A Pregnancy Beauty Guide to Keep You Looking Good!
The world of beauty can be a complicated one. There are so many options, products, and techniques that we often get overwhelmed by all of them. If you’re also expecting a baby, then it often complicates things further. That’s why we’ve put together a handy pregnancy beauty guide for you!
Why have we done this? Well, not all beauty components are advisable during pregnancy, because there are changes in your skin and hair as a result of your hormones. And the other reason is simply that you deserve the best! That’s why you shouldn’t miss out on the tips that we’re bringing you today.
The best pregnancy beauty guide
During pregnancy, the range of products available to you is somewhat limited, as some can be harmful to you or the baby. But, at the same time, hormonal changes make your skin and hair suffer significantly.
One of the most common and frustrating changes for pregnant women is the appearance of acne. Increased metabolism and hormones can cause the skin to become more oily. At this time, it’s best to rely on products for sensitive skin. The same goes for hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and a host of other symptoms. What can you do, then?
Products to avoid during pregnancy
The best thing to do is to find an expert to advise you – a dermatologist who can see your specific needs and can tell you which products can help you. However, there are some general recommendations that we’d like to give you as well.
Beware of vitamin A
Topical use of vitamin A isn’t recommended during pregnancy. This includes retinoids and derivatives of this vitamin. Its use, according to the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products, increases the risk of congenital malformations in the fetus and neuropsychiatric alterations in the mother (depression, anxiety, mood, or behavioral changes).
Not all essential oils
Although there are many benefits in using aromatherapy, when you’re pregnant it’s advisable to take precautions. On the one hand, your sense of smell is much more sensitive and some smells may be unpleasant for you, even ones you used to like.
On the other hand, certain essential oils have stimulating properties and could have an adverse effect on the baby. This happens, for example, with rosemary and sage, as they stimulate the secretion of oxytocin and contractions. You should also be careful with cinnamon, cloves, oregano, peppermint, and Atlas cedar.
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Stretch marks
Undoubtedly, this is another issue that affects many pregnant women: the appearance of stretch marks. They appear when the skin is broken by intense stretching, and so, at this stage, it’s common for them to appear on the abdomen and breasts.
To prevent them, you’ll need to look after the elasticity of your skin and, to do this, it’s important that you stay well-hydrated. There are also specific creams, although you can use any moisturizing and oily cream. Another natural option is almond oil or coconut oil, which can be very useful.
Watch out for spots
This is called gestational chloasma or chloasma gravidarum, and it’s a more intense pigmentation on the face, linea alba, areolas, and external genitals.
Again, hormones make the skin more sensitive to the sun and cause this hyperpigmentation. For this reason, it’s important to limit exposure to UV rays.
However, during the first trimester, we recommend that you wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 to 50 every two hours.
You can also opt to use mineral filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These act as a screen on the surface of the skin instead of being absorbed.
Hair
If you’re pregnant, you may be delighted with your hair. It’s very common for hair density and volume to increase, although you’ll notice hair loss during the postpartum period. This is normal, but if you use products to strengthen it, then you’ll look the same as before.
However, you should avoid some chemical products that contain phthalates, present in hairspray, for example. Information isn’t very clear, but some experts say that it could affect fetus growth.
We hope you found this pregnancy beauty guide useful. Look after yourself and, if in doubt, consult a specialist. Avoid saunas, hot water, and certain types of massages, but remember that there are plenty of things you can do to pamper yourself during this special time.