For those of you that missed out on last week’s live pregnancy skincare web chat, here’s a round-up of everything we discussed.
Scroll down the page for answers.
- I am currently 7 months pregnant and my facial skin is dehydrated but I can’t use anything too heavy because I’m worried I’ll get clogged pores. What would you recommend I use?
- I seem to be getting a lot more spots now that I am pregnant. Is this normal?
- My skin has turned ultra sensitive during pregnancy – with terrible heat rash and general itchiness. Is there anything I can do to calm?
- I’m worried about the dark spots on my face getting darker after pregnancy due to Chloasma. Is there any effective way to stop that happening?
- My 38yr old sister is 16 weeks pregnant and has a terrible bright red pimply rash all over her face. What would you advise her to use?
- This is my first pregnancy and I am worried that my skin won’t “ping” back into shape. What’s best for smothering onto my tummy, breasts and tops of thighs?
- I’ve developed some Psoriasis on my scalp and I can’t stop itching. What’s best to use?
- Is sunscreen safe to use during pregnancy?
- Is your Rosehip BioRegenerate safe to use during pregnancy?
- I have started to get skin tags, is that normal? How do I get rid of them
- Since I’ve been pregnant my skin has got really itchy, especially around my belly. How can I stop this?
- Can you recommend any skincare products suitable for babies and children?
- Can your new Stretch Mark System be used on Keloid scars?
- Is there anyway to get rid of old Stretch Marks? Can creams and serums improve the actual marks or is it a case of making the skin around them better?
- My skin has become dehydrated during pregnancy. What would you suggest?
- I’ve had the odd visible thread vein on my cheeks for a while, but since getting pregnant I’ve got a lot more. How can I get rid of them?
1. I am currently 7 months pregnant and my facial skin is dehydrated but I can’t use anything too heavy because I’m worried I’ll get clogged pores. What would you recommend I use?
To be perfectly honest, if your skin’s ticking over nicely then I wouldn’t go changing anything too drastic as you don’t want to disrupt its balance.
The only products that can help dehydration are Creams, as these provide moisture. Stick to a light Cream if this works best for you, but use it more often – and also increase your intake of water and Essential Fatty Acids to condition your skin from within.
I’d say our Geranium & Thistle Combination Cream would be best.
2. I seem to be getting a lot more spots now that I am pregnant. Is this normal?
We hear from a lot of women saying the same thing! It’s perfectly normal for women to suffer from irregular breakouts during their pregnancies – it’s all thanks to those lovely hormones!
Extra oestregen increases sebum production, making blackheads, spots and breakouts more likely than usual. These hormone related spots are most likely to appear around your chin and jawline.
The best thing is to use detergent and alcohol-free products as these keep your skin’s oil production in balance. Avoiding foods that are rich in refined sugars and low-grade animal fats is also advisable, here’s why.
3. My skin has turned ultra sensitive during pregnancy – with terrible heat rash and general itchiness. Is there anything I can do to calm it down?
Yes, wearing light cotton fabrics will definitely help relieve the itchiness. Try to avoid tights/leggings or vest tops that are made with synthetic fibres. Cotton maternity bras are important too as many women tend to contact itch – e.g. round bra clasps and straps that are applying pressure on the skin.
Try to avoid foaming shower gels, and steer clear of detergents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine – as these are irritants and will also upset your skin’s natural oil/pH balance. Keep an eye out for them on Ingredient Lists.
Personally I swear by a good 80%+ Olive Oil soap applied with a soft loofah. Follow with a natural/organic Body Cream. Creams contain a high level of water so will help to ease your skin dryness and dehydration. Our Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream would be great for you as it’s super gentle and specifically designed for aggravated or allergy-prone skin.
4. I am worried about the dark spots on my face getting darker after pregnancy because of Chloasma. Is there any effective way to stop that happening?
Chloasma is difficult to prevent. There are however, a couple of things you can do to lessen its effects.
Staying out of strong sunlight is really important (the brown spots are Melanin, a hormone that protects skin from the sun), and sticking to gentle, soothing products can help too.
The best way to improve the appearance of dark spots on the face is to use a regenerative oil at night.
Our Rosehip BioRegenerate oil is great as it’s packed full of nutrients that are proven to even out skin tone.
5. My 38yr old sister is 16 weeks pregnant with her first baby and has a terrible bright red pimply rash all over her face. What would you advise her to use?
Firstly, please tell your sister things will get better! The first trimester can be notoriously hard for a lot of pregnant women, as this is when hormone levels are really surging.
Spots along the jawlines are a classic sign of hormone fluctuation so topical creams will only do so much in terms of relieving her breakouts, but now she’s into her second trimester she should see her skin start to settle down.
I’d advise her to avoid all foaming face washes to ensure she keeps her natural oil and pH balance in check. She should switch to a detergent-free cream cleanser – our Camellia & Rose Cleanser might be a good choice.
The more she can leave her skin to rebalance itself the better, so a light layer of moisturiser in the morning should be more than sufficient.
Ensuring a good intake of Omegas 3, 6 & 9 will also help calm her skin from the inside, and she should try and cut down on foods containing high levels of refined sugars – tough with those sweet cravings I know!
