Motherhood is magical. But it’s also confusing, sleepless, and let’s be honest - completely overwhelming. While all eyes are on the baby, your body quietly deals with a whirlwind of changes. And your skin? It doesn’t go unnoticed.

From stretch marks to dullness, acne to pigmentation, skin is going through its postpartum phase. And it deserves care, just like you do.

Let’s talk real stuff. Your body made a human (superpower, right?), but that also means it’s now recovering from months of hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and nutrient depletion. Here’s how that shows up on your skin.

After delivering a child, the placenta, which produces large amounts of estrogen and progesterone, is expelled from the body, which results in a sudden drop of these hormones. During the postpartum period, hormonal fluctuation and increased water demand by the body due to breastfeeding may change the skin texture and cause dry skin. Low levels of estrogen during the postpartum and lactating periods affect the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin in the body. The low levels further contribute to transepidermal water loss, which subsequently leads to dehydration, making the skin appear flaky and dry. To compensate, sebum production increases, which leads to clogged pores, resulting in acne breakouts.

The sudden drop in estrogen also causes hair follicles to enter a resting phase, leading to increased hair shedding.

During pregnancy, the skin on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs stretches rapidly to accommodate the growing fetus and increase weight. This rapid stretching can cause the elastic fibers in the dermis (the middle layer of skin) to tear, leading to the appearance of stretch marks. Pregnancy hormones, like cortisol, can weaken the skin's elasticity, making it more prone to tearing and stretch mark formation.

Stretch marks can also appear on the breasts after pregnancy, especially during breastfeeding, as the skin stretches to accommodate the enlarged milk ducts.

Keep It Simple & Nourishing
Forget 10-step routines. Your skin craves nourishment, not complexity. Use gentle cleansers with mild surfactants, preferably natural ones with herbs, dals, or milk bases, that cleanse without stripping away oils and do not hinder your skin’s microbiome and pH.

Hydrate, Inside Out
Drink water like it’s your new beauty potion. And for the skin? Pick a moisturizer that hydrates deeply and locks it in. Look for ingredients like washed ghee, which penetrates deeply and promotes lipid repair, skin regeneration, and tissue healing.

Soothe Those Breakouts
Postpartum acne is hormonal, so instead of drying your already parched skin with harsh treatments, go for ingredients that balance oils and soothe inflammation. Dhaut Ghrit, or washed ghee, works wonders.

Love Your Under-Eyes
Lack of sleep + emotional rollercoasters = panda eyes. A good under-eye routine can help. But delicate under-eye skin isn’t the place for harsh actives. Dhataki flowers (Datakipushp) infused under-eye cream is a beautiful, gentle alternative to retinol as it is soothing, hydrating, and totally safe.

Release the Stretch Marks
They’re your strength marks, but consistent moisturization is key to reducing their appearance. Use cocoa butter, coconut oil, or almond oil to improve skin elasticity and smooth it.

Your skin is healing. Your body is healing. You are healing. This is not the time to chase “perfect” skin - this is the time to support your skin with the same gentleness you’re giving your baby.

A little self-care is not selfish. It’s survival. And your skin will thank you for every drop of love you give it.

PS: If you’re a new mom reading this, drink water, and give yourself a high-five. You’re doing fantastic.