Essential Skincare Tips for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase of life for most women; however, it comes with its challenges in terms of hormonal changes affecting a woman’s body and mind. Throughout the 36 weeks, women preparing themselves for the new beginning in their lives must prioritize their diet, exercise, mental and physical health, indulge a bit in self-care, and more. Skincare is one of these aspects, as most women experience acne, breakouts, or dry skin, especially in the first trimester. A good pregnancy skincare routine would nourish your skin, elevate your mood, and positively impact your baby. This post shares skin care tips that are safe during pregnancy, may keep your skin supple and help build a positive state of mind.

Common Skin Challenges During Pregnancy and Unsafe Ingredients to Watch Out for

Some challenges are associated with the ingredients in your skincare creams, masks, and more. While they are FDA-approved, not all ingredients would suit everyone. Here are some essential pointers to consider.

• Skin becomes more sensitive during pregnancy than at other times, which is why you may develop rashes or irritation upon using certain ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, often present in skin creams.
• While essential oils are good for your skin and mood, checking their fragrance and concentration in a given product is crucial. It is because some fragrances or high concentrations of specific essential oils may not suit some women.
• Hydroquinone is one such ingredient one must look for as it is easily absorbed in the bloodstream and may affect your baby’s health.
• Avoid chemical-based sunscreen lotions and supposedly safe moisturizers that may contain hormone disrupters such as oxybenzone or avobenzone. Use natural alternatives when going out, such as covering your head with hats or scarves, and using sunglasses that offer protection from UV rays. In fact, they add to your style quotient while keeping you and your baby safe and free from chemicals.
• Antibiotics must be avoided at all costs. While one might be aware of oral antibiotics, there are some present in skin products, too, such as tetracycline.
• Avoid chemical-based anti-tanning sprays that may contain dihydroxyacetone or other such chemicals. While the use is external, a pregnant woman may end up inhaling some of it, which is harmful to the baby.
• Doing a patch test and discussing with your practitioner before you use any new skincare product is best.
• You must be doubly careful in case you have pre-existing allergies or skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and more.

Natural Skincare Routine Tips to Follow During Pregnancy

You may wonder how to set a pregnancy-safe skincare routine when there are many restrictions. But you need not fret. There are many safe and natural alternatives available. While most natural ingredients are safe, checking these for allergies, rashes, and more such conditions are recommended on a case-to-case basis. Pregnant women must check even the natural skincare products they plan to use and discuss them with their doctor. Here are some natural ingredients that are considered generally safe during pregnancy.

• It is better to avoid massaging with oils and creams, especially during the first trimester. You can do light massage on your face and hands during the second and third trimester, but avoid it on lower portion of the body. You can consider it during the third trimester based on your doctor’s advice.
• The best and safest option during pregnancy is to use masks made with natural ingredients on your face, neck, lips, hands, and eyes. In such cases, you may want to use ToGoSpa skincare masks after discussing them with your doctor. These masks are made with all-natural ingredients and help nourish your skin, enhancing your natural pregnancy glow.

These collagen-based gel masks with hyaluronic acid and vitamins, tighten your skin to make it firm and supple.

• You can trust ingredients such as pomegranate, aloe vera, rose extract, grapefruit, coconut, ice water, green tea, and more, which are generally safe for most women, even during pregnancy. All of these are present in various ToGoSpa masks for the face and neck, lips, hands, and so on.
• Some women may not be able to sleep well during their pregnancy, which leads to puffy and tired-looking eyes. In such cases, you can choose from a variety of ToGoSpa under eye masks offered with formulations emulating the benefits of ice water, green tea, or pomegranate. Their lotus flower third eye mask is great and soothing on your forehead.