In the early weeks and months after giving birth, your skin—like your body—is in recovery. It's entirely normal for your complexion to feel different—drier, oilier, more sensitive, or simply not like it was before pregnancy
When you're navigating the demands of a newborn, running on very little sleep, and adjusting to a new rhythm, it's easy for your own self-care to slip down the list. But even a few quiet minutes can offer a sense of comfort.
That's why we've put together a simple, supportive, and flexible routine that meets your skin where it is and offers a moment of calm in the chaos.
Postpartum Skin: What's Happening?
Postpartum skin can be unpredictable, and some new mums might notice extra oiliness and breakouts while others experience dryness, sensitivity, or a lack of visible radiance.
These changes are usually driven by the hormonal changes that happen after birth—particularly the sudden drop in oestrogen and progesterone. At the same time, stress hormones may rise, and prolactin levels (especially if breastfeeding) remain elevated. These internal changes can influence oil production, hydration, sensitivity, and even how quickly your skin renews itself.
Add sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and the emotional demands of early motherhood, and your skin's barrier can become more reactive or depleted.
Understanding what causes these changes can help you care for your skin more thoughtfully and effectively, with minimum fuss.
Common postpartum changes in the skin can include:
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Dry, flaky skin or sensitivity
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Breakouts or congestion (especially if oil production spikes)
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Loss of visible radiance or overall dullness
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Redness, irritation, or uneven tone
What is the best and safest approach? Keep your skincare routine minimal, hydrating, and gentle. A few multitasking products can make a real difference—without adding stress to your day.
But before we look at an ideal skincare routine for postpartum mums, let's consider the ingredients you should avoid.
Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy, Postpartum and Breastfeeding
While most skincare ingredients are safe during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding, some are best avoided.
These include:
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Retinoids (Retinol, Retinal, Retinyl Palmitate): These Vitamin A derivatives are effective and safe but are generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential absorption risks.
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Salicylic Acid: While low concentrations in cleansers are generally considered safe, more potent leave-on peels and homecare containing more than 2% should be avoided.
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Hydroquinone: Used for pigmentation but typically not recommended during breastfeeding.
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Essential Oils: While many are safe in low doses, we recommend checking with your doctor before use due to individual sensitivities and limited research
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Benzoyl Peroxide: Often used to treat acne, consult a healthcare provider before using this during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
When in doubt, it's always best to check with your GP, dermatologist, or pharmacist—especially when using active ingredients.
With all this in mind, let's look at a simple, safe, and supportive skincare routine focusing on barrier repair, hydration, and gentle ingredients suitable for your skin during this unique time.
Simple, Restorative Care with a Streamlined Routine
This four-step edit brings together gentle, high-performing Aesthetics Rx® skincare essentials to hydrate, calm, and replenish tired, postpartum skin—without needing a multi-step regimen.
Keeping It Clean, Balanced and Exfoliated (All in One)
Our AHA Cream Cleanser is a creamy, non-stripping formula with gentle fruit acids that help remove impurities while visibly brightening dull, tired skin.
Key ingredients:
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Tasman Pepper: A native Australian botanical that soothes redness and calms irritation, ideal for reactive or stressed skin.
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Natural AHA Fruit Extracts (Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Citrus, Sugar Maple): Delivers gentle exfoliation to visibly brighten and smooth skin without causing sensitivity.
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Aloe Vera: Hydrating and healing, ideal for skin recovering from hormonal shifts.
AHA Cream Cleanser is Perfect for:
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Gently cleansing and rebalancing – Clears away impurities without stripping the skin while helping promote a more even and visibly radiant complexion.
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Daily exfoliation – Natural fruit acids help soften and smooth the skin surface through gentle exfoliation.
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Boosting hydration and skin comfort – Helps limit moisture loss and supports a resilient barrier with soothing botanicals and aloe vera.
Breastfeeding-safe? Yes. This formula contains gentle, low-concentration AHAs; no ingredients are considered unsuitable during breastfeeding.
Hydrate, Support and Visibly Brighten Dull Skin
Our Vitamin B Serum is a calming and deeply hydrating treatment serum powered by niacinamide and panthenol to support barrier repair, calm redness, and help keep the skin visibly balanced.
Key ingredients:
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Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Fortifies the skin barrier, visibly calms inflammation, minimises the appearance of enlarged pores, and improves visible skin tone.
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Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Deeply moisturising and visibly calming—helps restore comfort to dry or irritated skin.
