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.
- My Pick: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Budget Alternative: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
2. Antioxidant Serum
Vitamin C is like a shot of espresso for your skin—brightening and protecting it from environmental damage.
- My Pick: Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
- Premium Option: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Budget Alternative: La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
3. Eye Care
Because dark circles and puffiness are inevitable when you’re short on sleep.
- My Pick: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
- Alternative: Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
4. Moisturizer with SPF
Hydration + sun protection is a non-negotiable.
- My Pick: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15
- Premium Option: EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
- Budget Alternative: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50
5. Foundation with SPF
Skip extra steps with a foundation that doubles as SPF.
- My pick: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 40
- Budget friendly: e.l.f. Camo CC Cream SPF 30
- Premium: Supergoop! CC Screen SPF 50
Night Routine: Repair and Rejuvenate
Your skin does most of its healing at night, so this is when the magic happens.
1. Cleanse
Wash off the day’s grime and makeup.
- My Pick: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Budget Alternative: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
2. Hydration
Hyaluronic acid is a hydration hero, perfect for plumping your skin.
- My Pick: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Alternative: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
3. Treatment (Alternate Nights)
- Exfoliation Nights (2–3x per week):
Smooth your skin and improve texture with a gentle exfoliant.- My Pick: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
- Premium Option: Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid
- Retinoid Nights (2–3x per week):
Use tretinoin (prescription) or an alternative to stimulate collagen and fight wrinkles.- Alternative: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
4. Moisturizer
Seal in hydration to keep your skin soft and supple.
- My Pick: ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (when not a Retinoid night) and Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer (for a Retinoid night)
- Alternative: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
5. Eye Care
Don’t forget to treat the delicate eye area.
- My Pick: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
- Alternative: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
Weekly Treat: Hydration Boost
Give your skin some extra love with a hydrating mask.
- My Pick: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Mask
- Alternative: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
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 first-choice products for easy reference. This printable schedule ensures you’re alternating treatments for optimal skin health.
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!