Pregnancy can be a beautiful and transformative time, but it can also be confusing when it comes to navigating your skin. Knowing what skincare products to use and avoid can bring up concerns and questions.
The Impact of Hormones on Skin During Pregnancy
What Changes Can You Expect?
During pregnancy, your body undergoes significant hormonal fluctuations. These changes can have various effects on your skin, including:
- Increased oil production: during pregnancy sebaceous secretion tends to increase, which can lead to acne/congestion
- Pigmentation changes: During pregnancy, MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) increases. This hormonal shift can cause discoloration, dark spots, or melasma aka ‘pregnancy mask’.
- Increased sensitivity: Many pregnant women experience redness, irritation, and dryness due to the hormonal shifts.
Is Vitamin A Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
Understanding the Safety of Vitamin A
When it comes to skincare during pregnancy, it’s essential to choose products that are safe for both you and your baby. First, it’s always important to check with your physician before using any topical skincare products.
At Face Club, we offer products that are carefully formulated with these considerations in mind.
- Environ and Osmosis Vitamin A products have been deemed safe as the dosage of topical vitamin A is unlikely to pose a health risk because the active molecules are not absorbed into the bloodstream. (This is not the same as taking vitamin A orally - where the absorption into the bloodstream is part of the natural biological process).
- Recommendation: If your skin becomes too sensitive, especially during the first trimester, we suggest using lower levels of vitamin A or discontinuing its use. For example, drop down 1-2 levels on the AVST Step-Up System or switch to the DMS High Classic Moisturizer.
How to Reduce the Appearance of Oiliness and Breakouts During Pregnancy
Managing Breakouts with Safe Products
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to congestion, inflammation, and breakouts. It is important to note that Salicylic Acid (BHA) should be avoided as some studies with the oral form (it’s an ingredient in aspirin) have been shown to cause birth defects. To safely balance oily skin we recommend to:
- Use a gentle gel cleanser: Avoid harsh cleansers with surfactants that strip the skin of its natural oils. The Environ Low Foam Cleansing Gel gently yet effectively cleanses the skin.
- Targeted serum: Face Club recommends using Osmosis Clarify serum to treat and prevent breakouts.
- Apply a hydrating moisturizer to maintain optimal skin barrier function (Environ Super Moisturizer or Dermaviduals DMS Base Cream High Classic).
How to Prevent or Improve the Appearance of Stretch Marks and Scars During Pregnancy
Keeping Your Skin Nourished
Stretch marks are a common concern during pregnancy which occur when the skin stretches rapidly, causing collagen and elastin damage. While it is challenging to prevent stretch marks entirely, there are steps you can take to minimize their appearance:
- Enrich the skin with ingredients such as Vitamin A, C, E, Antioxidants, Jojoba Oil, and Lactic Acid.
- Recommended products: Environ Vitamin A, C, E Body Oil and Derma-Lac Lotion. Mix equal parts and apply to the affected areas twice daily.
How to Improve the Signs of Skin Discoloration, Pigmentation, and Melasma
Managing Pigmentation Issues
Estrogen, progesterone, and particularly melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) are shown to increase in the third trimester. This can lead to pigmentation issues like melasma, or the ‘pregnancy mask’. To manage these:
- Daily sun protection: Limit sun exposure and use a daily broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen. We recommend either Coola Rosilliance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 or Coola Classic Face Fragrance Free SPF 50.
- Introduce targeted ingredients like niacinamide and tyrosinase inhibitors to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone. We recommend: Environ Mela-Prep Lotion and Environ AVST Moisturiser 1.
How to Improve the Signs of Sensitivity and Redness During Pregnancy
Calming Sensitive Skin
Pregnancy can increase skin sensitivity. To manage redness and inflammation it is important to introduce calming and barrier supporting ingredients.
- Use an Anti-Inflammatory Serum: Use Environ’s Colostrum Gel to feed the skin with growth factors and antioxidants which reduce inflammation/redness
- Peptide Booster: Environ’s Seriénce™ Night Serum is a first of its kind overnight peptide booster that is scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of redness and inflammation.
- Barrier Support: Dermaviduals DMS High Classic Moisturizer helps strengthen skin barrier function and improve moisture retention.
Why It's Important to Seek Expert Guidance During Pregnancy
The Value of Professional Advice
It can be confusing for moms-to-be to navigate the overwhelming amount of conflicting opinions and anecdotal advice found online. Face Club Skincare Professionals can provide personalized recommendations and guidance on safe and effective skincare products for use during pregnancy.
Final Note: We always recommend consulting your Medical Professional before introducing new products during pregnancy to ensure the safety and health of both mother and baby.