Words: Jaymie Hooper
In a perfect world wed all be getting eight hours of shut eye a night and waking up so refreshed even Sleeping Beauty would be jealous. Most mothers, though, are stuck in a world of midnight feeds or living with a six-year-old who thinks five in the morning is an acceptable time to watch Frozen again. When youve got little ones to look after, surviving on six hours sleep or less is part of the job description, but its also an express ticket to a washed-out complexion, dry spots and panda eyes. While it might be tempting to hide behind a pair of trusty oversized sunnies, investing in a rejuvenating serum or a perfecting BB cream is an even better idea, so add these skin-saving heroes to your beauty bag, stat.
Priori Gentle Facial Cleanser, $80
With its unique LCA Complex formula (a potent mix of vitamins A, C, E and lactic acid) this gentle cleanser will slough away dead skin cells and fight the signs of ageing while you sleep. Massage a small amount into your face at night and youll wake up to improved skin tone and texture.
MUN No.1 Aknari Brightening Youth Serum, $95
Maximise any beauty sleep you manage to get by popping a few drops of this antioxidant-rich elixir on before bedtime. With its nourishing blend of rosehip and argan oil, the No.1 Brightening Youth Serum will quench dry skin, soothe inflammation and reduce fine lines whilst prickly pear lightens dark circles and evens your complexion.
Go-To Very Useful Face Cream, $39.95
When a lack of shut-eye has taken your skin straight to Dehydration City, slather on some Very Useful Face Cream to get your glow back. Its loaded with collagen-boosting, free radical-fighting amla berry to keep your face nice and plump, and the delicious mix of moisturising shea and mango butter gives skin a silky finish.
Racinne Contour Brightening Eye Care, $26
With superhero botanicals like gingko baboa, lemongrass and grape callus extract, this energising cream from Racinne will make tell-tale puffy eyes a thing of the past. Dab a small amount along your orbital bone to reduce swelling, banish dark circles and firm the skin to keep you looking luminous all day long.
Kiehls Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream, $38
Attempting to cover up sleep-deprived skin with heavy duty foundation will only exaggerate lines and imperfections, so stick with a lightweight BB cream like this one from Kiehls instead. Not only does this multi-tasking champ treat skin discolouration and texture with a dose of vitamin C, it provides long-lasting hydration and sun protection, too.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat, $57
Hailed as eight hours of sleep in a pen, this YSL highlighter is your magic wand when it comes to creating a brighter complexion, vanquishing dark spots and disguising fine lines. Sweep a little across the tops of your cheeks, above your brow bones and add a dot to the inner corners of your eyes to transform tired-looking skin.