5 Tips for Supporting Skin During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a magical time of excitement and change that can affect the body in a variety of ways, including even our skin. While the changes a woman's skin undergoes during pregnancy is as unique for everyone and can even be vastly different from one pregnancy to the next, there are some general tips and guidelines as to what to use (and not) during pregnancy). As with all skincare , however, it is very important to listen to one's own skin's needs at any given moment, and nowhere is this more true than during pregnancy and if you or a loved one have any concerns about any of my recommendations, , please check with your healthcare provider.

Amp up Your Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a great addition to any skincare routine for its skin strengthening properties and also for antioxidant protection. Extra antioxidants can be particularly helpful for pregnant women because many fluids and nutrients are somewhat lost in the skin, especially during periods of morning sickness. Additionally, Vitamin C also helps to fortify the skin fortify against and heal from sun damage, which many women become more prone to getting during pregnancy. Also, Vitamin C is also a powerful glow booster, and often, products with Vitamin C give instant gratification in this department. So if you are ever feeling a bit tired, the extra shot of radiance can be your best friend.

Consider Less Conventional Spot Treatments: It is not necessarily a guarantee that pregnant women will experience an increase in acne,but it can be quite common, especially during the second and third trimesters. Unfortunately, many ingredients found in products used to treat acne such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol and retinol derivatives have been linked to causing potential birth defects, so most allopathic and naturopathic practitioners alike generally recommend pregnant women avoid using these ingredients. This does not mean, however, that there is nothing out there to help with pregnancy-related breakouts. Honey, for example, is a wonderful anti-bacterial and anti-microbial ingredient that is beneficial for the body and skin both when eaten and when applied to the skin topically to help heal the spots. Other ingredients to look for to help with acne that are considered safe for pregnancy are azaleic acid, which helps to shed skin cell buildup and reduce redness, zinc, a powerful ant-inflammatory that helps with not only redness and speeds the healing of a spot, but also helps any throbbing that comes with deeper pimples, and also charcoal and clay-based products which help to clear out and reduce the size of pores.

Turn to AHAs and Physical Exfoliants : Skin can be both more likely become drier and dehydrated during pregnancy, leading potentially to more flaking and wanting to exfoliate. With avoiding other cell turnover-enhancing and exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and retinoids, AHAs such as lactic and glycolic acids and gentle physical exfoliants (like jojoba bead face scrubs for example) provide great alternatives. One thing to note is that skin's general sensitivity can also increase while pregnant, so you might consider rinsing off any exfoliating products that you might otherwise leave=on, or just use them as target treatments to the most affected areas.

Choose Essential Oils With Care: Both for aromatherapy purposes and for inclusion in a skincare product, essential oils are a bit of a gray area when it comes to pregnancy. Many of the ones with aromatherapeutic benefits such as chamomile and peppermint are actually considered by most to be not just safe but helpful in soothing not only the skin but headaches and other discomfort you could be experiencing. However, high doses of other essential oils such as cedarwood, cinnamon, and turmeric especially when used all over the body, are discouraged. The consensus is that it mostly depends on what essential oils are being used, how much of it it there is and how is it diluted, and where the product will be applied. This is definitely an area where speaking to a health professional can offer the best and most individualized guidance.

Indulge in Sumptuous Body Creams: Massaging in a thick, lovely moisturizer for the face and body can be quite a lovely treat at anytime, but for drier pregnancy skin, it can have an even greater impact. Keeping the skin on your body, especially your bump, can greatly help reduce the appearance of stretch marks or else help them heal faster once the baby is born. Also, the massage can also help to soothe sore muscles and help to boost circulation throughout the body and relieve tension If a thick cream is not your preferred way to moisturize, carrier oils such as almond or jojoba oil can work just as well.

For anyone who is or may be going through pregnancy soon, I hope these tips will be of help to you along your journey. No matter what, take things easy and trust your instincts in making the best decisions for you and your baby. And always remember to take care and time for yourself through this and every other time in your life.