How to Build a Pregnancy Skincare Routine

Everything changes when you get pregnant. LITERALLY. So when you get pregnant, all sorts of fun thing start to happen. You now become responsible for that tiny peanut that lives inside of you. So what you eat, drink, and put on your skin can affect that little peanut. Let’s talk about your pregnancy skincare routine! Is this going to be a life changing event for you skincare? Not necessarily.

*Disclaimer- always consult with your OBGYN prior to any changes being made to your skincare and lifestyle routine*

So there are a few thing that should always be avoided during pregnancy:

Ingredients. Reading your labels are going to be very important with your new 9+ month skincare routine.

Retin-A, Retinol, Retinoid and Retinyl Palmitate are all ingredients that stimulate cellular turnover within the skin cells. Which is fantastic! But must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn’t enough data to prove that these ingredients in skincare are safe for a developing baby. Some research has shown that these “R” ingredients have the ability to cross over into the blood stream, so they must be avoided.

Salicylic Acid. A great ingredient primarily found in skincare products that are geared towards acne prone skin. However, Salicylic Acid has been in other non-acne skincare products. Such as body lotions, shampoos, and hand creams. So again, reading your labels is huge. Like Retinoids, research has shown that salicylic acid does have the ability to cross over into the blood stream. So avoiding this ingredient is recommended.

Glycolic Acid. This particular ingredient is on the maybe list. I have always recommended to my clients to avoid glycolic acid. As stated above, making sure you check with your OBGYN first. Some will say it’s safe, some will say it should be avoided. For instance, using a glycolic based cleanser once a week versus getting a glycolic acid chemical peel are extremely different. So proper consulting with your health care provider is crucial.

Benzoyl Peroxide. Another ingredient primarily found in skincare for acne prone skin. BP dries everything up, excess oil and oily acne, which is great! But not when you’re pregnant. Whether it’s in a cleanser form, cream, gel, serum, or spot treatment, it must be avoided.

Antioxidants. Know your sources. Where are the antioxidants coming from? Vitamin C typically is safe, vitamin A is not safe. Vitamin A is technically retin-a. So as stated above, that should be avoided.

Hyaluronic acid. HA is very safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s so common for an expectant mothers skin to be more dry during pregnancy. So using hyaluronic acid based products are very beneficial to the skin during this time!

Since we covered skincare products to avoid during pregnancy, lets go over treatments.

Facials are perfectly safe to get during pregnancy. If anything, they are encouraged! Taking time for yourself during this joyous time is so important, not only for your skins health, but your mental health as well! If you are more prone to acne, or have developed acne due to your pregnancy, getting facials will help to improve your skin. Especially if you can’t use your acne skincare products. Always be upfront with your licensed esthetician prior to getting any facials or other treatments. Even if you are in the early stages of pregnancy. There may be  steps and products she has to avoid during your treatment that aren’t safe for pregnancy. Such as high frequency, peels or any of the ingredients I listed above.

Microdermabrasions are perfectly safe to receive during pregnancy. It will help relieve your skin of the excess dead skin, restore your glow and stimulate cellular turnover when you’re not able to use your retinoids.

Chemical Peels should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Glycolic, Salicylic or any type of a blended peel. Unfortunately there just aren’t enough studies to show safety during this time.

Microneedling, Lasers, Ultherapy, and injectables are all to be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Becoming a parent comes with sacrifices. Sacrificing warm meals, sleep, trips to the bathroom alone. But no one tells you about the true sacrifices. Giving up Botox, retinol, and laser treatments. But in the end its so worth it.