by beauty expert, Katey Kristabelle
image via pinterest
There is something so divine and feminine about beauty rituals, so naturally skincare during pregnancy should be an elevated goddess ritual for such a divine and feminine time in a woman’s life. When we think about the skin during pregnancy, we often think of that well known “pregnancy glow”, but pregnancy can bring on many changes and leave us more vulnerable to flare ups of existing skin conditions or trigger new ones. It can be a very unpredictable time, and also a time when we become more concerned and mindful of clean beauty. Read below to discover topical solutions and ingredient swaps for common pregnancy skin concerns.
image via pinterest
Some ingredients and services you might want to avoid while pregnant:
- Retinol and retinoids (form of vitamin A used for anti aging)
- Benzoyl peroxide and high dose salicylic acid (used in skincare for acne)
- Hydroquinone (typically used for brightening and melasma)
- Phthalates and synthetic fragrance (used to add scent to products)
- Chemical sunscreens (known endocrine disruptors)
- Eyebrow waxing ( while deemed safe, sometimes hormones can cause the skin to be more sensitive)
image via pinterest
Pregnancy skincare ingredient swaps:
RETINOL
Instead of retinol and retinoids, look for ingredients like rosehip, fruit enzymes, and granular scrubs that are also known to soften, brighten, and smooth the skin to create similar results.
Rosehip is a wonderful ingredient for expectant and nursing mothers looking to smooth and brighten their skin. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A, mostly from beta carotene, which converts to retinoic acid farther down the line, and also contains the highest bioavailable form of vitamin C available. Rosehip is a dry oil that absorbs quickly into the skin leaving behind a glow without any residue. Rosehip oil’s essential fatty acids support and protect your skin’s moisture barrier and works similarly as retinol to smooth and soften the complexion while evening out overall skin tone. Rosehip has been said to reduce signs of aging, redness, breakouts, controls acne, brightens the skin, and provides incredible antioxidant protection.
BENZOYL PEROXIDE
Instead of benzoyl peroxide, look for ingredients such as honey and niacinamide that can bring a blemish down, soothe redness, and are anti-inflammatory (unlike benzoyl peroxide). Your moisture barrier will thank you long term when you make the switch to benzoyl peroxide alternatives. Honey is known for being an incredibly antibacterial and nourishing for the skin.
Raw honey repairs DNA and is extremely high in minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, chromium, molybdenum, and manganese. Applied externally, honey is great for healing small wounds and revitalizing the skin. Try it on scars where you want to speed up the healing process.
SALICYLIC ACID
Instead of salicylic acid, swap for ingredients that also help to decongest the pores like fruit enzymes or willow bark extract – which has been shown to produce similar results to synthetic salicylic acid when it comes to skin regeneration.
Enzyme exfoliation products can be safe and suited for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding (as long as there are no other acids or contraindicated actives blended into the formula) and replace other exfoliating routine products or professional treatments. (Of course, it is always recommended to see a medical professional and follow their advice while pregnant or breastfeeding). Enzymes used in skincare are a much better choice for sensitive and reactive skin since they work on the surface skin cells without causing any cellular death or turnover for living cells more deeply like acids do with more potential for irritation.
HYDROQUINONE
Instead of hydroquinone containing products, look for vitamin C, niacinamide, liquorice root, fruit enzymes, or granular scrubs to help renew and brighten the complexion. Vitamin C is a well known melanin inhibiting ingredient and antioxidant, beneficial for any brightening and lightening skincare routine.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE
Instead of phthalates and synthetic fragrance, choose fragrance free products or naturally occurring aromas from botanical ingredients or essential oils inside.
CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS
Instead of chemical sunscreens, switch over to mineral zinc based sun protection.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients include:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)
Avobenzone
Homosalate
Octisalate
Octocrylene
Mineral sunscreen is often called physical sunscreen because it works by sitting on top of the skin to physically shield and reflect the sun’s UV rays. The active ingredient to look for in mineral sunscreen products is Zinc Oxide.
BROW WAXING
Instead of waxing, you might want to try tweezing to avoid any unforeseen skin sensitivities, Artestile’s Slanted or Point Tip Tweezers will help make sure your brows are in tip-top shape throughout your glowing pregnancy.
