Natural Skin Care During Pregnancy - How and Why

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As women, we go through 3 major changes in our lives. Pregnancy is one of them. During this time our skin changes and needs far more nourishment. We also want to be even more cautious of the products we use during this delicate time, as we are now caring for a precious new life preparing to blossom 🙂

Natural skincare during pregnancy is a meaningful choice for you and for your baby.

In this article, we are going to talk about why you want to use natural skin care during your pregnancy and what products are going to improve your skin conditions while you are experiencing changes.

What Changes Does the Skin go through When you’re Pregnant?

One of the most obvious changes to the skin is it will start to stretch. The skin is very flexible and can take on a great deal of stretching, however, we do take on the risk of stretch marks, but the good news is, if we start early and use oils on the skin we will greatly decrease the risk of experiencing any at all.

The skin will darken. Another change in the skin during pregnancy includes Chloasma. It is thought to be due to the stimulation of pigment-producing cells by female sex hormones so that they produce more melanin pigments (dark-colored pigments).

This type of pigmentation is increased with sun exposure and can be prevented by using natural SPF’s. The best natural SPF you can use is Raspberry Seed oil or Shea butter. Both will provide daily protection from the sun.

Dryness and dehydration can occur when you are sharing water content with another growing person. Increasing all the necessary requirements your skin needs to function including hydration will keep the skin supple and nourished.

Why Natural Skin Care During Pregnancy is the Best Choice

What an amazing time in our lives to bring a new person into the world. At this point, we know we are making choices for the life that is growing in our body and we want to make the right choices.

Natural vs Unnatural Skin Care:

Most of the skincare we buy from the drugstore and even places like The Body Shop are made with synthetics and contain toxins that are not healthy for ourselves, let alone a growing baby. Even the containers our products are stored in contain chemicals that seep into the skin including Bisphenol-A.

Bisphenol-A has been linked to birth defects and later development of disease because of the endocrine disruption it causes. BPA is found in plastics that a lot of our skincare products are kept in. (Source)

Parabens are another synthetic toxin that is found in most every unnatural product on our shelves. It is used as a preservative and can cause major irritation during pregnancy while your skin is so sensitive. They are also known to have an effect on your hormones because they mimic estrogen leading to different types of cancer.

There are many other chemicals found in skincare products that need to be considered. Ditching the toxins can be a little difficult when you do not know where to start. Check out both of these articles to get you on the right track.

Natural skincare not only keeps you in the clear of potentially harmful toxins, but it also has far superior ingredients that will nourish the skin as it is changing.

Organic skincare is of high quality and very potent. You will find that using great quality ingredients made from plants will be more effective on your sensitive skin.

Let’s have a look at some of the amazing skincare ingredients you can look forward to including in your skincare regime during this life-changing experience.

What Natural Skin Care Products to use During Pregnancy

For the Belly:

Your belly will be the part of the body that is going to be growing the most and will require extra attention. Now when I say belly, I want you to include the whole of the torso, including the breasts and lower back. This is where we are more prone to stretch marks as the skin is changing so quickly.

Cocoa seed butter: The ultimate for hydration and that is what the skin needs to prevent stretch marks. It has been used for centuries for pregnant women on their bellies and many people swear by it. I personally would contribute its success based on its nutrient-rich vitamin content of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C. These vitamins help heal and repair skin damage, while providing outstanding moisture to the skin, allowing it to be more “pliable”.
Shea Butter: Rich in vitamin A and E, shea butter has the ability to penetrate deep and hydrate the middle layer of skin where stretch marks are formed. It is also a light UV protector with SPF-6.

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Keeping your belly beautifully hydrated and nourished only takes unrefined, organic Shea Butter and Cocoa butter. I would use both in a day. Alternating between the two both mornings and evenings.

For the Face:

With hormones changing you can experience increased acne, sebum production, rosacea, and dry skin, all at once. Using a product that is on the non-comedogenic list will prevent furthering an acne breakout.

You will still need hydration and healing ingredients but you will want to avoid products that contain coconut oil and flaxseed oil. They can be used on the extremities but not the face. The skin on the face has a closer surface blood supply that will be coursing with androgens and many acne-causing hormones, so we want the pores to be as clear as possible.

I suggest you use a good cleanser and a moisturizer. You will want the skin to stay nice and clean, free of debris and oil buildup, followed by nourishing hydration that will not clog the pores.

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For the Whole Body:

The rest of your body will need some love and attention. The arms, shoulders, legs, and thighs will need to stay hydrated and soothed. Your extremities are fast to dry out when your body is putting its water content towards the womb.

I highly recommend a nourishing exfoliant for the rest of the body. Exfoliating will help combat the dryness that starts when the moisture content depletes. Once you have removed the debris from the skin, you can nourish the skin with yummy body oils.

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Conclusion:

Natural skincare is going to be the best choice you can make during your pregnancy. You will feel at ease knowing you are not being exposed to unnecessary toxins. You also have the guarantee your skincare is going to be effective and nourishing rather than causing irritations or needless discomfort.

We want the best for you and your growing child. Simply switching to natural skincare during your pregnancy will start your journey off right.

Natural Skin Care During Pregnancy - How and Why

What Changes Does the Skin go through When you’re Pregnant?