common skin concerns

Following the birth of your baby your skin is unique!

Your skin will still feel the effects of pregnancy hormones as well as breastfeeding hormones, bringing its own set of challenges.

Normal skin changes to the face postpartum can include:

• dull dry skin
• post baby acne
• dark puffy eyes

dull dry skin

What is it?
During pregnancy you probably had a wonderful rosy glow owing a lot to the increase in blood volume required to nourish your baby. Following pregnancy your blood volume reduces back to normal and if you are breastfeeding you may find your hydration compromised. Skin can become dull and dry with dehydration, leading to a reduction in blood flow, circulation and oxygenation of skin cells. If you suffer from dull, dry, lifeless skin, there are some simple steps you can take to brighten and rejuvenate your complexion:

What to do about it:

• Stay Well Hydrated - Make it a practice to drink six to eight glasses of water a day to keep skin tissues well hydrated. Avoid excessive alcohol which can promote fluid loss and contribute to the problem of dull, lifeless skin.
• Exfoliate- Regular exfoliation with an exfoliating pad designed for the face can remove the dead skin cells that dull your complexion. Make it a practice to exfoliate on a regular basis and the result will be a healthier looking complexion. 
• Avoid using hot water when cleansing your face and switch to a mahu Baby Wash - a light soap and sulphate free cleanser rather than a soap.
• Be sure to apply a layer of mahu Facial Balancing Moisturiser morning and night to replace moisture lost. Always apply moisturizer immediately after facial cleansing to allow it to be maximally absorbed.

post baby acne/oily skin

What it is:
If you've just had a baby, you may have discovered that the glow of pregnancy has been replaced by the bumps of acne. There are tremendous hormonal changes that go on during pregnancy and immediately afterward that cause skin problems, plus the stress of new motherhood can trigger hormones that cause pimples.

You may find acne stays at bay until you stop nursing, only to erupt with the return of your periods. But in case it lingers or, to minimize eruptions in the meantime, mahu suggests the following:

What to do about it:

• Wash with a mild cleanser like mahu Baby Wash twice a day, don't scrub as this may make acne worse because it can make the skin tougher and further clog pores.
• Exfoliate daily
• Use mahu Facial Balancing Moisturiser twice daily to help balance the skin.

dark puffy eyes

What it is:
Exhaustion and poor circulation can lead to dark circles and bags under the eyes.

What to do about it:

• Using an eye cream or serum with nourishing ingredients like peptides and aloe vera will help hydrate the eye area and reduce swelling. Many dermatologists recommend Kinerase Under Eye Rescue, which has kinetin, aloe vera, and eyeseryl tetrapeptide to reduce puffiness and the appearance of fine lines.
• If dark under-eye circles are the problem, try a brightening cream. 
• Results may not be immediate after applying eye creams, so follow with a concealer designed specifically for this problem area.