Safe Skincare During Pregnancy-And What To Avoid
Pregnancy is such a magical time, I absolutely loved every minute of it. During this time it is almost inconceivable how amazing your body is, whilst growing and nurturing this tiny human your body goes through so many changes, and you mustn’t forget your largest organ of all, your skin! As your hormones are all over the place you may find your skin responding very differently to normal as our hormones play a big role in how our skin behaves, it’s also so important you use safe skincare during pregnancy and know what you can and cannot use so I will clear all that up along with some recommendations for some perfect pregnancy products you deserve to keep your skin beautiful and glowing during this precious time.
What to use and what to avoid
I’m starting here as its definitely the most important, so you must not be using any products containing Retinols, Retin A and Retinoids whilst pregnant, these derive from Vitamin A, an anti ageing ingredient in a lot of skin care products in varying strengths and forms but a definite no no in the stronger forms. Sometimes this is prescribed for the treatment of more severe acne too.
For a luxurious range of anti ageing skin care that’s all completely safe, natural and excellent quality try Nakin’s anti ageing skin care range, its all completely safe to use during pregnancy and they have a wide range of products from cleansers, to serums, eye creams and lip balms.
Sunscreens
It’s so important to protect your skin from the sun and one really common skin complaint during pregnancy is hyper pigmentation. The best way to prevent this is to use sunscreen everyday, even when indoors, those ageing UV even penetrate glass and are consistent throughout the day.
Chemical sunscreens contain harmful chemicals such as Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, oxtinoxate, menthyl anthranilate and oxtocrylene, these are absolutely best avoided. Chemical sunscreens should even be avoided when breast feeding as oxybenzone has been reported to be found in breast milk. Instead, use a broad spectrum physical SPF, these reflect the suns harmful UV by using titanium oxide or zinc oxide much better for your skin and for baby with no harmful chemicals.
I recomemend Eclat Mineral Sunscreen
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening ingredient used for reducing pigmentation but you would definitely want to avoid this too whilst pregnant even though you may be experiencing pigmentation or malasma which is a very common skin concern during pregnancy, you may also notice a darker line from your navel to your pubic bone, this is called “the line of Nigra” and usually disappears after your babies born, the darker spots on your face can be a bit more stubborn but can be treated after your pregnancy but you can certainly help prevent more pigmentation by protecting your skin from UV with broad spectrum high factor physical SPF to reduce hyper pigmentation.
A natural and safe way to treat your pigmentation is with LED light therapy, you can do this from the comfort of your own home with an LED light mask and it’s completely chemical free. It can also be used to treat Acne and lines and wrinkles. LED light can be an excellent way to treat multiple skin concerns gently and safely and any skin type can benefit. A great alternative to skin care products whilst you’re pregnant and you can continue to use it after your babies born as the benefits are endless!
Commonly during pregnancy whilst the hormone Androgen levels are soaring acne can be a real bother so another one to give a miss are products containing Salicylic Acid also known as a Beta Hydroxy Acid, this would usually be found in products used to target acne, aswell as Benzoyl Peroxide and Accutane which is only available on prescription again to treat more severe acne and should be avoided when expecting. Instead, try something with Lactic acid, witch hazel green tea and aloe.
Stretch marks
These have to be the most common bothersome skin complaint of pregnancy. As your body expands and your skin stretches to accommodate you’re growing baby you can start to experience these reddish streaks over your bump, breasts legs or arms anywhere you’ve gained weight quickly.
They will fade to a silvery white colour over time but you can definitely try to prevent these pesky marks by keeping your skin well moisturised with some beautiful mum to be body lotions butters or oils, there are some gorgeous ones you can truly indulge in to look after that bump and pamper yourself at the same time.
My favourites are by The Spoiled Mama a US based company that’s offers free shipping, they offer a great range of pregnancy safe products, to see you through to breastfeeding and beyond. All beautiful products and free from any harmful chemicals, non-toxic, vegan friendly and organic!
What about make up
During pregnancy it’s not unusual for your skin to become extra sensitive and irritated by some of the ingredients in your make up. As a completely safe option go for Youngblood Mineral makeup. Makeup that’s actually good for your skin! It doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients like chemicals or dyes that will irritate your skin. Furthermore, it’s none comedogenic meaning it won’t clog your pores so if your skin is acne prone it will actually help it to heal.
If you have any more concerns regarding your skin please do not hesitate to leave me a message or comment below, I love to hear all your thoughts and experiences and let us all know how your skin is during your pregnancy. It’s always nice to compare notes.
