You’re pregnant, and you are more aware (now more than ever) of what goes in your body and what goes on your body. Skincare during pregnancy is critical because your skin is like a sponge. Whatever you put on your skin impacts the baby.
It’s time to say goodbye to any chemical-laden products. Swap them out for clean brands that address your skin’s needs while keeping your baby safe. But what ingredients should you remove from your routine and which are safe? What is a good skincare routine for healthy skin during pregnancy? What are some common skin issues you should look out for?
Skin Changes Moms-to-Be Can Expect
Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause significant and complex skin changes. Dr. Oyetewa Oyerinde, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Skin of Color Clinic, explained that common changes include a darkening of moles and melasma, which are hyperpigmented patches on the face.
Another common change is linea nigra, a dark line down the center of the belly. During pregnancy, you might also experience red palms and enlarged blood vessels (like varicose veins and “spider angiomas”) due to hormonal changes.
As the belly grows larger, stretch marks tend to occur, especially during the last trimester. Try not to worry. Stretch marks are extremely common, affecting 9 out 10 pregnant women. They typically appear on the belly, the upper thighs, and breasts.
Montgomery tubercles, also known as Montgomery glands, are raised white bumps similar to goosebumps on the nipple and surrounding areola. Between 30% to 50% of pregnant women experience enlarging oil glands on the Montgomery tubercles. During pregnancy, this skin around the nipple often becomes much larger, darker, and more noticeable in early pregnancy.
Skin tags frequently appear on the neck, in the underarms, and under the breasts. People can also develop worsening of their acne. There are also certain itchy rashes that are commonly associated with pregnancy, Oyerinde explained.
“These don’t cause health problems for mom or baby,” she said. “However, there are other dangerous rashes that can occur during pregnancy that can lead to poor outcomes for the baby or mother.
Pregnancy rashes that can affect the developing fetus and need to be closely monitored are pemphigoid gestationis, impetigo herpetiformis, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. If you develop any rash while pregnant, you should visit your doctor to evaluate for one the dangerous rashes and receive proper treatment.
Ingredients to Remove From Your Skincare Routine
Oyerinde explained that there isn’t a lot of data on topical medications and their effects on pregnancy. Generally speaking, you should stop using topical retinoids (prescription or over the counter) or any treatments for hyperpigmentation, including prescription-strength hydroquinone, and chemical peels, and laser therapy.
Also, if you are using oral retinoids like isotretinoin or spironolactone for acne, Oyerinde recommended that you stop using these during pregnancy. Early in the second trimester, you should stop using antibiotics commonly prescribed for acne such as doxycycline and minocycline. Oyerinde suggested stopping the use of these treatments by the 15th week of pregnancy.
Ingredients to Include in Your Skincare Routine
Pregnancy skincare should be as gentle and simple as possible. The basic morning routine should consist of a gentle cleanser, a gentle moisturizer, and sunscreen. In the evening again, use a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer.
For patients with acne, you can add on azelaic acid cream or gel twice daily. For patients who want a bit of brightening, a vitamin C serum in the morning before the moisturizer is very helpful.
“A lot of my patients get concerned about using chemical sunscreens, which get absorbed into the bloodstream,” Oyerinde said. “I typically recommend mineral sunscreens during pregnancy, especially tinted mineral sunscreens.”
It’s best to use tinted mineral sunscreens that contain iron oxide. These types of sunscreen protect against UVA, UVB and visible light, which contribute to dark spots on the skin (like melasma) that can worsen during pregnancy.
Oyerinde recommends for pregnant women to prioritize Uuing hydrating products with hyaluronic acid, ceramics, centella asiatica, cocoa butter, vitamin E, and shea butter.
“These ingredients keep the skin moisturized and supple to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks,” she explained.
Also, pregnant women can use topicals for acne and dark spots that are safe, including azelaic acid, glycolic acid toners, and topical clindamycin.