Prenatal Skincare Tips to Use During Your Pregnancy

Skincare is important throughout your entire life, but proper skincare that is safe is even more important during pregnancy. Different women can experience a variety of skin concerns throughout the different stages of their lives — whether it’s during their period or throughout their pregnancy.

Apart from the obvious changes in your hormone levels and body shape, you can also experience changes in your skin’s overall texture and appearance when you are pregnant. Some expecting moms can develop pigmentation both on the face and body, while others may deal with persistent breakouts.

That’s why it’s important to curate a dedicated skincare routine that can address the changes your body may be going through during the prenatal period. There are some tips that you should follow with your skincare routine during pregnancy for your baby’s and your own health that I will share with you as well.

**This post might contain affiliate links to items that I am confident will benefit you immensely. Please read the full disclosure here.**

how to have a healthy prenatal skincare routine

Ingredients to Avoid in Your Prenatal Skincare Routine

Before getting into the specifics, it’s important to keep in mind that certain skincare ingredients will be absorbed by your skin, which in turn can affect your baby’s growth.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to begin throwing out all the products you used to use, however. Just make sure to check the ingredient list for any of the prohibited components listed below:

Retinol and retinoids
Certain essential oils
Hydroquinone
Salicylic acid
Formaldehyde
Phthalates
Oxybenzone and avobenzone

While these ingredients are some of the more common ones to avoid, it’s also best to consult with your own OB-GYN for any additional products you may need to remove from your routine.

So so many of our toiletries are actually filled with harmful chemicals. Learn how to easily remove most toxins that are not safe for pregnancy from your daily routine.

Alternatively, you can also make use of organic beauty products which are less likely to contain parabens and other toxins harmful to your little one’s development.

Now that you know what products you need to steer clear of, it’s time to take a quick look at what you can do to give your skin that natural pregnancy glow.

Top 5 Tips for Proper Prenatal Skincare

1. Focus on sun protection

Your skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure during pregnancy. This leaves you more susceptible to concerns like sunburn, rashes, and chloasma, which causes dark patches to appear on areas of your skin that are constantly exposed to sunlight during pregnancy. Because of this, it’s crucial to pack on sun protection any time you’re heading out or even when you’re simply lounging around at home.

You can make use of protective gear, such as hats and tops with long sleeves to minimize your exposure to the sun. Experts highly recommend that you use sunscreen, even while pregnant, to protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Ideally, you would want to use physical or mineral sunscreens rather than chemical sunscreens as the latter typically contain oxybenzone (along with literally dozens of other chemicals) — one of the previously mentioned components to avoid.

Look for a sunscreen containing zinc and as few words that you cannot pronounce as possible.

the perfect pregnancy plan prenatal nutrition and fitness plan

2. Be mindful of your diet

This is where the phrase “beauty from the inside out” should be taken a little more literally. While your food intake helps ensure your baby’s nutrition, it’s also a great way for your body to absorb the necessary nutrients to liven up your skin and care for your complexion.

Many women opt to infuse their water with fruits and veggies while pregnant to help get their extra dose of vitamins while remaining hydrated. For example, fruits like oranges and lemons are a great source of Vitamin C, which are necessary for your little one’s immune system. Not only that, but this is also a powerful ingredient that can calm inflammation and active acne.

Whole grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice, are also packed with fibers and minerals necessary to support a healthy pregnancy. They’re also known to improve skin elasticity and protect your skin from environmental aggressors that can cause irritation.

3. Pack on the moisture

Some of the most common skin issues expecting mothers deal with during pregnancy are dry skin and the appearance of stretch marks. In order to reduce the occurrence of these concerns, it’s important to make sure your skin gets enough hydration and moisture.

Coconut oil and shea butter are some natural options that are proven to soothe and nourish your skin. You can also opt to use aloe vera if your skin is extra dry and itchy as it has calming properties that make it ideal for treating inflammation. It’s recommended that you massage any of these moisturizing products at least twice a day and reapply throughout the day when needed.

4. Use gentle exfoliants

You may experience a buildup of dead skin cells while pregnant. While your first instinct may be to scrub more often and with more force, you need to remember that your skin becomes much more sensitive during this period of change. It’s much better to make use of natural exfoliants that can get the job done without risking abrasions.

Some pregnancy-safe options are baking soda and witch hazel. You can also use a soft washcloth if you prefer using something readily available. Dermatologists recommend that you only make use of these once a week or once every two weeks to avoid over-exfoliation, which can worsen any dryness or irritation you may be experiencing.

5. Get enough rest

While you may think that sleep has no direct effect on your skin, it plays a large role in maintaining your complexion. As you sleep, your body produces collagen, which is a key component in keeping your skin supple and hydrated. This also minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, which can quickly develop during your pregnancy. Getting enough shut-eye can also reduce puffiness and dark under-eye circles.

It’s highly recommended that you get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep to produce enough collagen that will give you that healthy glow you’re looking for. Make sure to sleep in the proper position, as well, with your body lying sideways on your left if possible and your head slightly elevated.

Wrapping up Skin Care Tips for Pregnancy

While you may have some concerns over some unexpected changes to your skin during your pregnancy, it’s important to keep in mind that these issues aren’t irreversible.

You simply need to make a few tweaks to your routine in order to tailor it to your needs while also keeping your baby’s health in mind. With some proper care and the right mix of pregnancy-safe ingredients, you can keep your skin as radiant as ever.