NOTHING sums up motherhood better than: “The days are long, but the years are short.”;;
One minute you’re in the throes of newborn life and the next, your daughter is swiping your serum.
As a 41-year-old mum of two – to a six and nine year old – it feels like I blinked and 10 years have passed.
And boy do those 10 years show on my face – my eye bags are much more prominent, my skin has lost its glow and the faint frown lines are now ever-present.
There are some mornings I put off wearing my glasses, just to enjoy the slightly blurred reflection in the mirror that still feels more familiar to me than the aged version staring back at me.
Ageing may be part and parcel of entering your 40s, but it also feels like each fine line and wrinkle tells a story of motherhood – the good, the bad and the ugly.
“It’s completely normal for many of us to notice changes in our appearance after becoming mums,”;; says Dr Nora, cosmetic and medical dermatology doctor at Rejuvenation Clinic.
“Hormonal shifts, disrupted sleep, stress and the natural ageing process all play a role in the skin looking duller, with more pronounced under-eye bags, sagging in the lower face, and deeper frown lines.”;;
A fan of the natural approach to ageing, I’ve always steered away from anti-ageing injections, but it feels like it’s time to step up my current skincare and invest in some hard-hitting ingredients and devices.
So, now that my children are growing up and I have more time on my hands, I’ve made it my mission to build up my confidence – consulting some of the best experts around for their advice on combating Mum Face.
Eye bags and dark circles
“Lack of sleep reduces circulation, leading to dull, tired-looking skin and enhanced shadows under the eyes,”;; says Dr Tara Francis, dentist and advanced facial aesthetician.
And it is not just lifestyle changes that can result in prominent eye bags, hormonal changes also play a factor, whether that’s postpartum or if you’re entering the perimenopause, like me.
“These changes can thin the skin, making underlying blood vessels more visible,”;; says Dr Tara, “the natural loss of volume that comes with tiredness or ageing can deepen hollows under the eyes, making circles appear darker.”;;
The Fix: Start with the basics – hydration, good nutrition, and rest when you can.
“Using a cold compress or chilled eye mask can quickly reduce puffiness, and topical products with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and peptides can help brighten and plump the area over time,”;; says Dr Tara.
Skin Rocks by Caroline Hirons The Eye Cream, £65
Skin Rocks by Caroline Hirons The Eye Cream, £65, is a does-it-all formula that is clinically proven to reduce eye bags in eight weeks.
A little goes a long way, and one pump should be sufficient for both eyes – apply with your pinkie finger to prevent pulling on the skin.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream, £11
A good budget alternative is The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream, £11, which helps to depuff and reduce dark shadows.
Nip+Fab Vitamin C Eye Patches, £15.95
For eye-bag emergencies, pop a pot of Nip+Fab Vitamin C Eye Patches, £15.95, in the fridge then leave on for 15 minutes to help brighten the area.
Fine lines and wrinkles
“Frown lines become more prominent from repetitive movement – especially with the mental load of motherhood,”;; says Dr Nora.
“At home, a consistent skincare routine with antioxidants, peptides and retinoids can help maintain skin health – and daily SPF is a must – even on sleep-deprived mornings.”;;
The Fix: Anti-wrinkle injections like Botox may be the most effective for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but if you prefer not to go down the injectable route, then retinol is the answer.
Murad Youth Renewal Oil Drops, £71
Murad Youth Renewal Oil Drops, £71, contains a blend of retinol that is not only powerful enough to help reduce lines and wrinkles, but also comes in a soothing oil formula that locks in moisture to the skin so it doesn’t dry it out.
Roc Retinol Derm Correxion Fill+Treat Serum, £39.99
Another option is Roc Retinol Derm Correxion Fill+Treat Serum, £39.99, which thanks to its applicator, can be applied directly to problem areas, rather than all over the face.
Dull skin
“When we don’t get enough sleep, our body doesn’t have adequate time to repair itself,”;; says Dr Liam Piggott, medical director at Grand Aesthetics Clinic.
“This can lead to reduced blood flow, causing our skin to appear dull and lifeless.
“Plus, during sleep, our skin regenerates and repairs damage, so without it, we miss out on that vital rejuvenation,”;; he adds.
StylPro Wavelength LED Mask, £99.99
The Fix: If you don’t have a magic wand that can ensure you regularly get your eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, then it may be worth investing in StylPro Wavelength LED Mask, £99.99.
The red LED aids the stimulation of collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while the near-infrared lighthelps reduce inflammation.
You need to use it every day for 10 minutes – alongside glow-inducing ingredients like vitamin C – to really see an improvement.
Matter Of Fact Brightening & Firming Serum, £85
Matter Of Fact Brightening & Firming Serum, £85, contains 20% fully dissolved, stable L-ascorbic acid, which can boost the overall appearance of the skin.
Sagging jowls
Prior to having children, I had regular facials and in-salon treatments, which helped boost elasticity and firmness.
However, since having children, this additional cost and indulgent treat has slipped down the priority list.
“Adapting to a new routine as a mother also means you have less time to commit to your previous skincare commitments, such as facials,”;; says Lauren Evans, CACI training and development officer.
“Stress can also trigger cortisol, which can accelerate the breakdown of collagen in our skin causing a loss in skin firmness.”;;
The Fix: Sagging skin can often be hard to improve with products alone, but using a facial tool like a gua sha or jade roller can help, as it stimulates the lymphatic system reducing inflammation and puffiness, or in-salon treatments like CACI Jowl Lift, from £40, can help strengthen the muscle.
Medicube Night Wrapping Mask, £25.90
Applying a collagen mask like Medicube Night Wrapping Mask, £25.90, can improve elasticity, too – apply all over the skin and allow it to dry fully before going to sleep, then in the morning, peel off the mask to reveal tighter skin.
