How to look less tired - I'm a beauty editor and these 39 products will help you look and feel fresh
These beauty editor-approved products will help you fight tired skin
There are plenty of mums who want to know how to look less tired. That's why we've asked beauty experts to reveal their top tips, along with the best products for tired mums that will keep you feeling fresh.
We all know that not getting enough sleep can affect the body, and parents know that better than anyone - dealing with lack of sleep is pretty much part of the job description, after all. Even when the night feeds are over, you can still struggle to get a proper night's rest. Keeping a tiny human alive is an exhausting task, and while no one should be put under pressure to look their best while caring for a baby, some of these products might help you feel a bit more put together when the tiredness takes over.
As celebrity facialist and aesthetician Abigail Oleck notes: "Lack of sleep, stress and tiredness all cause the skin to look dull, as well as accelerating the ageing process." This can leave us reaching for a good eye cream to help get rid of dark circles or one of the best facial oils, and these little luxuries can make a great treat for tired mums who need a moment of self-care.
Abigail and other beauty gurus swear by a number of smart skincare swaps to help target the initial tell-tale signs of tiredness and we've shared their results below, some of which make the best gifts for new mums in need of a pick-me-up.
How to look less tired - tips from the experts
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Try a facial massage with oils
The benefits of facial massage are three fold, especially when enjoyed as part of your pre-sleep or morning routine. It’ll not only help to reduce puffiness, but help you to unwind too. And, when adopted in the mornings, it'll help boost circulation for wider awake appearance.
“At its core, facial massage uses the potent power of touch to help transform a person’s face, giving a sense of deep connection and peace,” says massage expert Beata Aleksandrowicz. “Face massage boosts blood circulation, firms the skin, and tones the muscles. It relieves tension and stress too. It also helps to encourage the flow of lymph and releases endorphins, which is one reason why, after a facial, we look, and feel younger.”
All you need is a facial oil or moisturiser and five minutes. A quick YouTube search will reward you with a barrage of how-to videos and guides, but the following is a great place to start.
“Gently press the flat part of the fingers of each hand into your temples and start to make mindful circles breathing regularly,” advises Beta. “Go slowly and intentionally - you will feel the tension release with every movement. Any soothing strokes that use the fingers of both hands in long brushing motions across the face will also bring a sense of calm. Make sure that your hands are light and you stroke gently.”
A superfood for the skin, this non-greasy facial oil is perfect for first time facial oil users, and is packed full of beneficial ingredients to leave the complexion feeling nourished and visibly transformed. It's 10-in-1 too, so perfect for busy mums who have little time to spare on their skincare routine.
This nightly skin concentrate is perfect for an evening face massage thanks to the soothing scent of neroli, lavender and chamomile - just because you have a busy family life doesn't mean you shouldn't take some time to pamper yourself. It utilises an aromatic, 100% plant oil blend to help replenish and rebalance complexions.
Powered by a nourishing botanical extract, The Ordinary’s Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil helps to hydrate and visibly brighten the complexion, while targeting visible signs of skin ageing. The omega fatty-acid rich oil lends soothing benefits to the skin, promising to smooth fine lines.
Reduce puffiness with an eye cream
The skin on our faces is thinnest around the eye area, and really takes the brunt of a bad night’s sleep. While the experts are in agreement that everyone should be treating this delicate skin, they’re divided as to whether this needs to be with a dedicated eye cream, or your normal moisturiser.
“A dedicated eye cream will help to reduce the look of puffiness, illuminate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet,” says Abigail Oleck.
“There’s no reason why you can’t use your regular moisturiser around the eye area if you choose to do so, assuming there are no active ingredients which may cause irritation such as exfoliating acids,” adds Dr Anjali Mahto. “However, many people opt to have a separate eye cream because the formulation is often lighter and therefore better for the delicate skin around the eye area. An additional reason why someone may opt for a separate eye cream is you’ll often find ingredients specifically included for their benefit for the area, such as caffeine.” Look out for nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid too.
Drunk Elephant has long solidified a glamorous reputation, so this product will go down a treat with beauty lovers. It's a rich and restorative eye cream featuring a brightening combination of peptides, vitamin C and cucumber extract for a firmer, stronger-looking eye area.
