Caring for your skin while pregnant
Some women glow in pregnancy, but the majority of us find the increase in hormones means havoc for the skin.
General advice to help your skin looking its best is to drink plenty of water each day – hydration is super important for skin that shouts ‘healthy’ from across the room. Maintain a good skincare routine and make sure you remove all traces of your cosmetics at night. Here are some of the common effects that pregnancy has on the skin…
Pigmentation changes
Pregnancy hormones can cause certain areas of your body to darken visibly. The areolas around your nipples may take on a darker hue and during pregnancy a line may develop from your navel down to your pubic bone – it’s called the linea nigra, but not every woman gets it.
Changes in skin pigmentation may appear on your face too – dark patches on light-skinned women and light patches on dark-skinned women. It’s called chloasma, but is sometimes referred to as ‘the mask of pregnancy’. Any existing freckles and moles may also darken. If you’re self-conscious about the changes, use cosmetics to conceal them.
Connections have been made between skin changes of this type and a lack of folate, an essential B vitamin. To counteract this, make sure you eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, fruit and cereals: all good sources of folate. You’ll already be supplementing your folate intake with folic acid (the synthetic version of folate) and this also helps to prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. Have a look at diet for a healthy pregnancy.
Hormone havoc
Pregnancy hormones can make dry skin oily and vice versa. Monitor your skin’s condition and change your skincare routine and cosmetics to better suit it if necessary. Drink plenty of water to flush out any impurities and keep your skin hydrated.
Stretch marks
Red lines, known as stretch marks, may make an appearance on the parts of your body that see an increase in size, namely your breasts and abdomen. These marks appear due to a breakdown in the natural collagen and elastin found in your skin as it is stretched. As collagen fibers reproduce to combat this process, the brightly colored lines appear. You’re more likely to get them if you’re fair skinned and if your mom had them. You can’t prevent them and they can be itchy as well as unsightly. If your skin is itchy and tingling, aloe vera gel and cocoa butter are cooling and soothing natural remedies. Wearing a good support bra should help to minimize the risk of marks appearing on your breasts.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Related Articles
Last Modified: 05/07/2007
Related Chat 1
I agree with the only using natural products. I would recomend the website www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk they do a fabulous range of organic bath and body care products. I find them really relaxing and they have very few ingredients and no nasty chemicals. They smell great too!
I think that the best way to choose products is to go with the timeless ingredients that have been used for centuries. Like shea butter which has been used but women in countries such as Ghana for years.
You'll need to be logged in to post new Comments and Answers or to Chat.
Login or
Register