Skincare Tips for Busy Moms to Help Keep Their Skin Looking Its Best

Sometimes it seems like moms make time for everyone else before they take care of their own needs, and skincare is no exception. The U.S. Dermatology Partners team has numerous hard-working moms in our practices, and they know the struggle is real when it comes to maintaining a good skincare routine while taking care of their families and working hard to provide great dermatologic care for their patients. If you’re a busy mom looking to improve your skincare routine, our trusted dermatologist moms have you covered! In this blog, we’ve gone to our expert moms to get some of their top skincare tips for busy moms to help you keep your skin looking its best.

Skincare Tips from Dr. Lauren Snitzer – Mom & Skilled Dermatologist

Dr. Lauren Snitzer is a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She works with patients at U.S. Dermatology Partners Sugar Land, specializing in general dermatology with a focus on helping patients of all ages manage chronic skin conditions.

When it comes to her skincare routine, Dr. Snitzer says, “As a busy mom of a 3-year-old, 2-year-old, and a newborn I don’t have time to devote to a fussy skin care regimen. I prefer to stick with a simple regimen that is backed by science. I have combination skin with a tendency toward mild acne. Remember, a skin care regimen is not one size fits all, and it’s best to tailor your routine to your skin type and tolerance! For my skincare needs, I use a gentle cleanser in the morning, my preferred cleansers are Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser, when I’m feeling fancy, or Cetaphil daily facial cleanser. In the morning, I apply a Vitamin C serum or lotion. Currently, I’m using Revision 30% Vitamin C lotion, but I also like SkinCeuticals CE ferulic. After the vitamin C serum or lotion, I use a facial moisturizer with a built-in sunscreen that has at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. EltaMD, La Roche Posay, and Colorescience are some of my go-to brands for facial moisturizers with SPF.”

Dr. Snitzer’s evening skincare routine involves using the same gentle cleanser from her morning skincare routine. Then, she applies a moisturizer followed by a retinol or retinoid to promote skin cell turnover. She says, “I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream followed by a pea-sized amount of retinoid, currently using Arazlo.” Applying the moisturizer before the retinol helps to avoid skin irritation and inflammation.

In addition to her simple daily skincare routine, Dr. Snitzer offers skincare tips for utilizing in-office dermatologic treatments regularly. Dr. Snitzer says, “To keep my skin looking refreshed and prevent wrinkles, I have Dysport injected about every three to four months. In the future, I plan to incorporate maintenance laser treatments like Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing.”

Skincare Tips from Dr. Megan Lent – Mom & Trusted Dermatologist

Dr. Megan Lent is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She provides dermatologic care to U.S. Dermatology Partners Chillicothe. She specializes in general and preventive dermatologic care, helping her patients reduce symptoms of chronic skin conditions and keep their skin looking great.

Dr. Lent says, “I’m a mom of two. I have a twelve-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son. They keep me really busy, so it’s important that my skincare routine in the morning and at night is simple and straightforward. The most essential thing about any skincare routine is that it needs to be fitted to your skin type and skincare needs. I’m a Fitzpatrick skin type one. I have pale skin, red hair, and freckles. That means I’m at risk for sunburns, inflammation, and skin sensitivity. My skin is combination, meaning it has both dry and oily regions, and I have acne breakouts. To care for my skin, I utilize products to address acne and maintain general skin health. Specifically, I utilize several prescription topical medications, including topical retinoids to promote skin cell turnover and keep pores clear, and spironolactone, which is available in oral and topical formulations to minimize the effects of hormonal acne. I am also pursuing isotretinoin, commonly referred to as Accutane, for the long-term improvement of stubborn, cystic acne lesions. This treatment is only recommended for those who have severe acne that doesn’t improve with other treatment options.”

