Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, but it can also bring about several changes in a woman's body, including the skin. Hormonal fluctuations, increased blood flow, and stretching of the skin can lead to various skin changes.
There’s an abundance of advice when it comes to pregnancy skin care and there are a lot of solutions to try if you are facing skin changes or discomfort – but if it’s something that you’re really concerned about, make sure you consult your doctor. However, a natural approach to skin care is nearly always the best method and the good news is that there are lots of different elements you can consider and adapt to see if it helps. From diet to environmental changes, to skin care and beauty products, there tends to be a solution out there for everyone.
So, if you’re a mum-to-be, let’s start simple – recognise any of the below? Let’s see if we can help…
Hormonal acne
Naturally, pregnancy can cause flare-ups in the skin, and differing hormone levels mean that your skin can suffer with hormonal acne – particularly in the first and second trimester. It’s usually temporary and you can start by focusing on products that are designed specially for oily skin, avoiding harsh products and opting for a more gentle option. Explore what foods and diet work well with prenatal hormones too, and really understand what you’re putting into your body.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks are probably one of the most talked about skin changes when it comes to pregnancy and, although we think you should be proud of your tiger stripes, we understand that it’s sometimes nice to treat them too. Our Bumps Top to Toe Polish has mandarin and neroli oils in to help boost circulation, plus the gentle scent is so soothing it’ll send you off to sleep. Don’t forget that natural remedies such as plain and simple coconut oil are a good option for stretch marks too, and take a look around our pregnancy section, there are stretch mark creams and oils suitable for everyone.
Dry skin
Found yourself with dry skin in pregnancy? Taking too many baths can strip your skin of moisture, as can too much heat, so opt for short (warm, not hot!) showers if you can and keep baths as a treat for when you’re extra achy. Try a gentle cleanser, such as our Hydrating Milk, which can be used every day. Rich in almond oil, it’s bursting with vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Oily skin
Ah, the opposite, hey? Oily skin can also appear when pregnancy hormones start doing their thing. It’s most common in the early stages as levels of progesterone rise in the body, but can be present throughout an entire pregnancy. The good news is that it can be easily treated, so don’t worry too much if your skin has gone from dry to greasy in the space of a few weeks.
Feeling flushed
And not in the good way, either? A great way of keeping cool and relieving redness is to keep a little bottle of our Boosting Facial Tonic in the fridge, so that it’s always there for a wee spritz whenever you need it. Grabbing a sneaky snack – spray away too! That flush will be gone in no time. If it’s a heat rash, try and dress in layers too. That way, you can always strip off without worrying about baring all!
