Beauty entrepreneur Alma Ngur opens up about how her postpartum beauty routine evolved — from indulging in rich body oils to embracing confidence as her ultimate beauty secret.
Beauty routines change drastically after childbirth, and for many mothers, their postpartum realities reshape their priorities. Alma Ngur, a Nigerian lifestyle creator and mother of two children, kept a simple routine before having children, but it became even minimalist after giving birth. Being a woman who loves taking care of her skin comes with a certain rhythm, no matter how minimal the routine. The satisfaction of layering serums, the excitement of trying a new product and the glow that comes with a consistent routine. Pregnancy — and postpartum life — often interrupts that rhythm in unexpected ways. Hormonal shifts leave your skin unpredictable, cravings for rest overshadow self-care, and caring for a newborn means beauty is no longer a top priority.
For mums who cannot give up their routine, beauty becomes a quiet act of preservation. You choose body oils over ten-step routines, moisturise in stolen moments, and redefine beauty as something softer, more forgiving. The postpartum beauty routine helps you find grace in the midst of change.
In the second edition of our postpartum beauty series, Alma Ngur, known for her fun and relatable content, shares what beauty means to her in this new chapter of life.
Motherhood and the evolution of a postpartum beauty routine
Before motherhood, Alma had a simple skincare routine and enjoyed her beauty products leisurely, but pregnancy and the months afterwards changed her approach. “I used to have my simple skincare routine every day of cleansing, toning and moisturising, but I had to be more careful and gentle after childbirth”, she says. She immediately started to think about her self-care routine almost immediately after she gave birth. “I’ve always been my own biggest cheerleader, so I always want to prioritise and take care of myself.”
Her postpartum beauty routine shifted towards comfort, with a focus on nourishing her body without the pressure of sticking to a complicated ritual. Alma also had to stay off some of her favourite skincare products during her pregnancy, but she’s back to them now. “I temporarily stayed off retinoids and high doses of salicylic acid,” she shares.
Women are advised not to use certain actives like retinoids in their beauty routines during pregnancy. Although studies have shown that most of these are safe in minimal doses, it is best to avoid them if you don’t have an expert-backed prescription. Similarly, while low doses of salicylic acid in everyday cleansers are usually safe, stronger concentrations such as peels or leave-on treatments are absorbed more deeply and are best avoided. These restrictions can feel limiting for women who love their skincare rituals, but they also create a more mindful postpartum beauty routine, which prioritises safety for both mother and baby.
Post-baby beauty reality
Motherhood is a never-ending routine and balancing act of self-care,caring for a new baby, while dealing with body insecurities. “Many mothers have body insecurities after having a baby, and I’m one of them,” Alma shares. “In the past, I shied away from wearing certain things because of these insecurities, but the key for me was accepting my new body and feeling comfortable in my skin.”
The postpartum beauty routine comes with demands that you be more gentle with yourself. Factors like time, energy, and priorities influence your beauty choices, and that translates to different things for different mothers. “I believe this is the reason I have such a simple skincare routine,” Alma admits. “Time and energy are things I don’t have much of! Even with my makeup routine, it is the same thing. I can do a full glam beat in about 30 minutes!” Perhaps this is that supermom strength we always hear about.
Postpartum beauty routine and hacks for new mums
While her routine is simplified, the biggest change after becoming a mum is her new obsession with body oils. “I’ve gotten into them a lot since I had my last baby; they’re such a game changer.” Body oils work as emollient–occlusive moisturisers that lock in hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss when applied to damp skin. For postpartum bodies, body oils help soothe dryness and support the skin barrier. However, while there’s no proven scientific evidence that oils or creams prevent stretch marks, our mothers believe in their effectiveness in keeping the skin fresh and healthy. “My body care is not complete without body oil. My favourite one right now is from Aveeno,” Alma insists.
Motherhood has taught Alma many lessons, but when it comes to beauty, it’s to embrace it all. “Beauty can also be found in the messy hair from sleepless nights and the face with no makeup that retains the glow of nurturing new life.”
Her makeup preferences have also evolved. “I opt for more minimal makeup looks these days.” When it comes to surviving busy mum life while still feeling put together, Alma has perfected a few beauty tricks she shares with new mums who feel they have no time for themselves. “Take a shower first thing in the morning before things get busy. It sets the tone for your day. Don’t forget to smell good too!”
Alma also has her top product picks to elevate postpartum beauty routine. She goes for a good body oil, “Bio oil is a great option”, a great foaming cleanser “CeraVe has some amazing options”, and a good moisturiser, “I love the Cica Soothing Cream from Soibi Botanicals”.
A little luxury goes a long way
Even with a minimal pregnancy beauty routine, Alma believes in treating yourself. It’s another way of prioritising and rewarding herself. She loves smelling good; if she could splurge on any beauty product, “definitely a designer perfume. Chanel No 5 wouldn’t be a bad idea.” We can’t fault her for that; it is an iconic fragrance that has been celebrated since its launch in 1921.
Beauty doesn’t disappear after childbirth; it simply evolves. Alma reminds us that beauty in motherhood is less about perfection and more about presence. There’s so much advice when you’re a new mum, but remember that your postpartum beauty routine doesn’t need to be elaborate to be powerful. Sometimes, it’s in the shower you take before the day gets hectic, the one product you get excited about or the perfume that makes you feel cocooned. Your postpartum beauty routine is about loving the woman you’ve become.
