Mamas, our skin does crazy things in winter, especially if we are pregnant. We’ve joined forces with the skincare experts at Mustela to bring you our pregnancy skin care tips.
Once you fall pregnant, your life changes. Not only are you preparing the nursery and buying cute baby things, but you must also consider how your actions affect your unborn child.
What you put in your body — what you eat and drink — while you're pregnant is hugely important, and our Dietitian expert, Shae Rickards has the very best information on pregnancy nutrition here.
We sometimes forget that what you put ON your body is very important too!
How to look after your skin during pregnancy
Pregnancy safe skincare
First, look at what you use on your skin and ask your doctor if your current skin care regimen is safe for your developing little one. Then choose safe and beneficial products for you and your baby (both in and out of the womb!).
Here are a few qualities to look for:
Fragrance-free ( if you are sensitive to smell) products
Paraben-free products (and other nasties)
Percentage of natural ingredients
Pregnancy safe moisturiser
Keeping your skin supple and moisturized while pregnant helps maintain its elasticity and makes you feel good. Daily moisturisation is especially important when dealing with itchy skin during pregnancy.
Choose a moisturizer specially formulated for new and expecting mothers — like Mustela Stretch Marks Cream — and made with 97% natural ingredients to help reduce sensations of tightness and leave your skin feeling supple and comfortable. Bonus: this light texture penetrates quickly and enables quick dressing. Say hello to safe, natural skincare.
Stay hydrated
You’ve probably heard it your whole life, but drinking enough water is important, especially when you’re pregnant. Drinking plenty of water hydrates your skin from the inside out. All that hydration helps your skin cells function correctly, repair themselves, and potentially ward off (or recover from) stretch marks — a great plus for pregnant women. Keep a water bottle or glass of water nearby all day. And try sipping on hot tea or lemon water (through a straw) to increase your fluid intake even more.
Pregnancy stretch mark cream
Pregnancy stretch marks aren’t harmful to you or your baby, but we know you’d rather they weren’t there. Get the upper hand on minimizing the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks by regularly applying Mustela’s Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream. This non-greasy cream delivers long-lasting hydration to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. For peace of mind, it’s safe for mothers and babies and is 100% compatible with breastfeeding. Bonus: If you're sensitive to smell, the cream is fragrance-free.
Pregnancy safe sunscreen
Sun exposure can darken your linea nigra (the line that can appear down the middle of your tummy to your pubic bone), which you’re trying to avoid. But your skin also needs extra sun protection because it’s more sensitive than usual during pregnancy. That said, don’t use just any sunscreen; choose one that’s hydrating, formulated without chemical UV filters or parabens, and safe for the whole family.
In addition to wearing protective clothing and a hat, apply mineral sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and then again at least every two hours — more frequently if you’ve been swimming or sweating.
The information in this article comes from Mustela’s team of Experts and is general in nature. For advice specific to your circumstances, please see your healthcare practitioner.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to care for your newborn baby, building upon the expertise you've gained in nurturing your skin throughout pregnancy. Join us for our transformative Virtual Birth or In-person Birth Masterclass, presented by Mustela. These comprehensive sessions will empower you to embrace a positive birth experience while acquiring essential newborn care skills.
