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Developing a skin-care routine that suits your specific skin needs and keeps your complexion glowing is no easy feat, but finding skin-care products that are safe to use while pregnant and help combat common pregnancy-related skin issues is a much more complicated battle. While most people know the basics\u2014extra hydration, no retinoids\u2014when it comes to pregnancy skin-care, there is a lot more to consider in order to keep your skin healthy and clear. <\/p>\n
With all the changes that pregnancy brings, trying to figure out how to nail your skin-care routine shouldn\u2019t be something that adds to the stress. Ahead, skin and pregnancy experts explain the best pregnancy-safe skin-care routine to help you through this incredible journey. <\/p>\n
The first thing to understand when it comes to pregnancy skin-care is how the skin changes during pregnancy and how to effectively treat these changes. OBGYN and chief medical officer at VSPOT, Dr. Monica Grover explains that \u201cdue to hormonal changes, your skin changes quite a lot during pregnancy,\u201d and as a result, \u201cyour skin can be more prone to acne and hyperpigmentation while also becoming dryer, irritable and inflamed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill agrees that pregnancy hormones can change your skin completely. \u201cOily skin can become dry, and dry skin can become oily. It\u2019s also very common to see increased sensitivity, more breakouts or congestion, and hyperpigmentation like melasma (dark patches), especially with sun exposure,\u201d she notes. <\/p>\n
Dr. Grover explains that, \u201cIt is important to absolutely avoid products with the following ingredients while pregnant: phthalates, formaldehyde, toluene, ammonia, dihydroxyacetone, certain essential oils, salicylic acid, hydroquinone and all retinoids. I also recommend avoiding products with fragrance and parabens.\u00a0Products that are considered to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as BPAs or\u00a0phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and even hydroquinone have been shown to cause premature births, DNA fragility, and are possibly even carcinogenic.\u00a0Be weary of products that state they are fragrance-free, too, as these products may be substituted with other chemicals.\u201d <\/p>\n
New York dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD reiterates the importance of avoiding topical retinoids like prescription tretinoin, taxarotene, adapalene and over-the-counter retinol. \u201cThe amount absorbed through the skin is small, but oral retinoids cause severe birth defects so it\u2019s not worth the risk of topical.\u201d Dr. Waldorf adds that \u201chydroquinone is also a no-no. Benzoyl peroxides are questionable so ask your obstetrician. As a dermatologist, I always defer to the obstetrician. During pregnancy, I\u2019d avoid nonessential procedures requiring topical anesthetic because the topical anesthetic is absorbed\u2014the amount depends on the concentration of the anesthetic and surface area covered.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As for Dr. Longwill, she says the main ingredients she recommend avoiding are: retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene), hydroquinone, high-strength salicylic acid (especially peels or large-area use), and harsh chemical peels or aggressive treatments.<\/p>\n
While there are plenty of pregnancy-safe skin-care ingredients and products that can help keep one\u2019s skin looking and feeling good throughout their pregnancy journey, when it comes to trying new products, medical aesthetician Amy Peterson always recommends starting with a patch test. \u201cBefore using any new skin-care product, pregnant individuals should perform a patch test to ensure that they do not have an adverse reaction to the product,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
Dr. Longwill calls azelaic acid one of her favorite ingredients for use during pregnancy, recommending it for expecting mothers who are experiencing breakouts and acne. A naturally occurring acid derived from barley, rye grains and wheat, azelaic acid offers up antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it an effective and ever popular treatment for common skin conditions such as acne and even rosacea.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More pregnancy-safe acne solutions from Dr. Longwill include \u201cniacinamide, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide (in moderation).\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of more intense products like salicylic acid\u2013based cleansers, Dr. Grover recommends switching to glycolic acid\u2013based cleansers, and products with glycolic acid in general for gentler exfoliation. \u201cGlycolic acid peels can be done every few months as well as facials such as a Hydrafacials or even using devices that utilize certain types of lights as a chemical-free alternative,\u201d Peterson explains. <\/p>\n
However, Dr. Longwill warns against using high-strength glycolic acid during pregnancy. \u201cIn my opinion, low-strength glycolic acid is usually fine during pregnancy, but I recommend avoiding high-strength peels or overuse because irritation can trigger pigmentation,\u201d she says. \u201cIf skin is sensitive or melasma-prone, azelaic acid is often the better choice. Always consult your local dermatologist and OBGYN.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Dr. Grover noted, the skin can become extra dry and irritable during pregnancy, which is why hydration is of utmost importance. For pregnancy-safe moisture, Dr. Grover recommends hyaluronic acid serums. In addition to hydrating serums, Peterson also adds that overall hydrating is key for skin health. \u201cDrinking plenty of water is essential for overall skin health, especially during pregnancy when the body\u2019s hydration needs are increased.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Grover, mineral-based sunscreens are a safe bet during pregnancy. If you\u2019re looking for a pregnancy-safe SPF, zinc oxide\u2013 or titanium oxide\u2013based formulas are generally your best options. Dr. Waldorf agrees that including SPF in your daily routine is key for combatting certain skin issues associated with pregnancy. \u201cThe hormonal changes in pregnancy increase the risk of melasma in predisposed individuals,\u201d she says. \u201cUnfortunately you don\u2019t know if you\u2019re predisposed until you get it,\u201d hence why protecting the skin with SPF is a must. <\/p>\n
\u201cMineral sunscreen (zinc oxide\/titanium dioxide) is my preferred option during pregnancy because it\u2019s gentle on sensitive skin and gives strong protection against UV rays that can trigger melasma and dark spots,\u201d adds Dr. Longwill. <\/p>\n
While it\u2019s deemed unsafe to use retinol during pregnancy, many pregnant individuals don\u2019t want to miss out on the benefits that retinol has on the skin, which is why Dr. Waldorf recommends pregnancy-safe alternatives like low-concentration salicylic and azealic acids. \u201cPregnancy-safe alternatives for retinoids include salicylic acid and azaleic acid for acne, particularly comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), and alphahydroxy acids like azaleic acid and transexamic acid are helpful for pigmentation. As always, though, ask your obstetrician about your other topical rosacea and acne medications.\u201d<\/p>\n
To beat wrinkles while you\u2019re expecting, Dr. Longwill also recommends using a vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid and barrier-supporting moisturizer with ceramides. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n