Quick & Easy Skincare Tips for Pregnant Women

• Common skin issues that happen when you're pregnant

• 8 skincare tips for pregnant women

• Take Away

Becoming a mother, especially for the first time, is a special moment in any woman's life, but it comes with its own set of challenges. From morning sickness to dietary changes and skincare woes, your daily life starts to follow a whole new routine to look after yourself and your growing baby. 

Common skin issues that happen when you're pregnant

A woman's body goes through various hormonal changes in her life—the most important one being pregnancy. In most cases, skin and hair issues such as acne, hair fall and dull skin get resolved easily after the first trimester, and the woman's skin looks ravishing. But in certain cases, there could be a flare-up of acne and a rise in pigmentation, which is very common and called the ‘pregnancy mask' or melasma.

Hormonal acne

Hormonal changes, increased sensitivity and more oil excretion, as well as excessively dry skin, can lead to acne during pregnancy. However, they can be treated during pregnancy, so go consult your doctor and find out what you can do to boost your skin health and reduce acne naturally.

Pigmentation

Increased sensitivity to the sun, paired with hormonal fluctuations, can cause pigmentation all over the body and even in the folds on your body, like at the neck or under your armpits. This makes applying adequate sunscreen very important. Pregnant women are also now prone to melasma or chloasma on the face. This is a kind of hyperpigmentation caused due to the excess production of melanin, which may be seen in the form of dark or brown patches near your forehead, upper lips, cheekbones, etc. 

Stretch marks

This is a very common problem faced by women during pregnancy. Your skin stretches and expands to make space (room) for your child, often resulting in stretch marks. Although the skin is usually very elastic, when it is overstretched, there is the permanent snapping of the collagen and elastin fibres in the tissue, which arise these. It is necessary to moisturise your skin regularly, especially during pregnancy, to reduce its appearance. When it comes to treating stretch marks, the earlier you start, the better it will be to treat.

8 skincare tips for pregnant women

Don't stop your skincare routine altogether 

Many times patients start using absolutely nothing during their pregnancy as it isn't a good practice. You still need to use a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, niacinamide toner, moisturiser etc, to maintain the health of your skin. You can opt for more natural and organic products if you feel more comfortable.

Load up on moisturiser

Moisturise frequently to avoid stretch marks, decrease itchiness and soothe the dry skin caused due to pregnancy. Moisturise all over your body, especially elbows, knees, nipples etc, as they tend to become drier.

Consult your gynaecologist before you start any new skin treatments

A facial can be taken once a month, but make sure you avoid any extensive heat therapy and use of any machine that involves an electric current. Do not undergo treatments like Botox, fillers or lasers during your pregnancy time, and avoid chemical peels as well.

Your sunscreen is now even more important

Due to heightened sensitivity, your skin may not deal well with the sun or any new skincare products. So never step out without sunscreen, especially during your pregnancy as your skin is very sensitive to the sun at this time. 

You might need to move to shave as your preferred hair removal method

Though there is no evidence of waxing being unsafe during your pregnancy, the increased skin sensitivity, caused due to hormonal changes in your body, can make the procedure very painful. You can consult your dermatologist about your best options before using anything new on your skin.

Say no to retinoids and isotretinoin

Stop using any night cream, especially those with retinoids or salicylic acid.  Studies show that regular use of topical retinoids during pregnancy can cause birth defects. While isotretinoin might usually give you that beautiful, acne-free skin, it also needs to be avoided when you're trying to get pregnant. Though it is used for anti-acne treatments, isotretinoin should be avoided while trying to conceive as it can also cause birth defects if used in your pregnancy. It should also be avoided before pregnancy as it could lead to changes in your menstrual cycle, making it difficult for you to conceive.

Don't use anti-acne spot treatments

Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, which are amazing for acne otherwise, should also be avoided during pregnancy even if there is a sudden breakout of acne. You can instead use mild AHA topicals available OTC that contain glycolic acid, as they will help heal the acne and are safe to be used in pregnancy. 

Add a Vitamin C serum to your skincare routine

You might be thinking, can I use Vitamin C serum while pregnant? Well, vitamin C serums are used for brightening purposes. It's a great antioxidant and safe to be used during pregnancy. It helps with tissue repair, healing and keeping your skin glowing and healthy.

Take Away

It’s not easy to give up your beloved skincare routine, but you can do anything to protect your little one.

This includes avoiding products that can be harmful to you or your baby before and during pregnancy.

You can consult your OB/GYN or dermatologist for guidance on your specific pregnancy skin-care concerns.