4 Steps of Good Pregnancy Skin Care: What You Should Know?

Facial skin often looks brighter and healthier during pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal changes to the body and makes it seem more radiant. But what most people don’t talk about are the many other skin-related side effects of pregnancy. These include skin discoloration, sensitivity and unfortunately acne.

pregnancy skin care

It can be challenging to keep up with pregnancy skin care routines when you have other, more important things going on in your life. So it’s good to know that our skin care routine is specifically developed with pregnant women in mind – we’re here to help until you don’t need us any longer, albeit temporarily! It can be hard to navigate the countless pregnancy-safe products on the market, however luckily there are a lot of products available that are not only safe for pregnant women to use but also budget-friendly and save you time.

Skin Changes During Pregnancy

Along with a lot of other changes happening in your body as it’s subjected to pregnancy hormones, you’ll probably notice your skin going through some changes too, including:

Pregnancy Skin Care: Products to Avoid

products to avoid during pregnancy

It mustn’t be a shock that not all skin care products are safe for pregnant women. Before we get into what is safe, the most important thing to know is what to avoid so you can reduce reactions.

Pregnant women should avoid using these skin care products because they can either cause harm or irritation:

Read also: Premature skin aging

Safe Skin Care During Pregnancy

Here are a few natural remedies for some of the most common skin issues during pregnancy:

1. Acne & Hyperpigmentation

hyperpigmentation

If you often get breakouts or sudden flashbacks to youth-like skin, there are safer alternatives to using retinol-based products while expecting and one of the most effective is glycolic acid.

There is evidence to suggest that consuming large quantities of glycolic acid helps with psoriasis, but it’s unwise for pregnant women to use. In small amounts mentioned in over-the-counter products, it appears that the substance isn’t harmful and may be safe. Glycolic acid and azelaic acid are also powerful anti-aging ingredients that work to diminish the appearance of fine lines, brighten skin tone, & fade the dark marks from acne.

2. Anti-aging / Wrinkles

anti aging during pregnancy

Just like they work wonders to keep your immune system in tiptop condition and to protect your body from free radicals, topical antioxidants such as vitamin C can also help you maintain the smooth and healthy look of your skin by protecting it from damage while also maintaining collagen.

Other pregnancy-safe antioxidants to try in your skin care products include:

3. Dry Skin & Stretch Marks

stretch marks during pregnancy skin care

There’s no doubt that pregnancy requires a lot from your body and causes hormonal changes, which can lead to dry skin. It’s important to know this if you’re pregnant, so be sure to drink more water whenever possible!

Drinking plenty of water is one way to combat the dryness that comes with cold weather, but in addition to that, adding a moisturizer with ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides and HA can also help. And here’s the other thing – to prevent stretch marks, one strategy is to moisturize “prone zones” which can help skin stretch more naturally as your belly and baby grow.

4. Sun Protection

sun protection

The best way to protect your skin is through sunscreen and use of other UV protection techniques, but what should you do during pregnancy?

Chemical sunscreen products may not be as safe as many believe, which is why it’s smart to try mineral-based sunscreens. These types of products are safer for the skin and can reflect the UV rays more effectively. Ensure you are protected with mineral-based sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses is also crucial to avoid exposure.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to say goodbye to a favourite skin care regimen, but we’re confident you’ll do anything to protect your little one.

To minimize the risk of harm to you or your baby, it’s best to avoid drugs with ingredients that could be harmful during pregnancy. A study backs up the use of prescription retinoids, used for conditions such as acne, as being one of the most significant causes for birth defects in humans and animals.

While it may be hard to find safe options for pregnancy skin care, at least our list of pregnancy-safe skin care products is here to help. It’s important to make healthy choices with your unborn baby in mind.

Read also: Best foods for skin repair

References