A Guide To Skin Care During Pregnancy

Skincare during pregnancy can be a stressful task for a mom-to-be. 

During pregnancy, your skin can become quite sensitive. Finding proper treatments and tips that will work for both you and your baby can seem overwhelming. Asking friends and other moms for advice can help, as well as checking in with your care provider.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SKIN DURING PREGNANCY?

Pregnancy is an amazing experience, but while some glow others break out or itch all over. When you are expecting, your body creates fifty percent more blood. This extra blood flow is what makes women look beautifully bright and glowing. On the other hand, the increase of hormones can over-stimulate your oil glands, leading to acne. This could make acne worse if you already have oily skin. It’s important to remember everyone is different and no regimen will work for everyone.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN DURING PREGNANCY

The best thing to do for your skin is to have a good and steady routine that you can stick to. Using fragrance-free and all-natural cleansers will help you to avoid any nausea or irritation artificial ingredients can cause. It is also important to not over wash as this can cause dryness. An excellent resource to use when checking if products are safe is the EWG’s Skin Deep database.

If you plan on using any acne treatments, consult your care provider first. The ingredients in acne treatments are not always safe to use while pregnant.

SAFE SKINCARE PRODUCTS

Finding a good product that is safe to use for skincare during pregnancy is not an easy venture. It is best to follow the all-natural and non-toxic approach if you can because it is the safest choice for you and your baby.

As mentioned, EWG has an excellent database ranking the safety of tens of thousands of products. To start below is a list of a few pregnancy-safe options:

1. True Botanicals
This company has certified MADE SAFE products. They promote having a pregnancy-safe skincare line. Their products avoid all ingredients not recommended for use during pregnancy. They offer everything from a hydrating cleanser to shampoo. Give their pregnancy safe body wash a try!

2. Amalou Skincare
This company offers a full line of safe products for skincare during pregnancy. That means they have safe products for the numerous skin changes pregnancy presents. Try the exfoliating face wash or get the whole pregnancy safe facial skincare kit.

3. Bone Broth

Bone broth is a great dietary way to help keep your skin stretchy. It contains gelatin, which is basically just cooked animal collagen. Daily consumption can help prevent stretch marks and keep skin supple, smooth, and healthy. Not to mention, all the wonderful vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids are great for both you and your baby!

Just make sure to only drink bone broth made with bones from pastured, healthy animals – not factory-farmed chickens or cows.  

Kettle & Fire makes great bone broth from healthy animals, or you can make your own at home. Buy your bones from a local farmer, Whole Foods (where they use a clear and helpful Animal Welfare Rating system), or from an online store like U.S. Wellness Meats.

4. Healthy Fats
Certain fats are not only healthy, but they’re also necessary for your body to grow another human being! Your baby needs healthy fats for optimal brain development, you need them for nutrient absorption (if you can’t absorb nutrients, you also can’t use them or pass them on to your baby), and saturated fats are a much-needed energy source for your growing little one.

Fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, pastured butter (unsalted), pastured egg yolks, and oily fish (think sardines and salmon) are excellent additions to a healthy diet. When you regularly take in these fats, they can help your skin to retain better hydration and elasticity and improve your baby’s health and development.

SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

When choosing products for your skincare during pregnancy, it’s important to know about the ingredients being used. Not all goods are made the same, and some are simply not safe due to the active ingredients.

1. Retinol
Products containing retinol should be avoided altogether. This ingredient is commonly found in anti-aging products and acne treatments. Accutane is an excellent example of retinoids. These vitamin-A derivatives can be detrimental to your growing baby’s cell development. They could also cause congenital disabilities.

2. Hydroquinone
This is usually found in skin treatments for melasma and other skin conditions. Over 45% of this is absorbed into the bloodstream and goes to your baby. It is best to stop using while pregnant and breastfeeding. No studies have been conducted; however, it would best to avoid any products with hydroquinone in it. This way your baby is not exposed.

3. Tetracycline
This ingredient is commonly found in prescription acne treatments. Like Accutane, this could lead to birth defects or miscarriage. These should be avoided during your pregnancy and breastfeeding.

4. Fragrance
Fragranced body and face washes can not only cause you to feel nauseous, but they can also dry out your skin. Some women even break out in rashes. Not everyone has to avoid fragrance, but it is best for some.

Some artificial fragrances can also be toxic to both you and your baby, and even some natural scents (like essential oils) can be harmful during pregnancy. It’s easiest to avoid them entirely during pregnancy.

SKIN PROBLEMS DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy causes many body changes, especially when it comes to your skin. Acne is a real issue for some pregnant women. It doesn’t just occur on your face either.

Melasma is a condition that causes areas on your skin to be darkened. Not everyone will experience a skin issue. You should consult with your physician before trying any medications, cleansers, or other remedies.
Trying to use products with all-natural and non-toxic ingredients is a great solution for you and your baby. This can help eliminate the possibility of adverse side effects.

Make sure to research where you are getting any cleansers from. There can be a lot of deceiving product information in today’s market. When using products and regimens for skincare, it’s important that what you choose is safe.

Your health (and your baby’s!) is so important. We hope these tips on skincare during pregnancy can be helpful.

Sources:
www.ewg.org
www.americanpregnancy.org
www.bodyecology.com
www.modernalternativemama.com
www.mnn.com