Look haggard since having second baby

[Lottiebugz22]

I have a 3 year old and a 7 month old. I just feel haggard constantly. My skins dry and flaky and red and blotchy. Huge bags from lack of sleep. My hairs always dry. Feeling ugly and low. Does anyone have any recommendations beauty wise that are under £20 that actually work.

I feel exactly the same , have done for a while. I've begun using coconut oil on the ends of my hair after washing it which makes it softer. Also using Aldi anti wrinkle cream before bed.
I permanently feel shattered, even though I try to go to bed as early as I can.

This is me. I have a 3 year old and a 9 week old and feel like I've aged 10 years since having DC2. My skin is so dry and scaly looking, especially my forehead. I need to up my water intake, my skin was brilliant during pregnancy when I drank loads so it clearly has an impact.

I'm considering getting my brows done (can't remember the name, some kind of tattoo) and maybe eyelashes tinted. I feel that will help as I've no time for make up.

Need something to help with puffiness, probably diet related.

Also, some fake tan would probably help me too. I usually feel better with a bit of colour.

Same here, a 4 year and 5 month old. Have has really dry patches of skim since birth of dd2, keep getting spots - randomly under armpits mainly, still overweight, hair frizzy, just look and feel generally knackered.
I've been using rubber gloves to wash up as my hands were all cracked and sore (the glamour).
Please post any tips - the brow and eyelash tint a good idea hadn't thought of. If I get 2 minutes to pluck a chin hair these days I feel like I've had a make over!

Sounds like you need to look after yourself from the inside out, so plenty of water, fresh fruit/veg, plenty of oily fish/nuts and fresh air, finally the thing we all lack sleep can you come sort me out to do the same whilst you are at it

Face theory has some great moisturisers and I really noticed a difference when I started using them.

I alway moisturise after showering which traps more moisture my skin is naturally dry but never get flakey unless I don't do this for a few days.

Evening primrose oil, water, fruit and vegetables and chia seeds (pop them in a smoothie)

Cerave face cream, argan oil for dry hair and rosehip oil for dry skin.

What's your skin care routine? (Do you have time for one?

If you can use a decent acid toner (Superdrug own brand is good) a couple of times a week and a rich moisturiser or facial oil twice a day that would help your dry patches. L'Oreal Wonder Water is great for smoothing your hair - usually on special offer somewhere.

Agree with comment about looking after yourself from inside out but certainly easier said than done with 2 young children. I really struggled, especially as DC1 was a super fussy eater so used to take all my energy just to try get her to eat.

I suffered from awful skin after dc2, reacted to almost everything, constantly scaly, often infected too and needed regular steroid and antibiotic creams as well as steroids on scalp. At one point was at GP almost weekly with a new issue. I switched to basic products, soap bars, no sulfates, parabens etc. Stopped deodorant as that was another area affected. Same for my face, no foaming washes, only simple balms to clean and rosehip oil followed by sunscreen. It slowly improved after this and I was able to stop all medicated creams. I started introducing other skincare items after dc2 turned 1

Once my scalp healed, I treated myself to a keratin treatment so I didn't need to worry about styling, this made a big difference. Would be able to wash rough dry and leave the house

Little things helped but it is so tough and I still feel that time after dc2 aged me so much

I know it might cost more than £20, but I got a haircut, and it has made me feel so much better.

I have also started wearing non-nursing / maternity clothes … gradually, I am making my return.

OP I was in your exact position after DC2. I felt I looked awful and was so unhappy with myself. I’m sure you look beautiful and even if not you’re doing the hardest job in the world with 2 kids so don’t worry! But- youngest is now 2.5 and I’m finally feeling more confident! Things I have done which have made a difference:

joined a gym and do spin 2 x a week and walk 10,000 steps a day £20/month
Eyebrows waxed and tinted every 6 weeks £15 (this made a huge difference!)
religious about serum and moisturiser nightly (aldi caviar moisturiser £7 ish)

Don’t feel bad that your priority is your children but equally a small amount of cash and time in myself has made a huge difference.

LRP citoplast b5 cream or eucerin 5% face cream was always tolerated by my skin. I did have to whack it on at all sorts of extra times not just mornings and night.

I wore a hat instead of sun block because that just seemed to make things worse.

If you can carve out any time for a bit of a break and an early night it will help.

Following as I’m the same

I think this is good

Garnier Vitamin C Serum for Face, Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum, 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid & Lemon Extract, Brightening Serum For Dull, Tired Skin https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BD7L35V/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_SV1YNK087REE4AE26YSK

Also - try and occasionally sleep in the day when they are having naps. Getting more sleep - or just rest- can really help.

Invest in some good post baby vits.
i aged overnight after DC but its been a year and im starting to feel a bit more like myself again
teabags on eyes
no7 everything. Even when im shattered-i put on thr night and eye cream!
hair mask on when shaving your legs.
And go to bed with thr kids a fee nights a week.

Sorry op, I really don't think a cream or beauty product is the answer. Pregnancy depletes your body. Vitamins and minerals is what you need. And some sleep and alone time if you can, if someone can watch the kids.

Get the Caroline Hirons book to evaluate your skincare or lack of and decide what to do. Mine has improved tremendously since Christmas when I got her book and a few products. You can use cheaper options too. I use things like glycolic acid, hyularonic acid, a vit E serum and a moisturiser. A non foaming cleanser and an SPF too. All those together come to about £30.

Sleep, exercise and lots of water. I feel the same and have a 9 mo. Easier said than done but free.

Do you take supplements? I needed some vitamins postpartum and still take them years later!

Ahhh the chin hair. I keep tweezers in the car now as I always find them in the good light whilst out.

I have a three year old and a seven month old too, I can definitely relate.

I went through postnatal depression and after much help, have learned that it is very important to practice self care for your mental wellbeing.

I signed up with dermatica to get tretinoin for my skin, I figured I may as well go the whole hog and buy the product that is proven to work rather than retinol you can buy off the shelf which aren't as effective. I also bought cleanser, toner, exfoliator, hylauronic acid serum, moisturiser and spf (essential with tret). I have done this since January and my skin is amazing now, I expect the fine wrinkles will take a while to disappear but I am happy with the progress so far. Dermatica is around £4 for your first delivery (dispensing fee) and then around £20 thereafter but a tube lasts me two months.

Other things I think help is haircut/colour/extensions (if your hair has thinned as much as mine has!) can help you feel fresh.

New makeup can also make you feel a bit fresher and new, and a new outfit - Vinted is great for nice clothes on the cheap, everything I have bought off vinted has surpassed my expectations compared to the likes of ebay.