When it comes to a good daily skincare routine, Dr. Lent prioritizes keeping her acne under control and protecting her skin from sun damage. She says her daily skincare routine includes:

Cleanser (Morning and Evening) – usually La Roache Posay Purifying Foaming Cleanser.
Exfoliation (Morning) – Dr. Lent likes the ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads daily, and she utilizes the stronger ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish once a week.
Vitamin C Serum (Morning) – this product helps to prevent damage from the sun as well as pollutants and other environmental concerns.
Retinoid/Retinol (Evening) – Dr. Lent usually uses prescription-strength retinoid treatments, but she also likes the skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream.
Eye cream (Morning and Evening) – eye cream helps to keep the sensitive skin around the eyes healthy and hydrated.
Moisturizer + Sunscreen (Morning) – Dr. Lent uses a moisturizer with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to streamline her skincare routine. One of her most recommended products is the La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturizer UV.
Moisturizer (Evening) – at night, Dr. Lent utilizes the La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturizer to boost skin hydration.

When it comes to a minimalist routine, Dr. Lent says, “On my busier days when I’m short on time, I omit my eye cream. Let’s be honest, this is most days. Otherwise, I try to stay as consistent as I can with this routine to keep my skin happy, healthy, and balanced. It may sound like a lot, but seriously, you can complete this routine in just a few minutes a day!” In addition to this daily skincare routine, Dr. Lent swears by Botox to keep her skin looking healthy and youthful, so she can age gracefully. She also says, “Although we as adult females tend to focus on anti-aging skincare, annual skin cancer screening is a must, especially for those of us who may have made poor decisions with sun exposure and tanning beds during our youth!”

In addition to keeping up with her own skincare needs, Dr. Lent also spends time helping her kids achieve and maintain optimal skin health. She has worked with them to develop good habits related to sunscreen application every day. She helped them get used to applying sunscreen correctly since they were babies, and she lets them choose the type of sunscreen they like (sprays, sticks, lotions, foams, etc.). Her preteen daughter has started developing a consistent morning and evening skincare routine.

Skincare Tips from Dr. Kathryn “Celeste” Durham – Mom & Experienced Dermatologist

Dr. Kathryn Durham, who goes by Celeste, is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She serves patients at U.S. Dermatology Partners South Hulen. She enjoys caring for patients who have chronic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer, but one of her favorite aspects of dermatologic care is helping patients improve their quality of life through improved skincare.

When it comes to a good skincare routine for busy moms, Dr. Durham says, “For those busy moms and moms who want a basic skincare routine, there are six principal products you need: cleanser, vitamin C serum, mineral-tinted sunscreen, retinoids, and moisturizers. If you want an added boost, you can also add Botox to prevent fine lines and wrinkles before they develop.”

Dr. Durham encourages everyone to pick a good cleanser and moisturizer they can use in the morning and evening for simplicity. If they want to use a different moisturizer for added hydration in the evening, they can, but that’s not usually essential. In addition to these two basics for everyone, she also encourages using vitamin C serum and sunscreen in the morning. When it comes to vitamin C serums, Dr. Durham says, “Vitamin C prevents oxidative damage, reduces redness, and offers anti-aging benefits by preventing sun damage that leads to signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Brands that I recommend include skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense Serum and Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex.” For sunscreen, Dr. Durham prefers a mineral-tinted sunscreen because it offers effective sun protection that won’t irritate the skin.

To ensure skin ages gracefully, Dr. Durham highly recommends retinoid use and regular Botox injections. When it comes to anti-aging products, she says, “Retinoid is the workhorse of anti-aging skincare. I consider this a marathon medication that should be done every day consistently and lifelong. With long-term use, this treatment helps with fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, acne, and other skin concerns. Additionally, doing Botox starting in your 20s or 30s will prevent most deep lines and wrinkles. Of all the cosmetic treatments, I think this is the most important to start and do consistently to prevent wrinkles and aging.”

Skincare Tips from Dr. Young McMahan – Mom & Dedicated Dermatologist

Dr. Young McMahan is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She provides exceptional dermatologic care to patients at U.S. Dermatology Partners Waco. In practice, Dr. McMahan focuses on skin cancer prevention and treatment and skin aging. When she’s not hard at work in the office, she’s busy being a great mom to her seven-year-old son and three-year-old daughter.