A deeply hydrating eye cream formulated to minimise the appearance of fine lines and dark circles, this eye cream is infused with a potent blend of botanical ingredients to promote visibly smoother, firmer and brighter eye contours. It's suitable for all skin types, so any mums out there with tired eyes can feel rejuvenated with the help of this cream.
Rehydrate your skin
Dry skin tends to be low in lipids, the fatty acids that help give skin its bounce. “You can tell if your skin is lacking in oil or lipids by the following characteristics: dull, irritated, flaky, and lacking in glow,” explains Abigail Oleck. Not only are these characteristics frustrating and at times uncomfortable, but they serve to make you look tired too. The problem then becomes two-fold, as fatigue can cause you to neglect your skincare regime, exasperating these issues.
“To remedy this, we need to use products such as hyaluronic acid, take supplements such as Omega 6 and Omega 3 and eat foods such as oily fish, fruit, vegetables and seeds,” continues Abigail. Drinking plenty of water will help too, working from the inside out.
Squalane is great for boosting elasticity and bounce in dry skin, to help conceal those signs of a bad night's sleep. The great thing about this multi-tasking oil is it can be used on your hair and body as well, which is why it's one of our top picks for busy mums looking for multi-use products.
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our skin, but its levels deplete as we age. See this as a top-up, restoring lost radiance and bounce for tired skin, and promising to create a filling effect where lines are concerned.
It's a slightly pricier option but makes a great gift for tired mums, helping them to feel and look fresher during those early mornings before school.
Add a flush of colour with blusher
If you’re not using a blusher, you’re missing a trick. “Our skin is made up of a multitude of shades and tones,” says Kaytlin Scott, Senior Pro Artist at MAC Cosmetics. “When we apply foundation and concealer we are blocking this variety of tones from being visible. This is why we have highlighter, bronzer, contour and blush: to bring that dimension and life back to our faces! Blusher replicates the natural blood flow we get when our cheeks are flushed and so makes us look perky and youthful. For a lifted look, apply your blusher starting just behind the apple of the cheeks and blend up to the temples.”
Powder formulas are the longest lasting, while cream and liquid formulas provide a softer, more diffused pop of colour.
Ever-popular Glossier products make for a great gift. This sheer, easy-to-use, buildable Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush that contains blurring pigments for natural, seamless, streak-free, dewy cheek colour and a lit-from-within glow.
There are a range of shades to choose from, so you can find the perfect colour to help you feel fresh, even when the exhaustion is kicking in.
A favourite on TikTok, this viral blush is perfect for beauty lovers. It's a weightless, long-lasting liquid blush that blends and builds beautifully - simply dab on your cheeks as you head out on the school run for a soft, healthy flush.
A luxury beauty product that makes a great pick-me-up for mums, this designer offering has a fine, lightweight texture that glides on to the skin and blends seamlessly to create an instant healthy glow effect.
Gift to busy mums to let them know how much you appreciate all the work they do, or buy for yourself as the treat you deserve for those nights of interrupted sleep.
Hide dark circles with concealer
Slap-dash or heavy-handed concealer application can unfortunately undo all your good intentions, drawing attention to the very dark circles you were trying to hide. Choose a light, buildable formula and apply with a light touch. “Fingers and a light buffing brush are great for under the eye,” says make-up artist Ruby Hammer.
In some cases, a flesh coloured concealer won’t be enough to fully disguise purple-toned rings. “A pink, peach or red colour corrector will take away darkness and allow your under eyes to look bright and awake,” advises celebrity make-up artist Bryony Blake. Wear the colour-corrector beneath your normal concealer for maximum blurring potential when you want to look more awake.
This iconic YSL product shapes, highlights and contours your base with the click of a button. Perfect for masking under-eye circles from sleepless nights, this multi-purpose highlighter pen is a miracle product for those mornings when you're running late for the school run.
Like shapewear for the eyes and face, this creamy, skin-like, medium-to-full-coverage concealer visibly conceals, brightens, and lifts eyes and face. It's designed with a doe-foot applicator for easy application too.
This multi-use concealer covers and sculpts as well as hydrates for a lightweight, crease-proof, natural finish. As well as reducing the appearance of blemishes and dark circles it helps to improve the look of your skin over time, thanks to its barrier-restoring Hyaluronic AI Plant Complex.
