It isn’t just on our tummy area where us new moms experience post-baby bumps—oftentimes, it’s on our face too! Dark spots, pimples, sensitivity—what the heck, are we 14 again? Don’t worry, mama, we’ve got the 411 on getting that glow back—STAT!

Lighten Up

Pregnancy causes an increase of hormone production in the body, which, in many women, can cause discolorations—a.k.a. melasma—to appear on the cheeks and forehead. While these spots typically diminish on their own post-pregnancy, once estrogen levels have tapered off, there are several steps you can take to minimize these marks and speed up recovery time. The easiest think you can do is stay out of the sun and wear a physical sun block such as Kiss My Face SPF 30, which can be used daily and is safe for babies, too. It’s also a good idea to switch out those exfoliating cleansers and face creams, which can make your skin more vulnerable to UV damage, with ones containing brown-spot-busting vitamin C. We love Avalon Organics’ Vitamin C Renewal Cleansing Milk, Vitality Serum, and Vitamin C Cream.

If you’re not breastfeeding and aren’t planning to get pregnant again soon, reach for over-the-counter topical treatments containing vitamin A, retinol, glycolic acid, or all-natural licorice and arbutin extracts, all of which have proven highly effective at safely lightening dark spots and evening out skin tone. Better yet, once you’ve hit the six-week mark of motherhood, head to your dermatologist or spa esthetician for a series of professional microdermabrasion treatments.

Give Pimples The Pow!

Wondering why that amazing glow you had during your pregnancy has been replaced by pimples you haven’t seen since puberty? It’s called post-gestational acne, and once again, hormones are to blame. The good news is that these breakouts are generally short-lived and can be easily combated by adding a few targeted products to your at-home skincare arsenal and eliminating products that are a no-no for new moms (the use of leave-on acne treatments and/or any sort of acid peel should be discussed with your doctor). First up is Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Balancing Face Wash, a sulphate-free cleanser that fights acne with all-natural tea tree oil. Follow with a witch-hazel-based toner such as Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Pads and Image Skincare matte moisturizer with SPF 30, which won’t clog pores and contains oil-absorbing zinc. Finally, exfoliate once a week with a Kaolin clay mask. Or, if you have the resources, book a facial and have a professional extract your pores.

Don’t Be So Sensitive

Thanks to fluctuating hormone levels and your decision to breastfeed, you might have noticed your skin is drier and more sensitive than ever after giving birth. You also may have noticed your usual go-to products are no longer doing the trick. It’s important to cleanse and hydrate the skin with fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and soap-free products. We recommend the one-two punch of Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser and Daily Moisture Cream, which contain emollient jojoba esters, cooling aloe, and soothing rice and cotton extracts that ease redness. OTC treatments containing papaya enzymes and soothing algae masks can also be done every 4 to 6 weeks to help keep skin balanced and hydrated.