1. How to Care for Oily Skin
Throughout history, there have been many traditional methods to help women, especially postpartum mothers, take care of their skin. The following skincare tips will assist new mothers in achieving smooth, glowing skin like in their youth without affecting breast milk quality.
When pores become clogged, the sebaceous glands work less effectively, leading to oily skin. New mothers need not worry, as taking care of oily skin is quite simple:
Steps to Follow:
- Wash your face twice daily with warm water or use a gentle foaming cleanser.
- Use a toner to balance the skin’s pH, but avoid overuse, as it may dry out the skin.
- Try washing your face with diluted saltwater, applying fresh lemon juice or green tea extract, or spraying cold water on your face for refreshing results.


2. How to Exfoliate and Brighten Your Skin
During pregnancy, many women experience skin issues due to increased estrogen levels, such as dark spots, pigmentation, and acne. While chemical exfoliation is often considered, natural remedies can also be effective for exfoliating and brightening skin. Here are some methods you can try:
Steps to Follow:
Method 1: Use a natural mask:
- Mix honey with egg yolk, or rice bran with egg white.
- Apply these mixtures to your face, leave them on for 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. With consistent use, your skin will become brighter and free of acne.
Method 2: Brighten your entire body with fresh milk and orange juice:
- Extract fresh orange juice and mix it with unsweetened milk. Apply the mixture to your body before bathing.
- With regular use, you will notice smoother, brighter skin.


3. Steaming Your Face with Turmeric
Using turmeric to steam the facial skin helps to open up clogged pores and remove excess oil. Additionally, the heat during the steaming process dilates blood vessels, enhancing circulation and moisturizing the skin. After steaming, the nutrients are absorbed more effectively by the skin cells. Here’s how to steam your face with turmeric:
Steps to Follow:
- Cleanse your face to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.
- Grind fresh turmeric, then squeeze out its juice. Apply the turmeric juice evenly on your face and let it dry.
- Warm your hands over hot coals, then gently press them on your face while massaging to improve blood circulation.
- When your hands cool down, reheat them and continue massaging your face.
- It’s recommended to steam for about 15 minutes.


4. Face Massage
Facial massage is a skincare technique that helps restore skin elasticity and smoothness, especially after childbirth when a woman’s body weight has significantly reduced. It also improves blood circulation, reduces fatigue, and helps prevent wrinkles caused by late-night baby care.
For facial massages, it’s best to use 100% natural oils rich in vitamins E, C, and A, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Spending about 15 to 20 minutes each day massaging your skin will leave it firmer and more radiant. Moreover, it’s a great way to relax and relieve the stress of daily life and parenting.
Facial massage stimulates better blood circulation, helps reduce wrinkles, and slows down the aging process. It’s simple to perform but requires the right technique for the best results.
Steps to Follow:
- Massage around the eyes and cheeks: Place your index and middle fingers near the eyes and gently move your hands in circular motions upwards. This will help tighten the skin and create a smooth, youthful look.
- Massage the forehead: Place your hands on your forehead and gently move them in circular motions to relax any tension and reduce forehead wrinkles.
- Massage the corners of the mouth: Place your fingers at the corners of your mouth and gently pull upwards. This action helps smooth out fine lines around the mouth.
- Massage the cheeks: Gently press your hands from the top of your cheekbones downwards in circular motions. Repeat this 20 times, then move your hands from the corners of your mouth upwards to help stimulate circulation.
- Finally, massage the entire face: Use your index fingers along the sides of your nose and move them outwards. Repeat this 10 times, then gently massage your jawline upwards towards your ears.


5. Skin Care with Rice Bran
To reduce melanin production and fade dark spots, new mothers can mix 2 tablespoons of rice bran with 1 egg white (for oily skin) or egg yolk (for dry skin), and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture to the face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse gently with warm water. Using this remedy once or twice a week will help brighten and smooth the skin.
Additionally, pregnancy-related hormonal changes can cause excess oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne. Rice bran is an excellent solution to restore dry, clear skin after childbirth and combat post-pregnancy acne.
Steps to Follow:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of rice bran with buckwheat flour (or glutinous rice flour),
- and 2 tablespoons of fresh grated radish juice to form a thick paste.
- Apply the mixture to the face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse gently with warm water.


