When you’re expecting, what skincare products do you need to press pause on and which should you start?
You probably know that certain chemicals are unsafe during pregnancy, but you might not know where to begin in editing your skincare routine. In addition to wanting glowing pregnancy skin, you might also be dealing with new problems, like dryness or itchiness.
In this guide, you’ll learn 10 pregnancy-safe skincare tips along with how to address specific skin problems. We’ll also share a basic pregnancy skincare routine to get you started.
10 Tips for Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care
When it comes to pregnancy-safe skincare, it can be difficult to know how to take care of your skin in a way that doesn’t harm you and your baby. If you’re someone who uses a myriad of products, it may be especially hard to narrow down on what’s safe.
Below are 10 tips for pregnancy-safe skin care.
Eliminate Unsafe Products
The first step to pregnancy-safe skin care is to eliminate unsafe products. If you’re a skincare buff, you may have a variety of serums and special creams with ingredients that may be harmful while expecting. You should stop using the products below:
- Retinol and Retin-A
- Hydroquinone
- Botox and fillers
In addition to these products, it’s important to talk to your doctor about which products are okay to keep using during pregnancy.
Choose a Gentle Face Cleanser
When choosing a face cleanser, avoid abrasive products, which can dry out and irritate your skin. Choose a gentle formulation that’s fragrance-free, if possible.
When you cleanse your skin at night, make sure all your makeup is removed. You don’t want to clog up your pores overnight! Makeup cleansing pads can also be useful.
Use Toner
Using a toner can ensure your skin is free from makeup after cleansing. It’s important to use a toner that’s alcohol-free so that it doesn’t dry out your skin. You can also look for products with hydrating ingredients, like aloe vera.
Apply Moisturizer
Moisturizer is key to great-looking skin. You should typically apply it in the morning and night, after cleansing your skin. The moisturizer you choose will depend on your skin type. You might also choose to use a lighter moisturizer during the day and a heavier one at bedtime. Hyaluronic acid is a common moisturizing ingredient that’s safe for pregnancy.
As always, make sure to steer clear of harmful ingredients in your moisturizer during pregnancy, like retinol.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
One of the best things you can do for your skin is to drink water. While other beverages add unhealthy ingredients, a glass of water can help clear up your skin in the long run. Being dehydrated leads to dry skin, which can be itchy and dim your pregnancy glow.
Avoid Caffeine
Although you should limit your caffeine intake during pregnancy, cutting it out altogether may benefit your skin. Since caffeinated beverages dehydrate you, they cut into your efforts to stay hydrated.
Take Cool or Luke Warm Showers
Hot showers can dry out your skin. While cool water is usually best, if you need some heat, at least consider lukewarm. While a hot shower can feel good in the winter, it can cause your skin to peel and itch even more.
Take a Break from the Makeup
If you’re someone who frequently wears makeup, consider taking a break now and then. It’s important to give your skin some time to breathe without a layer of foundation blocking it. Here are some tips to consider:
- Wash your makeup off early or as soon as you get home to get more makeup-free time.
- Consider going makeup-free on the weekends.
- Consider lightening up your makeup routine to improve your skin. For example, instead of using a full-faced foundation, consider only using concealer on certain areas. Another option is to make a tinted moisturizer instead of using foundation.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating once or twice a week removes dead skin, leaving you with a brighter, more glowy appearance. Make sure the exfoliant you purchase doesn’t include unsafe ingredients during pregnancy. You can also search for DIY exfoliant recipes online using safe ingredients you have in your pantry.
Sun Protection
One of the best things you can do to fight aging is protect your skin from the sun, and that includes during pregnancy too! While expecting, sunscreens with zinc and titanium are recommended. Also consider other ways to protect yourself from UV rays, like wearing a hat and staying inside during the sun’s strongest hours.
Common Skin Problems + Solutions During Pregnancy
Glowing pregnancy skin isn’t a myth, but sometimes it can be clouded by skin problems. Below are several common pregnancy skin problems and tips to improve them.
