Pregnancy Skin Concerns

Pregnancy comes with its own pattern of circulating hormones and some of these can bring out blemishes, spots and stretch marks at certain stages of pregnancy.

As the blemishes are a temporary state of affair that the skin will readjust to later on, I would not recommend the use of the more harsh (yet more effective) products that exist to fight spot-prone and blemished skin.  So, things like benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid may not be necessary.  Maintaining well-cleansed, but not over-dried skin and using a moisturizer designed for oily skin is the answer.  Use hypoallergenic products designed for oily skin such as No7 Beautifully Balanced Cleanser and No7 Rebalancing Day Gel.

It is difficult to get rid of pigment spots, but the application of products with active ingredients targeted to fade pigment spots can help to fade the spots over time.  Alternatively, they can be masked by foundation or concealer.

Intensive moisturization and the massage that goes with it will help minimize the risk of you getting stretch marks.  There are many factors that will contribute to the likelihood of you getting stretch marks.  Just some of these are:

• Previous fluctuations in body size/weight, including previous pregnancies.
• How well you have looked after your skin (e.g. if you’ve overdone the sun/sun bed exposure, there is an increased risk of getting stretch marks).
• Age
• Family history of getting stretch marks.

The aim is to maintain the suppleness in all the areas that increase in size (particularly the abdomen and breasts).  Richer products are better because they encourage massage, which helps the skin stay supple.  Massage does not need to be vigorous, just regular.  You will find ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter are commonly used and some specially  formulated “body butters” are available.  I’d recommend the Botanics Enriching Body Cream.