Pregnancy and Your Skin: Tips for Beauty and Safety!
by Skincare-news.com team
During pregnancy, you’re focused intently on developing a healthy routine for both you and your baby. A wholesome diet and exercise are typical staples in your routine. But don’t neglect to pay attention to your skin care and beauty products too. Follow these seven tips for playing it safe with your skin care and playing it pretty with your makeup.
1 Easy on the essentials - oils, that is. Essential oils are a relaxing addition to many day spa and at-home treatments, but for pregnant women, some essential oils are harmful. Stay away from the following common essential oils (this list isn’t exhaustive): Angelica, Aniseed, Cedarwood, Chamomile (German and Roman), Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Ginger, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary , Sweet Fennel, Sage and Wormwood.
Essential oils, however, are known for their soothing and calming benefits. Some oils can relieve nausea, ease muscle pain and even induce labor. Midwives, for instance, use essential oils like jasmine and clary sage to induce contractions. The key is to dilute the oils, because essential oils are very concentrated. So if a recipe calls for 10 drops, cut it in half to five.
The bottom line is: Before using any essential oil, talk to your physician and aromatherapist about which essential oils are safe for you. Some experts, however, advise pregnant women avoid all essential oils.
1 Chemical exfoliants out!, Retinoids, a form of vitamin A, are effective exfoliators, in addition to their other jobs in treating acne, boosting collagen and being a wrinkle-reducing wonder. But for pregnant women, these products are a no-no! Research has suggested that high doses of vitamin A are harmful to the baby and Accutane, an oral retinoid used to treat acne, has been shown to cause birth defects. In addition to staying away from retinoid products, make sure you skip the chemical peels at the spa too.
Also avoid using salicylic acid, a BHA or beta-hydroxy acid that is very effective in treating acne. Commonly used in exfoliators and antiaging creams, cleansers and toners, salicylic acid is part of the aspirin family. Because taking aspirin has been linked to various complications during pregnancy - increased risk of miscarriage, heart and lung-related problems and potential stunting of baby’s growth - it’s recommended that moms-to-be stay away from using salicylic acid topically too. Whereas using small amounts in a toner, for example, is safe, using face and body peels with salicylic acid isn’t.
According to Babycenter.com, look for the following retinoid ingredients and avoid them: Differin (adapelene), Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin), Retinoic acid, Retinol, Retinyl linoleate, Retinyl palmitate
Tazorac and avage (Tazarotene). Same goes for salicylic acid: Salicylic acid, Beta hydroxy acid and BHA.
1 Better shave than sorry (and maybe wax). Dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson tells BeautyiVillage.com that it’s better to shave during your pregnancy, and avoid cream hair removers - also known as depilatories - because the chemicals sink into your skin. According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), the ingredients barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate are cause for concern. Though research hasn’t demonstrated these ingredients are harmful, studies also haven’t shown them to be safe in pregnant women, the APA emphasizes.
Information on how electrolysis and laser hair removal affect your baby is also lacking. As such, many health care professionals recommend avoiding laser hair removal and electrolysis, according to the APA. Importantly, galvanic current, one type of current used in electrolysis, sends an electric current through your body and can harm the baby, who’s surrounded by amniotic fluid, a conductor of electricity.
Talk to your health care provider about waxing. If it’s okay, keep in mind that your skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy. To lessen irritation and infection and reduce burning and stinging, apply an antiseptic lotion before and after your wax.
1 Sunscreen: Don’t leave home without it. Aside from the ever-present danger of sunburn and skin cancer, the hormonal changes of pregnancy can cause melasma or pregnancy mask, a darkening of the skin around the nose, eyes and forehead. UV exposure worsens melasma. Apply sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 (higher during the summer or if you will be in the sun for a long period of time). Experts recommend using sunscreen containing parsol, titanium dioxide, transparent zinc oxide and micronized zinc oxide. Products with these ingredients have smaller amounts of chemicals. Also don’t forget to wear protective clothing, like a hat and long-sleeved shirt, to further decrease your chances of sun damage during pregnancy.
1 Choose simplicity for your skin care. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer during your pregnancy. Make sure to up the hydration by keeping your body constantly moisturized. Apply a moisturizing product to your entire body after showering and before bed.
1 Get that glow with the basics. During pregnancy, some women tend to skip makeup altogether or go overboard and look too made-up. Renowned celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown tells Babycentre.com the easy, pretty essentials every pregnant woman should have in her makeup bag: concealer, yellow-toned foundation, pink blush and your fave lipstick.
Brown suggests, when buying concealer, choose a shade lighter than your foundation. When putting on your makeup, apply concealer first wherever you need it and follow up with foundation, but make sure, you don’t apply foundation on top of your concealer (which defeats the purpose of concealing in the first place).
If you’re pressed for time and your skin is looking dull and lackluster, all you need is your pink blush and bronzer. Apply bronzer to the entire cheek and then dab blush on the apples of your cheeks.
When choosing makeup, look for oil-free products that don’t clog pores, which are typically listed as “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic.”
1 When in doubt, seek your doctor out! If you’re unsure about a product or specific ingredient, always consult with your dermatologist or obstetrician. Many times physicians are overly cautious and conservative about makeup and skin care products, but as the saying goes, “it’s better safe than sorry.”