Take Care of Your Skin During Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes many changes in a woman’s body and hormonal makeup. A pregnant woman’s body produces more hormones — particularly estrogen and progesterone — which causes a number of noticeable changes. To maintain healthy and beautiful skin during pregnancy, you may need to reconsider your skincare routine. You need to learn what products are safe for you — and your baby — to use on your skin during your pregnancy.

Steps

Expecting Changes During Your Pregnancy

1. Prepare for some skin changes. You're carrying a developing baby who is growing inside your body and making room for itself. Your little bundle of joy may be creating noticeable marks in the form of stretch marks. Even post-baby, hormones can also be a factor in causing these skin abrasions. One way of combating stretch marks is using cocoa butter, which is a safe lotion to help fade skin blemishes.
   • It is recommended to only gain the amount of weight that your doctor recommends. Excess weight gain can increase stretch mark formation.
2. Notice your skin's pigmentation. You may notice darker skin splotches due to hyperpigmentation. When you’re pregnant and your hormones are going haywire, increased melanin in your skin may cause noticeable difference. It may cause patches of your skin to darken, especially around the areolas.
   • You may also notice the pregnancy line, or linea nigra. This is a vertical line that appears going down the center of your stomach. It is normally too light to see, but it may darken and become visible during pregnancy.
   • There is nothing to worry about with skin pigmentation, but if you notice linea nigra, it may indicate you need more folic acid (a B vitamin). Talk to your doctor about this.
3. Avoid popping pimples. You may relive your teenage years with an increase in acne. Since your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes during a pregnancy, you may develop acne or other skin abrasions. Mostly, your skin will clear up after your pregnancy. But, serious rashes like Chloasma (or sometimes called “Mask of Pregnancy”) can occur and needs to be treated by a doctor.

Avoiding Harmful Products and Chemicals

1. Think about your nail routine. Nail polishes and nail polish remover can have harsh chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene. Both of these chemical are preservatives and can do serious harm if absorbed. You do not have to completely forego pretty nails, just be sure to pick nail polishes that do not have nasty chemicals like Formaldehyde in them
2. Talk to your doctor about wrinkle cream and acne medication. Accutane (isotretinoin), Retin-A (tretinoin), and tetracyclines can all be dangerous to your developing fetus, may cause serious birth defects, and should be avoided. Wrinkle cream may also contain Retinol, which can also be dangerous.
   • If you have concerns about wrinkles or acne while pregnant, it is important you discuss this with your doctor and find a treatment that is safe for both you and your baby.
   • Botox should not be used to treat wrinkles while pregnant, either.
3. Wait to whiten your teeth. Teeth-whitening products that contain peroxide may not be safe to use while pregnant. There is not enough research to support that it is safe to bleach or have your teeth whitened, so it's best to wait until after you have given birth and are finished breastfeeding. In fact, it is illegal in some countries for dentists to perform whitening procedures on pregnant women.
   • Some whitening toothpastes, too, contain peroxide. The levels are so low they should not affect your pregnancy, but talk to your doctor first. Look for stain-reducing, rather than whitening, toothpaste.
4. Avoid tanning and spray tans. There is not clear evidence that tanning will harm your baby, but using a tanning bed is the leading cause of skin cancer and should always be avoided. Tanning may also potentially break down folic acid, which is important in building your baby's nervous system. Avoid spray tans, as you can inhale chemicals that could harm your baby.
   • In addition, overheating by tanning or laying out in the sun can increase your risk for birth defects.
   • Wear sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
   • Talk to your doctor before using self-tanner. There is not enough evidence to show that self-tanning lotion is safe for use while you are pregnant, but it is thought the chemical that browns your skin (dihydroxyacetone) is not absorbed past the first layer of skin. Still, you should check with your doctor before using any self-tanning products, or just make peace with being a little pale while you're pregnant.

Picking Products That Will Work for You

1. Consult with experts. Talk with your doctor, or your dermatologist. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about what products you can use. If you develop a problem with your skin like a rash or persistent acne, the doctor can prescribe you safe options such as a topical cream.
2. Be wise and do your research. Once you know what you need and what can harm you, you need to look for products that will work for your skin, body, and baby. There are plenty of resources on the internet for expecting mothers, including popular pregnancy forums hosted by well-known parenting magazines.
3. Go green! Use natural, oil-free products on your skin. These products avoid harsh chemicals and are often more environmentally friendly. Some even are specifically blended for pregnant women.
4. Keep an eye on advertisements. There a number of products that specialize in sulphate-free or oil-free beauty alternatives. Check out magazines like Parenting, American Baby, or Baby Talk for specialized advertisements.

Tips

• Opt for make-ups labeled as “noncomedogenic” or minerals-only make-up to reduce the likelihood of your skin absorbing the ingredients or developing acne.
• Most women whose skin changed during pregnancy return to normal after their hormones regulate postpartum. Because most topical skincare treatments are acceptable for use during pregnancy, a little troublesome hair, red blotches, or dry patches can be safely and easily addressed.
• In some cases, sudden or significant changes in skin texture or color can indicate a health problem; if something alarms you, call a dermatologist or consult your healthcare provider.

Warnings

• Make-ups and lotions with soy or oil of bergamot, which can be common in certain organic products, may aggravate melasma by making the dark spots worse. Avoid products with these two ingredients if you have dark spots, although “active soy” will not have that effect and can be used safely. For women without melasma, soy products are typically safe to use.
• If you work in a field that involves handling chemicals, including hair dye and nail polish, take extra precautions to avoid contact with your skin by wearing gloves and other protective equipment.
• Using the products that have been contraindicated for use during pregnancy could harm your baby. If you have any concerns or doubts about a skincare product you wish to use, consult a healthcare professional in advance.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Exercise Safely During Pregnancy
• Care for Your Face (Males)
• Heal Raw Skin
• Tell Your Grandparents You're Pregnant
• Use a Glycolic Acid Peel
• Know if Sunscreen Has Expired
• Heal over Exfoliated Skin
• Wear a Face Shield
• Stop Hard Water from Ruining Your Skin
• Tell the Position of a Baby in the Uterus

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