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Do I need to change my skincare routine during pregnancy?
There are so many things expecting mothers have to worry about during pregnancy, skincare shouldn't be one of them!
You may have heard that you need to completely overhaul your skincare routine when you get pregnant. Not true! There's really only a few ingredients you'll want to avoid or remove from your current routine.
Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Hydroquinone
- Retinoids (yes, that means RetinAL Skin Therapy)
- Salicylic acid over 2%
- AHAs over 10% (like Glow Peel Pads)
Now that you know this, the only confusing decision you should have to make is which horizontal surface you want to lay on next!
Most Common Skin Concerns During Pregnancy
Your skin can experience lots of changes while you're pregnant–like acne, melasma and dryness. We've put together this guide to help you tackle specific skin concerns. This guide is not created to replace medical advice by your OB, but rather a helpful tool when deciding which skincare products are right for you during pregnancy + nursing! Here we go, mama!
Acne During Pregnancy
Pregnancy induced acne is a common complaint especially during the first trimester due to hormonal changes, even if you have never struggled with acne in the past.
Ingredients that can help with pregnancy induced acne:
- Salicylic acid (<2%)
- Glycolic acid (less than 10% is advised)
- Lactic Acid
- Azelaic Acid
- Dapsone
Safe products for breakouts during pregnancy: (be sure to introduce products one at a time so your skin can adjust!)
- CLENZIderm Foaming Cleanser: An acne cleanser with less than 2% salicylic acid
- Brightening Facial Wash: A cleanser with pregnancy safe amount of glycolic and salicylic acid (best for normal to oily skin)
- Papaya Enzyme Cleanser: Papaya extract cleanser with <0.5% salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation (best for dry/sensitive skin)
- Toning Pads: A combo of glycolic acid and less than 2% salicylic acid (best for more normal to dry skin)
- Toning Pads II: A combo of glycolic acid and less than 2% salicylic acid (best for normal to oily skin)
Below is a sample routine for acne during pregnancy, or you can shop the routine here.
Melasma During Pregnancy
Melasma is also referred to as the “mask of pregnancy," and it can be very challenging to keep at bay. Hormones play a huge role in triggering melasma. The best thing to do is prevent, prevent, prevent — do this by religiously using a vitamin C serum & a daily SPF. Block out those harmful rays any way you can by wearing hats, reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, avoiding excess soy in your diet and excessive heat (hot showers, hot yoga, facial steamers, etc).
Tools to prevent melasma:
- Daily sunscreen and reapplication
- Daily antioxidants (hello, Liquid Gold and Overachiever)
- Sun protection + heat avoidance
Safe products for treating melasma during pregnancy:
- Brightening Facial Wash: A cleanser with pregnancy safe amount of glycolic and salicylic acid (best for normal to oily skin)
- Sunscreen: We recommend a tinted SPF for melasma because the iron oxides that provide the tint provide an added layer of protection.
- Brightening Serum: Dark spot correcting ingredients including Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Licorice Root and Bearberry along with skin protective antioxidants.
- Liquid Gold: Read more about Vitamin C serums here!
- Overachiever: Encourages cellular turnover.
- Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask: Minimizes the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation and sun damage. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea we do not recommend this mask. Make sure to read full usage instructions prior to first use.
Below is a sample routine for melasma during pregnancy, or you can shop the routine here.
Dry Skin During Pregnancy
Another common complaint in pregnancy is dry skin. Hormone shifts and fluid shifts can go from you to baby, causing the skin to lose moisture and elasticity.
Ingredients that can help with pregnancy induced dry skin:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Hydrating moisturizers
- Essential lipids and antioxidants
Safe products to use for dry skin during pregnancy:
- Hydrating Serum: Hyaluronic acid serum
- Overachiever: A retinoid alternative that also provides hydration and a heavy dose of antioxidants
- Hydrating Lotion: An age-defying AM/PM hydrating moisturizer that doesn’t feel too heavy, won’t make you break out, and does so much for your skin!
Below is a sample routine for dry skin during pregnancy, or you can shop a sample routine for dry skin/rosacea/sensitive skin here.
Retinoids During Pregnancy
Unfortunately, retinoids are a no-no during pregnancy–but just because you can't use a retinoid doesn't mean you can't stimulate cellular turnover! Using products that increase cellular turnover will help continue to fight premature aging as well as fine lines + wrinkles.
What is a pregnancy-safe retinoid alternative?
Overachiever doubles as a great retinoid alternative during this time due to a key ingredient in the formulation -- bakuchiol. Studies show that using 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily provides the same results as using retinol once daily. Plus, Overachiever also helps to calm + soothe the skin and reduce redness, irritation and sensitivity.
Once you're able to add a retinoid back into your routine, Overachiever will serve as a retinoid booster, helping your retinoid work longer and more effectively on the skin!
Below is a sample routine to address anti-aging during pregnancy, or you can shop the routine here.
Can you use retinoids during breastfeeding?
The use of retinoids has not been studied while breastfeeding. However, because it is poorly absorbed after topical application, it is considered by the Drug and Lactation Database to be low risk to the nursing infant.
That's why we're comfortable recommending a retinoid for use on the face, neck, chest and backs of hands while nursing. Of course, we recommend getting clearance from your OB first before adding them back into your routine!
Can I prevent stretch marks?
- BodiFirm – (our go-to!) helps restores hydration and support the skin’s moisture barrier while visibly tightening and firming the skin
- Either of our Toning Pads – the unique blend of acids in Toning Pads (& Toning Pads II) provides a gentle exfoliation to improve product penetration.
- Tip: apply pads on face first and then use them on your belly!
- Liquid Gold – vitamin C is a key nutrient for the production of collagen. Collagen helps to keep the skin strong and elastic.
Example AM + PM Skincare Routine During Pregnancy
In order of application:
Cleanse > Tone > Serums > Moisturizer > Sunscreen
- Papaya Enzyme Cleanser
- Toning Pads
- Liquid Gold
- Brightening Serum (to target melasma/hyperpigmentation)
- Overachiever (retinoid alternative)
- Hydrating Lotion: daily moisturizer
- Barefaced SPF 50+: AM only
WEEKLY TREATMENTS:
- Hydrating Mask: soothes dry, sensitive skin
- Exfoliating Mask: use no more than once a week
- Pore Purifying Clay Mask: unclogs pores and absorbs excess oil
ADDITIONAL TIPS
- We recommend adding one product at a time for at least 2 weeks to make sure that product doesn't irritate your skin.
- At minimum, use a daily vitamin C serum and sunscreen to protect your skin!
- Your skin likes consistency — stick with a skincare routine as much as you’re able to.
*All ingredient percentages are considered pregnancy/nursing safe by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, however, we always recommend consulting with your OB prior to usage.
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Sources:
- Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia, September-October 2014, pages 771–782
- Dermatology and Therapy, 2017, pages 305-318