Dr. McMahan’s skincare routine is directed toward tackling unique concerns related to her combination skin that starts out dry and becomes oily by the end of the day. She also struggles with rosacea, eczema, acne, keratosis pilaris, hyperpigmentation, and perioral dermatitis. Her skincare routine is simple and dedicated to maintaining overall skin health. Dr. McMahan’s skincare routine includes:

Cleanser – she uses the Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash in the morning, and like Dr. Snitzer, she uses the Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser in the evening.
Exfoliation – SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub offers a gentle option to boost skin cell turnover.
Vitamin C – as part of her morning routine to reduce oiliness and help with hyperpigmentation, Dr. McMahan uses SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF.
Retinol Tretinoin 0.25% cream – Dr. McMahan uses this prescription topical cream to prevent and heal acne breakouts.
Eye cream – to brighten and moisturize the skin around the eyes, Dr. McMahan likes to switch between SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair and SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream.
Moisturizer – Dr. McMahan prefers SkinMedica HA5 in the morning and SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 in the evening.
Sunscreen – Dr. McMahan recommends EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (non-tinted) for daily use, EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 for workouts or swimming, and Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 to reapply over makeup.

A great way to keep skin looking and feeling its best without having to maintain an involved skincare routine is to invest in regular dermatologic procedures. Dr. McMahan recommends, “Botox is my favorite anti-aging skincare procedure. My second favorite is laser therapy to get rid of my dark spots, so my skin can be flawless. After laser treatment, I can go without makeup. I love getting filler in my cheeks to help lift and rejuvenate. I also enjoy getting microneedling for overall collagen stimulation, alternating every six to eight weeks with a hydrating facial. Every three months, I receive extractions since I am prone to clogged pores. Honestly, I think I love facials because as a busy mom, I get to take a nap and then wake up looking gorgeous.”

Providing one final tip for busy moms, Dr. McMahan says, “Daily self-care matters. As a busy mom, it’s so hard to get sleep, but it’s so good for your skin. I also sleep with a silk pillowcase to help avoid wrinkles from sleeping on the side of my face. I try to prioritize drinking lots and lots of water and exercising between chasing my kiddos. Finally, I avoid straws like the plague, so I don’t get peri oral lines, which are also called smoker lines.”

To boost your mom game, Dr. McMahan recommends, “Instill good whole-body skin health habits in kids when they’re young. That includes sunscreen and full body moisturization. One of my favorites for myself and my kids is Aveeno Eczema Therapy. I do my best to keep my kids protected with sunscreen, but I also have them wear rash guards, hats, and other protective clothing to provide additional protection. One that not many moms know about is the importance of protecting feet from warts and molluscum that can be contracted by going barefoot at places like splash pads. Wearing shoes when outdoors protects your skin from these concerns.”

Skincare Tips from Dr. Tiffany Tello – Mom & Knowledgeable Dermatologist

Dr. Tiffany Tello is double Board-Certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery. She is a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery serving patients at U.S. Dermatology Partners affiliate practice, Apex Dermatology Denver. Dr. Tello is an expert in the treatment of skin cancer as well as cosmetic dermatology and laser treatments. Outside the practice, you’ll find Dr. Tello hanging out with her three-year-old daughter and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.

As a Fitzpatrick skin type III, Dr. Tello has skin that is prone to hyperpigmentation, so it is important to take steps to protect against sun damage and hyperpigmentation as part of her regular skincare routine. Her streamlined daily skincare routine includes:

Cleanser (Morning and Evening) – for a gentle but complete clean, Dr. Tello uses EltaMD Gentle Enzyme Cleanser twice a day.
Vitamin C (Morning) – like Dr. Snitzer, Dr. Tello relies on SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic to help prevent damage from the sun, pollutants, and other environmental irritants.
Retinol (Evening) – Dr. Tello alternates between a tretinoin 0.05% cream and ISDIN Meltaonik, which contains bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative. She also uses the MD Skin Essentials Body Silk on her neck, chest, and backs of the hands every evening. This is a gentle retinoid that provides the benefits of Vitamin A without the irritation or redness. It also has antioxidant protection with Vitamins C & E, plus ferulic and salicylic acid.
Eye cream (Morning and Evening) – for the sensitive skin around the eyes Dr. Tello uses Neocutis Lumiere Firm.
Moisturizer (Morning and Evening) – in her morning skincare routine, Dr. Tello uses the EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer or SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier, and in the evening, she uses SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2.
Sunscreen (Morning) – ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and MD Skin Essential Silk Shield are Dr. Tello’s go-to sunscreens.

