It is important to support your body as it goes through changes during pregnancy. Aside from lifestyle changes and shifting to a healthier diet, you should also consider a pregnancy-safe skincare routine. 

Do I need a pregnancy-specific skincare routine? 

The answer isn’t as straightforward. It would depend on your current skincare routine and your personal experience as a pregnant person.

If your current skincare routine consists of a facial cleanser and a simple moisturizer and that continues to work for you, that’s great!

Some people, however, may be using skincare products with ingredients that could be harmful to a developing baby. Others may experience skin problems during pregnancy. 

Expecting mothers can develop benign skin conditions like melasma and acne due to changes in hormones, which might prompt them to seek something like these facial services in Sugar Land, TX and have a professional see what they can do to help. They may also experience things like pregnancy rash, which can be uncomfortable but harmless, or cholestasis of pregnancy, which should be reported to your doctor.

A pregnancy-specific skincare routine can help address your skin concerns in a way that’s healthy for you and your growing baby. 

Building a pregnancy-safe skincare routine

Creating a pregnancy-safe skincare routine will help you reduce any untoward health risks for your baby. You can also help support your skin as it goes through physical changes brought about by varying levels of hormones.

The first step in building your new skincare routine is to look up the skincare ingredients of the products you already use. It is safe to assume a lot of skincare products are safe to use during pregnancy but it is always best to check the labels. 

If you are using prescription topical treatments like tretinoin and hydroquinone, you should stop using them immediately. When in doubt, contact your doctor if you are unsure if a specific skincare ingredient or product is harmful to your developing baby.

When planning out your new skincare routine, it is best to keep the products that already work well with your skin. Aside from the economical aspect of not throwing out everything for the sake of “starting new,” it reduces the chances of your skin freaking out by a ton of new products. 

You should also do a patch test when you introduce a new product into your routine. While “gentle” is the name of the game when it comes to pregnancy-safe skincare, there is still a chance you may develop an irritation or reaction. With all the changes your body is going through, your skin may even decide it no longer likes the moisturizer you’ve been using for five years. These things happen and you just have to be patient with your skin.  

If you’re looking for a fuss-free skincare routine, you would need a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen during the day. That’s your basic routine. To target specific skin concerns, you can incorporate products like serums or other treatments. 

Step-by-step skincare routine for your pregnancy

You have to keep in mind that everyone’s skincare routine is very personal. Certain products may work for one person but may not for another. Your routine should cater to your unique regimen of TLC. 

Cleanser 

Your cleanser should be effective enough to thoroughly cleanse your skin yet gentle enough to not strip it of its natural oils. 

If you wear makeup often, you can opt for the double cleansing method. This method starts with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and sunscreen. You follow it up with a traditional water-based cleanser to clean off the remaining oil cleanser and dirt. 

Toner 

Some of us may be used to associating toners with astringents which can be very drying on the skin. However, newer toners on the market offer more benefits for your skin. A lot of them focus on boosting hydration, prepping your skin for the rest of your products, and keeping your skin calm and balanced. 

Serums and treatments

Serums and other treatment products target specific skin concerns. 

For expecting mothers suffering from dry skin, a hyaluronic acid serum can help give your skin an extra drink of hydration. Peptides can also help plump up your skin.

Vitamin C and Niacinamide serums are great for targeting hyperpigmentation. Experts recommend Vitamin C concentrations higher than 10% in the active form of l-ascorbic acid. Just make sure you do a patch test to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin. 

Azelaic acid is the perfect all-around product that helps calm redness, clear acne, and improve hyperpigmentation and texture. The best part is it’s incredibly gentle and safe to use during pregnancy. It’s a great substitute for your retinol or retinoid.

Moisturizer 

A great way to keep your skin happy and calm is by keeping it well-moisturized. Some moisturizers also include skincare ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and peptides which is always a nice bonus. Depending on your skin type, you can opt for a lighter or thicker consistency. 

Sunscreen 

Wearing sunscreen every day protects you from sun damage. It’s also exceptionally helpful in managing hyperpigmentation and melasma which can be exacerbated with prolonged sun exposure. 

A lot of mothers-to-be and experts recommend mineral sunscreen as pregnancy-safe sunscreen. While there is no conclusive study that indicates chemical sunscreens are harmful during pregnancy, some would err on the side of caution.

The white cast is a common problem mineral sunscreen users deal with but there have been newer products in the market that make it inclusive for all skin colors. 

Exfoliator 

Using a chemical exfoliator once a week can help your skin maintain its healthy glow. Opt for low-percentage beta hydroxy acids (BHA) and gentle alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). These can be in the form of a chemical face mask or a toner. 

Blemish Treatment

If you’re someone who picks on their acne, you can use pimple patches. These are small hydrocolloid stickers you put on top of your acne to protect it from dirt and your picking fingers.

You can also use spot treatments like topical sulfur, zinc, and niacinamide which are pregnancy-safe ingredients. 

Of course, you don’t have to have an intricate, multi-step skincare routine. You can add and omit certain steps depending on your skin’s needs. And if you have any questions, you can always consult your doctor to make sure you’re doing what’s best for you, your baby, and your skin. 

This is a guest post by Katie Pierce.