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Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): A powerful humectant that helps attract and retain moisture, improving visible hydration and plumpness.
Vitamin B Serum is Perfect for:
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Deep hydration and visible plumping – Helps to retain moisture for comfort and visibly firmer skin.
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Smoothing texture and evening tone – Niacinamide supports healthy cell turnover and helps minimise the appearance of enlarged pores and dark spots.
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Supporting skin barrier function – Visibly calms and protects sensitive postpartum skin.
Breastfeeding-safe? Yes. This formula is free from retinoids and intensive actives, making it a gentle choice for postpartum skin.
Calm and Refresh On the Go
The Microbiome Balancing Mist is a lightweight, refreshing formula to visibly balance, calm, and hydrate skin. Perfect for postpartum skin experiencing stress, oil imbalance, or barrier disruption. Ideal when your skin needs a pick-me-up.
Key ingredients:
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Inulin & Fructose (Prebiotics): Help restore a healthy microbiome by supporting beneficial skin flora.
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Gotu Kola & Beta Glucan: Helps calm and soothe visible redness, sensitivity and irritation.
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Allantoin: Provides a soothing, comforting effect for sensitive or reactive skin.
Microbiome Balancing Mist is Perfect for:
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Supporting and rebalancing the skin barrier – Helps maintain microbiome harmony and visibly improves overall skin comfort.
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Calming and hydrating reactive skin – Visibly reduces signs of irritation while increasing surface moisture levels.
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Promoting a fresh, vibrant glow – Visibly balances oil flow and helps refine pores, leaving skin refreshed and clear.
Breastfeeding-safe? Yes. This facial mist does not contain ingredients typically avoided while breastfeeding.
Lock in Moisture and Restore Your Glow
Our Daily Moisturiser Hydrating is a light, silky cream enriched with Vitamin C, botanical antioxidants, and UV filters to hydrate, support the skin barrier, and offer broad-spectrum protection against daily stressors. It delivers deep hydration while feeling light and breathable on the skin.
Key ingredients:
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Kakadu Plum: A potent natural source of Vitamin C that helps visibly brighten skin and support collagen.
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Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (Vitamin C Ester): A stable, non-irritating form of Vitamin C that protects and evens visible skin tone.
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Squalane: A skin-identical lipid that deeply moisturises and supports barrier recovery.
Daily Moisturiser Hydrating is Perfect for:
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All-in-one daily hydrator with SPF15 – Offers broad UVA & UVB protection to defend against environmental stressors and free radical damage.
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Fast-absorbing and non-comedogenic – It deeply hydrates without clogging pores, making it ideal for all skin types.
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Rich in Vitamin C – It helps visibly brighten a dull complexion and contributes to a plump, dewy skin effect.
Breastfeeding-safe? Yes. This formula contains no ingredients typically avoided during breastfeeding.
Caring for Your Skin from the Inside Out
Even with a thoughtful skincare routine, your skin reflects more than what you put on it. Nourishing your body with good habits and simple, supportive nutrition can help enhance your skin's glow—especially during the postpartum period.
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Stay hydrated: Keep water or herbal tea nearby to support skin function and overall energy.
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Eat healthy fats: Omega-3s from avocado, nuts, or oily fish can help reduce inflammation and support hormone balance.
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Include protein: Lean proteins support skin repair and overall resilience.
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Add colourful veggies: Antioxidant-rich vegetables help promote glow and protect against oxidative stress.
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Support your gut: Fermented foods like yoghurt or miso may help calm inflammation and improve skin clarity.
While these gentle nutritional shifts can support your skin from within, the right topical routine can work harmoniously with them—offering visible relief, hydration, and glow. Here's how to keep your skincare routine minimal yet effective in the weeks and months postpartum.
Simple, Restorative Skincare is Self-Care
Even if it's just two minutes in the morning or a quiet moment at night, skincare can offer more than just results—it can provide a small, grounding ritual in a time that can feel chaotic and overwhelming.
This carefully curated routine brings together a gentle, multitasking range of the Aesthetics Rx® cult favourites that meet your skin where it is today.
It's a simple, grounding ritual designed for tired skin and even more tired mums.
You can explore these products in travel-ready sizes for mums on the go in our range of Essential Kits or shop them individually to create the routine that works best for you.
For tailored support, visit one of our clinics for a professional skin consultation where they'll guide you toward the perfect routine for your unique skin needs.