complexion.
• Hydrate: Apply SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier to replenish moisture and plump up the skin. Sometimes, if I’m craving an extra glow, I’ll add a few drops of Luxe Unfiltered face tanning drops to this step. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly Hyaluronic Acid, I’ve heard incredible things about Ordinary. With over 10K 5-star reviews, you really can’t beat that you can a 2 bottle pack for less than $30!
• Serum: Treat my skin with Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanicals Serum, packed with botanical extracts to soothe and revitalize. This one is pricey, I know. So if you are looking for a more affordable option, I’d suggest Primally Pure’s Soothing Serum.
• Eye Care: Give some love to my under eyes with Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream, targeting fine lines and puffiness.
• Moisturize: Seal in the goodness with La Mer Moisturizer, the ultimate face cream. This one is definitely a pretty penny, but I personally feel like it makes a huge difference in my skin. If you are on the hunt for a good cream that won’t break the bank, I’ve heard that Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Night Cream is a popular La Mer alternative.
• Lip Treatment: Finally, nourish my lips with Laneige Lip Mask, my all-time favorite lip treatment ever.

Additional Items I Use:

• I really love these face towels. They are so soft, and I love to put a stack of them by my sink so that I can use a fresh towel each day.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Red Light Mask – Love to put this on a couple of times a week and freak my husband out.
• Skinny Confidential Ice Roller – I use this in the morning when I’ve had a late night or perhaps an indulgent night, and I wake up feeling tired or puffy. Perfect for a puffy face!
• If I’m breaking out, I will usually throw on one of these patches overnight.
• If it’s a bad breakout, like one of those deep blemishes that HURT, I use this high-frequency machine on it and I swear it zaps it away in a day.