DIY Skincare Treatments

How to Build a Beginner’s Skincare Routine

First, it’s so important for everyone to have a skin routine because skin health is health. Whether you're pregnant or not, you should have a normal routine that you use daily.

I like to start off with a basic three step routine. Find a cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen that work for you. Cleansers clean the skin, moisturizers protect and hydrate, and sunscreen is our defense against the sun. Incorporate this into your daily routine, so it’s as natural as brushing your teeth.

Once you establish that routine, then you can add ‘accessories,’ such as serums that target specific skin concerns. If someone has discoloration, acne, or dryness, customize your skin routine with products that will help those certain areas. If you have very dry skin, you don’t want to add in a product that’s meant to strip oils, for example.

Of course, there are other products that people do buy, like scrubs, face masks, and LED lights. There are lots of amazing beauty gadgets. But make sure you solidify and perfect your main routine before you adventure on out. Also, it's important to know that your skin replenishes itself every 20 to 30 days. It's like a cycle: remove, create, protect, remove, create, protect. It takes time to see a difference, but when you focus, discipline, and protect your routine, you will those changes in your skin.

One of my favorite home treatments to combat dryness is an oatmeal therapy mask. Oatmeal is rich in beta glucan, which helps to heal dry patches. Beta glucan brings out Langerhans cells, which fight inflammation, and it's also rich in ceramides. I make it with chamomile, which is a nice natural anti-inflammatory. This mask has very little scent and is ultra-soothing.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Pure oatmeal
• 2 oz Chamomile tea, brewed
• Blender

Steps

1. Blend pure oatmeal in a dry blender to turn it into a fine powder.

2. Brew a cup of chamomile tea and let it come to a lukewarm temperature.

3. Combine 2oz oatmeal powder with 2oz chamomile tea in a small bowl until it has a paste-like consistency. You may need to add more oatmeal powder or tea to achieve a pasty texture.

4. Using a clean facial brush, paint your face with the oatmeal paste. You can also use this mask on your belly, or any other dry skin patch.

5. Leave the mask on for at least 10 minutes.

6. Rinse off the mask with cool water, pat dry, and complete your skincare routine as normal.

Two things I experienced during this pregnancy were extreme dryness all over my body and cellulite. I created this at home body scrub to address both issues. The grapefruit brightens and its acidity helps to exfoliate, and the coffee grounds are also a natural exfoliant. Plus, it smells great!

Ingredients

• ½ a fresh grapefruit, with the rind attached
• Brewed, cooled coffee grounds

Steps

1. Bring your grapefruit and a bowl of coffee grounds into the shower with you.

2. Dunk the grapefruit, flesh-side down, into the coffee grounds.

3. Use the grapefruit like a loofah to scrub and exfoliate your body.

4. Dunk the grapefruit into the coffee grounds as often as you want.

5. Simply rinse off the coffee grounds in the shower.

6. After your shower, make sure to lather your body with oils or body butter to replenish your skin’s hydration.

I’ve been making my own face scrubs because I get to control what's in it. Sugar is a great scrub base because it is a natural exfoliant. If you feel dry, you might just use sugar and honey. But if you feel really congested and you're struggling with acne, do sugar with a probiotic Greek yogurt.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp Fine granulated sugar (never raw or chunky sugar!)
• 2 tsp Honey for dry skin, or
• 2 tsp plain, full fat Greek yogurt for acne

Steps

1. In a small bowl, combine the sugar with either honey or Greek yogurt depending on skin type.
2. Cleanse your face and hands. If you’re using this scrub on your neck and chest, cleanse those as well.
3. Take a small amount of the scrub with your fingers and scrub in small, clockwise circles. Then, repeat with counterclockwise circles.
4. Rinse off gently with warm water.
5. Pat dry and moisturize.

Learn More:

Click here to read about some common skincare ingredients to avoid and safe alternatives during pregnancy.

Click here to read about treatment options for scars and stretchmarks during and after pregnancy.

Click here to read how to prevent and treat hyperpigmentation and facial puffiness during pregnancy.

Click here to learn what can be done to combat the common pregnancy issues - acne and dry skin.