Taking care of your skin during pregnancy can be a tricky business – not everyone is lucky enough to have that coveted “pregnancy glow” and things which your skin could tolerate before can cause sensitivities that you aren’t used to. Choosing the right products is also important for the health of your unborn baby because certain ingredients like retinoids and salicylic acid can be harmful if used when pregnant, which means that keeping acne or the ageing process at bay is even harder.
It’s not only chemicals you need to avoid, either. Products which contain all natural ingredients can still be a no-no for varying reasons. Bergamot, for instance, as well as Soy, can make the pregnancy-related problem known as melasma, or ‘Mask of Pregnancy’ worse, a condition in which the skin on your face darkens. Opt for products without estrogen-rich ingredients and always use a high SPF for sensitive skin to avoid making the appearance of melasma worse.
Essential oils often make an appearance in beauty products and can add a richness and depth of fragrance that is unparalleled by synthetic scents, however not all of them are safe for use in pregnancy and can have a potent and potentially dangerous effect. Jasmine, clary sage, rose and sage are all ones to avoid as they can cause uterine contractions and bleeding, which can be especially harmful in the early stages of pregnancy. However, you needn’t miss out on oils altogether; geranium, ylang-ylang, bergamot, citrus, peppermint and black pepper are all safe for use during pregnancy and are all useful additions to your beauty arsenal, although we’d recommend checking with your Doctor or Midwife.
Hair removal is something which can also be a minefield during pregnancy. Hair removal creams are a big no-no and waxing can also be out of the question due to heightened sensitivity and lowered pain threshold, which leaves you with limited options. Shaving would be the obvious answer, but once you’re past a certain stage, that can also be tricky unless you’re very bendy! We’d recommend trying sugaring, providing you’re able to cope with the pain, as it uses natural sugars to remove the hair rather than wax or chemicals, and you can soothe the areas afterwards using Decleor Post-Wax Cream – Sensitive Areas.
If you’re suffering with extreme skin sensitivity when using your usual beauty products, we’d strongly recommend trying the Dermalogica Ultra Calming System, which is designed to be gentle to even the most sensitive skin. The products are all pH balanced so as not to interfere with the skins natural levels, whilst incorporating soothing ingredients which are designed to deal with redness and inflammation, keeping your skin in tip-top condition.
Above all, the most important thing is to eat well, stay hydrated and avoid stress as these things will potentially affect both your skin and your pregnancy – and don’t forget, the ‘glow’ will usually kick in during the second trimester so you might not have too long to wait!