Congratulations on your soon to be bundle of joy, smiles and cuteness! Being pregnant is an experience unlike anything else. Maybe you’re one of those t women glowing with perfection. Or maybe you’re just glowing with sweat (can someone please turn on the AC?). Pregnancy leaves some fortunate ladies looking absolutely radiant, while for others, increased hormonal activity has the opposite effect, causing a multitude of pregnancy-related skin issues.
Here are a few of the skincare challenges you might face over the next nine months and some solutions to keep you looking your best until baby arrives.
Acne
Blemishes, pimples and full-on acne are common for many pregnant women, so don’t feel alone. Blame it on the hormones! When you’re pregnant, increased hormone levels during the first trimester cause a surge in the skin’s production of oil (sebum), giving some a gorgeous glow and others a bad bout of acne. Someone who “never” breaks out might start experiencing skin issues. And if you have a history of flare ups and breakouts, they might get worse now.
Clearing up your complexion can be challenging while expecting because your skin can become more sensitive and reactive. Avoid using harsh, drying acne treatments because this can cause irritation and increased inflammation. Some acne products also contain vitamin A, certain alpha hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide, which should not be used during pregnancy. Always consult your physician about over-the-counter treatments or prescription acne medication.
Here at MyChelle, we’ve carefully chosen natural, bioactive ingredients to calm blemish-prone skin, minimize oil and keep pores pure, just the way they were meant to be. Plus, powerful antioxidants and vitamins in our formulas work hand-in-hand to restore strength and improve your complexion. Every mom-to-be needs some TLC and pampering, so try the Cranberry Mud Mask as a weekly treatment to deeply purify and calm skin when problems start. A blend of richly detoxifying kaolin and bentonite clays absorbs excess oil and debris from pores, while Totarol™ purifies and balances. Cranberry, known as one of the “super fruits” for its high antioxidant content, helps support skin and give it a luminescent glow.
Also consider incorporating the MyChelle Oil-Free Grapefruit Cream into your daily regimen. This lightweight hydrator nourishes blemish-prone skin without clogging pores. Nutrient-rich sea buckthorn promotes rapid healing of irritated skin. Honey, which is naturally antibacterial, and Totarol™ help protect against blemishes, while willow bark gently eliminates pore blockage. Antioxidant rooibos calms irritation and promotes cell repair. Clear skin, here you come!
Hyperpigmentation / melasma
One of the most challenging pregnancy skin problems is hyperpigmentation or melasma, also known as chloasma or “pregnancy mask.” These spots of dark, discolored, pigmented skin can occur with any skin type or tone, but they tend to be more common for those with a darker complexion. It’s also completely normal for freckles and moles to start to appear darker, and you may notice a dark vertical line appearing down the center of your abdomen (called the linea nigra). Again, you can blame your pregnancy hormones for these issues.
The most important thing to do if you’re experiencing an increase in hyperpigmentation is to wear sun protection. Most skin discoloration during pregnancy, including the “pregnancy mask,” will fade within a few months after giving birth. Some spots can stick around, though, so prevent increased damage by wearing sunscreen regularly.
MyChelle has created an array of über-safe, natural sun protectants that guard against both UVA and UVB rays. Try the Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30 to repair and avert photo-damage while maintaining protective moisture. ZinClear™ non-opaque zinc oxide provides natural protection against both UVA and UVB rays without harsh chemicals. A blend of kukui and macadamia oils combine with red algae to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles brought on by environmental stress.
Our sun protectants should be reapplied every two hours or as needed, and really, it’s best for you to just avoid being outdoors during peak hours of the sun. We do offer one super sunny alternative to leave you glowing: MyChelle’s Del Sol Sunless Tanner. Now you can have that healthy-looking, sun-kissed tan without putting your skin or health at an increased risk for damage.
To combat the existing discolorations, use the Apple Brightening Serum every morning. Our advanced formula combines clinically proven ingredients to rapidly diminish the appearance of discoloration and sun damage. Apple plant stem cells trigger skin’s natural regenerative process while reducing line depth up to 15 percent in just four weeks. Breakthrough peptide Melanostatine®5 interrupts the reaction that causes hyperpigmentation to deliver a 33 percent improvement in skin’s tone and clarity.
Dry, itchy skin
If your skin is looking dull, dry and downright flaky, you could be experiencing pregnancy-related dryness. Instead of your hormones producing more oil, hormonal changes may cause a decrease in oil production, causing dryness and a loss of elasticity within the skin. Unfortunately, dry skin can also lead to stretch marks during pregnancy, and the worst part is you can’t prevent them. But you can help minimize their appearance, length and depth by moisturizing your belly and beautifully growing body. Stay moisturized with a simple organic coconut oil which is hydrating and has good amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is very protective.
For your face, incorporate a hydrating serum into your daily routine. Serums penetrate into the skin deeper than moisturizers, and they help to rebalance and restore the skin. The Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is ideal for pregnancy-induced dryness. This deep-penetrating serum restores moisture using the hydrating agents naturally found in healthy skin. Hyaluronic acid binds water to the skin, improving suppleness and plumping fine lines. Sodium PCA and olive-derived squalane prevent moisture loss as they smooth and soften skin. Use under your favorite MyChelle cream to boost hydration and restore moisture to the skin.
Sensitive skin
When skin becomes overly dry and irritated, inadequate protection for nerve endings in the skin can lead to discomfort, inflammation and redness. Sensitive skin has a tendency to flush for various reasons and can be made even more irritated by conditions like eczema, rosacea and allergic contact dermatitis. Excessive exposure to damaging environmental factors such as the sun, wind excessive heat or cold are also major triggers while pregnant.
Whether your skin is occasionally dry and sensitive or the condition is chronic, the MyChelle Pure Harmony Sensitive line has all the whisper-gentle yet inspiringly effective products you need. Specifically created to ease inflammation, reduce redness and minimize irritation, our Pure Harmony products restore the skin’s resistance to environmental aggressors while replenishing vital nutrients and reducing puffiness and swelling.
The Pure Harmony Cream is a gentle, restorative cream that replenishes skin’s vital nutrients, protects against irritation and deeply hydrates. Skin appears smoother with a more balanced tone and texture thanks to this protective formula boosted with Renovage, gardenia plant stem cells and Asiaticoside. The yellow tone of this reparative cream will neutralize redness, so pat a generous amount onto your skin to achieve a flawless look. To avoid increased sensitivities and reactions, stay away from harsh soaps, detergents and perfumes, which can cause reactions, especially while pregnant.
MyChelle products are considered safe to use while pregnant; however, you should always consult with your healthcare provider before using any product you are concerned with or have questions about. Since each pregnancy is unique, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider because he or she will be able to address your concerns and best answer your questions.