The Self-Care Rituals That Transformed My Skin (And My Schedule)
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I've always been someone who maintains a skincare routine—even through the chaos of pregnancy and those early postpartum days when five minutes alone in the bathroom felt like a luxury. But maintaining a routine and having truly transformative rituals? Those are two very different things.
While I never skipped my basic cleanse-and-moisturise routine, I noticed my skin telling a different story than it used to. The pregnancy and postpartum hormonal changes left me dealing with dryness I'd never experienced before, plus some discolouration that made my skin look uneven and lackluster.
And then there were those dark circles—the telltale sign of a mama who was running on broken sleep and caffeine, doing her best but clearly needing more support than just concealer could provide.
When Good Enough Wasn't Good Enough Anymore
Don't get me wrong—I was consistent with my skincare. Every morning and evening, I went through the motions: cleanser, moisturiser, SPF during the day. It was routine, reliable, and... honestly, just okay. My skin was clean and hydrated, but it wasn't thriving.
The turning point came when I realised that while I was taking care of my skin's basic needs, I wasn't actually nourishing it—or myself. I was going through the motions without intention, treating skincare like a chore to check off rather than a moment of self-care that could actually transform how I felt.
That's when I knew it was time to upgrade not just my products, but my entire approach to self-care.
Why Self-Care Became Non-Negotiable
As a busy mum, it's easy to think that taking time for yourself is selfish or unnecessary. But I learned that self-care isn't about indulgence—it's about showing up as the best version of yourself for everyone who depends on you.
When I'm well-rested, properly hydrated, and my skin feels healthy, I have more patience with my kids. When I've taken those few minutes to truly care for myself, I approach challenges with more clarity and less reactivity. Self-care became my way of ensuring I could be present and grounded, even when life felt overwhelming.
More than that, I wanted my children to see that taking care of yourself is normal and important. These rituals aren't just about looking better—they're about feeling like myself again.
The 5 Rituals That Changed Everything
After months of refining my approach, I've settled on five daily rituals that have become absolutely non-negotiable. These aren't time-consuming or complicated, but they've made an incredible difference in how I look and feel.
1. Collagen in My Morning Coffee
Every morning, I stir a scoop of collagen powder into my coffee. It's become such a natural part of my
routine that my coffee tastes incomplete without it. This simple addition supports my skin from the inside out, helping with elasticity and that overall healthy glow that no topical product can fully replace. Plus, it dissolves completely, so there's no texture change to my beloved morning coffee ritual. My favourite is Imbibe Miracle Collagen.
2. My Upgraded Morning and Evening Skincare
This is where the real transformation happened. I upgraded my basic routine with Neora products, and the difference has been remarkable. My morning routine now includes their Double Cleansing Face Wash, which removes any overnight buildup without stripping my skin, followed by their Age IQ Day Cream that keeps my skin hydrated and protected throughout the day.
The evening routine is where I really see the magic happen. The same gentle cleanser removes the day's sunscreen and makeup effortlessly, and their Age IQ Night Cream has been a game-changer for addressing the dryness and discolouration I've been dealing with. My skin looks more even-toned, feels deeply moisturised, and has that healthy glow I thought was gone for good.
3. Magnesium Oil Before Bed
This is one of my favourites. Every night, I spray magnesium oil on my feet and legs. It's become my signal to my body that it's time to wind down. The magnesium helps with everything—better sleep quality, improved digestion, and relief from those everyday aches and pains that come with chasing kids around all day. It's amazing how one simple spray can address so many issues at once. The one I use is Salt Lab Magnesium Spray.
4. Intentional Hydration Throughout the Day
I've always known it's important for your skin and for your body to drink plenty of water and I've always done that. I keep a water bottle with me and make it a point to finish it twice during the day. But since pregnancy and struggling with morning sickness I've also added Hydramama electrolyte to my routine—it's specifically designed for busy mums and helps me stay properly hydrated even when I'm running on little sleep or forgetting to eat regular meals.
5. The Evening Wind-Down Sequence
Rather than rushing through my nighttime routine, I've turned it into a proper wind-down ritual. After the kids are settled, I take my time with each step: removing makeup mindfully, cleansing thoroughly, applying my night products with gentle massage motions, taking my postpartum vitamins and finishing with the magnesium spray. This entire sequence signals to my mind and body that the day is done and it's time to rest.
Restructuring My Schedule: Making Time for What Matters
The beautiful thing about these rituals is that they don't require me to find extra time in my day—they've simply made the time I already had more intentional and effective.
My morning coffee was already a non-negotiable part of my routine; adding collagen just made it more beneficial. My skincare routine was already happening twice a day; upgrading the products and being more present during the process made it transformative rather than just functional.
The key was recognising that these small moments throughout my day could serve multiple purposes. My evening skincare routine now doubles as meditation and stress relief. My morning hydration ritual gives me energy and mental clarity for the day ahead.
I also learned to prepare everything in advance. My skincare products are organised and easily accessible. My collagen powder sits near to my coffee maker. My magnesium oil lives on my nightstand. When everything has its place, these rituals become effortless.
The Unexpected Benefits Beyond Better Skin
While my skin has definitely improved—it's more hydrated, even-toned, and has that healthy glow I was missing—the benefits extend far beyond what I see in the mirror.
My sleep quality has dramatically improved thanks to the magnesium and the calming evening routine. I wake up feeling more rested, even when the kids have had rough nights. My energy levels are more stable throughout the day, partly from better hydration and partly from the collagen supporting my overall wellness.
But perhaps most importantly, I feel like myself again. These rituals have given me back those
moments of self-connection that get lost in the daily chaos of motherhood. They're reminders that I'm worth investing in, that taking care of myself isn't just beneficial for me—it makes me a better mum, partner, and person.
Simple Ways to Start Your Own Rituals
If you're ready to transform your own routine, start with just one change. Here's my advice for making it sustainable:
Pick one ritual that serves multiple purposes. Like adding collagen to coffee you're already drinking, or upgrading one product in a routine you're already doing consistently, even better if that product does multiple things.
Focus on consistency over perfection. It's better to do something simple every day than something elaborate once a week. These rituals work because they become automatic.
Invest in products that make you excited to use them. When you love how something feels, smells, or works, you'll naturally want to use it regularly.
Pay attention to how you feel, not just how you look. The best rituals improve your overall sense of wellbeing, which then radiates outward in how you show up in the world.
Be patient with the process. Real transformation takes time, but even small changes in how you approach self-care can shift your entire perspective within days.
The truth is, these five simple rituals have given me back something I didn't realise I'd lost: the feeling that I'm thriving, not just surviving. When you take care of yourself consistently and intentionally, everything else becomes easier to handle.
What's one ritual you could upgrade or add to your day? I'd love to hear about your own self-care discoveries in the comments below.
