We had the pleasure of sitting down with Erin Larson, HydroPeptide‘s lead aesthetician and head of education, to get her secrets to keeping baby-safe and happy skin during pregnancy.
How have you changed your routine since you became pregnant?
Since I’ve gotten pregnant, I’ve noticed a lot more acne. It’s been really tricky to treat my acne, but after trying different remedies and some clearskin products, it has helped me better manage the skin issues I was having before getting pregnant.
I haven’t had to cut anything out of my skincare routine, one of the reasons is because I do use HydroPeptide’s Spot Correction- it has an active ingredient called colloidal sulfur and is generally accepted as safe. So I didn’t make any major changes to my routine other than when I had breakouts, which had to be dealt with differently.
Some ingredients to avoid during pregnancy are:
The three ingredients you should avoid are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol to help minimize your chances of having an adverse reaction. Ask your doctor about every new item you add to your skincare routine when pregnant.
Is it realistic that putting something on your skin will have an effect during pregnancy?
It’s such a small amount, no need to worry about that. Let’s say you have a breakout, you get treatment with salicylic acid and it does not work on the first or second try. It’s unlikely that it will hurt your skin, but always consult your doctor first.
Most women don’t need to be too concerned, because they would have eaten the food before they knew they were pregnant. However, if you’re eating certain ingredients that can enter the bloodstream, then it is important to understand how this might affect your pregnancy. So, despite being unlikely it’s best to stay safe and check for any wiring issues.
Many women look lovely and have radiant skin throughout their pregnancies and then things change. What is the cause of this change?
One of the most common skin problems to develop during pregnancy is malasma, or darkening of the skin. This often happens because of hormonal changes and has earned it the nickname “mask of pregnancy.”
Our LumaPro-C lotion is perfect as protection against hyperpigmentation. Adding LumaPro-C and sunscreen will be a great defense to combat it. The Vitamin C Peel (Polish & Plump Peel) also helps get rid of hyperpigmentation. For malasma, we recommend you treat during pregnancy. However, to really see improvement long-term you should treat till the hormones change again.
What are some other skincare issues that are more likely to happen during pregnancy?
Breakouts (acne) are a big problem. Acne can happen for a number of reasons – and hormonal changes are one. But hormones also increase oil production, and this is actually the cause of the so-called ‘glow’ that goes with pregnancy!
Basically, with an increase in oil production, things can either go really well or really poorly. To help lessen the appearance of stretch marks, we recommend using our Firming Moisturizer to diminish their texture and discoloration. Swelling and puffiness are often caused by factors like lack of sleep or excessive stress, so it’s crucial to keep this in mind and use an appropriate treatment. One of the most effective is our eye mask which contains collagen.
Why is checking with your doctor important even if a product has no known contraindications?
Ideally, it’s important to talk to your doctor before using any new product on your skin during pregnancy. It may be difficult for the pregnant woman to detect any potential reactions on her own, but doctors are trained in identifying the cause of reactions and understand what’s safe and what isn’t.
Read also: Pregnancy skin care