Radiant, glowing skin during pregnancy is every woman’s dream but few get it right. You must have heard about ‘pregnancy glow’ but mind you it is not something that happens to everyone. If you are like me, then pregnancy glow is a far fetched dream.
With the great news of you expecting a baby, you have to be ready to welcome a set of changes not only in your lifestyle but also your skincare routine. Comes as a shock to you right?
Well during your pregnancy you might experience a radiant and glowing skin or on the downside experience common skin problems like dull skin, acne, pigmentation and the like. So apart from other aspects of your pregnancy, you need to follow some simple tips for a glowing skin during pregnancy.
Not only will you have to modify your skincare routine but also undertake continuous efforts to maintain the health of your skin. The skincare products you use may also have to be changed according to your skin, and on the parameter of safety for the unborn baby.
Why Does The Skin Change During Pregnancy?
The sensitivity and appearance of your skin will undergo changes during pregnancy because of hormonal changes, extra blood circulation and transformation within your immune system. For some women, pregnancy brings with it glowing and plump skin which makes them look beautiful. Their skin looks radiant, glowing, and healthy and seems smoother than before.
This is because there is an increase in the flow of blood in the pregnant woman’s body. The increased blood flow is due to the hormones secreted provide rich nutrients to the skin. Add to it the extra care of the diet, some women have a glowing skin all through their pregnancy. The initial weight gain tends to make the skin shiny, luminous and smooth.
Whereas, some women during pregnancy complain of skin dullness coupled with dark patches, acne, stretch marks etc. on the skin or their bodies. Breakouts and acne affect about 40% of pregnant women.
The reason that pregnant women suffer from acne because of high levels of progesterone which triggers increase in sebum production in the body. Along with that, the increased hormonal secretion especially in the third trimester causes dark patches also known as melasma.
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Therefore, no matter what transformations your skin is undergoing- whether it is glowing or rather becoming dull- you have to check and re-check your skincare regime and dedicate yourself to imbibing convenienttips for glowing skin during pregnancy in your everyday routine.
11 Easy Tips For Glowing Skin During Pregnancy
The onset of glowing or dull skin is not the same for any women as the bodily and hormonal changes might take place in different periods of time. Generally, however it is during the second trimester that skin changes become very apparent on a pregnant woman. We are putting forth 11 easy tips for glowing skin during pregnancy for those who want to maintain their shiny skin and also for those who want to bring glow to their dull skin.
1. Sleep and rest are highly essential
The importance of resting and sleeping for full 7-8 hours cannot be undermined especially during your pregnancy days. Pregnancy can make you fatigued and exhausted easily. You may also be stressed thinking about the various changes pregnancy brings about. The stress, fatigue and exhaustion can also reflect on your skin – because your system is working overtime already.
Ensure you get your beauty sleep even when you are pregnant. is what ensures that your body along with the skin gets the necessary boost and time to repair itself.
Another added advantage of getting enough rest during your pregnancy is that you will feel energized and refreshed all throughout the day.
2. Want a glowing skin during pregnancy – hydrate yourself well
As you are already aware that drinking water helps flush out toxins and impurities from your skin. Now that you are pregnant, water assumes even a more important role. Water helps you make and maintain amniotic fluid, increased blood volume and helps in carrying nutrients to your baby in the womb.
Enough has already been said about the importance of water for skin. A soft, healthy skin is often accomplished by drinking adequate quantities of water.
So your water intake should be at least 2 litres per day. You can also add other kinds of healthy fluids like fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices, coconut water and so on in your diet. Hydration will ensure that your skin does not dry out; gets enough moisture and the amniotic fluid amount in the body is maintained for the safety of your baby.
Remember, tea, coffee and sodas contain caffeine which tend to dehydrate the body.
3. Incorporate exercise in your pregnancy routine
Exercises are the best way to sweat and get rid of impurities/toxins from your body and skin. In your pregnancy daily routine, you must try to find a way to include daily exercise. With light to moderate exercises like a short daily walk, yoga, a nice swim or a gentle aerobic session your organs will function effectively. Exercise also results in enhanced blood circulation and reduces stress.
The happy hormones will be released inside your body. As a consequence of all this, your skin tone will improve and your skin will become much healthier. Plus, you will be able to maintain a healthy weight during your pregnancy.
4. Focus on what you eat
Apart from drinking lots of water and fluids, exercising daily and resting appropriately, another thing that contributes to healthy and glowing skin is the food you consume. A balanced, healthy diet goes a long way to give you a glowing skin during pregnancy.
A healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables apart from whole grains, dried fruits and dairy products can go a long way in ensuring that the skin remains glowing during pregnancy. Include a lot of berries, oranges, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccolis, kale and other healthy natural produce in your pregnancy diet.
