Cosmetics for pregnant women – how to safely care for the skin during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is all about sudden hormonal changes. In addition to the positive aspects of being pregnant – such as an increase in breast size or rapid hair growth, a pregnant woman may also experience problems in her complexion (acne) or with stretch marks around her thighs and on her abdomen. Sometimes facial discoloration also appears. Pregnant women’s cosmetics today constitute a wide assortment of any drugstore or pharmacy. Proper care from the first weeks of pregnancy will make the young mother’s skin recover faster after delivery.

Skin care during pregnancy

During pregnancy, minor pigmentation changes may appear on a woman’s skin. We are talking about osteoarthritis – an affliction caused by an excess of hormones – progesterone and estrogen. It is recommended to avoid sunbathing during pregnancy and use creams with UVA and UVA filters. Pregnant facial cosmetics must not contain vitamin A (retinol), caffeine, parabens, AHA acids, fluoride and salicylic acid. What cosmetics during pregnancy should be used for daily facial skin washing depends on the condition and type of skin. Dermatologists urge replacing soap with a gentle, hypoallergenic micellar lotion that not only cleanses the skin after makeup, but also moisturizes and soothes irritation. Facial cosmetics for pregnancy must always be individually selected for your skin type, preferably by a dermatologist. Natural oatmeal scrubs are also recommended as home care.

Safe cosmetics during pregnancy must have a label from the Mother and Child Institute or the Polish Gynecological Society. The composition of such cosmetics may include rose, almond and lemon oils, vitamins C, E and F, chamomile flower extracts, sea salt, flaxseed and humectants such as panthenol or allantoin. However, before a pregnant woman decides to purchase certain pregnancy cosmetics, it is a good idea to ask for a one-time sample of the product to ensure that it does not cause an allergic reaction.

At the end of the first and second week of pregnancy, women notice stretch marks on their skin. Stretching of the skin results in the appearance of purple and pink lines, which fade over time, turning white. Cosmetics for stretch marks during pregnancy plus proper diet and exercise will help fight skin changes. To reduce the appearance of stretch marks and their extent, nutritionists advise controlling weight, since during pregnancy under physiological conditions a woman should not gain more than 10-15 kilograms. Pregnancy cosmetics for stretch marks should be massaged on the surface of the skin using a spherical motion. While in the shower, you can gently massage your body with a sponge made of natural fibers, such as bamboo. In the last weeks of pregnancy, it is better to avoid massaging the nipples, as excessive stimulation of the nipples can result in premature uterine contractions and therefore labor. As an anti-cellulite cosmetic during pregnancy, you can perform a sea salt scrub once a week. In case of skin irritation and redness, it is better to avoid cosmetics with aloe vera, which can harm both mother and child during pregnancy. A lot of confusion surrounds the use of natural cosmetics during pregnancy, since their composition does not mean they are hypoallergenic. Therefore, before a mother-to-be decides to buy a natural cosmetic with a “bio” or “eco” label, she should carefully analyze the composition and check for banned ingredients.

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