Those nine months of waiting for your new baby are full of wonder and joy, but can also spring a few unpleasant surprises on your face and body. So while you concentrate on getting everything ready for your new arrival, spare some time to prepare yourself too, with our guide to the changes you can expect, and what you can do about them.
Hormone changes during pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive, dry, and fragile. Skip the scrubs and other exfoliants in the cabinet, they will be too aggressive on pregnancy skin.
To remedy this, swap your scented shower gels and bubble bath for cleansing soap bars, soap-free shower gels or washing oils that cleanse the skin without attacking its protective hydrolipidic film.
To prevent the appearance of redness and irritation, moisturise generously every day from head to toe with a hypoallergenic skin care product, or one that's specially formulated for sensitive skin. For the face, choose an anti-redness product, which will reduce the disruption of the microcirculation. If your skin still feels tight, apply a soothing mask. The L’Oréal Paris Hydrafresh Genius Water Bursting Mask helps skin feel soft, refreshed and hydrated.
Around the fourth month of pregnancy, liver spots can start to crop up on the cheeks and the forehead. These are caused by hormonal changes but are aggravated by exposure to the sun, so before you step out the door, smother it with an SPF 30 sun cream. Try the L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Even Complexion sunscreen. It not only protects you from the harmful UV rays but also provides skin tone correction. If you're lucky, the spots may gradually disappear in time, but they can remain after the birth of your baby so sunscreen is essential.
From the fifth month of pregnancy, stretch marks may start appearing on your stomach, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. These are caused by weight gain and the increased secretion of cortisol, a hormone that destroys collagen fibres. Every day, from the first month of pregnancy until the baby is four months old, massage your skin with an anti-stretch-mark cream to promote localised microcirculation and to help the skin to stretch and gently tighten again.
Finally, to lighten your heavy and swollen legs, use a cool gel or a soothing de-puffing spray, which will boost the activity of the blood vessels. And avoid using hot wax hair removal products and return to your faithful friend, the razor.
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, and with all the changes going on in your body, your skin is likely to undergo some changes as well. Changes to your skin type and texture during pregnancy is normal and is often temporary. Regardless of what your skin concerns are, with the right products and a pregnancy-safe skincare routine, you can tackle all skin problems with ease.
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