During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes that do not always have a positive effect on her appearance. Stretch marks, age spots, and also oily skin may appear. All this is due to the action of hormones in the female body. How to carry out skin care during pregnancy? What means to choose and why are they needed?
Skin changes
Before pregnancy, the estrogen hormones “followed” the beauty of female skin and hair. It was they who added elasticity to the skin and shine to the hair, regulated the action of sweat and sebaceous glands, maintained hydrobalance, and created a protective membrane that did not allow bacteria and fungi to penetrate the skin. During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen in the body decreases significantly, instead of it, the level of hormones that are necessary for carrying the fetus and childbirth increases.
The lack of an important hormone can lead to such unpleasant consequences:
- acne;
- excessive production of sebum;
- increased sweating;
- change in skin elasticity, as a result of which stretch marks appear;
- pigmentation enhancement;
- growth of papillomas, moles and warts.
In addition, in the first trimester, a woman may experience toxicosis, which is accompanied by vomiting. It threatens dehydration, which will necessarily affect the appearance of the skin. Also there is an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet, itching, hair loss and brittle nails due to a lack of necessary vitamins. The skin becomes loose, cellulite appears. Fortunately, most of these problems can be solved by choosing the right skin care products.
General recommendations
Pregnancy is a special condition of the body, therefore cosmetics must also be unusual. The general requirements for their selection are as follows:
- Hypoallergenic, since during this period the body is prone to allergic reactions.
- Odor neutral.
- A high degree of protection against ultraviolet radiation in creams that are used for the face and body.
- It is forbidden to use drugs with antibiotics, retinoids and hormones in the composition, especially in the first trimester.
- It is undesirable to try all kinds of cosmetic novelties, as the body can negatively react to new components in the composition.
It is also recommended to abandon all possible procedures of hardware cosmetology, injections and aggressive types of massage.
Stretch Mark Remedies
Skin care during pregnancy must include funds for stretch marks on the skin. The chest and abdomen are especially susceptible to them. Most often, the following remedies are recommended for pregnant women:
- Almond oil from stretch marks during pregnancy helps very well, it can be purchased at the pharmacy. It is recommended to use it daily after a shower, applying a small amount with massage movements to wet skin.
- Argan oil for stretch marks during pregnancy, reviews of which are exceptionally positive, is also an excellent remedy. Women report that this product perfectly moisturizes the skin.
- Tea tree oil is also considered an excellent nutritional supplement.
- High hyaluronic acid or collagen creams help retain moisture inside the skin.
Especially positively recommended are such products as Mama comfort body milk, pomegranate emulsion Hendel`s Garden, Avent cream, mom and baby lifting cream, Bepantol emulsion. Among these funds there are both budgetary and expensive, but they all work equally well on the dermis.
Face skin care
Like the whole body, the skin of the face undergoes some changes. Its fat content can change both upward and downward. In order that the skin of the face does not lose elasticity, you need to use moisturizers, lotions, and other cosmetics. It is important to select them so that the composition corresponds to the condition and type of facial skin.
Experienced mothers are advised to pay attention to such products:
- The Italian company Chicco produces a sick line of products designed specifically for pregnant and lactating women. There you can find moisturizing milk for the body, creams against stretch marks, products for moisturizing and nourishing the skin of the face.
- The German company Sanosan offers creams that have a flawless, eco-friendly composition.
- The Russian company Our Mother has released a line of facial care products that are completely hypoallergenic and also have a relatively low cost.
You should also pay attention to face cream with vitamin C, as it is able to saturate the skin with useful substances. In addition, the skin must be cleaned before applying the cream. Any lotions or foams that do not contain alcohol are suitable for this.
Edema control
Unfortunately, most expectant mothers are prone to swelling. To combat them, first of all, you need to review the diet and remove too salty food from it, which provokes fluid retention in the tissues. In addition, to eliminate the external manifestations of edema will help such simple folk remedies as:
- lotions from a parsley decoction;
- ice from chamomile infusion;
- grated potato mask;
- lotions of weak black tea.
These methods of dealing with edema are recommended to be used before bedtime. Also, after them, you need to apply a moisturizing or nourishing cream to the skin of the face.
