Skincare During Pregnancy: Tips for Radiant, Safe Results

Skincare Advice During Pregnancy

It’s only once you are expecting that you realise how much hormones affect the body. There are many changes to the skin, from increased pigmentation, also known as the mask of pregnancy, drier skin, more sensitivity to certain ingredients or products and increased redness. All of these aren’t avoidable, but thankfully will pass once the baby is here, but for now, we are going to share some skincare advice to use during pregnancy.

What skincare should I use during pregnancy?

Thankfully there are a lot of skincare products you are safe to use during pregnancy that will help treat the previously mentioned changes to the skin. Here is a list of ingredients you should trying keeping or adding to your routine whilst expecting:

Glycolic Acid- Though large quantities are not recommended during pregnancy, glycolic acid is one of the AHAs that are powerful enough to slough away dead skin cell build-up, bacteria, dirt and excess oil whilst remaining gentle on the skin. Try using a chemical exfoliant once a day, preferably in the evenings to prevent the skin from looking dull and lacklustre.

Vitamin C- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and can protect the skin from any free radicals that cause damage. Your complexion will appear brighter with a youthful plumped look with the help of collagen production also receiving a boost.

Hyaluronic Acid- With the skin become notably drier during pregnancy slathering the skin with a potent hyaluronic acid will lock in moisture and keep the skin looking dewy, healthy and youthful.

Vitamin E- You may find that you have some stretch marks when the size of your bump begins to grow, this is when vitamin E will help. By applying a vitamin E enriched moisturiser daily you will keep the skin nourished especially when it can become drier.

Sun Protection- Skin sensitivity can also lead to the skin becoming more reactive to any overexposure to the sun. Always ensure you are using a high factor of SPF and apply it daily to prevent any sun damage or increased pigmentation to the skin.

If you are completely happy with how your skin is looking and feeling than keep your routine you are currently using as it is clearly working for you, it is advisable, however, to take into consideration any ingredients that are not safe to use and for the time being throughout your pregnancy should be left out of your routine.

What skincare products should be avoided during pregnancy?

The following are ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy, and some even after the baby is born. If you have any doubts about using skincare products and their ingredients it is best to contact a GP or dermatologist for further advice.

Retinoids

Considered the Holy Grail of all skincare ingredients, retinol is known to reverse the signs of ageing, reduce any breakouts, such as blackheads and can exfoliate the skin a lot faster than an AHA for example. As amazing as this may all sound, during retinol during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth and child defects with a number of studies linking them to the exposure to high levels of vitamin A (retinol). It is best to avoid using retinol all together due to the risk to the baby and the increased signs of developing pigmentation and sun damage.

Phthalates

These chemicals can be found in perfumes and nail varnish and research has shown possible links to birth defects, luckily there is a variety of brands that are formulated without any of these chemicals and are clearly marked on their labels as being safe to use whilst expecting.

Ammonia

Commonly found in hair dye ammonia has carcinogenic properties that need to be avoided, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. After that seek the help of your colourist to guide you on which ammonia-free products that are safe to use.

Some essential oils

Many essential oils, although being natural, need to be used with caution during pregnancy. Some essentials oils are known for increasing the sensitivity of the skin to exposure to UV rays, teaming that with the fact your skin is more prone to pigmentation is not an ideal situation. Rosemary, mint, jasmine, basil and cypress are some of the essential oils that need to be avoided at all cost due to the increased risks of miscarriage when using them on the skin.

There you have some of the main ingredients to avoid in your skincare routine to ensure you are remaining safe whilst expecting. Other treatments and procedures to steer clear are injectables, fillers or “tweakments” as well as spray tanning, due to dihydroxyacetone being inhaled during the treatment.

What helps dull skin during pregnancy?

To help the skin from becoming too dull during pregnancy here are some tips to keep your skin glowing:

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin will keep it looking fresh and glowing, but do so with caution as increased redness can be one of the changes to the skin and should not be irritated. Use a scrub or a glycolic acid toner 1-2 times a week.

Serums

Serums containing vitamin C and hyaluronic acid will become your skin’s best friend by nourishing the skin, locking in the moisture and combating any free radicals and other skin-damaging factors.

Water

Ensuring you drink enough water throughout the day will not only keep your baby and body healthy, but your complexion will look youthful with fine lines and wrinkles reduced with the glow restored to the skin.

SPF

By using a daily SPF you will protect the skin from any sun damage that can make the face become drier with fine lines and wrinkles becoming empathised by the lack of hydration to the skin.

There are some skincare advice and tips to use during pregnancy, we strongly advise to avoid introducing a new ingredient or product to your skincare routine and seek the advice of a dermatologist before applying it. For now, it is best to look after your baby and of course, yourself during this special time, there’s also nothing stopping you from preparing for a post-baby pamper day once it is safe to use these ingredients again. You’ll deserve it after all!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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