Avoid heavy eye make-up
When it comes to eye make-up to help you look less tired, less is more. “If you desire a brighter look, the best place to start is swapping your black eyeliner for a soft or reflective brown,” explains Kaytlin Scott. “You will obtain the same definition of the eye, but in a much gentler way.”
“Finish off your eye look with a touch of your highlighter or a light eyeshadow right on the inner corners of your eye, as well as wrapped around the first third of your lower lash line for a bright and open appearance.”
A more forgiving alternative to harsh black liquid liner, which can make you look more tired - this brown pencil is packed full of pigment that lasts all day and a soft, subtle, blendable line that is easy to control - perfect for mums who don't have the time to be faffing about with a winged look in the morning.
Forget fiddly brushes, this illuminating eyeshadow is best blended with your fingertips thanks to its smooth, creamy formula. We recommend the shade 'truffle' - the champagne shade has just the right amount of shimmer for a brighter look.
Creamy and luxurious, dot on the inner corners of your eyes for a wide-awake look thanks to this highlighting stick. The long-wearing, innovative formula adjusts to your body temperature to effortlessly blend into the skin, perfect for breathing a subtle brightness into tired eyes.
Try a lighter foundation
Have you been wearing the same foundation for years? It might be time for a fresh start. High-coverage formulas can look mask-like when you’re tired, so swap for something lighter and dewier. “Heavy matte bases can sit very dry on the skin which will instantly make texture and fine lines look more prominent on the face,” advises Bobbi Brown Pro Artist, Zara Findlay. “You want to look for a base that looks and feels like skin.”
Committed to your full coverage? No problem. Just rethink your application instead to stop your makeup looking cakey. “My favourite way of applying a full coverage foundation is with a firm bristle brush and I like to press the product into my skin - especially in areas you want more coverage,” says Bryony Blake. “I then buff it out in the areas that need less coverage. By doing it this way you will get the coverage you want but, at the same time, it won’t look caked on or too heavy. Beauty blenders are also a popular tool to apply foundation with as you can use a gentle patting motion to apply the product.”
A cult classic for good reason, this is the secret weapon of rosacea sufferers, but it's great for dull and tired skin too.
It effectively hides any redness or dark circles, without a cakey or mask-like finish, meaning busy mums don't have to spend ages blending. Plus, it's SPF 50 so will help protect you from sun damage when you're out and about with the kids on sunny days.
Instead of a traditional foundation, this is 70% serum, delivering a hefty dose of hydration and leaving skin with a healthy, rested and radiant glow.
It's enriched with a cocktail of Aloe Vera, Ginger and Witch Hazel too, providing a multitude of benefits for tired skin - perfect for those who are regular kept up all night by their little ones.
This is a hydrating gel-cream foundation that nourishes skin, for buildable light to medium coverage with a natural-to-you finish. Squalane and glycerin to hydrate and nourish the skin’s moisture barrier, while wild rose berry and plankton extract help balance the look of shine.
Give fake tan a go
Brush any negative connotations concerning orange tones or streaks aside, the best fake tans for your face are almost foolproof. Apply before bed and we guarantee you’ll wake up looking refreshed, even if you don’t feel it.
“There are many sensible reasons to get your bronze from a bottle - UV rays being the enemy of healthy skin - but, a good self tan is more than a substitute for carrot oil and frying in the sun,” explains Senior Beauty Editor Fiona McKim. “Tanning was historically unfashionable, rejected by upper classes as it suggested a life working outside, but that’s exactly why I love it today. It speaks of health, outdoorsyness and a lifestyle full of vim and vigour. Perhaps you spent the weekend in an allotment, pulling organic kale from the earth? Maybe you went hiking in the Hollywood hills with a flask full of green juice - who can say? With your trusty self tanner nobody need know you’ve been indoors eating shreddies and watching Peppa Pig since 6am.”
Scented with ylang-ylang, jasmine and lavender, this tan smells akin to a fancy pillow spray, helping you to nod off after a night of broken sleep.
It also includes hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, glycerin to lock in moisture and vitamin C to brighten, leaving you looking extra glowy - even when exhaustion is beginning to take hold.
Infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to moisturise and brighten, Skinny Tan’s Coconut Water Face Tanning Essence develops gradually, warming your skin with a lovely golden glow with the added benefit of skincare.
