Finding out you’re pregnant can be an exceptionally exciting time, but it’s fair to say that there are a lot of things to consider and organise over the next nine months and beyond.
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Finding out you’re pregnant can be an exceptionally exciting time, but it’s fair to say that there are a lot of things to consider and organise over the next nine months and beyond.
Alongside birth plans, prams and baby clothes, there’s a lot to think about when pregnant, so let our CF mums and mums-to-be take the stress out of your pregnancy skincare routine.
Your skin is likely to change through your four trimesters (post baby, too), often becoming more sensitive or blemish-prone due to hormonal changes and your changing shape. That means you are likely to require slightly different pregnancy beauty products to the ones you commonly use.
There are some ingredients you may want to avoid due to (low) potential risk of them negatively impact your baby, and, of course, it’s a chance to enjoy some cosseting ways to safely pamper yourself during pregnancy too.
Below you can find expert advice on some pregnancy skincare dos and don’ts (although do ask your doctor if you have any further questions). Then, discover some personal advice from CF mums and mums-to-be on their absolute favourite pregnancy-safe products.
“Pregnancy has complex and significant skin changes for most women,” explains the aesthetic doctor Dr. Maryam Zamani. These changes are classified into three categories:
Changes in pigment are very common during pregnancy, due to an elevated level of hormones, says Dr. Zamani. This includes hyperpigmentation, which is an excess of pigment clusters that can lead to brown spots on the skin; and melasma (aka ‘pregnancy mask’), which is seen as irregular sharply demarcated brownish pigmentation on the face.”
“A rise in hormones, such as oestrogen, increases the output of melanin by the melanocytes [pigment cells in your skin that provide the brown colour], causing pigment to be increasingly deposited and become visible in your skin.” This can mean that “freckles, nevi, and scars can become darker in pregnancy,” continues Dr. Zamani. Another common condition is ‘linea nigra’ – “a hyper-pigmented line found on the abdomen, most commonly appearing during the second trimester.” These dark marks can often fade over time, post-pregnancy, but they can be annoying and quite noticeable if they do appear.
Existing skin conditions can also be affected by pregnancy. “Some conditions like allergic contact dermatitis may improve, while others such as candida infection or immune-mediated diseases may worsen,” explains Dr. Zamani. This is why it is so important to speak to your doctor about your skin if you have any concerns, as they will be best placed to guide you.
There are also some specific skin conditions to look out for during pregnancy that can present throughout your trimesters. The most common are explained below:
a) Eczema-like dryness
One of the most common conditions during pregnancy is called ‘atopic eruption’, which exhibits itself as eczema-like dry lesions on the skin. It is associated with poor skin barrier function and dry, sensitive skin, with red patches and itchy bumps common on any part of the body.
Annoyingly, the risk of experiencing it during pregnancy does not seem to be dictated by whether you have an eczema-prone skin type before conceiving. If it does happen to you, help soothe the itchiness and soreness with nourishing moisturisers and serums for the face and body (our favourites are below). In particular, look for ingredients such as ceramides and plant or nut oils.
b) The itchy rash
‘Polymorphic eruption’ is an itchy rash that appears on the skin as a series of inflamed bumps, hives or darkened inflamed areas. It is most commonly seen on the abdomen and within stretch marks; usually appearing during your first pregnancy at the end of the third trimester.
It’s more common if you are having twins or triplets (if you didn’t already have your hands full!) and is thought to be caused by both hormonal changes and stretching of the skin. Normally the condition is self-resolving, but by caring for your bump with nourishing stretch mark creams you may be able to lessen the symptoms.
It’s generally agreed that some ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy as well as during the time you breastfeed due to their potential (although arguably low) risks. Specifically, retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), which are increasingly found in products that smooth wrinkles and fight breakouts are a key example. Instead, look to collagen stimulating ingredients, such as peptides and bakuchiol, if you still want to gently treat signs of ageing such as wrinkles.
Equally, it’s probably a good idea to decrease your use of products with high percentages of certain actives. For example, salicylic acid that is often in blemish products and cleansers. This is because they can sensitise your already more sensitive skin during pregnancy. Focus on soothing, nourishing creams for head-to-toe instead. Hydrators such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid can be great at this time.
Our fashion editor Gemma is pregnant for the first time – with twins! She struggled with hormonal breakouts in her first trimester, which meant she wanted to strip back her skincare routine to nourish and soothe her skin.
First up, she chose the super gentle fragrance-free Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser. She credits it for ‘transforming her skin’, leaving her complexion clean but not stripped. Serum-wise, for the daytime she is also using Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic as she has been struggling with melasma (aka that tricky type of hyperpigmentation); applying it only to the dark patches to minimise their appearance.
Gemma also loves a beauty gadget so has been using the Lyma Laser – which is safe for use during in pregnancy – to control breakouts, uneven pigment and to treat fine lines (because she has stopped using a retinol serum).
Finally, she loves a really moisturising cream to lock-in moisture and a SPF – both of which need to be fragrance-free and suitable for her sensitive, pregnancy skin. Her top picks are QV’s Moisturising Cream For Sensitive Skin and Ultra Violette’s Clean Screen Sunscreen SPF30.
Hyperpigmentation is Citizen Enfant Editor Morag’s nemesis – it’s something she’s struggled with since her first pregnancy and she’s now a mum to three boys. But, hormone fluctuations can cause pigmentation at any time – not just when you are pregnant – so it’s a good idea to have some great preventative products on the go at all times.
While retinols are off the cards when you’re expecting, other skin brightening products like vitamin C are not. Morag’s favourite is the serum from Paula’s Choice as not too harsh or drying. Start on the lower concentration and work up as your skin tolerates it. Secondly Niacinamide is also safe to use in pregnancy according to the FDA. Beauty Pie have some great drops that will help keep dark spots at bay and even out skin tone. Lastly azelaic acid which has been proven to help reduce melasma and will also help with blemishes and break outs. The Ordinary has a really good cream to try.
Sheena our founder was advised by Dr. Jo Mennie on an excellent skincare routine that has served her skin so well for pregnancy and beyond! For skincare, she uses Revision Cleansing Lotion, Allies of Skin Peptide Moisturiser and a non-tinted SPF – Hydropeptide Solar Defense. She would include supplements as well, for your skin, general wellbeing and healthy growth of the baby. That includes Choline 350mg, Vitamin C 500mg, Vitamin D 2500 IU (liquid form best), Zinc 10mg (especially important when breastfeeding) and additional methylfolate 400ug (Cytoplan brand). All are easy to get hold of – Holland & Barrett or your supermarket should stock them all.
Here’s our curated list of pregnancy-appropriate beauty products, as recommended by our CF mums and mums-to-be. The aim: to soothe and improve your complexion, while also making you feel a little extra special during maternity.
For your bump
For sensitive skin
For pigmentation
For dry, itchy skin
For tired faces
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Images: Reina Olga and Hunza G
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