Best Practices for Skincare During Pregnancy
We want to help keep it simple — There are so many pregnancy don'ts (especially when it comes to skincare) it can be hard to keep track of, so here’s a guide to what skincare products are safe to use when pregnant. This is not created to replace medical advice by your OB but a helpful tool when deciding what skincare products are right for you during this time of pregnancy/nursing! here we go, mama.
pregnancy induced acne
Pregnancy induced acne is a common complaint especially during the first trimester due to changing estrogen levels, even if you have never struggled with acne in the past.
Ingredients that can help with pregnancy induced acne:
Salicylic acid (<2%)
Glycolic acid (usually less than 10% is advised)
Lactic Acid
Azelaic Acid
Safe Products for Acne During Pregnancy (be sure to introduce products one at a time!)
Obagi Clenziderm: A cleanser with less than 2% salicylic acid (Best for sensitive acne prone skin)
Brightening Facial Wash: A cleanser w pregnancy safe amount of glycolic and salicylic acid (Best for acne prone/oily skin)
Papaya Enzyme Cleanser: Papaya extract cleanser with <0.5% salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation (Best for dry/sensitive skin)
Overachiever: Pregnancy safe retinoid alternative
Barefaced Toning Pads: A combo of glycolic and less than 2% salicylic (Best for more sensitive skin)
Barefaced Toning Pads II: A combo of glycolic and less than 2% salicylic (Best for acne prone/oily skin)
Hydrating Lotion: A moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated
Wrinkle Prevention in pregnancy
Using products that increase cellular turnover will help fight premature aging as well as fine lines/wrinkles. Unfortunately Retinoids are a no-no during pregnancy, but this Serum is a great alternative during this time.
melasma in pregnancy
Melasma is also referred to as the “dreaded mask of pregnancy” that can be very challenging to get rid of. The best thing to do is prevent prevent prevent — do this by religiously using a Vitamin C serum & a daily physical SPF. Block out those harmful rays anyway you can by wearing hats, reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, avoiding excess soy in your diet and temperatures of excessive heat.
Tools to prevent melasma:
Physical* sunscreens
Daily Antioxidants (Take our skin quiz to find out which one is the best fit for your skin!)
Sun + heat avoidance
Safe Products for Treating Melasma in Pregnancy:
Barefaced Tinted Protection SPF 50+ (gives more of a glow) and Intellishade TruPhysical (tinted and more mattifying): These are my two favorite daily physical sunscreens for my patients with melasma!
Barefaced Brightening Serum: Non-irritating, skin brightening ingredients including Kojic Acid, Arbutin and Bearberry along with skin protective antioxidants
Vitamin C: Read more about Vitamin C serums here!
C+ Correcting Complex 30%: A great Vitamin C lotion that helps prevent hyperpigmentation. This is a great option if you don’t like serums or a have a sensitivity/reaction to Vitamin C serums.
Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask: Minimizes the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation and sun damage to boost a youthful glow. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea I do not recommend this mask. Make sure to read full usage instructions prior to first use.
dry skin in pregnancy
Another common complaint in pregnancy is dry skin. Hormone shifts and fluid shifts can go from you to baby, causing the skin to lose moisture and elasticity.
Ingredients that can help with pregnancy induced dry skin:
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrating moisturizer
Essential Lipids
Safe Products To Use For Dry Skin During Pregnancy:
Barefaced Hydrating Lotion: An amazing AM/PM hydrating moisturizer that doesn’t feel too heavy, won’t make you break out, and does so much for your skin!
Strech mark prevention + Treatment in pregnancy
Unfortunately, some people are more prone to stretch marks than others. Either way, why not do all the things to prevent!
My favorite safe products to use for stretch marks in pregnancy:
Mama Bee Belly Butter (Apply after Bio-oil)
If you do develop stretch marks, here are two great treatment options:
Example Daily Skincare Routine in pregnancy
EVENING:
Double cleanse with micellar water or Cleansing Oil
1. Cleanse:
2. TONE:
Barefaced Toning Pads (oily/acne prone)
Brightening Serum (melasma/Sensitive/Rosacea prone Skin)
3. Vitamin C Serum
4. Retinoid Alternative:
5. Hyaluronic acid serum/moisturizer
Hydrating Lotion: daily moisturizer
AT HOME TREATMENT:
Dermaplaning- Here is a DIY Dermaplaning Tutorial
Exfoliating at home peels (once a week)
Pore Purifying Clay Mask: unclogs pores and absorbs excess oil
Microinfusions: (I wouldn’t do this more than once every 4-6 weeks- follow usage instructions to not risk damaging the skin as this can do more harm than good if not used properly- never use with active breakouts)
silicone sleeping strips (can be done nightly)
MORNING:
1. Cleanse:
2. TONE:
Barefaced Toning Pads (oily/acne prone)
Brightening Serum (melasma/Sensitive/Rosacea prone Skin)
3. Vitamin C Serum:
4. Retinoid Alternative:
5. *Hyaluronic acid serum/moisturizer
Hydrating Serum (optional, use if feel dry)
6. Sunscreen
Barefaced Sheer SPF or Tinted SPF: this is my favorite daily sunscreen
Revision Intellishade TruPhysical Physical SPF if you have melasma
Treatments
Unfortunately, no retinoids or injectables are recommended during pregnancy or nursing
Generally, the only two office treatments I recommend to my patients while pregnant/nursing are Microinfusions with PRP or Microneedling with PRP, we use a numbing cream that is safe during pregnancy
TIPS
Whenever I add a new product to my routine I do one product at a time for at least 2 weeks to make sure that product doesn't irritate my skin
At minimum, use a daily Vitamin C serum and sunscreen to protect your skin!
Your skin likes consistency — stick with a skincare routine as much as you’re able
Drink lots of water