Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be incredibly overwhelming.

Not only do you have to adapt to a whole new ritual, from cutting out sushi and wine to no longer staying up past midnight, but you also have your hormones running wild, which can take quite a toll on your mental well-being. 

Then of course there are all those physical changes that take place from stretch marks to skin issues.

Don't despair, we we have your back!

In this article we will share the most common skincare concerns we hear during pregnancy and the natural ways to get them under control fast. If you have concerns or questions about your specific situation, please consult with your doctor before trying anything we recommend.

We’ll also talk about some of the skincare ingredients to consider avoiding. 

There are actually many commonly used acne skincare ingredients that are considered Pregnancy Category C. Which means these ingredients have been shown to have adverse reactions on fetuses in animal studies but don't have enough conclusive results from human studies. We'll talk about those potential adverse reactions so you can decide on them for yourself!

At the end of the day, you deserve to soak up and enjoy every single minute of this magical time of your life!

With the information in this post, we hope you get those skincare issues under control so you can rock that pregnancy glow!

Acne

Unfortunately acne is a very common side-effect of all those pregnancy hormones flowing wild through your body. Just know that you aren’t alone!

Our best advice for getting acne breakouts under control is to simplify your routine, and use only gentle, natural skincare products. 

Now is not the time to be experimenting with too many new products or over-exfoliating. A simple cleanse, exfoliate and moisturizing ritual is all you need. The less fuss the better for your skin.

Our Beginner Kit is a winner for troubled skin. It includes:

• Organic Jojoba Oil serum that doubles up as a makeup remover (pregnancy skin loves multi-purpose products),
• Lavender & Jasmine Face Cleanser + Exfoliant  to help soothe and calm down redness and irritation while gently exfoliating away dead skin to reveal those radiant layers
• Blackhead Removal Mask to smooth our pores and decrease blackheads (you can even use it as a spot treatment for extra stubborn blemishes!) 

The silver lining is that most hormonal breakouts tend to start fading away after the first trimester, as estrogen naturally begins to increase.

Melasma (Pregnancy Mask)

Many women feel very insecure about melasma, but it’s very common, affecting up to 50% of pregnant women. 

It’s pigmentation (areas of darker skin) that appears in a mask-like pattern around the mouth, and over the cheeks and chin. 

Excess pigment shows up in many pregnant women and is often an early sign of pregnancy. A common area that may start to darken is the areola, along with existing moles and freckles.

Vitamin C is an excellent ingredient for helping to lighten this pregnancy-induced pigmentation. And the best news of all is that it’s completely safe!

We also recommend wearing a high mineral SPF every time you are outdoors. Even better, add a hat to avoid the sun on your face completely if you can!

Stretch Marks

This is another skincare concern that creates quite a lot of inner turmoil for many women. But you deserve to rock those tiger stripes with pride, mama!

They appear as a result of the skin stretching rapidly as your belly grows and may also appear on your buttocks and thighs. Your second layer of skin tears when it can’t stretch fast enough, and  pinkish scars, that fade to silver after a while, are formed. The skin may also become thinner due to those pregnancy hormones. 

The best method of treatment to prevent and to minimize the appearance of stretch marks is to ensure your skin is fully hydrated at all times. Hydrated skin, is more supple and elastic. Which means it can move and expand without leaving as many stretch marks!

Jojoba oil is excellent, because not only is it all natural and completely safe for you and your baby, it will provide that deep down moisture your skin craves so your belly can grow with ease. 

Common active skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

Retinol

Retinol, a high concentration Vitamin A derivative, is very popular with acne skin types, but it also helps to smooth out fine lines and boost collagen production. It is quite harsh though, and does fall into pregnancy category C. 

Salicylic acid

Part of the aspirin family, this is a very common acne ingredient, however it can also be pretty harsh, not to mention it has been linked to birth defects when taken orally. 

Considering that a large percentage of everything you apply to your skin may end up in your bloodstream, it may be best to avoid this one while pregnant. 

Certain essential oils

Essential oils have some excellent aromatherapy and healing properties, however this doesn’t mean that they are all safe. 

In fact, because they are so concentrated they need to be properly diluted in water or a carrier oil (like jojoba) before applying to your skin.

Never ingest any essential oil unless under the guidance of a naturopath or aromatherapist who is qualified in this.

Some oils, however, should be avoided completely during pregnancy, tea tree is one example as it is potent and highly toxic if consumed. 

Rosemary oil should also be avoided as it can increase blood pressure and contribute to uterine contractions at high doses.

All toxins and synthetics

Ultimately becoming familiar with skincare labels is important to ensure you avoid exposing yourself and your baby to potentially nasty toxins that may contribute to issues. 

This is a comprehensive list of common ingredients that may be harmful to your skin and overall health. 

Using clean, natural ingredients are best and that includes your food! Also, do be sure to take extra good care of yourself right now. Allow yourself to rest and indulge in self-love activities every single day.

Wishing you all the best in this beautiful new chapter!