And I give a LOT of credit to having a good skincare routine in place long before I got pregnant. An Expert Derm Shares Tips for Managing Both, Natural Eating Isn’t Just for Humans—Here’s What You Should Feed Your Dog, According to a Vet Nutritionist, A Bottle of This Hair-Growth Solution Sells Every 36 Seconds—Here’s Why. © 2020 Well+Good LLC. “You’re never able to predict how pregnancy will affect your skin. Aguilar had to change her go-to toner when she got pregnant, since her active ingredient-packed product started to burn and sting her skin. “If you already suffer from acne, you may find that it worsens during pregnancy. “Instead, I use this vitamin B3 serum during the day, and a vitamin C serum at night.” The active ingredient, vitamin B3 (also known as niacinamide) does everything from hydrate to smooth and even out the complexion. Think mandelic, glycolic and lactic acid, all of which are great for exfoliating and clarifying. Ultimately, it’s about finding the products that work for you. “Typically it reverts a few months after pregnancy but there are a few cases where it can persist.”. “When it comes to active ingredients all alpha-hydroxy acids are safe to be used for those with acne-prone skin,” says aesthetic doctor Dr Barbara Kubicka. “I added a hyaluronic acid [to my routine] as my skin began to suffer extreme dehydration, no matter how much water I was drinking,” says Aguilar. I’ve been really blessed to not experience many issues with my skin during pregnancy. “People of darker skin tones, especially women in the 20 to 45 age group - encompassing prime fertility period - are already more susceptible to the stubborn pigmentation condition called melasma, which appears as darkened, blotchy patches on the face. My pregnancy skincare routine + product suggestions. For your pregnancy skin care routine, here's what ingredients to look for and what to avoid for a safe and effective You were feeling quite pleased with yourself and your carefully calibrated skincare regime, weren’t you? You got pregnant and it all went out of the window. So how to tackle it? Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil or Countermatch Foaming Face Wash – I like having a non-glass option to keep in the shower, which is why I sometimes use the Countermatch lotion. Our editors independently select these products. Is It Maskne, or Rosacea? So how do you achieve that pregnancy glow everyone's always going on about? The only constant of pregnancy skin, it seems, is its unpredictability and how tricky it is to work out what it wants (your baby, when it arrives, is likely to have the same characteristics, FYI). Pregnancy brings dark spots, red spots, dry skin, and breakouts from hormones. Shop now: PCA Skin Pigment Bar, $46 Photo: PCA Skin. My go-to routine for cleaning my face every night (through pregnancy and beyond) is cleansing with Primally Pure cleansing oil. There’s also the issue of pigmentation, particularly for women of colour, which makes wearing an SPF more important than ever. The former is considered safe at five per cent concentrations or lower and the latter at two per cent or lower and used as a spot treatment rather than all over the face.”, Read more: Bringing Up Baby: I'm Not Tired – I'm In Another Layer of Existence. Hormones also increase sebum in the skin, which can range from giving you a glow to full-on oily leading to acneic breakouts,” says aesthetician and Black Skin Directory founder Dija Ayodele. For "The Good Issue", Allure editor in chief shares how pregnancy has changed a few things in her life, especially her skin-care routine. Though the one in her cabinet is by PCA Skin, this serum by Ghost Democracy uses a stable vitamin C derivative that works for all skin types, plus it contains bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative. “My stem cell moisturizer and eye cream were swapped out,” says Aguilar, noting that though there isn’t much research on the safety of using topical stem cells during pregnancy, “it’s best to avoid products you just aren’t sure about.” Instead, she turns to peptides, which are collagen-stimulating proteins that are naturally found in your skin. Though Aguilar always used a vitamin B3 and vitamin C serum daily, she found that her skin no longer tolerated them when used together. Morning skincare routine Cleanser. CA Do Not Sell My Personal Information Sitemap redirect. Key, too, is a steady and trusted regime. If you want further guidance, speak with your doctor, and consider choosing a maternity-friendly skincare brand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images), Baby Boom: Vogue's Jessica Diner On Balancing Work And Parenthood, Bringing Up Baby: The Absolute Doozies I Have Made As A New Mother, Bringing Up Baby: I'm Not Tired – I'm In Another Layer of Existence, These Are The 10 Most Googled Skincare Ingredients Of 2020, 6 Things You Need To Know About Nikki DeRoest’s Skincare Routine. There’s also the issue of skincare ingredients to avoid. “For those on treatment for acne or rosacea I would recommend checking with their dermatologist as some topical antibiotics are contraindicated as well.”, Other ingredients are thought to be safe in certain concentrations, but should be used with caution. “This is safe enough to be used on babies and children,” she says. To aid in her skin-brightening goals, Aguilar uses a vitamin C serum every day. Now, Aguilar’s regimen still contains some complexion-evening ingredients, but she’s also incorporating skin-soothing and hydrating products to balance her finicky skin. Those with previously blemish-free skin find themselves tackling acne, whilst perennially oily types are suddenly as dry as a desert. All rights reserved. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex seen walking holding baby bump whilst Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the 'Walkabout' on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. When you’re pregnant, you usually have to go nine months or longer without using certain active ingredients in your skin-care routine (farewell: dear, retinol). Overall, Natalie Aguilar, celebrity facialist and dermatological nurse, had to swap out six of her daily skin-care staples when she got pregnant. “Also, as your skin experiences hormonal changes, sensitivity increases.” Keep scrolling to see what’s in her beauty cabinet ATM. Ghost Democracy Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Eminence Organics Arctic Berry Peptide Radiance Cream. My favourite when it comes to product purity is the Bakel skincare range.”, Read more: The Ultimate Pregnancy Beauty Essentials, Ayodele also recommends AHAs for treating acne and points to poly-hydroxy acids for those with particularly sensitive skin. For your hormones, for your sleeping habits, for your ability to fit into your jeans... and also for your complexion. O f the many physical changes that happen during pregnancy, skin isn’t really something that people tend to talk much about. Because I have dry skin, I use the version of their cleansing oil for dry skin. “People of darker skin tones, especially women in the 20 to 45 age group - encompassing prime fertility period - are already more susceptible to the stubborn pigmentation condition called melasma, which appears as darkened, blotchy patches on the face.