Inside Out Beauty Tips for New Mummas
Being a new mum provides a host of new challenges, aside from the tiredness, emotional and physical challenges, women are often faced with a host of beauty challenges which are unexpected and not welcome. These changes are occurring as the body transitions from hormone levels which were up to 20 to 30 times greater than normal during pregnancy.
At delivery, hormone levels drop abruptly, along with changes in amino acids, neurotransmitters, and thyroid hormones. This can not only affect mood but our hair and skin. Below I share my naturopathic inside out tips to tackle four common beauty challenges faced by new mums.
1. Drink Away Puff Eyes
The eyes are often the first place for dehydration and late nights to show. Dehydration is often seen in new mums as you are firstly being depleted of stores to create breast milk for your bubba and of course you are adjusting to a new normal of disrupted sleep and less of it.
Inside Tip
If you are breastfeeding in particular, remember to keep up your fluids with a bottle of water at your favourite breastfeeding chair. Make it a little more exciting with a sprig of mint or lemon slices if it isn’t so easy to get the water down. Hydrate with water rich foods such as cucumber, salad, celery and low GI fruit. I love recommending new mums use herbal tea to up their antioxidant intake whilst also hydrating - licorice, chamomile, ginger and lemon grass all make wonderful choice. A favourite amongst new mums is the No.4 Golden Glow Beauty Tea.
Outside Tip
Use a pure and gentle eye cream that contains fluid-shifting botanicals such as coffee, horsetail extract or cucumber and brightening ingredients such as gold leaf or antioxidant rich fruits. Our favourite dark circle and puffy eye banisher is the & Gold Rush Eye Cream which contains 24K gold leaf to brighten the under-eye area and coffee and cucumber to shift fluid and puffiness.
2. Pigmentation Fix
Pigmentation, which you may have noticed commenced during pregnancy is a result of a temporary increase in the body’s production of melanin which can lead to dark spots across your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead, sometimes in the shape of a mask. The pigmentation should correct three to six months after birth however in the meantime there are a few inside out beauty tips that can help to lighten these dark spots.
Pigmentation, which you may have noticed commenced during pregnancy is a result of a temporary increase in the body’s production of melanin which can lead to dark spots across your upper lip, nose, cheekbones, and forehead, sometimes in the shape of a mask. The pigmentation should correct three to six months after birth however in the meantime there are a few inside out beauty tips that can help to lighten these dark spots.
Inside Tip
Boost your antioxidant intake via vitamin C rich fruits such as kiwis, acai, berries and broccoli which will help combat hyper-pigmentation internally. Lemon, grapefruit and other citrus fruits contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids, primarily in the form of citric acid. Drink in your AHAs with a daily squeeze of lemon or grapefruit juice in water, and your liver will also feel the love. Eating foods rich in vitamin C
Boost your antioxidant intake via vitamin C rich fruits such as kiwis, acai, berries and broccoli which will help combat hyper-pigmentation internally. Lemon, grapefruit and other citrus fruits contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids, primarily in the form of citric acid. Drink in your AHAs with a daily squeeze of lemon or grapefruit juice in water, and your liver will also feel the love. Eating foods rich in vitamin C
Outside Tip
Our Turmeric Beauty Latte booster serum has been formulated with a botanical extract Rumex, clinically proven to reduce pigmentation in six weeks. Continuing to protect your skin using an SPF50 sunscreen is also key, try our Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection. Fruit is naturally rich in AHAs and can therefore assist both externally and internally with pigmentation issues.
Our Turmeric Beauty Latte booster serum has been formulated with a botanical extract Rumex, clinically proven to reduce pigmentation in six weeks. Continuing to protect your skin using an SPF50 sunscreen is also key, try our Basking Beauty Natural Sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection. Fruit is naturally rich in AHAs and can therefore assist both externally and internally with pigmentation issues.
Look for cleansers and serums which are rich in vitamin C and natural fruit extracts. Our No.1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk is filled with fruits including Apple Extract, Strawberry Extract and Lime making it the perfect brightening and dark spot reducing product. Our No. 3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum is also rich in Acerola Berries and Kakadu Plum, sources of vitamin C which have been shown to visibly reduce pigmentation. Check out our Pigmentation Set for a curated pack of products designed to tackle pigmentation.
3. Acne Away.
Higher levels of cortisol as a new mum can create an increase in oil production, which can lead to breakouts. Hiding behind your gorgeous bubba is one option, we have a few more that can assist below.
Inside Tip
Challenge yourself to reduce dairy and sugar for two weeks and notice whether these are also playing up with your spots. Two of my favourite food supplements for acne include flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon) which reduces inflammation and flaxseed meal and chia seed (1 tablespoon of each with your smoothie or cereal). The fibre in the flaxseed and chia remove excess hormones which reduces break outs. I cannot emphasise the incredible ability for greens to also assist the frequency of spots. Aim for 2 cups of cruciferous veggies daily (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts) if you can and you will notice an incredible difference to your skin in no time.
