Pregnancy Skin Care Routine
During pregnancy, you have a lot on your mind and are working as hard as possible to keep yourself in the best shape for you and your baby. You are likely adjusting your diet and daily routines to maintain a clean bill of health. However, many women neglect one important part of their body during pregnancy: their skin. This state of change means you should be nourishing your body on a holistic level. Throughout your pregnancy, your body is experiencing unprecedented changes, and your hormone levels are consistently fluctuating. During the process, you will encounter several changes to your body, and your skin will be no different. You may notice that your skin is not as vibrant as usual or that it is harder to keep hydrated, but do not fear! By being mindful and including a few steps into your daily routine, you can get ahead of the change and maintain healthy skin. Starting a consistent skincare routine with nutrient-rich, chemical-free ingredients is a great way to do that.
How Can Pregnancy Affect Your Skin?
As your body’s hormones change and your body adapts to supporting new life, you may notice some seemingly unusual changes on your skin. Even some of your most effective skincare routines may not have the same effects as they used to. However, specific changes in your skin are very likely and commonly affect women during pregnancy.
- Dry Skin
When supporting the creation of life, your body uses a lot of extra water. As a result, it can be hard to keep up with your water intake and keep up with changing hormones. As your body reprioritizes to support your baby and your hormones shift, you may find that your skin is drier than it is typically. Dry skin can lead to discomfort, blemishes, and increased sensitivity. Therefore, keeping your skin hydrated becomes a new priority during pregnancy.
- Stretch Marks
Growing a person inside of you means that you will have to do some growing as well. It’s okay; it is all a part of the process. With this process, you will likely start to develop stretch marks. Stretch marks are a type of scar that can appear on the skin when it stretches or shrinks over a short period. These marks appear as narrow, indented streaks or lines on the top layer of the skin and commonly develop around the abdomen during pregnancy.
- Acne
Between the extra work it takes to carry around a developing child and the hormonal changes happening in your body, pregnancy can cause you to sweat quite a bit more. Both of these factors can increase the likelihood of acne breakouts.
Sweat can increase the amount of dirt build-up in your pores, while hormonal changes can increase the inflammatory response of acne, putting you more at risk during pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy, you may notice acne develop in areas like the face, neck, chest, and back.
How To Take Care of Your Skin During Pregnancy
Taking care of your skin on a daily basis can already involve a certain degree of stress as you strive to treat your body the best you can without neglecting any important skincare routines. When you are pregnant, this stress naturally increases as you worry about protecting your baby and wonder what bodily changes you will see.
Fortunately, the process is completely natural, and there are plenty of steps you can take to ease the stress. Throughout your pregnancy, the following practices will go a long way toward preserving the health of your skin while also protecting your baby.
- Choose Natural Products
Of course, you want to treat your skin properly during pregnancy, but that does not mean you should rush to use just any skincare product. Although you should always carefully inspect ingredient labels, this is especially important during pregnancy. Many skin care products on the market, from moisturizers to soaps, contain harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, fragrances, and more.
After you discover you are pregnant, you should start preparing for some adjustments in your daily skincare routine. If it is not a habit already, you should start by checking labels on the products you use daily, such as your body wash, lotions, and even shampoos. If you see a long list of ingredients that you do not recognize or cannot pronounce, you may want to consider putting that product to the side.
If you want more peace of mind while you shop for products, then WOW Skin Science can help. All of our exfoliating, moisturizing, and cleansing products are formulated with natural ingredients and without harsh chemicals in order to protect and preserve your holistic health. Start restructuring your daily skin care by including our Melon Cucumber & Aloe Foaming Body Wash. The combination of gentle, plant-based ingredients is great for your skin, and, of course, your baby.
- Moisturize Twice a Day
Keeping a habit of moisturizing is the best practice for anyone but helps immensely when you are pregnant. Moisturizing your skin helps it stay hydrated and prevents it from drying out. With fluctuating hormone levels, it can be harder for your skin to retain moisture. Applying moisturizer provides your skin with a gentle layer that traps moisture and does not allow it to evaporate.
To best retain your skin’s moisture and protect it throughout the day, you should moisturize in the morning and in the evening. If you feel that your skin is drying out more frequently, then you may also choose to moisturize throughout the day in between. It is best to moisturize after you shower or apply a hydrator. This will allow the moisturizer to trap in the water and keep your skin as hydrated as possible.
Of course, you will want to choose a lotion that protects the health of your skin as well as the health of your baby. WOW’s Skin Revive Nectar Moisturizer Lotion is a great choice, as it is full of vitamins and minerals and free of harsh or toxic ingredients. With ingredients that include shea butter, cocoa butter, beetroot extract, and argan oil, this lotion is rich with essential fatty acids and phytonutrients, protecting your skin against dryness and aging.
