For most of my pregnancy, my skin became drier than a Southern California desert! My skin type has always been pretty dry but pregnancy was a whole other level. Because of that, I had to adapt my skincare routine to my skin’s new conditions.
It turns out this is very common. There are some big changes that happen to the skin naturally when we’re expecting. For example:
- Hormonal changes: Increased pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen can disrupt the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
- More blood volume: The increased blood volume from carrying a growing fetus/baby can also affect skin hydration and its ability to retain moisture.
Refreshing My Skincare Routine
In the first half of pregnancy, I was holed up at home most of the time. I was also too tired and nauseous to keep up a full skincare routine most days. During this time, it was also hard to stay hydrated throughout the day (especially in evenings and early mornings, when my nausea was bad) because of the discomfort and lack of energy.
The second half of pregnancy is when I really stepped out of my little cave and stepped up my skincare! As many mamas will tell you, second trimester usually brings a fresh burst of energy. I felt that and channeled it into self-care and hobbies. Many people commented on my “glowy” skin during the second half of pregnancy. Part of it was the extra collagen my body was producing as baby was developing. The rest I credit to my consistent skincare routine.
Adjusting my full body skincare routine for my extra dry skin starting in second trimester was much more effective than simply continuing with my regular routine. Here is exactly what my daily skincare routine looked like and the products I started or stopped using.
Mornings
- Tatcha Essence – This is one of my favorite products that was carried over from my regular routine. I used this daily to help my skin absorb all the good stuff better, making them more effective.
- Lancome with SPF – This is another product I’ve been using for years. I used it every day starting in second trimester for the light SPF because I took more frequent and longer walks during pregnancy. The SPF level is just enough so that it doesn’t feel cakey but will stay effective the whole time I’m out.
I was trying to find the link to this one but learned that sadly it has been discontinued! Two similar SPF-packing products recommended by fellow skincare fans are the Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer Cream (SPF 25, more affordable) and StriVectin Super-C Vitamin C Moisturizer (SPF 30), which I’m excited to try. - Glow Recipe watermelon dew drops – this serum has niacinamide for hydration and a delicate, delightful watermelon scent. It can be applied either before or after moisturizer. I used it after moisturizer and before makeup for an extra glow, and it worked great. The effects were visible. It makes my skin look and feel “bouncy” and I felt it also helped seal in the moisturizer underneath.
- StriVectin Blue Rescue Clay Mask – As you may have already heard, pregnancy is full of sleepless nights and it’s not just first trimester! It’s different for everyone and I’ve heard many different cases, but for me I kept waking up super early.
Every morning between 4 to 6 AM I would wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. On those sleep-deprived days, I would use my trusty Blue Rescue mask. It goes on for 10 minutes in the morning and then I wash it off before starting my day. It instantly made my skin and complexion look noticeably better.
Evenings
- Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil – so gentle on the skin but melts away all my makeup so well. Because it’s an oil, it also dries out my skin less than the foaming cleansers I normally use.
- Tatcha Essence, just like in the mornings
- Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream – I used to use this only in the winter months because it’s a very heavy cream and on the pricier side, but I started using this every morning and night well into the hot summer months. It made a huge difference to my skin’s hydration and complexion. It’s one of the only products I’ve used that truly lives up to its name – my face looked dewier than grass at dawn!
- Hope in a Jar serum – I switched to this serum during pregnancy because I liked that it builds the microbiome on our skin. I felt that with all the changes my body was going through, I needed to rebalance my biome. The idea is that strengthening the microbiome will strengthen the skin barrier. This in turn keeps the skin protected and well-hydrated. It seemed to be quite effective and I liked how light and non-sticky it went onto the skin.
- Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask – this was the perfect 1-step evening skincare routine. On lazy days (and there are many during pregnancy), I would rinse my face, lather on this mask, and call it a night. I feel that it absorbs into the skin really well to hydrate and brighten.
- Palmer’s Cocoa Belly Butter – I started using this in the middle of second trimester to prevent stretch marks as baby was growing more. I bought the gift pack that came with the Tummy Butter, stretch marks lotion, and skin therapy oil. I also used this on my arms, legs, and lower back because it was easier than using two separate body creams. My skincare routine had enough steps in it already! Miraculously, I made it through pregnancy and postpartum without any stretch marks! I can’t say for sure if it’s because of the Palmer’s but I would definitely use it again.
What to Stop Using During Pregnancy
It’s important to note that there are certain skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy because they have compounds that may have negative effects on baby:
Retinol
You may have already know this but retinol products should be avoided during pregnancy they the compound has been linked to birth defects.
Hydroquinone
Used to lighten skin and reduce dark spots. Our skin soaks this ingredient up so it’s best to avoid it during pregnancy.
Salicylic acid
This ingredient often shows up in exfoliation and acne treatment products so make sure to read the labels on those.
In addition to skincare products, I also became much more proactive at staying hydrated throughout the day. I kept my 20 oz Yeti mug on my nightstand every night to rehydrate first thing in the morning. Then I’d use it throughout the workday.
My best advice is to use what’s still working for you and then work in new products or steps in your routine that make your skin feel good a few hours afterward, or even the next morning. What works for me and my dry skin type may not work for someone with combination or oily skin, so just experiment with a few different products and keep tabs on how your skin feels and looks after.
If you’ve found any game-changers, drop them in a comment below so other expecting mamas can check them out!
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