Here are the five most annoying skin problems women deal with during their pregnancy, and what you can do to safely remedy the problems without further irritating your skin or harming your baby. Top Tip: Set a quiet period of time each day when you can simply look after yourself and relax. Use lavender oils and chamomile tea to help you sleep at night. Drink water constantly to stay hydrated and to remove wastes and toxins from your body. And avoid yeasty and sugary foods as much as you can. As for those pesky pimples, tea tree oil can help to treat acne. Don’t touch, pick, or squeeze your pimples either. Instead, wash your face with a lactic acid based cleanser twice a day and use steam to clear clogged pores. Believe it or not, simply staying hydrated and using gentler products on your skin will be more effective than using hard, harsh scrubs or products—a good vitamin B and C serum will especially help. If you’re looking for a full list of what products can and can’t be used during pregnancy, this study will be useful.2 Top Tip: A vegan lactic-based cleanser like Osea’s Ocean Cleanser ($44) used twice daily can work wonders. Besides keeping your skin and pores clean, lactic acid helps to repair cell walls, which ensures the water needed in the cell stays there. As a result, your skin becomes more hydrated, feels smoother, and is less likely to have milia, blackheads, and breakouts. Massaging an organic oil, cream, or lotion at least once a day can help to moisturize your stomach, breasts, hips, and thighs. There are even special organic breast and belly balms that can nourish and feed your skin with regenerative oils, butters, and extracts from flowers, fruits, seeds, and nuts. Try Zoe Organics Belly Butter ($20) or Erbaviva Lotion ($18)—or opt for a warm oatmeal bath to soothe the itchiness. Top Tip: It bears repeating: Make sure you’re drinking lots of water. This helps to keep your skin hydrated. You may also try running a humidifier in your bedroom at night to help your body keep in as much moisture as possible. It’s important that if the itch is accompanied by a new and evolving rash or worsening of an existing skin condition, that you go get checked by a dermatologist. Top Tip: Another matter to be mindful of: During your pregnancy, you should stay out of the sun as much as possible. Your surging hormones make you susceptible to dark patches on your skin, which are triggered by sun exposure, and it’s also much easier for you to burn during pregnancy. UV protection, therefore, is absolutely essential. Make a zinc-based sunblock or moisturizer part of your daily skin care routine every day—no matter the weather. Wearing hats, sunglasses, and other protective clothing can supplement your SPF application. Top Tip: Not a lot can be done during pregnancy to prevent hyperpigmentation or melasma, but being vigilant about UV protection can make a difference. Wearing hats and a zinc-based sunblock, therefore, are must-haves. Additionally, try to limit your exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and add antioxidant rich foods, like colorful fruits and veggies, to your diet. The most important thing to remember about skin care during pregnancy is to nourish your skin as much as possible. Take care with the type of products you choose as well (no harmful ingredients that your growing baby will end up absorbing). Always opt for organic products when possible. Finally, keep in mind that these skin changes you experience during pregnancy are only temporary for the most part. Once you deliver your healthy baby in nine months, these common but short-lived issues tend to subside, freeing you up to enjoy motherhood and your new special little one!
