workingmomuser 
Let’s be real. Motherhood is a full-time gig with no off days. Between the morning chaos, endless errands, work(both in and out of the house) and trying to squeeze some time in for yourself, skincare might feel like a luxury you just don’t have any time for.
If this has been you, here’s some relieving news. You don’t need an 11-step routine, a Korean regimen and an hourly ritual to get your face glowing.
This one is for all the moms juggling a lot. For all the moms who wake up tired and go to bed more tired.
Skincare for busy moms should be simple, effective and practical, especially for melanin-rich(black or brown) skin, which has its own unique set of needs.
So here it is. A reliable 3-step skincare routine that enhances your glow. You can do this in five minutes or less (if you’re extra fast).
Why This 3-Step Routine Works
Your skin doesn’t need a lot. It only needs what works. And most of the time, what works is simple, unsophisticated products that protect, nourish and revive the skin.
This 3-step routine is designed for both black and white skin, but with a bit more love and emphasis on black/brown(or melanin-rich) skin, because it’s more prone to hyperpigmentation, dullness and dryness.
Ready for the first step? Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Cleanse Like Your Life Depends On It
If you’re not cleansing properly, everything else is a waste of product and time. You don’t need anything harsh or complicated, just something that gets the job done without stripping your skin.
Find a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, excess oil and makeup while keeping your skin’s protective barrier intact.
For Moms With Melanin-Rich Skin
Choose a cleanser that is sulfate-free and packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin to hydrate as you cleanse. Black skin tends to be more susceptible to dryness and irritation, so you’ll need to find something that respects that.
Check out the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It is affordable and great for all skin tones and contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
How To Do It
Cleanse for at least 30 seconds (hum the happy birthday song to yourself whilst you’re at it) Use lukewarm water (not hot) to avoid drying your skin.
Step 2: Treat And Glow
This is the heart of the routine. This is where you apply one product that targets what’s bugging you the most – be it dark spots, dullness or uneven tones on your skin.
For Dark Spots Or Hyperpigmentation
Melanin-rich skin is more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This means acne scars, bug bites and random scars turning into long-lasting marks. Ingredients that work to treat these include niacinamide, Vitamin C and Azelaic acid.
If dullness is your biggest enemy, a vitamin C serum will be your new best friend (no shade to the existing one)
For Fine Lines Or dryness
Look for products with peptides or hyaluronic acid which hydrate the skin and leave it with a healthy glow.
Check out The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. It is budget-friendly, hydrating and super lightweight.
Step 3: Moisturize And Protect
This is the final step in the 3-step routine, where you bring it all home by locking in moisture and adding an extra protective layer with Sunscreen or sunblock.
‘Black don’t crack’, and we agree. However, that doesn’t mean we skip sunscreen altogether. In fact, UV damage from sun rays can worsen dark spots and lead to premature aging in all skin tones. Thus, sunscreen is non-negotiable. Your future self will thank you.
To save time, use a moisturizer already made with SPF or add a layer of lightweight moisturizer with a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Moisturizer with SPF – Check out Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer. It is non-greasy and doesn’t leave that annoying white cast. It also hydrates and evens out the skin tone.
Extras For When You Have More Time To Spare
On some nights you might have a minute or two to yourself. If that happens, here are a few extras you can sneak into your routine.
1. Exfoliate
Once or twice a week with a chemical exfoliant (glycolic acid and lactic acid are good choices) to remove dead skin and brighten your complexion. They should also be gentle, but effective.
2. Eye Cream Or Patches
This is totally optional, but helpful if puffy eyes or dark circles are your biggest enemies.
A Few More Tips To Achieve That Glow (Without The Stress)
1. Drink water. Sounds cliche, but very effective.
2. Don’t sleep with makeup on. You already know this, but consider it a gentle reminder.
3. Master multitasking: Apply a mask while making lunch. It’ll save you some time.
What No One Told You: Hormones, Motherhood, and Your Skin
Fun fact: postpartum hormones don’t just mess up your mood, but can seriously mess with your skin too.
Breakouts, dullness and dark patches can sneak up on you after the baby arrives. And if you’re breastfeeding, your usual go-to skincare products might not do the job as they normally would.
The good news is, you’re not alone and you don’t have to deal with this alone.
Let’s break this down a bit.
1. Acne after childbirth is totally normal
Postpartum acne is very real thanks to your hormones. If you’re seeing more breakouts than you had in high school, don’t panic. Gentle cleansers (like the CeraVe one highlighted earlier) and a niacinamide serum can help reduce inflammation and balance the oils on your face.
The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum is a great budget option and safe when breast-feeding.
2. Melasma : A Mother’s Nemesis
This condition causes dark patches to pop up on your cheeks, forehead or upper lip and it’s very common in Black and brown skin. Fixing this does not require anything different from what has already been discussed.
This is just to lay more emphasis. Daily SPF is non-negotiable. Brightening treatments with Vitamin C and azelaic acid can help face discoloration over time. Learn more about melasma here.
3. Give Yourself Grace
Your skin is not acting out per se. It is adjusting, just like you are. Skincare for busy moms is much about caring as it is about cleansing. It’s absolutely okay to feel flustered. Just know that with a simple routine, a few good products and a little patience, your skin will bounce back.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of yourself without burning out in the process is the biggest flex and the reason for this simplified routine. The routine is all about streamlining. You don’t need 45 minutes and an 11-step routine. You only need the right ones that will work for your skin and your tight schedule.
Moms are superheroes, but superheroes also need a minute. This 3-step glow routine is not lifted from someone else’s Instagram routine, but curated just for you. It’s all about feeling good in your skin with products that work, no matter your complexion. So follow this routine meticulously and catch your own glow in no time.
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