- Stay Hydrated
Hydrating your skin goes hand-in-hand with moisturizing. Moisturizer helps keep your skin from drying out once it is hydrated, but hydrators help increase the amount of water absorbed into your skin. Drinking plenty of water is the best way to increase the hydration of your skin from the inside out. There is never any substitute for the power of drinking water. However, skin care products can help support the hydration of your skin. Products with hydrating capabilities help improve your skin’s ability to absorb moisture.
WOW Skin Science’s Shea & Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Lotion (Deep Hydration) provides both moisturizing and hydrating power. The lotion offers moisturizing capabilities for up to 24 hours. On top of helping the skin retain hydration, the lotion includes natural vitamins that help repair skin damage, soothe inflammation, and increase collagen production.
- Exfoliate Weekly
Exfoliating rids the surface layer of your skin from microscopic dead skin cells. These cells can clog your pores, which prevents your skincare products from working as well as they should. When moisturizers, hydrators, and cleansers are not able to penetrate deep into your skin, they will not be as effective. A decrease in the effectiveness of these products will lead to dryness and dirty or clogged pores.
It is a good idea to exfoliate weekly, as the skin cells tend to build up over time. However, you should not exfoliate more than once per week, as your body needs time to adapt to your fluctuating hormone levels. Try to use a gentle exfoliant since your skin is more sensitive than it would normally be during pregnancy.
There are several products available that offer a great exfoliation by removing dead skin cells and revitalizing your skin. WOW’s Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Face Wash is great for pregnant women because of its gentle but powerful capabilities. The face wash also comes with an exfoliating silicone brush that gently removes dead skin cells and dirt while opening up your pores.
- Wash Your Face Regularly
Since acne is a common response to pregnancy, you should take steps to get out in front of it. Prevention is always the best practice. Acne is a result of dirt and oil build-up in your pores. Washing your face regularly will allow you to push away dirt before it starts to cause dreaded blemishes.
To keep your face clear and free from excessive dirt build-up, you should wash your face twice a day. The best practice is to wash your face with slightly warm water and rinse with cold water to remove dirt from the pores and close them off to prevent new build-up. If you find yourself sweating more often, then it is okay to wash your face with a gentle face wash more frequently.
As you explore your options for the best face wash, look for gentle products that preserve the vitality and vibrance of your skin while they clean. WOW’s Activated Charcoal Face Wash is a great product without harmful ingredients that can remove dirt build-up and even provide a detox effect.
- Treat Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a natural part of the body’s growth process and are bound to happen during your pregnancy. Although they are natural, many women dislike their appearance, and they can begin to affect one’s self-confidence. On the bright side, there are ways to reduce their appearance and decrease the likelihood that they appear.
Exfoliating, cleaning, and moisturizing the skin are great ways to care for stretch marks. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, increase blood flow to the area, and ultimately erase imperfections. One of the best products for treating stretch marks is the specially formulated WOW Skin Science Body Butter Stretch Care, which keeps the skin moisturized with plant-based ingredients like rosehip oil and calendula oil. Applying the product after you shower allows it to lock in the moisture.
Then consider massaging essential oils over the area to stimulate blood flow and maintain nourished skin. A Sweet Orange Essential Oil or Frankincense Essential Oil makes a great choice for nourishing the skin around the area.
- Protect Against the Sun
During pregnancy, your skin may be more sensitive than usual, so you should treat it with extra care, particularly when spending time in the sun. With more sensitive skin, the UV light from the sun is more likely to burn your skin. Sunburn can increase body temperature and cause dehydration, which are both unwanted situations for a healthy pregnancy. Fortunately, you can take easy steps to protect your skin against UV light.
When planning to spend significant time outside, you should be sure to apply sunscreen before you go out and reapply every two hours. You should choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 20, but the higher the SPF, the better.
Throughout pregnancy, your body is expected to undergo several changes. Stretch marks, discoloration, and acne are all common bodily changes but do not be discouraged. By following a careful skincare routine, you can keep your skin healthy and radiant throughout your pregnancy and onward. Chemical-free, naturally formulated products are a vital part of any skincare routine, especially when you have a baby to look out for. Fortunately, you have plenty of options as you work to keep your skin vibrant.As you strive to protect your skin while also protecting your baby, WOW Skin Science is on your side. Our natural products are designed to nourish your skin and body without harmful parabens, sulfates, silicones, or colors. We use innovative formulas that contain natural, revitalizing ingredients and provide you with the beautiful skin you deserve. To find plant-powered products that can transform your skincare routine, explore our complete inventory. Discover the potential today.
Recommended Products to Treat Your Skin During Pregnancy
Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash with Brush
Melon Cucumber & Aloe Foaming Body Wash
Shea & Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Lotion (Deep Hydration)
Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash with Brush
