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Skin Care During Pregnancy

Part 2: Responding to Skin Changes during Pregnancy

Due to harmonal changes during pregnancy women experience several skin changes. Some of the changes during this period like for example change of skin type can come and go; other changes like stretch marks and acne scars can last a lifetime. Read further to find out what changes you can expect and how you can respond to them or prevent them.

If your skin becomes dry:

During pregnancy some women notice considerable changes such as dryness and even sudden appearance of fine lines. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles and premature aging so do not ignore this change and adjust your skin-care accordingly.

If you had a combination or normal skin before pregnancy and now have dry skin you will most probably need to change most of your skin-care products for the pregnancy period.

  • Change your cleanser for a lighter cleansing solution not containing alcohol or any harsh ingredients like soap.
  • If you are using a tonic make sure it has no alcohol content as well since tonics dry the skin.
  • Most importantly, dry skin needs regular and proper moisturizing. Get a more intensive moisturizer instead of the one you have and consider richer creams instead of lighter lotion and gel type moisturizers.

    Be careful, some anti-aging moisturizing products contain Retinoids, a type of Vitamin A that speeds up cell renewal which helps to reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone. HOWEVER, it is very well documented that retinoids, when taken orally will cause severe birth defects. There have not been enough studies made concerning topical retinoids and the impact on developing fetuses. This is why many experts recommend avoiding this ingredient during pregnancy as well. Additional skin-care: Apply a moisturizing mask up to 2 times a week to give your skin a moisturizing boost. For more information read our recommendations on how to take care of the dry type of skin. However, as always, consult your doctor before making the final selection.

    If your skin becomes sensitive and irritated:

    Sensitive and irritated skin has much weaker ability to protect itself against environmental and sun damage. It is an easy prey for free radicals that make the biggest contribution to premature aging.

  • In the case of a sensitive skin you should think over the products you are using in your skin-care routine. Do they have any ingredients that are common allergens like Vitamin C or honey? Your cleanser might be too harsh for you during the pregnancy period try a lighter hypoallergenic one.
  • Very often skin sensitivity and irritation can develop as a reaction to over-peeling/over-scrubbing and to over-cleansing your skin as well as to using intensive skin-care treatments or products. It is recommended to do the peeling procedure maximum once a week and try lighter peeling products.
  • Also stop using intensive serums for a while and let your skin have some rest. You will find a lot of products on the market for sensitive skin made for various types of skin so you can easily select the one that will work for you. Make sure it is pregnancy safe!

    If your skin becomes oily:

    Hormonal changes can result in the change of the way your sebaceous glands work and instead of dry or normal skin you used to have you would experience oily complexion and most probable break outs. Once again reconsider the skin-care products you are using.

  • Change the light cleansing milk for a foaming gel or lotion for oily/combination skin. Make sure to avoid too harsh ingredients and salicylic acids (BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid is a type of salicylic acid) that are often contained in products for oily skin to prevent break outs. As we have mentioned, experts recommend to stay on the safe side and to avoid salicylic acid during pregnancy.
  • To moisturize your skin use a light oil-free moisturizer marked non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic means it will not clog your pores and as a result will not cause break outs.
  • To keep your oil production under control you can include an oil-balancing mattifying lotion into your skin-care routine or choose your moisturizer with oil production balancing properties. Additional skin-care: 1-2 times a week treat your skin to a cleansing mask based on clay for example.

    Melasma, Chloasma, Mask of pregnancy:

    The pigment producing cells in the skin start to react more strongly to sunlight during pregnancy due to changes in hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone. As a result many pregnant women get dark brown spots or areas on their cheeks, nose, chin. According to some studies it can effect up to 70% of pregnant women. Usually after pregnancy chloasma fades away however in some women it can persist.

    The best thing to do is to prevent melasma from happening by using a sunscreen with high protection of SPF 30. There are very effective sun-screens that protect your skin but do not penetrate through it. Some brands market their sunscreens as specially developed to prevent chloasma in pregnant women. Your obstetrician or dermatologist should be able to recommend the one right for you.

    If dark spots persist after pregnancy consult your dermatologist about such treatments as peelings, dermabrasion, retinol treatments etc.

    Read further

    Part 1
    Safety Concerns
    Part 3
    Acne-Treatment during Pregnancy: Ingredients to Avoid
    Part 4
    Body Care during Pregnancy
    Part 5
    SPA and Beauty Salon Treatments during Pregnancy

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