5 Effective Ways To Maintain Beauty During Pregnancy

Pregnancy results in hormonal changes that affect your body and skin. Your skin, during pregnancy, might experience anything from acne to blotchiness. While some of you might already use beauty products regularly without much care for what they’re made of, pregnancy can make one a lot more concerned about what’s actually in their beauty products. Chemicals, especially in lotions, creams and oils, can be absorbed into the bloodstream and harm your unborn child. It’s recommended that you change your beauty products and skin care routine during pregnancy, and use milder, safer ones.

Fortunately, there are many ways for pregnant women to address their skin care needs based on their skin type. Here are some tips that may help you.

1. Try Organic

Since a lot of chemical ingredients are a part of everyday beauty products that can potentially harm the reproductive health of your child, prefer organic products from brands like Himalaya or Patanjali that claim to be all natural.

If unsure about your products, consult your obstetrician about products that are safe to use during pregnancy.

2. Melasma

Pregnancy can lead to certain skin problems because of hormonal and physical changes, one of which is melasma, a skin discoloration disorder, also called “the mask of pregnancy,” which can occur in the second to third trimester. Indian women are more susceptible to this due to excess production of hormones (oestrogen and progesterone). The condition causes dark brown patches to appear on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip which are aggravated by UV rays. Be sure to wear quality sunscreen and avoid going out in the sun unless absolutely necessary. Melasma usually fades after delivery so don’t use bleaching products to cure it. Meanwhile, a concealer can be used if the patches are bothersome.

Stretch Marks:

There’s not much you can do to prevent stretch marks. However, stretch marks can be reduced by drinking a lot of water, taking any vitamins and nutrients recommended by your obstetrician, and eating a healthy diet. You can also use a warm washcloth to massage the skin and increase blood flow to the area, which might alleviate the effect. Keep the skin moisturised by applying a natural emollient like coconut oil to your stomach and breasts before the stretch marks have a chance to appear.

Acne/Oily Skin:

Some women’s skin tends to get oilier during pregnancy resulting in breakouts during the first trimester. If that’s the case with you, switch to oil-free formulas. However, if you already have acne, sometimes pregnancy actually clears up the condition!

Dry Skin:

Dry skin is another concern some women have. Avoid hot baths and use mild cleansers that won’t further dry out skin. For sore, cracked nipples, instead of regular lotions and moisturisers, use special nipple creams and ointments.

Makeup Tips:

Use a blusher to rejuvenate your complexion. Also, Make sure you get enough rest. However, if getting your full eight hours of sleep isn’t an option (especially after delivery), use a concealer for dark circles. Before going to bed, cover your puffy eyes with cool cucumber slices or moist tea bags for 5-10 minutes.