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While as a man I have not experienced Childbirth or pregnancy, my wife has!!! and this article, is a very detailed covering of the different types of skin care available during pregnancy and from reading it is clearly based on your own personal experience of it during pregnancy.
I would say that this is a must read for any woman who is pregnant and having these issues
Hi Dave, yes you are absolutely right, I used to be a terrible sun worshipper, I still am but luckily these days I know how to properly protect my skin but unfortunately this wasn’t the case when I was expecting and I did end up with a face full of pigmentation. With the use of some great skincare and a daily mineral sunscreen I’m malasma free.
This actually comes at a perfect time, as my wife is 35 weeks pregnant! I am so glad that you are going over what is safe and what is not to use during and after pregnancy. I feel like the sunscreen is one that is often missed, but is hugely important to keep in mind, especially for those moms who are breastfeeding! My wife has been trying to use mostly natural products for a while now, and it has definitely been rewarding! Thanks for the timely post!
Ah thats great Steve, congratulations! I’m so glad you found this useful, enjoy these last few weeks and let u know when the baby comes!
Being pregnant is so amazing, I totally agree that your skin behaves very differently. Mine was quite dry. I especially like the sun screens you have recommended as I live in a sunny climate. Quite shocked to read that the ingredient oxybenzone was found in Breast milk, that is a scary thought. I found your Article very interesting and I’m sure any pregnant ladies will be delighted with it.
Hey Lisa,
there’s some very scary statistics when you start reading into chemical sunscreens, even what they are doing to our marine life but thats another story. I’m so glad you got some good value from this.
Good to know the chemicals to avoid during pregnancy. We are planning to start a family and I’ve been concerned with the things I’m using and eating. Even though I live in the tropics, I don’t use sunscreen a lot because it tends to give me allergic reactions minutes after application. I always suspect it was the oxybenzone inside. So lucky for me, I’m not touching those.
Hi Cathy
you are more than likely right about that, there are so many chemicals you could be reacting too. Definitely try a mineral sunscreen, they are very gentle on your skin and you shouldn’t react.
Amy
There are many restrictions that must be obeyed by pregnant women. Starting from no smoking, drinking alcohol, eating raw foods such as sushi, to the use of skincare for skin care because some formulas in skincare products are actually harmful to the fetus.
When I was pregnant, I didn’t really use any skincare other than body lotion. If I went out during the day, I didn’t use sunscreens at all even though I live in a sunny state. What I was really worried about was stretch marks. However, I only used creams for stretchmarks after I gave birth. My baby is almost 2 years old now and I still have the stretch marks. I wish I was diligent looking for a safe product that actually works.
Your article is well-written and it covers everything pregnant ladies need to know in order to keep them and their fetus safe when it comes to choosing the right skincare for them.
Hi Ferra
You’re absolutely right stretch marks are a massive issue for so many pregnant women and I think it’s only right I should address this also, so watch this space beautiful mummy’s to be. Expect a brand new article on stretch mark safe products for pregnancy coming right up!
Thank you lovely
Hey Sweetheart, I thought your website was very insightful and had great information for an expecting mother who is researching the skincare and beauty products during her pregnancy. Well done.
Your article has many additional pathways that you can branch off into giving you future content, as well as nutritional supplements, suitable skincare products for babies and future information about the harmful ingredients, it would make for a very powerful content. As the trends have steered sharply, homemade products, life-hacks and products within price brackets could be helpful to your audience also.
Thank you so much for your expertise and insight, I look forward to seeing more.
Kind regards
Clarissa
Hi Clarissa
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I really appreciate your feedback and suggestions there’s plenty more to come, watch this space and keep the suggestions coming I love to here what you want to see more of.
Amy
Hey nice article you have there. This is the exact article my neighbors wife will be pleased to have, she has been contemplating on the type of skin care to use since she became pregnant. Having discovered the uniqueness of Nakins anti aging skin care to pregnant women and what to avoid during pregnancy, I will definitely make some recommendations and refer her to this article.
Hi Eda, yes Nakin are a lovely all natural skincare brand completely safe to use during pregnancy, their main focus is on anti ageing products and they are beautiful award winning luxury skincare at a very affordable price.
thanks for getting in touch.
Helooo dear, thanks for sharing these valuable content with us, I was actually doing some research online when I saw your post, I believe these article is exactly what my mom needs, she’s pregnant and I believe these post will be of great help to her, thanks for the info, I’ll surely do some recommendations, you truly are the best
Hey Skuchmane, that’s very exciting news! if you or your mom need any help with anything just let me know. Best of luck to you both.
Amy