Here’s a previous blog post I wrote about managing breakouts.
6. This is my first pregnancy and I am worried that my skin won’t “ping” back into shape. What’s best for smothering onto my tummy, breasts and tops of thighs?
To help skin “ping” back into shape it needs to be as supple and elastic as possible.
That means lots and lots of Creams and Oils – hence why we’ve put the two together in our new Stretch Mark System. This blog should help explain exactly how they work.
7. I’ve developed some Psoriasis on my scalp and I can’t stop itching. What’s best to use?
Psoriasis, is unfortunately one of the harder allergies to manage – especially on the scalp as it’s difficult to find effective shampoos that don’t contain harsh detergents. The following Psoriasis related post might be worth a read.
I’d opt for a natural shampoo that’s SLS-free. Bentley Organic and John Masters are two of the better shampoo brands out there.
Your body is working like a demon creating that little person inside you, so functions like skin repair and regeneration can be affected. Psoriasis is particularly affected by emotional wellbeing and stress so try and stay calm and relaxed, and get as much sleep as possible – easier said than done I know!
8. Is sunscreen safe to use during pregnancy?
Sunscreens don’t present any more of a risk during pregnancy then at any other time of your life.
Synthetic sunscreens however can be irritating for sensitive skin, so I’d opt for a natural sunblock instead. They can be very white on the skin, but offer a good level of protection. This blog contains more info about sunscreens if of interest.
9. Is the Rosehip BioRegenerate safe to use during pregnancy?
Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is completely safe to use throughout pregnancy as it is fragrance-free. Rather than Vitamin A, which is best avoided, Rosehip contains the beta-carotene form which is perfectly safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and is in fact the recommended source of Vitamin A.
Our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is a fantastic product to use both during and after pregnancy as it contains only pure Rosehip oil and Vitamin E, and its high concentrations of Omegas 3,6,7 &9 help to deep-condition the skin, enhancing its elasticity and suppleness.
Rosehip has also been proven to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, fine lines and uneven skin tone, so is a great skin healer.
10. I have started to get skin tags, is that normal? How do I get rid of them?
Skin tags (small, soft, usually painless growths) are caused by an over-active upper layer of skin, and are very common in pregnant woman – supposedly triggered by fluctuating hormone levels.
They’re most likely to appear in hot, moist areas or those exposed to friction, and can be easily removed after you’ve given birth. Methods include topical creams, freezing or simply cutting them off – but it’s best to get proper advice on this from a doctor or dermatologist!
11. Since I’ve been pregnant my skin has got really itchy, especially around my belly. How can I stop this?
As your bump gets bigger, your skin expands and grows thinner. Thinner skin is less able to retain moisture, becoming dry, itchy and more prone to irritation.
The best way to avoid this is to moisturise regularly with a pregnancy-friendly body cream (like our Pomegranate & Pumpkin Seed Organic Stretch Mark Cream). Replenishing the skin will also help keep it supple, making Stretch Marks much less likely to develop.
12. Can you recommend any skincare products suitable for babies and children?
I’d recommend using as little as possible on young babies’ skin, so as to avoid interfering with the development of their immune system.
Detergents, synthetics and anything that acts as a barrier can sensitise the skin – triggering conditions such as eczema that can last well into adulthood. Opt for a natural Olive Oil soap (used with a soft loofa) and an organic Body Cream free from Petrochemicals that supports and strengthens the skin. A small amount of our Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream occasionally is a good option, and a little goes a long way.
13. Can your new Stretch Mark System be used on Keloid scars?
Keloid scars are extremely hard to eradicate, but rather than our Stretch Mark System I’d suggest our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. Apply 1-2 drops on one half of a scar and continue applying daily for a week in the same place. You will then be able to make a comparison with the other half to see if there’s any improvement.
14. Is there anyway to get rid of old Stretch Marks? Can creams and serums improve the actual marks or is it a case of making the skin around them better?
The only way to get rid of Stretch Marks completely is through treatments like laser therapy. However it is thought that you can dramatically improve the appearance of Stretch Marks with topical products – making them lighter and encouraging the skin to heal and regenerate so that it looks far stronger and healthier.
15. My skin has become dehydrated during pregnancy. What would you suggest?
Dehydration is really common during pregnancy. The only thing that will treat it are Creams, but rather than opting for a richer Cream try using one that works for you more often. That way you’re topping up your skin’s moisture levels rather than making your skin oilier.
16. I’ve had the odd visible thread vein on my cheeks for a while, but since getting pregnant I have got a lot more. How can I get rid of them?
Thread, or “spider veins” often appear during pregnancy for two reasons – 1. fluctuating hormone levels, 2. increased blood flow puts pressure on blood vessels. Both of these things can cause tiny blood vessels at the surface of the skin to burst or become more visible. Ingredients like Rosehip and Orange Blossom are known to improve the appearance of thread veins, but with these things prevention is better than cure.
Reduce your chances of getting thread veins in the first place by staying out of strong sunlight and getting lots of Vitamin C. This allows the body to manufacture collagen, and elastin – two important connective tissues that help repair and maintain your vessel strength.
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