After childbirth, many women often face a range of skin-related issues. This situation causes concern and a desire for effective skincare and skin recovery postpartum. In the following article, let's explore ways to maintain good skin after the postpartum period and when it's appropriate to begin using cosmetics. Let's delve in!
Can one use cosmetics after giving birth?
Cosmetics are considered an option to help mothers feel more confident about their skin postpartum. However, some mothers are hesitant to use cosmetics due to concerns about their child's health. Recognizing this sentiment, manufacturers have developed many types of natural cosmetics with safe ingredients, specifically for women after childbirth.

Is it safe to use cosmetics after giving birth?
In the early postpartum period, both the mother's and the baby's bodies are still fragile, and the skin becomes extremely sensitive. Therefore, the use of cosmetics should only be done when health has been restored, and the baby is stronger, to avoid any adverse effects on the baby and to minimize the risk of skin irritation.
Common Skin Issues After Childbirth
After the process of pregnancy and childbirth, women's skin often becomes rough and loses its radiance. When they look in the mirror, they often feel worried about skin issues such as:
- The appearance of darkened skin areas due to increased melanin pigmentation from pregnancy to postpartum.
- Skin affected by melasma at various levels, often concentrated on the cheeks.
- Postpartum stretch marks are also a notable issue, a type of permanent skin consequence that often appears on multiple areas of the body.
- Dry skin, loss of elasticity, and signs of aging also frequently occur.
- Acne and blackheads.
These issues make women concerned about when they can start using cosmetics after childbirth. So, what are the reasons behind these difficulties? Some factors contributing to postpartum skin dullness include:

How long after childbirth can one use cosmetics?
- Changes in endocrine hormones in women's bodies from pregnancy onwards.
- Lack of time and focus due to focusing on caring for the baby, making skincare and maintenance more difficult.
- Postpartum fatigue, stress affecting the skin due to stress and tension.
When Can You Start Using Cosmetics After Childbirth?
Many new mothers often wonder about the appropriate time to use cosmetics after childbirth. To ensure the safety of the baby's health, especially for breastfeeding mothers, it is essential to follow some basic advice.
Avoid using cosmetics immediately after giving birth or choosing products containing harmful and chemical ingredients. The period from childbirth to about one month thereafter is a crucial stage where you should refrain from using makeup cosmetics or skincare products. During this time, washing your face with warm water and using herbal steam facials with gentle and health-safe herbs is a good choice.
Once you've passed the third month postpartum, you can start using cosmetics with natural extracts. From the sixth month onwards, when the baby is stronger and your health has significantly recovered, you can opt for cosmetics with high exfoliating properties such as acne creams, moisturizers, skin whitening creams, and similar products.
Some Skincare Tips for Mothers After Childbirth
During the postpartum period, mothers can apply the following methods to take care of their skin optimally:
- Use fresh milk or rice water to cleanse the face.
- Perform facial steaming 2 to 3 times a week using a mixture of fresh lemon and lemongrass or steam with basil leaves. This helps to open up the pores and remove excess oil along with dirt.
- Regularly massage the facial skin to stimulate blood circulation underneath the skin, making the skin more radiant.
- Not only focus on external skincare, mothers need to supplement nutrients for the skin from the inside. Adding fruits and juices rich in vitamins helps brighten the skin from within.
The time to start using cosmetics after childbirth mainly depends on the baby's health condition. Instead of hastily using cosmetics, be cautious in selecting products and seek those with natural extracts. Focus on caring for the skin from the inside out to ensure postpartum skin becomes brighter and healthier.
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