Becoming a mama is an incredibly profound, life-altering transition. Like many new moms, when I had my first baby I was taken aback by the ’round the clock demands on me; mentally, physically and spiritually. I made zero time for self-care because I didn’t know how to. From my perspective, my baby was completely and utterly dependent on me, especially since I was a breastfeeding mama and he refused to take a bottle. The second time around I decided I would do things differently, I’ve been making a conscious effort to carve out a small window of time in my schedule for self-care rituals. If you’re a new mama reading this I hope I can inspire you to prioritize a little time for yourself. You deserve it! And your baby will benefit from it because when you feel your best (or at least better than you did) you’ll return to your baby refreshed and re-energized, and likely even missing them! So ask your partner or a friend to hold the baby and escape to the bathroom, aka Mom’s favourite room in the house, for a reinvigorating natural skincare routine.
As a certified holistic nutritionist and as a new mom it was important to me to find a non-toxic, all natural and certified organic skincare line that would be safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. There was no chance that I would be comfortable cuddling and kissing my newborn baby while wearing questionable ingredients on my skin. Skincare has always been a priority of mine; both as a daily self-care ritual and an investment in the health of my skin long term. Therefore the products had to be effective too, hello aging gracefully! Years ago I discovered the most beautiful holistic skincare brand and I’ve been using them ever since. Province Apothecary, is what I like to call my skincare obsession. Their products consist of plant powered ingredients that are ethically sourced from each province across Canada and they make my skin look and feel amazing.
Exfoliating Face Mask
I tried the Regenerating Exfoliator + Resurfacing Mask for the first time in the video above, check out the glowing results that even come through on screen. My skin looks and feels smooth, soft and clear. Since trying this mask it has become a bi-weekly ritual in my skincare routine. I have dry/combination skin and it’s been a welcome addition to my routine even in the winter months. What I love about this mask is that it consists of only 6 raw, organic and biodegradable ingredients which make it safe for the environment, safe for you and safe for baby. I like to exfoliate 2 – 3 times per week to ensure that I’m gently sloughing off dead skin cells and making room for hydration and proper absorption. I really like to combine this mask with PA’s Moisturizing Oil Cleanser + Make Up Remover. Use code MONIQUELAHEY for 15% off the Exfoliating Face Mask and the Moisturizing Oil Cleanser + Make Up Remover.
Toner
My next step is the Invigorating + Balancing Toner. This is an alcohol free toner which means you won’t dry out your skin or disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance. Recently PA added gluconic acid to their toner which is AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that helps to smooth skin’s fine lines. What I love about this toner is the combination of rose flower water and essential oils creates an aromatherapy experience for the senses while also refreshing and hydrating the skin. Use code MONIQUELAHEY for 15% off the Rose Water Toner.
Face Serum
This is a must-have product in every new mom’s skincare routine. A botanical face serum is essential for glowing skin and the Rejuvenating + Hydrating Face Serum is the best on the market in my opinion. As a nutritionist I’m a huge fan of antioxidants in skincare and this one boasts essential phytonutrients that nourish the skin, if you’re interested in seeing the radiant results check out the video above. And if you’re concerned about using oils on your face (like I used to be) then I highly recommend checking out this post: How To Oil Cleanse For Glowing Skin. Use code MONIQUELAHEY for 15% off the Face Serum.
Jade Roller
The ultimate tool for relaxation and an in-home spa experience. The Dual-Action Jade Facial Roller is for those days you manage to carve out a few moments to yourself to unwind and reset. For most new mamas, sleep deprivation is the norm and puffy eyes an unwelcome side effect. This is where the jade roller comes in, the smooth end reduces puffiness, calms and cools the skin. This is one of my absolute favourite products! Use code MONIQUELAHEY for 15% off the Jade Roller.
Lip Balm
I rarely have time for lip care during my skincare routine but at the very least I try to gently exfoliate my lips with a cloth a few times a week, then I add a small amount of serum to the outer edges of my lips and finish it off with a natural lip balm.
To All The New Mamas
I see you. I’m sending love your way. Go easy on yourself. It’s such an important time to create space and time in your life, even if it’s just a few moments out of your day for a little self-care. And don’t forget, you are a freaking rockstar!
I hope you enjoyed this breakdown of my natural skincare routine. Let me know in the comments below which products you’re excited to try! For more skincare inspo follow me on Instagram @moniquelahey.