Being a mom is no joke—between sleepless nights, diaper changes, and endless demands, your face might start showing signs of the chaos. But just because you’re short on sleep doesn’t mean your skin has to look like it. I’ve put together a skincare routine for moms like us, designed to fight wrinkles, sagging skin, and all those signs of sleep deprivation.
If you’re worried about the cost, don’t be! I’ve included both premium and budget-friendly alternatives for each step. Let’s get started!
Morning Routine: Brighten and Protect
Mornings are busy, but a few simple steps can brighten your face and protect your skin for the day ahead.
1. Cleanse
Kick off the day with a gentle cleanser to remove any nighttime oils or residue.
- Budget-Friendly: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (~$15)
- Cost-Effective (my Pick): La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (~$16)
- Premium: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse (~$38)
2. Antioxidant Serum
Vitamin C is like a shot of espresso for your skin—brightening and protecting it from environmental damage.
- Budget-Friendly: The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%, Vitamin C Serum (~$14)
- Cost-Effective (my Pick): Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum(~$25)
- Premium Option: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (~$182)
3. Eye Care
Because dark circles and puffiness are inevitable when you’re short on sleep.
- Budget-Friendly (my pick): The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (~$8)
- Cost-Effective: ROC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream (~$24)
- Premium: La Mer The Eye Concentrate (~$64)
4. Moisturizer with SPF
Hydration + sun protection is a non-negotiable to prevent early signs of aging and keep your skin healthy.
- Budget-Friendly: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 (~$10) or alternative: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 (~16$)
- Cost-Effective (my pick): La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF 30 (~$22)
- Premium: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (~$40)
5. (Optional) Foundation with SPF
For moms who want coverage and SPF in one step, a tinted moisturizer or foundation is a great option. I actually use all three.
- Budget friendly: e.l.f. Camo CC Cream SPF 30 (~$14)
- Cost-Effective: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 40 (~$39)
- Premium: Supergoop! CC Screen SPF 50 (~$44)
Night Routine: Repair and Rejuvenate
Your skin does most of its healing at night, so this is when the magic happens. This routine ensures you’re giving it the boost it needs after a long day.
1. Cleanse
Start by removing makeup, sunscreen, and the grime of the day.
- Makeup Remover:
- Budget-Friendly (my pick): Elf Holy Hydration! Cleansing Balm (~$11)
- Cost-Effective (still on pricey side): Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm (~$41)
- Premium: Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil (~$50)
- Second Cleanser:
- Budget-Friendly: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (~$15)
- Cost-Effective (my pick): La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser (~$16)
- Premium: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse (~$38)
2. Hydration
Hyaluronic acid is a hydration hero, perfect for plumping your skin.
- Budget-Friendly (my pick): The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (~$9) or Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face with Vitamin B5 and Ceramides (~18$)
- Cost-Effective: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum (~$39) or Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum (~39$)
- Premium: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel (~$90)
3. Treatment with retinol (2-3x per week)
Retinol stimulates collagen production and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Smooth your skin and improve texture with a gentle exfoliant.
- Budget-Friendly: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% (~9$) or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane (~$8)
- My pick: Tretinoin 0.05% (Prescription; ~$25–$40)
- Premium: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream (~$80)
4. Moisturizer
Seal in hydration to keep your skin soft and supple.
- Budget-Friendly: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (~$14) or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream ($11$)
- Cost-Effective (my pick): La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer (~$20)
- Premium: La Mer Crème de la Mer (~$174 for 30mL)
5. Eye Care
Treat your under-eyes with care to prevent fine lines and puffiness.
- Budget-Friendly: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream (~$25) or CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream For Wrinkles (~17$)
- Cost-Effective (my pick) : RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream (~$24)
- Premium: La Mer The Eye Concentrate (~$64 for 5ml)
Weekly Treat: Exfoliation and Hydration Boost (Sunday)
Dedicate one evening a week to exfoliating and hydrating your skin. I do it on Sundays.
Step 1: Exfoliation Mask
Clear away dead skin cells and refine your pores. You could exfoliate every other day if you don’t use retinol. Otherwise it’s too harsh for your skin, so I op to exfoliate only once a week.
- Budget-Friendly (my pick) The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for deep exfoliation (~$9) or The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA (8$) for gentle option
- Cost-Effective: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (~$34)
- Premium: Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid (~$85)
Step 2: Hydrating Mask
Replenish moisture and soothe your skin after exfoliation.
- Budget-Friendly: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Mask (~$3 per mask)
- Cost-Effective: (my pick) Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Mask (~$14 per mask) or Laneige Water Sleeping Mask ($32)
- Premium: Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydrating Mask (~$50 for 4 masks)
Why This Routine Works for Moms
- Simple and Effective: Each step is quick and easy, perfect for moms on the go.
- Proven Products: Whether you choose premium picks or budget-friendly alternatives, all these products are backed by science and reviews.
- Targets Key Concerns: From dark circles and puffiness to wrinkles and sagging, this routine tackles the most common concerns for sleep-deprived moms.
Printable Weekly Routine
Here’s a detailed weekly skincare plan with my first-choice products for easy reference. This printable schedule ensures you’re alternating treatments for optimal skin health. Or download it to your your phone.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need hours of free time or an endless budget to have great skin as a mom. With this routine, you can tackle wrinkles, sagging, and puffiness while taking care of your little one. Pick products that fit your budget, stay consistent, and remember—you deserve to feel good about yourself, even on 3 hours of sleep!
Happy momming and glowing!