During pregnancy, your body — and your skin — change a lot and your pregnancy skincare routine will look a bit different from your normal regime.
When pregnant there can be obvious changes to your skin (hello pregnancy glow!) some might not be so obvious like the news that your go-to skincare products are not safe to use.
Developing a skin care routine can be daunting if you don’t know where to start ― especially if you’re pregnant. What passes through your skin can potentially pass through the blood-placental barrier to your baby, so it’s worth cleansing your vanity cabinet and stocking up on high-quality products.
There are countless brands out there loaded with chemicals that aren’t so great for you, and certainly not good for your baby. How do you know what is safe to use? Remember your skin is your largest organ, so you want to be keen on what’s clean in your beauty routine.
The most important step of starting the process is to wash your face before you go to bed at night. The next most crucial thing is using a good broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.
Here, we spoke with Jenna Unwin, Creator of global skincare brand Million Dollar Facial. to let you in on everything you need to know about achieving perfectly pampered skin during pregnancy.
What skincare products can you use while pregnant?
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in skin, hyaluronic acid can hold a thousand times its weight in water and helps to keep the skin hydrated, dewy and plump. Whether you have sensitive or acne-prone skin during your pregnancy, use hyaluronic acid followed by a moisturiser to help lock in that moisture.
Omega Moisture Rich Skin Cream
Dense creams help protect the skin from dryness and help maintain skin elasticity, often preventing stretch marks. A formula rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 will ensure your skin has the best fighting chance against pregnancy stretch marks.
Sulphate-Free Body Wash
When washing your body, it’s imperative not to dry out the skin and to use a gentle wash that maintains the skin’s pH. Our favorite is Geranium Rose Luxury Skin Wash by Georgia by G & Company, a light-lathering, luxurious and refreshing all-over body wash. It’s great for sensitive skin of all ages and anyone who prefers a gentle cleanse. It leaves skin with it’s natural glow due to the rich organic oils of coconut, olive and jojoba.
SPF
It’s extra important to be sun-safe during pregnancy, and wear sunscreen with both high factor (SPF50) UVB protection and UVA protection.
Chemical Free Scrub
The key to healthy elastic skin is to exfoliate, sweeping away the dull, itchy top skin layer and prompting cellular renewal in the lower layers where stretch marks occur. With the combination of natural ingredients, including shea butter and other nourishing essential oils, Basq Sugar Body Polish is made to penetrate deeply for intense skin fortification and elasticity.
Vitamin C
The natural pregnancy glow is real and unlike vitamin A-derived retinol, Vitamin C is safe to use during pregnancy and can be effective when combating dark spots.
Botanical Facial Care
You want a product line that makes your skin glow while fortifying it with nutrition and bio-actives to give you that glow! Botanical based products can work with the skin to produce amazing results. Tata Harper’s line of facial skin care products delivers. Start the day with her regenerating cleanser and see the difference in your glow, you will blind people with your radiance.
What skincare ingredients should I avoid when pregnant?
Microdermabrasion
Your skin is more sensitive in these 9 months, and microdermabrasion during this time may lead to irritation, breakouts, scarring of your skin and inflammation.
Retinol & Retinoids
These are made from vitamin A and are typically used for anti-aging, leaving you with smoother younger looking skin. There have been suggestions that it may cause problems in pregnancy. So, for the time being, we suggest dropping them from your skincare routine.
Salicylic acid
Although a staple in any acne fighting skin care regime, salicylic acid can actually internalise in the blood and cause salicylism may affect your pregnancy.
Tweakments
Botox, fillers or professional chemical peels will need to take a step back until after pregnancy and after breastfeeding has finished. While you’re pregnant, these peels may harm your ultra-sensitive skin.
Always take advice from your doctor or dermatologist if you need to address any specific skin issues during pregnancy
