When I first got pregnant with Owen, I was suddenly made aware of skincare ingredients and products that I shouldn’t use during pregnancy. Before that, I had no clue that some ingredients weren’t ideal. As if pregnant women didn’t have enough to worry about already, let’s throw in skin changes too.
Not only are some products off limits, but changes to your skin are inevitable too—everything from acne to dry skin to stretch marks to varicose veins—such a joy, right?! Haha, thankfully, babies are worth it!!
I started making the switch to clean products shortly before I got pregnant, and continued to slowly make changes until my entire skincare and makeup routine was completely clean. When I got pregnant again this past October, I was so grateful that I didn’t really have to make many tweaks to my skin care routine because it was already safe!
RELATED: Does safe skincare really matter during pregnancy?
If you’re newly pregnant or thinking about starting a family soon, I hope this helps answer your questions on what types of products and ingredients you should be avoiding, and give you some tips for keeping your skin on your face and body healthy during this special period of life!
Your skin changes during pregnancy—some people start producing more body oil which can lead to breakouts and acne, some get dry skin, and for others the pregnancy hormones can balance their skin issues and give them gorgeous glowing skin! There’s no way to predict it!
Either way, skin care during pregnancy is essential to keeping it healthy and beautiful. Here are my best tips!
Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
Avoid Acne Medications
Many prescription acne medications are off limits while pregnant. My aesthetician also suggested staying away from too much salicylic acid use, which is a beta hydroxy acid. Some medications can cause birth defects, so it’s best to consult your doctor before using any of these medications while pregnant.
Avoid Retinol
One ingredient that my doctor immediately told me to not use was retinol. It has higher amounts of vitamin A, which can potentially be harmful to an unborn baby. It also can be irritating.
How to Avoid Stretch Marks
Unfortunately, there’s no magic trick for avoiding stretch marks. Some people are simply more prone to get them because of genetics. If your mom or sister got them, you may be more likely to get them, but you can use hydrating products to help prevent the appearance and severity of them.
Stay Hydrated & Moisturized
I’ve gotten so many complaints from pregnant friends saying they have majorly dry skin during pregnancy! This is often due to pregnancy hormones, and may very well go back to normal after birth.
To combat this, make you’ve upped your water intake to keep yourself hydrated and also keep your skin hydrated. After you take a bath or shower, make sure to moisture your skin with a good body lotion every time.
Make sure to use a gentle face wash when cleansing your face too, you don’t want to strip it of excess oils.
RELATED: 5 Easy-to-Make Fresh Juice Recipes for Clear Skin
Avoid Toxic Ingredients
This goes for pregnancy and when you’re not pregnant! I believe it’s best to avoid toxic ingredients all the time. The less toxic load your body has, the easier it is for it to stay healthy and thrive. These 8 toxic ingredients are some of the most common offenders and ones I always try to avoid—phthalates, formaldehyde and petrolatum included!
Avoid Too Much Sun
Pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive which can lead to rashes and bumps with too much sun exposure. I always highly recommend wearing SPF on your face year round, pregnant or not, but especially while pregnant. I got some serious dark spots on my forehead that I’m still combatting.
Varicose Veins
I didn’t deal with this personally, but I know a lot of friends that have dealt with varicose veins and know it can be really painful and uncomfortable. The best thing you can do for varicose veins is to keep your feet elevated whenever possible, and wear compression socks or stockings to ease the pain.
Safe Pregnancy Skincare Products
Opting to use clean skin care products while pregnant is an easy way to assure that you’re using products that are safe for you and baby. Here are a few of my favorites that I personally use while pregnant.
Stretch Mark Cream
As your stomach starts to grow, make sure to keep your belly, breasts and hips moisturized to do your best to avoid stretch marks. I opt for a thick body butter a heavy balm. This is the melting body balm that I’ve been using this pregnancy and I absolutely love it. It smells like coconut, keeps my skin super soft and is totally clean!
Face SPF
I wear SPF on my face every single day because I’m now terrified of getting more dark spots! I either use this mineral sunscreen or this tinted moisturizer to protect against UVA & UVB rays. I love them both and they both work really well under makeup.
Safer Anti-Aging
If you were a regular retinol user and are worried about not having it anymore, look into this skincare line that uses a clean version of retinol. This is the skincare line that I use while pregnant and I haven’t had any side effects and it is totally giving me that pregnancy glow!
RELATED: My Current Beautycounter Skincare Routine (while pregnant!)
Body Moisturizer
Overall, my skin is drier everywhere. My legs and arms have been really dry too, so every night I lather myself up with this body lotion or body butter. You could use a nourishing shea butter, or body oil like sweet almond oil. Sweet almond oil is high in vitamin E which is essential for healthy skin.
How has your skin changed during pregnancy? If you need help figuring out a new, clean skincare routine, click here to fill out my skincare survey and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours!
BTW, my first trimester pregnancy workout routine, and our babymoon at Amelia Island.
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