How to Take Care of Your Skin during Pregnancy

The nine month process of pregnancy and birth is a time of growing expectations, transition, and only one constant, and that’s change. Along with the excitement of baby growing in the womb, hormone levels can constantly shift for expectant moms, causing a range of different conditions that often become noticeable on the skin. For some pregnant moms, their skin becomes smoother, while for others, pimples and other not-so-pleasant minor disorders will develop as a result of the vigorous secretion of hormones the body is producing. For many, the skin will become darker in spots, as pigmentation alters in a splotchy condition known as Melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. As well, many pregnant moms have it even worse, with skin all over becoming very sensitive, severe rashes and intolerable itching. Even if none of this happens, stretch marks on the skin are a common problem faced by most expectant moms.

How should expectant mothers take care of their skin, when faced with so many problems? Cosmetics are by no means skincare products. Mothers to be should select skincare products suited specifically for pregnant women, and not chose general cosmetics.Skincare products for expectant mothers are widely considered safer and more specialized. For the most part, companies claim that the raw materials of these special skincare products are meticulously selected.The formulations of these special pregnancy skincare products are normally developed by experts according to the physiological characteristics and color differencesin skin during pregnancy, without addition of pigments, preservatives, fragrances,or other chemical components that likely would harm skin during this sensitive time.

Use soft facialfoam for skin cleansing
Some pregnant moms suffer terribly from pimple outbreak attributable to excessive hormone secretion and overly oily skin, especially when mom has insufficient rest or is living in poor air conditions during the early stages of pregnancy. Therefore, warm water is a must when cleansing skin.Pregnant women should use a safe and soft facial foam orother similar facial cleansing product designed especially for pregnant women, with simple components. After foaming, women should cleanse and gently massage their face in a circular motion, before washing everything off with warm water. Finally, one should rinse the skin briefly with cold water. It is strongly suggested to repeat this process at a minimum at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.Warm water lets the pores relax and open up, facilitating the removal of grease and dirt from both the skin surface aswell as from inside the pores. Cold water shrinks the pores, which when clean,helps keep the skin more elastic.

Replenishmentand moisture
Drinking plenty of water each day is the very best and simplest method for replenishing and moisturizing the skin. Additionally, after every skin cleanse, special pregnancy skin lotions and moisturizers can be used to enhance the process and get at deeper skin layers. Expecting moms may also wish to apply special pregnancy emulsifiers and facial creams that can also help prevent excessive water evaporation, so as to keep the skin moist and tender. As well, the use of special collagen or hyaluronan facial masks for pregnant women around 1 to 2 times each week can also enhance and lock in skin moisture.

What to Avoid
In some cases, where moms have excessively oily skin or large rashes (such as large acneoutbreaks, eczema or allergic reactions), over cleansing may actually exacerbatethe situation rather than help. Washing these areas too much might cause harm to the skin barrier, speeding up the loss of needed moisture. At this time, these baceous gland will try to overcompensate to protect affected areas by producing more frequent oily or waxy secretions, potentially making the whole skin feel even more greasy. Care should be taken not to over wash affected areas as they are healing. Some moms experience very dry skin all day long, even when they try to constantly replenish moisture using mist spray or facial masks.This is often attributable to some bad air or other environmental condition that damages the skin barrier which would normally hold in moisture.In these cases, the priority is to restore the skin barrier function, rather than to overly hydrate. One suggestion would be to see your dermatologist who can help. Another tip is to try different special moisturizing products for pregnant women with restorative properties that can help heal the skin barrier, ultimately holding moisture in. Moisture lotion or cream that restores or simulates the natural skin barrier may be used to intensify the restoration process, retain moisture and improve the skins overall ability to moisturize.

Pay attention tosun protection during pregnancy
One effect of all the hormones of pregnancy sloshing about, such as estrogen and progesterone, is that certain skin pigments can become activated to turn dark and lifeless, or may even lead to Melasma, as described above. Excessive ultraviolet light exposure from the sun or elsewhere may further exacerbate the formation of pigmented spots and injury to the skin barrier. Therefore, it is critical to strengthen U-V protection and avoid too much sun.Sun protection during pregnancy is achieved mainly by means of physical protection, such as wearing sunglasses, a mask, a broad-brimmed hat, or carrying a parasol. It is also suggested to wear machine-woven long-sleeved clothing when outside. If necessary to be in the sun for a while, apply moisturizer 30 minutes before going out, then wait 10 minutes and apply a sunscreen with a rating greater than SPF 30. Then wait another 20 minutes before heading out. Freckle-removing or skin-whitening products containing many chemical components, hormones, or heavy metals are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Good sleep and good moods are also effective medicine for beauty
Sufficient sleep as well as staying in a good mood can also be a precondition to keeping the skin in good, healthy condition during pregnancy.The time period from 10 o’clock at night to 4 o’clock in the morning is the best period for skin restoration and for metabolism to work. Therefore, insufficient sleep easily slows down skin rejuvenation, creates more oily skin, and decreases the restorative ability of cuticle cells. This all can contribute to non-elastic, wrinkly and dark skin,among other problems. So moms should get the rest they desperately need.

“Diet” isequally important
1.Dieting for pregnant women can be a whole other subject,but tips include: Drink plenty of water, eat multiple small meals and maintain rational and well-balanced nutrition practices, while avoiding overly greasy, cold or spicy foods.

2.Moms should guarantee that their body gets good protein (fishes, poultries, dairies, eggs, beans, cereals, etc.) and the proper amount of carbohydrates (at least 150g each day of potatoes, corns, sweet potatoes and other miscellaneous grains);

3. Supplement trace elements such as calcium and iron (milk,egg yolk, soybean, wheat, etc.);

4.Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

5. Finally, expecting moms should avoid coloring their hair, curling their hair, or putting on external makeup products, as detailed above.