Challenge yourself to reduce dairy and sugar for two weeks and notice whether these are also playing up with your spots. Two of my favourite food supplements for acne include flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon) which reduces inflammation and flaxseed meal and chia seed (1 tablespoon of each with your smoothie or cereal). The fibre in the flaxseed and chia remove excess hormones which reduces break outs. I cannot emphasise the incredible ability for greens to also assist the frequency of spots. Aim for 2 cups of cruciferous veggies daily (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts) if you can and you will notice an incredible difference to your skin in no time.
Outside Tip
Use a gentle anti-microbial cleanser with salicylic acid which will help to unclog pores and balance oil production. We get wonderful results with our No.1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk for all acne and oil-related skin issues. Using a treatment product which contains soothing, nourishing and oil-balancing botanicals will also help to calm down break outs and reduce their severity. Try & Soothing Nectar Hydrating Gel after cleansing as a soothing treatment.
Use a gentle anti-microbial cleanser with salicylic acid which will help to unclog pores and balance oil production. We get wonderful results with our No.1 Belle Frais Cleansing Milk for all acne and oil-related skin issues. Using a treatment product which contains soothing, nourishing and oil-balancing botanicals will also help to calm down break outs and reduce their severity. Try & Soothing Nectar Hydrating Gel after cleansing as a soothing treatment.
4. Feed your locks.
Post-partum hair loss is actually normal despite being quite an alarming experience. It is thought to be caused by a drop in the concentration of pregnancy hormones which return to normal levels after birth. Whilst the hair returns to its natural growth and shedding pattern between six and twelve months after birth, I have a few tips which can reduce the severity of the shedding in the meantime.
Inside Tip
Ensure you are getting a couple of serves of protein daily when you can. Protein provides amino acid building blocks which your body requires to essentially synthesise hair and skin cells. This does not mean you need to be loading up on animal protein which you may not have the appetite for. It can be anything from legumes, nuts/seeds, whole grains or tempeh. Iron is also essential for healthy hair growth. Aim to have a serve of iron-rich foods such as lentils, spinach, spirulina (in a smoothie) or if you have had your levels tested and have low ferritin stores consider supplementing. If you are having trouble fitting in regular meals, try to whip up a similar smoothie with a few basic ingredients such as a bunch of spinach, frozen berries, a scoop of a vegan protein powder and a teaspoon of spirulina. This will give you a concentrated nutrient boost including antioxidants, fibre, iron and protein.
Ensure you are getting a couple of serves of protein daily when you can. Protein provides amino acid building blocks which your body requires to essentially synthesise hair and skin cells. This does not mean you need to be loading up on animal protein which you may not have the appetite for. It can be anything from legumes, nuts/seeds, whole grains or tempeh. Iron is also essential for healthy hair growth. Aim to have a serve of iron-rich foods such as lentils, spinach, spirulina (in a smoothie) or if you have had your levels tested and have low ferritin stores consider supplementing. If you are having trouble fitting in regular meals, try to whip up a similar smoothie with a few basic ingredients such as a bunch of spinach, frozen berries, a scoop of a vegan protein powder and a teaspoon of spirulina. This will give you a concentrated nutrient boost including antioxidants, fibre, iron and protein.
Outside Tip
Essential oils such as rosemary (and lavender) work wonders in inducing blood circulation to hair follicles. When the hair follicles are supplied with a greater amount of nutrient-rich blood, faster and healthier hair growth occurs. You can add three to four drops of rosemary oil to 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or olive oil. Massage this into the scalp using the tip of your finger tips. Allow the oil to rest on your hair for at least 15 mins before you wash off. Alternatively you can sleep with the oil in your hair and wash off the next morning. Do this before every planned hair wash, at least two to three times a week.
Essential oils such as rosemary (and lavender) work wonders in inducing blood circulation to hair follicles. When the hair follicles are supplied with a greater amount of nutrient-rich blood, faster and healthier hair growth occurs. You can add three to four drops of rosemary oil to 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or olive oil. Massage this into the scalp using the tip of your finger tips. Allow the oil to rest on your hair for at least 15 mins before you wash off. Alternatively you can sleep with the oil in your hair and wash off the next morning. Do this before every planned hair wash, at least two to three times a week.
Taking time to nurture yourself is equally as beneficial to your bubba as it is to you so do not feel guilty about taking the time to revel in your skincare and beauty routine. Do not hesitate to contact me - anna@ediblebeautyaustralia.com if you need any more tips or guidance on dealing with your skin health post pregnancy.
Anna Mitsios
Anna is a certified naturopath and nutritionist and founder of leading Australian natural skincare and wellness company, Edible Beauty Australia. Anna has been featured in various publications including Mind Body Green, Women’s Health and Allure. She is committed to the natural transformation of her client’s skin using proven botanicals, nutrients and herbal formulations, both on the inside and out.
Anna’s career began in the corporate sector, where she specialised in corporate finance and private banking for over ten years working in Sydney and New York for a large Australian bank. Anna’s career change was sparked by her own health journey, following a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at 18 years of age. Her diagnosis triggered her intense study of botanicals and nutrition to manage auto-immune condition and assist others in attaining optimal health. Anna’s naturopathy career has included working as a naturopath within a reputable natural fertility clinic in Sydney, within a pharmacy and health food store and running her own naturopathy practice.
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