How to Choose Skincare Products During Pregnancy

The following are some of the most common skin changes during pregnancy

1. Stretch Marks

Stretch Marks are reddish lines across the belly, thighs, and other body parts. As your belly grows to accommodate the new entrant, the skin stretches and expands leading to stretch marks.

2. Skin Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation is also common during pregnancy. The increasing hormones result in the production of higher pigmentation. As a result, you may observe that your moles, acne and other skin conditions are more prominently visible. Conditions such as melasma are common during pregnancy

3. Acne

Acne is another condition that is quite common when you are pregnant. Some women develop them during pregnancy, while others who already have acne may find it worsening again all thanks to the pregnancy hormones.

4. Varicose Veins

The veins in your body may become sore, swollen, and blue due to increased blood flow and increasing pressure from the uterus on the blood vessels present in the lower part of the body. In most cases, varicose veins will go away after delivery.

5. Skin Dryness

As the belly grows, your skin may expand and become tight, making the skin dry and itchy at times. Hormonal changes also dry up your skin.

6. Spider Veins

Spider Veins are reddish blood vessels that pop out due to increased blood circulation. They are usually harmless and disappear after delivery.

7. Skin Tags

Your pregnancy weight gain and hormones result in the formation of small tags or growths that usually appear under the arms and breasts. These skin tags typically disappear after delivery, and if not, there are cosmetic procedures to remove them.

8. Darkening of Moles and other areas

You can often find that certain areas in your body, including moles, freckles, nipples, areolas, and labia, usually becomes darker when you are pregnant. The increased hormones in your body are the main reason for such darkening. While you cannot do anything about it, these usually go away after delivery, and sometimes, they might stay back. While the darkened areas are visible, they are not drastic.

Common Skin Concerns While Pregnant

The skin undergoes many changes during pregnancy, and we might prefer choosing an OTC skincare product or any heavy skincare cream to get rid of the conditions. But, before selecting any of them, let us discuss what could be the common skin concerns while pregnant.

1. Products may be absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin and will affect the growth or development of your baby.

Studies show that the skin absorbs 60 percent of the chemicals in cosmetics and skin care products into the bloodstream. When you are pregnant, this absorption affects you and the little one. That is why dermatologists always suggest soft cleaners with mild ingredients rather than stronger ones to cure skin conditions during pregnancy.

2. Your skin may be more sensitive than usual, and you may experience allergic reactions to skincare products.

You may notice that your skin becomes very sensitive during pregnancy. This is because as your body expands and puts pressure, the rate of flow in the blood increases along with the hormonal changes. Using skin care products at such times might make your skin itchy and brings rashes. It is best to consult a dermatologist and buy skincare products specifically formulated for pregnant women.

How to Check if Your Skin Care Products are Safe?

Our skin is the largest organ in the body, and it protects us and helps us stay healthy. If you sit down to check the skin care product ingredients, you might find all new names. How to check if the skin care product is safe for your skin?

• The skin care products which have not been tested for their safety might come with a warning that “This product has not been tested.”
• Two types of chemicals, – Parabens and Phthalates, are the commonly used preservatives in cosmetic products, and they can easily penetrate through the skin and create hormonal imbalances.

A few other ingredients which can be harmful to your skin include the following.

• • Oxybenzone
  • Formaldehyde
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene
  • Boric Acid
  • Sodium Borate
  • Coal tar ingredients
  • Polyethene components
  • Retinol
  • Lead Acetate
  • Retinyl Palmitate
  • Methylisothiazolinone
  • Hydroquinone
  • Sodium lauryl Sulfate
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  • Toluene
  • Triclosan
  • Triclocarban

Read more about pregnancy skincare routine here

Checking On The Safer Skincare Products Takes Just Four Steps

Step 1:  Understand why non-toxic products are essential and check your suitability after discussing them with your dermatologist.