If getting up in the dark to get the kids ready for school has left you looking a bit pasty, this face tan is a great choice.
For busy mums, there's no need to worry about painstaking application with this product. Simply add a few drops of this tanner into your favourite serum or moisturiser for a sun-kissed glow. With skin-boosting and smoothing properties of raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, this product works in synergy with your existing skincare routine.
Try a brighter lipstick
If in doubt, throwing on a bold lip is very much the mantra of our beauty team, who know all about the best red lipsticks. Bold pinks suit both pale and darker skin tones, and orange-toned reds are great if your skin has yellow or olive tones.
"I think of bold lipstick as very much a ‘watch the birdie' beauty trick,” says Senior Beauty Editor Fiona McKim. “Essentially everyone is so distracted and impressed by your punchy lippie that almost anything could be happening with the rest of your face and it’s very unlikely they’ll notice.
"This makes bold lipstick great for hangover days, when you’re knackered or in a rush and need to appear to have made an effort when all you’ve really done is scribble one product on. It’s a little more high maintenance than, say, a smoky eye once it’s on but the effort to impact ratio is still unbeatable."
A cult classic for good reason. Apply, blot and repeat for all-day wear that won't transfer onto the rim of your glass. Perfect for detracting from a tired appearance, but also a luxury gift that any new mum will appreciate.
Don't forget your mascara
Never underestimate the power of that little tube. Mascara will not only make your lashes look longer and darker, increasing fluttery-ness in the process, but make your eyes look wider and brighter. “Even if you don’t have time for anything else, mascara is a must,” says Bryony Blake. “My top tip is to put a little mascara on your bottom lashes as well to really make your eyes pop.”
If your lashes don’t have a natural curl, then Kaytlin Scott recommends, “giving your lashes a good few squeezes with lash curlers to instantly open up your eyes.” If you really wanted to commit to the curl, lash treatments like LVL offer a semi-permanent solution, with results lasting between 6-8 weeks.
The innovative brush uses bristles of six different lengths to make sure every single lash is coated - even the tiny fair ones you didn't even know you had - to add volume, definition and delivering a dramatic finish.
If your eyes are feeling tired after a night kept up by the kids, this volumising mascara promises to add that twinkle back, leaving you looking fresher.
Doing just as it says on the tube, this long-wearing mascara won't budge, crumble or smudge during the day - even if you can't help rubbing those tired eyes. The buildable mascara can be applied sparingly for a natural finish, or built upon layer after layer for an intensified lash look.
Use exfoliating acids to brighter skin tone
A modern (and less messy!) alternative to gritty, grainy physical exfoliants, alpha-hydroxy acids - otherwise known as AHAs - are chemical exfoliants. “Using gentle chemical exfoliators can help remove the upper layer of dead skin cells and reveal a brighter skin tone and complexion,” explains Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist at 55 Harley Street. So, instead of looking grey and dull, your skin looks perky and fresh.
Glycolic is one of the most commonly used AHAs, and thanks to its small molecule size, can penetrate easily into the skin. The results are impressive and instant, making this a satisfying addition to your skincare regime, and a failsafe answer to the quandary of how to look less tired.
Glycolic can be too full-on for sensitive skin, so if your complexion is easily irked, try an AHA with a larger size molecule, like lactic, malic or mandelic acid instead. They’ll still effectively exfoliate your skin, just at a slightly slower rate - perfect if you keep waking up early, but want to look more rested.
This exclusive formula contains a unique blend of four AHA’s (glycolic, lactic, malic, and tartaric acid) as well as 0.5% BHA (salicylic acid) to powerfully, yet gently remove dead skin cells to dramatically improve the signs of dry, dull skin and uneven skin tone.
An at-home AHA peel designed to visibly transform the texture of your skin. With rapid results, Sleep Glycolic is the perfect night time treatment to banish dull, uneven toned complexions with fast skin-smoothing results.
Powered by a 7% concentration of glycolic acid, this toner buffs away dead skin cells and impurities, encouraging a smooth, luminous look. Supported by Tasmanian pepperberry extract, the water-based treatment lends a soothing effect, suitable for all skin types.
