Why Your Skin Can Be Dry After Having Your Baby
And how to help.
You’ve had your baby and now you’ve got to deal with dry, itchy skin! As if after birth and all that jazz isn’t enough to deal with. It can come as a bit of a shock, because I know I was.
There are many factors as to why you might be experiencing dry skin postpartum. From the climate you’re in to your hormones and even your diet. I know, hormones are always responsible. During pregnancy, your oestrogen levels are higher and then suddenly drop when you give birth. This can sometimes result in your skin turning drier and less smooth than it was during your pregnancy.
The dry itchiness can get really annoying, but unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about it. Most of the time the only advice you will get would be to, “drink more water and use moisturizer.”
However, if you experience dry, itchy skin during pregnancy you should seek medical advice and see your doctor.
The good news is that if your dry skin is connected to your postpartum hormones, it should start to clear up in around six months' time but before then, here are some things that can help.
What Can You Do?
Here are the top recommendations from dermatologists.
- Keep your showers short and not super hot to prevent drying your skin out more.
- While your skin is still damp from the shower, apply moisturizer.
- Use a humidifier.
- Drink water (extra if you’re breastfeeding).
- Switch to gentle, fragrance-free, or hypoallergenic soap and laundry detergent.
Why You Should Stop Having Long, Hot Showers.
Switching your long, hot showers for more cooler and shorter ones could be better for you and your changed skin. Hotter showers could be stripping away your natural oils, damaging your skin even faster, and prolonging your attempts to repair.
Drinking Water
Water is obviously the first thing you think of when you’re trying to keep your skin looking smoother and more hydrated, as when you are dehydrated your skin will reflect this. So remember to take your daily 2.5 litre intake!
Below is a list of some bodily functions that could be affected when you’re dehydrated.
- Body temperature
- Hormone regulation
- Energy expenditure stimulation
- Skin moisture
So remember to drink your water!
Why Should You Apply Moisturizer When Your Face Is Wet?
Apparently, you should apply your moisturizer to clean, slightly damp skin as they’re most effective this way. If you apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp, your skin absorbs the product more easily and readily. This gives the moisturizer the chance to lock in that hydration and make your skin lovely and smooth.
Personally, if I’m ever short of face cream, I reach for the ones that I’ve purchased for my baby. They’re gentle on skin and have honestly worked wonders on my face. No specific brand either. I’ve used a mixture and they’ve all given me the same results.
Humidifier's
I know what you’re thinking because I was too.
How can a humidifier help with dry skin?
Usually, the typical way to cure dry skin includes moisturizing with lotions and drinking plenty of water as previously said. But to effectively manage dry skin, it’s thought to be wise as to have better control of the humidity levels in your home. When the air in your home is cold and dry, the skin has more difficulty holding onto moisture. When the air gets dry, the moisture on our skin can evaporate. Which isn’t the best when you’ve spent your money on those face creams!
A humidifier can keep moisture circulating around your home, which can help skin retain its natural moisture.
Switching to gentler laundry detergent.
Fabric softeners often have fragrances, preservatives, and colors added to them, which may be a reason to skip or replace them. They may be harsh on your sensitive skin, therefore switching to gentler ones could help with your skincare. Make sure the next bottle you pick up is going to be gentler on your skin.
Personally, I always get the brands that cater to babies. They’re usually the ones that are going to be the friendliest to your skin.
I hope that I’ve helped or pointed you in the right way for better skin.
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