Acne Remedies
Acne is a fairly common problem among pregnant women. In order to reduce the intensity of rashes or remove acne altogether, it is recommended to resort to such means:
- Peach oil. Instructions for use informs that it must be applied pointwise to each rash overnight.
- Tea tree oil has a pronounced antiseptic and antibacterial effect.
- Salicylic acid dries pimples.
- Zinc and sulfuric ointments are also applied precisely, directly on acne. It is important that the concentration of the active component does not exceed 2%.
It is also recommended not to neglect the means of traditional medicine, which include all kinds of homemade masks with seasonal fruits, kefir, yogurt or sour cream. In addition, black clay masks are considered completely safe and natural.
Anti-age spots
Pigmentation during pregnancy appears in almost every woman. In some, it is expressed in the appearance of a dark longitudinal strip on the abdomen, while in others - in the form of shapeless spots on the skin. Creams that are usually prescribed in such cases should be treated with caution, as they may contain substances that are harmful to pregnant women. Instead, you need to pay attention to such skin care products during pregnancy:
- grape seed oil;
- jojoba oil;
- lemon or cucumber juice;
- licorice extract.
It is also allowed to use creams that contain vitamin C or E.
How to deal with pigmentation during pregnancy? Some varieties of spots, such as a longitudinal strip on the abdomen, disappear themselves some time after birth. Therefore, using cosmetics, you can only reduce the color intensity of the spots.
Hand care
The skin on the upper limbs is constantly in need of nourishment, as it most often comes in contact with external irritants and chemicals. During pregnancy, this condition is exacerbated, therefore, special attention needs to be paid to the skin of the hands.
Hands should be lubricated at night, when waking up, as well as when there is a feeling of tightness or dryness. You can use regular oily baby cream or other usual means. In addition, brush massage is recommended to improve blood circulation, as well as paraffin therapy, which should be performed at least once every 2 weeks.
Feet care
The skin during pregnancy undergoes many changes. The legs also need additional care, as they can suffer from swelling, varicose veins and other problems. A good rest will help get rid of discomfort in the legs, as well as pharmacy products such as Lyoton and Venolgon ointments. High efficiency was shown by such products as Guam Duo cooling foot gel, Sanosan emollient cream, Mustela tonic cream.
Also, for the care of the skin of the legs, you can use decoctions of herbs such as chamomile, lavender, calendula. Sea salt is also effective, which it is desirable to use pure, without additives and flavorings. Baths with these products relax the skin of the legs and relieve tension. These funds are especially good after prolonged walking.
Useful Tips
Skin care during pregnancy is not limited to the use of cosmetic products. It is also important to follow these simple rules:
- Wearing a special bandage for pregnant women can reduce the load on the skin of the abdomen. As a result of this, stretch marks appear much less than without the use of a supporting agent.
- Control of body weight will avoid sudden weight loss or weight gain, which also affect the elasticity of the skin.
- Proper, balanced nutrition will help maintain the level of nutrients in the body, which affects the condition of the skin.
- Reception of vitamin complexes for pregnant women allows you to maintain skin elasticity.
- Drinking plenty of fluids will prevent dehydration.
Experts also recommend taking a contrast shower and doing light self-massage with a jet of water.
Hazardous substances
Pregnancy is a special condition of a woman in which she is advised to refrain from certain habitual substances in herbal remedies. Among them are such substances:
- alcohol;
- fragrances with a pronounced or chemical aroma;
- vitamin A;
- basil, tansy, juniper, wormwood, fennel, thyme essential oils;
- retinol;
- phytoestrogens, which may be found in anti-stretch marks;
- sodium lauryl sulfate, which is found in most shampoos and other cleansers.
In addition, for the entire period of bearing a child, you should abandon such salon procedures using cosmetics such as peels, body wraps, as well as massage using the essential oils mentioned above.
Conclusion
To improve the condition of the skin, it is not enough to use a moisturizing milk for the body or other cosmetics. It is very important to get enough sleep, breathe fresh air daily, eat high-quality and varied foods, play sports, if there are no contraindications.