Acne
During pregnancy, your acne may return or get worse. Instead of simple blackheads, you might experience painful nodular acne. There are several reasons why, including increased hormones and oil production.
Skin care tips for acne during pregnancy:
- Keep skin clean by washing it in the morning and at night. Do not over-wash your skin.
- Keep your skin free of oil, including oil build-up from exercising or when your face comes into contact with food, your phone or your hair.
- Don’t use abrasive scrubs or products, which can damage skin.
- Don’t pick at or squeeze your acne.
- Most acne products in the drugstore are safe to use during pregnancy but always check with your doctor first. One common choice thought to be safe during pregnancy when used in small amounts is salicylic acid, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAA).
It’s hard to say which acne medications are safe during pregnancy because they aren’t tested on pregnant women. However, from animal studies, doctors can recommend some medications for acne during pregnancy. These include topicals that you apply to your skin and oral medications. Laser and light therapies are thought to be relatively safe, according to the AAA. However, you should always talk to your doctor about the risks.
Pregnancy Skin Dryness
Skin dryness during pregnancy is common. You can get dry skin on your face or any other part of your body. Skin dryness can be caused by stretching skin and hormones
Tips to avoid skin dryness during pregnancy include:
- Frequently use a moisturizer
- Consider switching to a heavier moisturizer for very dry skin
- Use a humidifier if your home is dry
- Increase your water intake
- Aim to up your fluid intake through other means, like soups and herbal teas
- Avoid hot showers or baths
Itchy Skin During Pregnancy in the Third Trimester
Some women experience itching skin during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Itchy skin could be caused by:
- Dryness. As discussed above, dryness can make your skin itchy. This can be even worse in the winter when your skin tends to be dryer.
- Stretching skin. As your skin expands to accommodate your growing baby, you might experience itchiness.
- Hormones. Hormones could be making your skin feel itchier than usual.
- Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). A PUPPP rash looks like hive-like bumps. It usually goes away on its own and isn’t a cause for concern.
- Scent sensitivities. You may be sensitive to a certain sent. Consider whether you’ve changed your perfume or detergent recently.
- Pregnancy skin allergy. Talk to your doctor about whether you’ve developed a skin allergy.
- Cholestasis. Cholestasis is a liver problem that affects the flow of bile. This can cause jaundice and severe itching. Cholestasis must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
You can minimize itchiness by:
- Using a moisturizer to combat dryness
- Using calamine lotion to relieve itchiness
- Being mindful of the fragrances in the products you use
- Adding oatmeal to your bath to alleviate itching
Any prolonged or intense itching should be reported to your doctor.
Read: Pregnancy and Itchy Belly? Here’s Why & 15 Remedies
Pregnancy Skincare Routine
While expecting, it’s good to strip your pregnancy skincare routine down to the basics. While many procedures and certain anti-aging products are off-limits, now is a good time to focus on what really matters. A basic safe pregnancy skincare routine includes:
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Moisturizing
- Using sunscreen
- Drinking plenty of fluids
When choosing products to add to your pregnancy skincare routine, ask your doctor for advice. Consider showing them a product page before purchasing, allowing them to scan the ingredients. If you have a product you’re unsure is safe, bring it to your next appointment.
Summary: Pregnancy Safe Skin Care
Pregnancy-safe skin care is easy when you stick to the basics: Cleansing, toning, moisturizing and using sunscreen. Drinking plenty of fluids is also beneficial for your skin.
During pregnancy, you should avoid many skin procedures and certain products, like retinol. When you’re unsure whether a product is safe, ask your doctor.
Do You Have a Fetal Doppler Yet?
Fetal dopplers are handheld devices that you can use at home to hear your baby’s heartbeat between appointments! Simply use the probe and ultrasound gel to detect the heartbeat and listen as it’s amplified through speakers.