As soon as you find out that you are expecting, your whole world changes. You start taking better care of yourself and your body, stay hydrated and eat healthy food. You may also start to educate yourself more about the journey and to know what’s safe and what’s not.
You also start reconsidering your skincare routine and wonder if every product that you use is pregnancy-safe.
Well honestly, there are certain skincare rules that you have to follow during pregnancy. But then again, when you are pregnant, different skin concerns such as pigmentation, acne, and eczema start to sprout up, and then you think, “How do I tackle these skin concerns now? Is there any safe way to deal with them?”
Fret not, there are plenty of safe ways to deal with pregnancy skin concerns. You can start by using products that are safe yet effective.
Skincare Rules That You Should Follow During Pregnancy
While some women enjoy flawless pregnancy glow and thick voluminous hair during pregnancy, others may find themselves drowned in problems like acne, pigmentation, and dull skin. This usually occurs due to hormonal changes in the body and resolves naturally after giving birth.
Although these skin concerns tend to get in your way to glowing skin, just know that they are treatable and can be tackled by following a few skincare rules.
Load Up On Your Moisturiser
When you are pregnant, your skin tends to get dry easily. This especially occurs in areas such as knees, elbows, and nipples. This happens due to hormonal changes and can cause irritation and discomfort.
To prevent your skin from drying up, ensure to moisturise all over your body, twice a day. Go for a natural body lotion that contains ingredients like cocoa butter, rosehip oil, chamomile oil, and rose oil to deeply nourish and hydrate your skin.
Also, as your pregnancy progresses, you may notice stretch marks in your abdomen, hip, and buttock areas. Although it is a temporary concern, you can still use a natural stretch oil to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and nourish the skin.
Avoid Using Anti Acne Spot Treatments
Acne spot treatments typically contain chemicals like clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients work wonders in treating acne effectively but should be completely avoided during pregnancy, even if there’s a sudden breakout.
Instead, use natural products such as green tea-infused face wash and face cream in your skincare routine. These products will help heal your acne and are safe too.
Consult Your Doctor Before Signing Up For New Skin Treatments
If chemical peels and extensive therapies are your way of dealing with skin concerns, then we are sorry to break it to you, they are a no-go during pregnancy. You can still get a facial done once a month, but make sure to avoid heat therapy or any machine that uses electric current. You should also avoid undergoing treatments such as laser and botox treatments. Just to be super-safe, check with your doctor before getting any kind of skin treatment.
Make Sunscreen Your Best Friend
During pregnancy, your skin may not deal well with the sun. This usually happens because your skin tends to be more sensitive when you are pregnant and improper sun protection can lead to pigmentation, patches, redness, and inflammation of your skin. Therefore, make sure you never step out of your house without wearing sunscreen and carry a long-brimmed hat or a sunglass for an added layer of protection.
Also if you are someone who uses a chemical sunscreen, now is the right time to swap it with a mineral-based formula. Buy a natural daily sunscreen that contains mild and pregnancy-safe ingredients while offering you full protection from the sun.
Add Vitamin C To Your Skincare Routine
Vitamin C is one miracle skincare ingredient that serves as a one-stop solution for all your pregnancy skin concerns. It is a powerful antioxidant that brightens your complexion, provides nourishment, reduces acne, and lightens dark spots.
It even illuminates your skin from within. Make it a habit to include a Vitamin C-infused serum in both your AM and PM routine to achieve that pregnancy glow. Using it regularly will help with tissue repair, heal your skin, and keep it healthy and shiny.
Say ‘No’ To Retinoids
Retinol is a skincare ingredient most found in night repair creams. It works to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and slows down the ageing process. But using retinol-based products during pregnancy isn’t safe as many studies have shown that continued use of retinol during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
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You can still use products formulated with bakuchiol (a natural alternative to retinol) as it is safe for pregnant women. Use an anti-ageing night cream with bakuchiol and aloe vera to reduce dullness, dark spots, and fine lines on your skin.
Do Not Skip Your Skincare Routine
It’s normal for you to feel lazy during this time but you still cannot throw your skincare routine out the window. Trust us, that could have worse consequences. You will need to use a cleanser, toner, moisturiser, as well as a serum to maintain your skin’s health throughout pregnancy. Just stick to using natural and organic products and you will be golden.
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So there you have it, a complete list of skincare rules to follow during pregnancy. Make sure to follow a consistent skincare routine that is pregnancy-safe and consult your doctor in case your skin concerns persist. Until then, happy skincare mumma!
