Due to bodily and hormonal changes you will experience during pregnancy, your skin can’t always keep up. Here are a few of the most common issues you will experience and the essentials you need to combat them. My skin and hair changed quite considerably when I was pregnant, I wish I had had this information back in the day as I would definitely have changed to a pregnancy skincare routine.
Common Issues
Here are a few of the most common skin issues you may face. While the severity will vary from person to person, you are more than likely to experience some or all of these to a certain degree.
Acne
Due to hormonal changes, acne can be something you experience, even if you have never had it before. Adding things like marine collagen powder, moisturizer, and an exfoliator to your routine can reduce the effects of acne.
Dryness
Hormonal changes, the weather, and stress can all lead to skin dryness, and this dryness can get out of hand very quickly. Moisturizer is your friend here, but do not overdo it, as your skin may produce too much oil, and you may worsen any acne you are experiencing.
Melasma
Melasma, or hyper-pigmentation, is another common side effect you may experience during and after pregnancy. Depending on the severity, you may need to do a skin peel, but some topical ointments can also correct it.
Dark Circles
Finally, dark circles around your eyes can also be common due to stress, a lack of sleep, etc. To reduce the puffiness and dark circles, cooling ice masks are your easiest and cheapest option, as you can stick them in the freezer and then put them on for a little while before bed.
Essentials
Here are a few of the essentials you need to create a simple, yet highly effective pregnancy skincare routine you can use every day.
Cleanser
A cleanser should be one of the things you always have available. It helps to clear away dirt and oil, lessening breakouts. It is important to find one that is right for your skin, as the wrong one can have the opposite effect and cause you to break out.
You should also invest in a pouch of cleansing wipes that you keep in your car or handbag, especially during the Summer and warmer months, as you want to clear away sweat as soon as you can.
Toner
While not always necessary, a toner should be part of your routine. It can help to balance your pH levels, tighten your pores, and prepare your skin for other creams and serums you may use.
For a toner, keep it mild; all you need to do is find one that doesn’t have any negative side effects on your skin.
Treatment
This is a fairly generic category, as it will depend on any specific issues you may have. If you are experiencing regular, small cysts, a drawing balm may be the best option for you, and something you should use regularly on them.
If you have dark spots, eye bags, etc, look for skincare products that are high in Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or peptides. Apply these products to your problem areas on a daily basis, or as stated on the packaging.
Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is incredibly delicate, and therefore requires its own treatment. Dark circles and puffiness can be treated by eye creams that have hyaluronic acid and caffeine.
As mentioned before, a cold eye mask should also be part of your regular skincare routine, and if you use a face mask, place it in the freezer first, as the cold will most certainly help to tighten up your skin.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is another crucial part of any skincare routine, no matter how basic or complex it is. Moisture is your skin’s best friend, and a moisturizer can help to lock it in and stop your skin from drying out.
As previously stated, it is essential to find a moisturizer that is right for your skin, as you may need something a bit stronger if your skin is dry, and you may need something a bit weaker if you suffer from oily skin.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is definitely not something you should do every day, but it is something you should do regularly. Simply put, exfoliating removes all the dirt and oil on your skin, and gives you a fresh start, which is great if you are experiencing a breakout.
However, some oils are good for your skin, and exfoliating also removes all the good moisture your skin needs. Because of this, you shouldn’t do it every day, but rather when you really need to or, as mentioned, if you are having a breakout.
Sunscreen
Finally, sun damage is far too common, even though it is very easy to avoid. Sun damage can worsen wrinkles, speed up aging, cause discoloration, etc. Because of this, it is important to apply sunscreen every morning, no matter the weather and make this an essential part of your pregnancy skincare routine.
The one mistake many make is that they don’t apply sunscreen on overcast days, but UV rays are still present, and can still cause damage.
In conclusion, it isn’t difficult to create a skincare routine that can help you with your skin problems post-pregnancy. As long as you have the right products and you stay consistent, you will see improvements in a matter of days.
