Top 10 pregnancy skincare products to use during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a critical time in a woman's life as her body, her life and everything around her is changing. During this time, a woman has to be extra careful about her health as well as the health of her baby and therefore should take notice of the things she eats, drinks or applies on herself. This includes her makeup and her skincare routine. Since hormonal changes take place during pregnancy many women will notice changes in their skin including acne outbursts, hyperpigmentations, stretch marks etcetera. However, just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you should stop caring for yourself. It’s about choosing the safe and right products. 

Skin care starts with the face and this 100 percent natural and organic facial cleanser is free from all types of dangerous toxins that may harm you or your baby. It is gentle and especially great for sensitive skin.  It is multi-purpose and can even be used as a makeup remover for your eye and face makeup. It’s a good bargain for a $20 product.

This product is great for women with dry skin or experience dry skin during their pregnancy. This advanced serum is paraben and fragrance-free and has a balanced pH level. The product is especially great for women who experience hyperpigmentation and darkening of the skin during pregnancy. For $65 the product promises to boost collagen and promote healthy skin.

Dry skin is one of the many problems that those rollercoaster hormones can throw your way during pregnancy. To counter that, you need a safe-for-pregnancy moisturizer cream. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream is definitely the super-cream you can turn to as it dye free, oil free, alcoholic free; to be specific it all-unsafe-chemicals-for-pregnancy free and does wonders to moisturize that dry skin!

Sunscreen is a product that one should always apply when getting out in the Sun and it’s even more important when you’re pregnant as the skin tends to get more sensitive. Pregnancy can limit your options as most products utilize chemicals that aren’t pregnancy friendly but EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 isn’t one of them. It is, most certainly, one of the best options for pregnant ladies out there! The amazing sun-screen doesn’t clog pores, is light and odorless which is a plus as morning sickness can kick in as a reaction of any odor! You can also apply it under your makeup as a base.

This plant-based balm rich with mango butter, pomegranate extract and Acai is the perfect solution for chaffed nipples and lips during pregnancy and even after, during breastfeeding days. The balm is all natural, safe and anti-inflammatory which means it will leave your lips and nipples feeling soft, moisturized and supple. Get your hands on this beauty for $28.

Shower products are usually loaded with chemicals and fragrances that can be harmful to you during pregnancy. The ArtNatural Body and Foot Wash is the perfect body wash which is paraben free and also loaded with essential oils which gives it a beautiful scent to keep you fresh all day. The formula is antibacterial and antifungal and will keep you squeaky clean at $18.

One thing that no woman looks forward to in pregnancy is stretch marks. Especially stretch marks on the belly can be a kicker to your self-esteem. The Glow Organics belly butter is all natural and rich with Shea and cocoa butter. With its heavenly smell, this glow butter will keep your belly hydrated, soft and smooth and will keep your dry skin and marks in check at just $25.

Every woman worries about a sagging bust. Especially during and after pregnancy when your body is going through everyday changes, the elasticity of your skin can be compromised. The Palmers Cocoa Butter bust Cream is all natural, rich in vitamin E and free of harmful chemicals. It not only tones up the skin around your bust it also conditions and softens your skin at just $18.

When mama’s belly’s skin stretches during pregnancy, it can be an uncomfortable and very itchy experience. Certified by Oregon Tilt to NSF/ANSI, the Earth Mama Belly Butter will help with your belly’s elasticity and make it a less uncomfortable experience. The lotion can be used on bellies, thighs and breasts. The lotion has organic herbs and oils and sheaf butter that will benefit to ease of the stretch marks. The lotion is very helpful post pregnancy too!  

Pregnancy comes with lots and lots of hormonal changes. Now what comes to mind when the mention of hormone is made? Yes, skin problems! The sad news is that most facial products come with chemicals that aren’t safe to use during pregnancy but don’t you worry our cherished reader, we have your back as always! Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial Wash is the perfect cleanser to use during pregnancy which will not only deep cleanse your skin, but also give it a clean and healthy look.

There are certain steps you can take every day to ensure that your skin and belly remain glowing throughout your pregnancy.

You may experience changes in your skin due to hormonal changes so do your daily cleanse your face with a light and pregnancy-safe cleanser and always put on those sunscreens.

Exfoliation is necessary to remove dead skin and cells to have fresh and glowing skin. Use a dry brush at least once a week to exfoliate your body and belly before a shower.

Clean yourself up and feel refreshed after a nice warm shower. Use a shower gel which does not have any chemicals such as ArtNatural Body and foot Wash.

This is the most important and key step which should never be missed. Moisturize after cleansing and always moisturize after a shower. You can use The Glow belly butter for your abdomen every day and the Visha serum to keep your face hydrated and glowing. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated at all times.

One issue that most women face when pregnant is pigmentation of their skin. This can result in dark patches and spots on the skin, especially under the eye, neck, and cheeks. The best home remedy for hyperpigmentation is Aloe Vera gel which will rejuvenate your skin. You can also use one part water and one part apple cider vinegar and apply it on dark patches twice a day. Leave on for 3 minutes and wash with lukewarm water for best results.

When you are pregnant, stretch marks are inevitable. These little white and pinkish marks are left behind when your skin stretches during pregnancy. The best way to avoid stretch marks is to keep your belly well moisturized. Olive oil and coconut oil are great moisturizers and can be used to firm up your skin. You can also make a homemade moisturizer using coconut oil, some drops of lavender oil and a little bit of liquid vitamin E.

Whether its body odor or hyperpigmentation; armpits can be a problematic area for most women during pregnancy. To deal with hyperpigmentation take a rind of lemon and rub on some turmeric with it on your affected areas. Let it stay for a bit before washing it off. For a natural and safe deodorant to deal with body odor dab a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water with a cotton pad on your armpits and feel refreshed and odor free all day long.

Here are the top 5 products and ingredients you should avoid during pregnancy:

These are often found in skincare products such as anti-mark creams, acne creams, and anti-aging creams. Be sure to avoid such products or use those which do not have any of these ingredients. 

You might find this ingredient in your products that treat acne or oily skin. So face washes, toners, or certain moisturizers and spot treatment creams might have this item in them and should be avoided.

These are especially dangerous because they can mimic estrogen and can be harmful during pregnancy. You will usually find parabens in hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners.

This chemical is often used in nail polishes and can be bad for your fertility. It should, therefore, be avoided during pregnancy. So always check your nail paint for this ingredient before you apply it.

This ingredient is often found in sunscreens and actually absorbs the UV rays from the sun to balance your skin. This can, however, be dangerous during pregnancy and should be avoided.

Pregnancy is a unique and special experience for every woman and therefore should be treated as such. Self-care becomes even more important during pregnancy for women as a healthy and happy mother translates into a healthy and happy baby. Therefore, it is important to know and consume the safest of products when taking care of yourself. Chemical rich self-care products should be avoided and organic and natural ingredients should be used to get the best baby glow.