6. Nourishing Skin with Breast Milk
Breast milk is not only a valuable source of nutrition for your baby, but it also serves as a natural and effective skincare solution. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antibacterial properties, breast milk nourishes the skin from within, helping to reduce acne and fade dark spots.
Rich in white blood cells—key components of the immune system—breast milk helps fight harmful agents on the skin. These cells work to eliminate dirt and bacteria, reducing acne and resulting in smoother skin. Additionally, breast milk contains lauric acid, a fatty acid known for its acne-fighting properties without side effects.
What makes breast milk unique as a skincare product is its immune-boosting white blood cells, which are rarely found in other skincare products.
Steps to Follow:
- Squeeze out about 3 teaspoons of breast milk, then use a cotton pad to gently apply it to your face, massaging softly.
- Let it dry for about 5 minutes, then reapply the milk and massage again.
- Repeat this process 3 times. On the third application, leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse your face with water.


7. Acne Treatment Face Masks
Many mothers experience skin issues, including acne, after childbirth. Depending on individual body conditions, the severity of the acne can vary, but it can negatively impact the appearance of postpartum skin.
The main cause of acne in new mothers is the surge in progesterone hormones, which stimulates the sebaceous glands, leading to clogged pores and creating a favorable environment for acne-causing bacteria. Additionally, after pregnancy, the body loses moisture, making the skin appear dull and rough. With the added stress of late-night feedings, many mothers find their skin prone to breakouts.
So how can you treat acne effectively without affecting breast milk quality? It is recommended to use natural skincare products such as aloe vera, honey, yogurt, lemon juice, and turmeric masks.
Method 1: Aloe vera masks are a safe and effective skin treatment, suitable even for pregnant women. Aloe vera’s nourishing properties not only soothe the skin but also have anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce swelling and heal pimples.
- Take 1 fresh aloe vera leaf and wash it well;
- Peel off the skin and extract the gel, then blend it into a smooth paste;
- Apply the gel evenly to your face and gently massage to help the nutrients absorb. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Method 2: Yogurt is not only beneficial for health but also serves as a natural remedy for acne and skin care. The vitamins and probiotics in yogurt have antibacterial properties, helping to eliminate acne-causing bacteria, dry out pimples, tighten pores, and brighten the skin.
- Use half a cup of plain yogurt;
- Cleanse your face, then apply the yogurt evenly and massage gently for 5 minutes to allow the nutrients to absorb;
- Relax for 15 minutes before washing off with clean water.


8. Safe Methods for Treating Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a common skin issue, especially for women during pregnancy and postpartum. This condition occurs when excess melanin accumulates on the skin's surface. It is most noticeable in women after childbirth due to hormonal imbalances, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, which is a key factor in the development of pigmentation.
The skin of a new mother is still recovering, and because it is more delicate, it is more prone to damage from external factors such as sun exposure. Additionally, the demands of caring for a newborn often lead to neglect of skincare, making the skin weaker. Stress and pressure from motherhood can also contribute to the appearance of pigmentation.
So how can you safely treat pigmentation while ensuring the well-being of both mother and child? Here are some methods you can try:
Method 1: With fresh lemon:
- Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly onto the pigmented areas, leaving it for about 15 minutes before rinsing with water.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day for optimal results.
Method 2: With onion:
- Cut an onion in half and soak it in vinegar for 10 minutes. Apply the soaked onion directly to the pigmented skin and leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing off with water.
Method 3: Yogurt and banana mask:
- Peel and mash a banana, then mix it with plain yogurt.
- Apply the mixture to the pigmented area and leave it for 25-30 minutes. Once the banana dries, remove the mask and rinse with clean water.
- For the best results, repeat 2-3 times a week.
Method 4: Turmeric and lemon juice mask:
- Mix an appropriate amount of turmeric powder with lemon juice and gently massage the mixture onto the affected area. Leave it for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with water.
Remember not to use bleaching creams and avoid spicy foods, as they can trigger a recurrence of pigmentation.


9. How to Care for Dry Skin
During pregnancy and after childbirth, safe and effective skincare can be a major concern for many mothers. This is especially true for those with dry skin, as proper hydration becomes crucial to prevent dryness, flakiness, and even sensitivity.
Breastfeeding mothers require more water than usual, and dehydration can lead to dry skin. Here are some tips to help care for your dry skin:
Steps:
- To improve skin elasticity and prevent dryness, drink plenty of water.
- Use a gentle, low-foam cleanser specifically designed for dry skin.
- Regularly apply natural face masks made from ingredients like olive oil, aloe vera, coconut oil, egg whites, bananas, or honey and avocado, all of which are excellent for moisturizing the skin.

