Skincare in Pregnancy: How To Avoid A Pregnancy Mask

Known as chloasma, pregnancy masks tend to appear between the 4th and 6th months. These brown splotches vary in tone and often crop up on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. They're well-defined and usually symmetrical but vary from woman to woman, i.e. dark-haired women tend to suffer more than others. The likelihood of us developing a pregnancy mask depends on our skin phototype.

When we're pregnant, our body produces higher quantities of oestrogens, which, in turn, increases melanin production. This pigment-producing chemical reacts when exposed to sunlight, leading to the appearance of dark patches. Exposing your skin to the sun will significantly increase the risk of a pregnancy mask. Add to that any genetic factors or habits (harsh face scrubs) that could worsen the problem.

The best way to avoid the appearance of chloasma is to limit sun exposure during pregnancy. Whether in town or on a beach, cover up! Even just a hint of sunshine can set it off.

No one expects you to spend your pregnancy in a darkened room but do follow some basic rules:
• Wear a hat if you're going outside
• Religiously apply a high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50's ideal)
• Re-apply your sunscreen every 2 hours
• Treat yourself to an anti-pigment cream

There's no point in searching high and low for a solution during your pregnancy. Generally, pregnancy masks disappear within six months of giving birth. However, if the blighter doesn't fade, you can always book an appointment with a dermatologist. They'll be able to recommend effective creams, peels, and serums suited to your skin type.

The L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence is a unique cream-based, non-greasy sunscreen that the skin can absorb as easily as water. Its SPF 50 content gives you nearly 12+ hours of non-stop protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This protects it from signs of photo-ageing, external stress, and pollution particles adhesion.

The ultra-fresh texture glides and melts almost instantly into the skin to give a velvety-soft finish with no stickiness. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, which is known to retain up to 1000x its weight in water, it helps hydrate the skin and enhances its natural radiance.