May Lindstrom’s Pregnancy and Postpartum Ritual
By now you have likely already heard of May Lindstrom and her gorgeous skincare products. Each of her products emulates everything we are looking for when it comes to skincare here at Cha Cha Mamma. All of the ingredients she uses are pure, clean, effective, and powerful. Nothing else needed. These stunningly-packaged products are effortless to use, and they really nourish the skin from the outside in.
Having battled with highly sensitive and reactive skin throughout her childhood, May Lindstrom eventually became fed up with the fact that there were simply no options for her when it came to skincare. As a result, she was motivated to create something revolutionary that she and every woman (or man) could use safely. This is exactly what she did. She started her journey by extracting mineral-rich clay from a river running through her yard in her childhood home, and mixing it with wild plants from the surrounding land. From a very early point in her journey, May noticed that these sort of rituals of taking care of the skin and indulging in relaxing experiences, seemed to have a way of bringing women together. She eventually grew this little project into an incredible skincare brand used by women in all stages of life.
Not only are May’s products considered safe for mammas and mammas-to-be, but May and her team have actually curated an entire pregnancy and postpartum ritual that mammas can follow. Taking time to set rituals for yourself amidst your busy life as a mamma is so important. Even for a few minutes a day, following their pregnancy and postpartum ritual can provide an aromatic, relaxing getaway for those busy days. Having all of the products ready to go helps make it easier to squeeze in some time for yourself whenever you can.
*As always, please consult your health care provider before putting anything on your skin during pregnancy and beyond.
"There has been little in life more magical than the chapters where my body was shared with those of my children." - May Lindstrom
Here is May's step-by-step- pregnancy and postpartum ritual:
-Step 1: Cleanse
Products:
Frequency: twice daily
The Ritual:
a.m.
Massage a fat, blueberry-sized dollop of The Honey Mud into wet skin to emulsify into a silky, acid & enzyme cleansing milk, alternating (or even blending!) with The Clean Dirt on your exfoliation days.
p.m.
Massage several pumps of The Pendulum Potion into dry skin, focusing on areas of makeup or congestion. Wet hands and continue massage, then place our warm, damp, Facial Steam Cloth over face and neck. Press, rinse, and repeat until skin is soft and cleansed.
Follow with The Honey Mud to deepen your cleanse and keep the complexion clear and bright. Either swirl into damp skin or smooth richly over clean, dry skin for a luscious, cell-reviving treatment.
-Step 2: Exfoliate
Product:
Frequency: every other day
The Ritual:
Measure 1 tsp. of The Clean Dirt’s concentrated powder and blend with just shy of equal parts water to form a soft mousse. Massage into damp skin with the pads of your fingertips, ideally while in the shower, to allow the heat and steam to soften and prepare skin. Leave for a few minutes, then face into the water to easily wash the formula away, massaging as you go.
Continue the massage on your now-clean skin for at least another minute after the grains have been rinsed clear, focusing on areas of congestion, hyperpigmentation, dryness, or flakiness - often, you can feel dead skin releasing at your fingertips in this step! When you feel this sensation, continue rubbing that area of the skin until the texture shifts. Continue until skin is soft, smooth, and bright.
Bonus: Try blending The Clean Dirt with several pumps of The Pendulum Potion or a dollop of The Honey Mud (or both together!) for a nourishing, supportive boost.
-Step 3: Mask
Products:
Frequency: frequency: 3x/weekly +
The Ritual:
In our treatment bowl, activate 1 Tbsp. tablespoon of The Problem Solver with just shy of equal parts water to form a soft, rich mousse. Brush over skin and relax for 30-45 minutes until dry. When your treatment is complete, step into a warm shower, allowing the steam and running water to rehydrate the masque before rinsing away easily.
To enjoy The Honey Mud as an enzyme masque, smooth generously over clean, dry skin, leaving it to work its magic from a few minutes up to an hour before rinsing clear as you massage with the pads of your fingertips.
Bonus: I like to mask at least twice weekly with The Problem Solver, and an additional time or two with The Honey Mud. For a lush, glow-inducing alternative try blending The Problem Solver with a dollop of The Honey Mud (my favorite!).
-Step 4: Moisturize
Products:
Frequency: twice daily
The Ritual:
After every cleansing or treatment, feed and hydrate skin immediately with The Blue Cocoon and The Youth Dew. Always massage both into fully WET skin directly following rinsing (skip your towel completely), while skin is still warm and at its most receptive.
Give a little extra love to your eye area and your lips and, double up on your portion size in the evenings to nourish skin as you sleep.
Bonus: Drench your every blossoming inch with our multitasker, The Pendulum Potion. Treat stretch marks, sore nipples, or any areas of discomfort or irritation with The Blue Cocoon.
-Step 5: Mist
Product:
Frequency: throughout the day
The Ritual:
Complete your cleansing ritual by saturating skin with The Jasmine Garden and continuing your massage AFTER applying your oils. This unique formula enhances penetration and assimilation of everything that comes before it, enabling the deepest possible absorption of both fat and water-soluble nutrients. Mist throughout the day to soothe and refresh skin (+ hair & body!), and to envelop you in a cocoon of calm.
A Note for Mammas from May:
"You are in a safe place. Our entire collection is a gorgeous treat in this time and beyond, and you can indulge without anxiety. Note that many of the conditions you may experience in this period often pass all on their own as hormones return to their regular state. This includes hormonal acne, melasma, “pregnancy mask”, rashes, and eczema. Practice love and patience and try to avoid the urge to rush into any aggressive treatments or protocols. You may find that this becomes entirely unnecessary given time and proper care of your skin in the months ahead.
Enjoy the bookends of your days, these simple timeouts that feed and nourish You. This is more and more vital as our families stretch and we tend to put constriction on our time for this kind of self care. Now is exactly when you need these moments the most. Take it. And enjoy every precious second."