Always opt for food items which have protein, folate, zinc, omega-3s, Vitamin C and Vitamin E because these are the nutrients which have a very good influence on the skin of the pregnant women.
5. Keep cleansing your skin
This means having a bath daily at least once a day so as to ensure that dirt, pollutants and dust gathered on your skin during the day gets removed. The soap you use must be a mild one and you can also opt for moisturizing soaps for body bath. Even body washes like Belli Pure and Pampered Body Wash, The Moms Co. Natural Body Wash, Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash etc. can be utilized as these are safe for pregnant women.
Washing your face at least twice a day would be sufficient but opt for face washes which do not have any fragrance. Mild and soap-free like face washes without any harmful chemicals would be Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Mederma Facial Cleanser, Belli Anti-Blemish Facial Wash etc.
Always read out the composition of the face wash you use. Ingredients which should not be a part of your face wash would be beta hydroxy acid, diethanolamine, parabens, formaldehyde, retinol/retinoids, phthalates etc.
6. Give home remedies and natural products a chance
Since you are pregnant, what you apply on your skin becomes very important as it is absorbed in your body. Now what get absorbed in your skin has a chance to reach your unborn baby too. It has the potential of being absorbed by your fetus as well. Therefore, that you have pick beauty products keeping the safety of your baby as the prime consideration.
The solution to this is to try out home remedies and natural products for taking care of your skin during pregnancy. With the effective use of coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and aloe vera gel you can ensure that your already glowing skin or dull skin becomes nourished, supple and soft.
Apply any of these on your skin regularly as these are natural moisturizers and a perfect replacement for chemical skin care products that you must have been using before your pregnancy. Packs made out of turmeric and curd; turmeric and lemon juice; almond and honey paste etc. help enhance skin tone and health and are safe to use during pregnancy.
Getting a glowing skin during pregnancy can be easily achieved with home care routines and natural products too.
7. Reduce time outdoors
Extra sensitivity of your skin might make your skin prone to unwanted influences from sunlight. Sunlight’s harmful UV rays can cause various skin problems which is why experts advise that sunscreen becomes a must skin care product for any woman. If you are pregnant, it becomes all the more important.
In order to protect your skin, you can also reduce your time outdoors or invest in protective clothing and accessories like hats, stoles, sunglasses etc. If you need to be outdoors, ensure that you wear a protective sun cream, especially recommended for pregnancy by expert dermatologist.
8. Make changes to your makeup regime
The makeup products you usually apply on your skin might not be a good option during pregnancy. So check the ingredients of the products you were using and stay away from products that contain aluminum chloride, dihydroxyacetone, toluene, phthalates, parabens, retinoids etc.
Perhaps you are looking to get your hair colored or highlighted? Maybe you want to get some chemical procedure done on your skin to look gorgeous. Hold on for the moment, atleast till when you weigh the risk assessment.
Along with that, try to apply less makeup during your pregnancy as it can clog your pores and make skin issues more complicated. But if you do love makeup and have to apply it opt for organic and natural makeup products. You will find a variety of foundations, lipsticks, nail polishes made from natural ingredients.
9. Skin massages can help
One often underappreciated tip for glowing skin during pregnancy is skin massages. The more you massage your skin using any kind of moisturizer or oil, the better the blood circulation within your body. And improved blood circulation will improve your skin tissues which in turn will help enhance your skin glow.
Apart from that, improved sleep and decreased anxiety and stress due to the massage will also contribute to your skin health.
However, ensure that you use only diluted essential oils after taking a go ahead from your doctor. This is so because some essential oils can have undesirable effects during pregnancy. Also, a carrier oil is of utmost importance.
10. For glowing skin during pregnancy, keep yourself happy
And the most important tip for glowing skin during pregnancy is to be HAPPY! It is very important that you keep yourself happy at all times and do not take any kind of stress. This is obviously so because stress, over thinking, anxiety etc. is not at all good for your health and for your baby’s health.
If you focus on your happiness and joy, then ultimately it will have a good influence on your overall health in general and also your skin health in particular.
11. Consult your doctor
To keep your doctor or dermatologist in the loop about your skin’s health can be a wise move on your part especially in relation to the skin care products you are applying or any skin care treatment you are planning to undertake. He/she can advise you better and give you essential tips glowing skin during pregnancy which are safe and sound yet highly effective.
With the above 11 tips for glowing skin during pregnancy you can be rest assured that your skin health improves and you do not have to deal with skin woes like pigmentation, acne, dull skin, stretch marks etc. during and after your pregnancy.
Remember following all of these together simultaneously can help provide much more effective results than just incorporating two or three of the tips into your routine. So follow them religiously and let your skin feel all the love and care in the world!