To keep her skin looking great, Dr. Tello also receives Botox and Clear + Brilliant Laser Treatment every three to four months. She also loves the P33-TRX glow peel. She has worked diligently on maintaining her overall health to keep her skin looking great. This includes a plant-based diet, exercise, and receiving annual skin screenings. Dr. Tello works hard to pass her passion for skincare down to her daughter. That started with sun protection. She says, “When talking to my daughter, I associate sunscreen with fun outdoor activities and make applying sunscreen part of the routine while getting ready. My daughter knows that when we get in the gondola at the ski mountain, the next step is sunscreen. She associates it with skiing, which she loves. Applying your sunscreen at the same time as kids can be helpful too. They love to do what you are doing!” In addition to ensuring her child applies sunscreen regularly, Dr. Tello also encourages her daughter to stay moisturized, especially in those cold, dry winter months. She uses Cetaphil Baby each day, and she may use Aquaphor when skin is very dry. She also teaches her daughter to apply Aquaphor for dry lips.

Skincare Tips from Dr. Alexandra Theriault – Mom & Accomplished Dermatologist

Dr. Alexandra Theriault is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She loves to tackle challenging skin health cases and help patients develop skincare routines to manage chronic conditions, including severe skin health concerns like autoimmune skin diseases such as psoriasis, cutaneous lupus, and pemphigus. She works alongside Dr. Tello at Apex Dermatology Denver. While Dr. Theriault loves her work, she is also a dedicated and caring mom to her two teenage children.

Dr. Theriault’s daily skincare routine is designed to address environmental irritation related to living the in the dry air and higher elevation in Denver. She says, “Living in my dry climate, skin hydration is on the top of my list. I have especially enjoyed the MD Skin Essentials line, as it is so hydrating, and I can use the vitamin C and retinol oils on sensitive areas, such as my eyelids and neck, without any irritation.” Dr. Theriault’s daily skincare routine includes:

Cleanser (Morning and Evening) – Dr. Theriault uses Biopelle Glycolic Acid Cleanser.
Exfoliation (Morning) – she prefers to utilize an exfoliating cleanser rather than adding in a separate exfoliator. The Biopelle Glycolic Acid Cleanser offers exfoliating benefits, and Dr. Theriault also likes the Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser for exfoliation.
Vitamin C (Morning) – she uses MD Skin Essentials or skinbetter Science vitamin C serums.
Retinol (Evening) – Dr. Theriault alternates between MD Skin Essentials Energize and ISDIN Melatonik.
Eye cream (Morning and Evening) – for this sensitive area, Dr. Theriault relies on Neocutis Bio Cream Lumiere Firm.
Moisturizer (Morning and Evening) – Dr. Theriault uses MD Skin Essentials HylaCream in the morning and evening.
Sunscreen – ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Emulsion Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 offers exceptional sun protection and prevents skin aging.

In addition to basic skincare, Dr. Theriault also relies on a range of dermatologic treatments to keep her skin looking and feeling great. She says, “Being an avid runner, restoring my facial volume is important to me, so I like to use Voluma and Sculptra. I also love the glowing appearance that P33-TRX peels and Vivace give my skin.” She combines these great skincare steps and dermatologic treatments with a healthy lifestyle. She eats a healthy, mainly vegetarian diet and avoids processed and sugary foods as much as possible. She also limits alcohol consumption, tries to get at least seven hours of sleep a night, and she performs regular skin self-checks as well as receives annual professional examinations.

Want to Talk About Skincare Mom to Mom?

Do you want to talk to one of our dermatologist moms? They would love to hear from you. Getting started with one of the dermatologists in this blog or any of our skilled professionals is simple. Just take a few moments to complete our online scheduling request form. When our local team members hear from you, they’ll be in touch right away to finalize the details of your appointment or answer any questions.