Get started on retinol
Prolonged periods of insomnia can take its toll on your skin, with fine lines becoming more prominent. Enter retinol (also known as Vitamin A), the potent anti-ageing ingredient. “Scientific studies show that retinoids can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin pigmentation after 12 weeks of use,” says Dr Anjali Mahto. “They are also useful for those with sun damaged skin and acne (they act as an exfoliant and improve skin cell turnover).”
When introducing retinol into your regime, start slowly with a low percentage of around 0.1%, applied once or twice a week. As your skin becomes more tolerant, you can increase both the strength and the frequency. You won’t see results immediately, but will notice your skin gradually becoming smoother and brighter.
Bear in mind that you should avoid retinol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
A pricey option but with good reason, this retinol cream is ideal for first time retinol users. It utilises botanical extracts to nourish the skin, while its airy texture ensures enhanced comfort. In a consumer study, 100% agreed that lines and wrinkles were visibly reduced while tone and texture were improved.
Sensitive skin is not always well-suited to retinol, but this one uses a slow-release technology to avoid any redness or flaking. The concentrated serum is infused with vitamin B3 to leave the skin feeling smoother, hydrated and renewed for a dewy and healthy-looking glow.
If you're serious about adding retinol to your routine to reduce the signs of tired skin, Medik8's Crystal Retinol range will guide you through the process. Start with the lowest dose, and work your way up - we think raising kids means you deserve to invest in your own skincare routine!
Increase your vitamin C intake
Not just a must in your diet for healthiest skin, vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that works wonders on lacklustre complexions. “When applied topically, Vitamin C brightens the skin and helps to reinforce the skin's natural protection against the sun's UV Rays and pollution in the air, which can cause free radical damage,” explains Abigail Oleck. “To maximise the effects of your vitamin C, use every AM under your SPF after cleansing.”
Confusingly, there are lots of different types of vitamin C. “L-ascorbic acid should be considered the “gold-standard” for topical vitamin C,” says Dr Anjali Mahto. “It is most effective at a concentration of 10-20%. However, in higher percentages, it can cause irritation especially in those with sensitive skin. Weaker, more stable derivatives of vitamin C in skin care include ascorbyl palmitate, ethyl ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl tetra-isopalmitoyl, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate."
A pick-me-up in a tub for tired skin, this vitamin C packed serum is also formulated with aloe vera for a soothing treat - what a way to wake yourself up after a night of broken sleep.
Skin feels instantly smoother and softer, with a visibly less dull and more radiant complexion.
In need of some serious glow after a bad night's sleep? This serum uses a complexion-boosting complex of ginger, golden turmeric and vitamin C to help you fake a full eight hours - even when the kids have been keeping you up all night.
Hate the feel of oils and moisturisers? This lightweight gel could be the vitamin C for you.
90% of consumers tested agreed skin has a healthy glow after seven days of use, so take a bit of time for yourself in the midst of busy family life and get rewarded with extra-glowy skin.
We spoke to the following experts:
Abi specialises in advanced skin treatment's, metabolic peels and aesthetic treatments and is regarded as an expert in the Industry amongst her clients and fellow care professionals.
Abi is also a well-respected educator herself working with brands such as Ruuby, Amanda Caroline Skin Care, Sand and Sky, Vichy and by hosting masterclasses and teaching fellow therapists.
Beata Aleksandrowicz is an internationally-acclaimed specialist in massage, facials and spa treatments. A renowned writer and speaker, Beata is known for her visionary approach to touch and deep-healing therapy.
She has an exclusive client list which includes TV presenters, newspaper and magazine editors alongside fashion and beauty directors.
Dr Anjali Mahto is one of the UK’s leading consultant dermatologists who has worked in both the UK public healthcare sector and private clinics. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, member of the Royal Society of Medicine and a spokesperson for The British Skin Foundation.
Anjali now practises in London’s Harley Street where she treats patients with diverse skin concerns, helping them to create clinically-informed solutions based on a holistic approach to quality skincare and lifestyle.
Awarded an MBE in 2007 for her long-standing contribution to the cosmetics industry, Ruby pioneered the movement towards inclusivity in beauty in the UK. A global makeup artist, brand founder and beauty expert, Ruby has used her 30 years experience within the beauty industry, working across editorial, commercial shoots, haute couture catwalks and TV to teach people to embrace and enhance their natural, unique beauty.