Step 2:  Keep a list of cosmetic ingredients on hand

Step 3: Check for the Environmental Safety Group Safety index

Step 4: Decide whether to use them on your skin or not.

Types of Skin Care Products You May Want To Consider

Now that we know how skin care products can harm us, the final question is, what can you use?

While all the above can be disheartening to know, it should not stop you from doing your skincare routine. You can still find many skin care products that are safe for your skin. A few of them are

1. Body Wash
2. Body Lotion
3. Body Oils

While selecting the above products, the following ingredients are entirely safe to use while pregnant.

• Gentle and fragrance-free products
• Hyaluronic acid – contains anti-aging and pregnancy-safe properties.
• Benzoyl Peroxide – is usually recommended only for limited amounts. Always better to check with a dermatologist.
• Vitamin C Serum
• Salicylic Acid – only in low doses. They are not recommended for high dosages.

Top 6 Brands Of Skin Care Products During Pregnancy

If your pre-pregnancy skin care routine no longer works for your new pregnant skin, or you’re worried about its safety for you and your baby, there are various pregnancy-safe, budget-friendly, and time-saving options available. Find out the Top 6 brands of skin care products during pregnancy:

1. The Moms Co

All of The Mothers Co’s products have been tested by dermatologists and are guaranteed to be free of harmful chemicals. All ingredients are checked against the most comprehensive toxic-free databases in the world to guarantee that products contain no dangerous chemicals and are manufactured according to the strictest worldwide safety standards. Extensive testing is done in temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 degrees, to ensure that the goods perform as expected in a wide range of environments.

2. Lotus

Lotus Professional, India’s leading natural skincare brand, provides several plant-inspired treatments and products. Their scientifically researched, safe, and powerful compositions give long-term results and are the finest organic skin care products in India. Our carefully adjusted skincare mixes include fast-acting, non-irritating ingredients that are suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

3. Neutrogena

For many years, Neutrogena has been a well-known brand name. The brand has gone to great lengths to develop solutions that are both mild and effective for persons with sensitive skin. The products are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores or trigger outbreaks. Dermatologists suggest it twice as much as any other skincare brand.

4. Bio-Oil

Bio-oil should be used regularly. Bio-Oil may help to enhance the look of new or existing scars, whether they are the result of surgery, an accident, burns, bug bites, scratches, or disorders like acne or chickenpox. Skincare With Bio-Oil Oil should be circularly rubbed into the stretch marks twice daily for at least three months. It should be used to regions prone to stretch marks during pregnancy, such as the belly, breasts, lower back, hips, buttocks, and thighs, beginning in the second trimester.

5. Forrest Essentials

Ayurveda thought that beauty should be clean, natural, in season, and fresh. Ayurveda says that facial care and beauty products made from living things like plants or their extracts are in tune with nature and have the vibrational energy that makes life possible. The ingredients in Forrest Essentials come from trees, flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

6. Kama Ayurveda

Kama Ayurveda understands skin concerns and creates the finest natural skin care solutions. Dehydrated skin, dryness, spots, uneven skin tone, marks, acne, breakouts, under-eye dark circles, and wrinkles still plague women and men of all ages. Their premium ayurvedic skin care products can solve all these issues.

It is not easy to give up the regular skincare routine, but it is always possible to do that for the safety of the little one. You can use products that are pregnancy safe. For further guidance, you can always contact your dermatologist. Choose your product carefully for the benefit of two lives. Have a Happy Skincare routine!

FAQ’s

1. Is Hyaluronic Acid OK For Pregnancy?

The use of hyaluronic acid during pregnancy is considered safe and can be used liberally.

2. Can I Use Vitamin C Serum While Pregnant?

While pregnant, vitamin C serum can be used instead of retinoids to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone.

3. Is Sunscreen Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes. Applying sunscreen during pregnancy is essential to prevent sunburn and other skin damage caused by the increased sensitivity of your skin during pregnancy. On the other hand, you should be aware of the sunscreens’ components.