We all want that beautiful “glowing” skin when we are pregnant. It’s important to take care of your skin while pregnant because of how sensitive it can be. And as pregnant mamas, everything we do affects the baby, including our skin care. Below are a few basic skin care tips for pregnant women.
Be Kind to your Skin
Many women find that their skin is extra sensitive when they are pregnant. This was true for me; I don’t have allergies and hardly ever have any reactions to products, but I did when I was pregnant. And I had some blemishes to add to my “pregnancy glow.” Because of the extra sensitivity, it is wise to be cautious when starting new products during pregnancy. I tried some new products while pregnant, and was surprised to see how my skin reacted differently than it normally would.
It is important to wash your face and body well since you are more prone to breakouts at this time. Use gentle soaps that do not have harsh chemicals in them. Another option would be to use unscented products.
If you are going outside, use sunscreen to protect your skin even if you usually do not burn. Find a moisturizer with at least SPF 15, and with broad-spectrum protection (that works against both UVA and UVB rays). Lastly, it is imperative to make sure you are not consuming medication, vitamins, or using any product that says “do not use while pregnant.” Or ask your doctor about the product if it suggests to.
Use Lotion
Many women use cocoa or shea butter to help with stretch marks or some other serum. There is debate over whether or not these products reduce the appearance of stretch marks and increase elasticity, but some women swear by them. At the very least, they feel nice on your skin and help you to relax. And they sure do smell nice without the fake fragrant smells.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is vital for everyone, but since you are growing a human, you are probably so so tired and therefore need more sleep. Sleep is great for your overall health, and not having enough causes a variety of skin issues. Lack of sleep can worsen any existing skin conditions you already have. It will detract from your natural beauty because of the increased breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Not to mention it makes immune-related skin problems worse. And obviously, you will look tired and less healthy if you are not getting enough sleep. So much for the pregnancy glow, we were expecting.
Eat Healthy and Exercise
The kinds of food you eat do impact the appearance of your skin as well as its elasticity. Foods that help with skin elasticity, or that are good for your skin include berries, peppers, celery, cucumber, salmon, olives, nuts, beans, pumpkin, squash, spices like turmeric and cinnamon, sweet potatoes, dark chocolate, avocado, tomatoes, pomegranate, and watermelon.
It is also important to avoid certain foods, such as foods that are high in salt, high in sugar, and high carbs. Simple sugars break down the elastic tissue in your skin, which does the opposite of what you are hoping for. They can also affect the absorption of antioxidants and nutrients.
Exercise is great for your skin because it helps regenerate new cells, and helps tighten and strengthen skin. It will also increase oxygen and blood flow to your body.
Drink Water
You probably have heard how important it is for you to increase your water intake while pregnant and there are a handful of reasons why. Besides all of the pregnancy reasons to drink it though, water consumption helps to get rid of toxins in the body. Some people also believe that water improves the way your skin looks. While not all agree that it will necessarily help your skin, we do know that water is certainly something better for your skin than other drinks. Water is said to improve the elasticity of your skin, the color, and aids in the nutrients to move in while waste moves out.
Be Happy and Relax
When your mind is relaxed, you will look relaxed. Stress ages your skin as well as causes acne or worsens any existing skin conditions you may have. Enjoy your pregnancy, let your mind relax, and be happy. Find some relaxing activities to participate in and pamper yourself, or have someone do it for you!
Following these basic skin care tips will be good for both you and your baby. We tend to forget how essential it is to take care of our skin, but what we put on our body or do to our body is just as important as what we put in. If you find yourself having some sensitive skin or some unusual breakouts, remember it is from the changing hormones that come with being pregnant. Don’t be too hard on yourself, tell yourself how wonderful you are, and smile. You are doing such a beautiful thing in housing a baby. Best of luck!
