Aloe Vera & Cucumber: Soothing Remedies for Postpartum Skin

After having a baby, your body and skin change a lot. Sleepless nights, shifting hormones, and caring for your newborn can make your skin feel dry, sensitive, or irritated. If your once-glowing skin now has dry spots or breakouts, you’re not alone. More than 90% of women notice major changes in their skin during pregnancy and after giving birth. ¹

Here’s some good news: nature provides two gentle, time-tested ingredients that can help restore your skin’s calm and comfort - Aloe Vera and Cucumber. Used for generations in many cultures, these natural ingredients moisturise, soothe, and refresh tired postpartum skin. ^{2, 3}

Understanding Postpartum Skin Changes

The skin undergoes significant changes post-delivery. The main reason behind this shift is the hormonal fluctuations in the body, particularly estrogen and progesterone. While the levels of estrogen are elevated during pregnancy, they drop significantly after birth, leading to a decrease in the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. This hormonal shift is the main reason your postpartum skin feels dry, flaky and tight. ⁴

Moreover, if you are breastfeeding, your body will have an increased demand for water. ⁵ This will make your skin feel drier. Some new mothers notice acne flare-ups post-delivery as their hormones take time to get back to normal levels. ⁶

The solution lies in choosing topical ingredients that are deeply hydrating, nourishing and naturally cooling. Having said that, it is better to go for natural ingredients as your postpartum skin remedies, as some chemicals like retinol may harm your baby if you are breastfeeding. ⁷

Using Aloe Vera for Postpartum Skin

So, if you are searching for the best natural ingredients to use on your postpartum skin, we can safely lay our bets on Aloe Vera. Known as the ‘plant of immortality’ in Ayurvedic tradition, it has been highly valued since ancient times for its amazing healing and anti-aging properties,^{2, 8} It is rich in vitamins A, C and E. ² It also has enzymes such as aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase,  bradykinase and more. Out of these, bradykinase helps in reducing skin inflammation, making it beneficial for postpartum skin concerns. ²

Why Aloe Vera Works for New Mothers

Studies show how powerfully aloe vera can work in postpartum care. A research-based study of fresh aloe vera gel used to dress cesarean wounds found that, compared with standard dressing, women experienced significantly better healing within just 24 hours. The gel has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties that support the body’s natural healing process. ⁹

Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, moisturising and anti-bacterial properties that help in wound healing, moisturising  ² It is very useful for postpartum skin, when one has to deal with dry patches, skin irritations or inflammations. Aloe Vera provides deep moisturisation without making the skin feel greasy. ²

Using Cucumber for Postpartum Skin

Cucumber consists of more than 90% water. ¹⁰ It provides instant cooling and moisturisation to dull and dry skin. ¹¹ Cucumber extracts are rich in vitamins A and C, and have proven to have beneficial effects on skin, including soothing irritated skin, intense moisturisation and anti-inflammatory effects.¹¹ 

Cucumber Benefits for Tired Postpartum Skin

New motherhood comes with sleepless nights and physical stress, which shows on your skin. Cucumber’s natural properties make it a useful ingredient for common postpartum skin concerns:

• Reduces puffiness and dark circles: Placing cucumber slices on the eyes helps reduce puffiness and temporarily fade under-eye circles. ¹²
• Calms inflamed or irritated skin: Fresh cucumber extract provides a soothing effect against skin irritations and reduces redness. ¹³
• Restores skin's water balance: The high water content helps replenish moisture in dehydrated skin cells. ^{14, 15}

Simple Ways to Use Cucumber

Cucumber can be used in its natural form. You do not need to use it in any fancy ways or add any complex ingredients to benefit from it. Here are some ways to use cucumber for your skin:

• Place fresh cucumber slices over your eyes or cheeks for 10-15 minutes and rest.
• Apply fresh cucumber extract directly to your skin as a natural skin-soothing remedy. 
• You can even blend cucumber juice and add it to aloe gel for a soothing mask to address different postpartum skin concerns like dry patches, dullness and pigmentation at the same time. ⁴

The Power of Combining Aloe Vera and Cucumber

You can combine Aloe Vera and Cucumber in your postpartum skincare ritual as this power duo offers cooling and moisturising properties. Aloe Vera provides deep moisturisation, while cucumber offers instant cooling and soothing effects. This combination is particularly effective in:

• Reducing puffy eyes from sleepless nights
• Moisturising dry patches on face and body
• Soothing and cooling heat rashes or sensitivity
• Refreshing dull, tired-looking skin

Both ingredients work well in light moisturisers, gel-based masks, or refreshing facial mists which are perfect for busy mothers who need quick, effective solutions.

DIY Soothing Gel for Postpartum Skin

You can create your own natural postpartum skincare routine with these simple ingredients: 

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs fresh aloe vera gel 
• 2 tbs cucumber juice (blend a fresh cucumber in a mixer and strain it to get the fresh juice)
• 1 vitamin E capsule (optional) 

Instructions: 

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth paste. Store this in a clean glass jar and refrigerate. You can use this paste for up to three days. 

Just apply a thin layer of this paste on your face and neck morning and evening for the best results. 

Benefits: 

You will find instantly refreshed, soothed skin with reduced puffiness and redness. It will also make your skin more nourished and moisturised naturally. ^2,14,16 

Important safety note: 

Do not apply this paste on open wounds or unhealed incisions for a risk of infection. Always check with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. 

Choosing Safe, Clean Products

When selecting skincare products, ensure to look for products that are:

• Natural, toxin-free
• Made from verified ingredients
• Contain no harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrances or phthalates
• Dermatologically-tested
• Tested on human skin cells for safety and efficacy

A Word on Patience and Self-Care

Your postpartum skin may take around 2 months to get back to normal as your hormones need to stabilise. You can use natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and Cucumber to soothe irritated and inflamed skin, soothe acne flare-ups and moisturise dry skin. But you need to be realistic with your expectations. Take ample care of your body, stay well-hydrated and consume plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure you flush out toxins. Take rest whenever possible and eat healthily. Lastly, remember that giving birth is not an easy task. Your body and skin go through a lot. Give it time to settle down and try to stay stress-free and happy. 

And if you are still confused about which products to choose for your postpartum skincare rituals, you can try the AreoVeda range. Formulated with natural, cellularly-tested ingredients, AreoVeda products are EWG verified, Ecocert certified, and free from toxins, ensuring safe and effective care for your postpartum skin.