During pregnancy, fluctuations in important hormone levels can have an impact on your whole body. You can develop new skin conditions, and your face and body will need special care as you move closer to giving birth. Read on to discover seven things that you need to know about caring for your skin during pregnancy.
1) How to keep your skin’s oil balance under control:
While some pregnant women have beautiful, glowing skin for the full nine months, many are not so lucky. Just as spikes in hormone levels during your menstrual cycle can end up leading to brief breakouts of acne, the hormonal fluctuations involved in a pregnancy can cause similar problems. If your skin has become oilier and more prone to zits, invest in a moisturizer that tackles blemishes and consider using a weekly face mask to give your complexion a more matte appearance. If you suffer from the opposite problem and struggle with patches of dry skin, some form of luxury facial oil will help to improve this situation. In order to minimize irritation, make sure that you shop for an oil that contains calming ingredients such as aloe and rose.
2) How to deal with cracked, sore skin on your feet:
Pregnancy often leads to painful, swollen feet because of fluid retention. If this persists, the skin on your feet can start to become itchy and uncomfortable. If you suffer from this problem, you can improve the condition of your skin by resting your feet on cushions to help the fluid drain away. If the skin on your feet begins to harden and crack, this is a sign that you may be dehydrated. Experts advise that pregnant women should try to drink at least 1.2 liters of fluids on a daily basis, so if you increase your fluid intake then your cracked feet should become less problematic.
3) How to prevent patches of pigmentation:
Many pregnant women develop patches of darker, discolored skin on their faces. This is called melasma, though it is sometimes referred to as the ‘pregnancy mask’ due to the fact that it often appears in a symmetrical pattern. Melasma is caused by pregnancy hormones in some people, but being outside in the sun triggers the majority of cases. As a result, if you want to prevent melasma then it is smart to choose a sunscreen that offers very strong protection. However, if you do develop melasma, rest assured that this discolored skin will slowly return to normal after the birth of your baby.
4) How to relieve itching:
Hormonal fluctuations can cause extremely itchy skin on your arms, legs and abdomen. In many cases, this is due to dryness, and it can be combated with a high quality body moisturizers. However, if your skin appears to be red or you are developing a rash, speak to your doctor about obtaining prescription treatments.
5) How to calm hot flashes:
During pregnancy, hot flashes can leave you feeling as though your face is on fire. To reduce your discomfort, try placing a cool ice pack against your cheeks, or run ice cubes over your skin. You can also buy calming balms that create a pleasant cooling sensation when they are applied.
6) How to minimize stretch marks:
As your womb expands to accommodate your ever-growing baby, it is difficult to prevent stretch marks from appearing. However, many women have found that massaging body oil onto their torso can help to at least reduce the appearance of stretch marks. There are lots of products marketed specifically for this purpose, so read a few different reviews and apply one of the best oils during your second and third trimesters. Moisturizers containing shea butter or cocoa butter may also be especially effective.
7) How to promote healthy, glowing skin:
You can keep all of your skin looking healthy and radiant by applying rich moisturizers that contain vitamin E. Some nutrition experts also advise eating more foods that are particularly good sources of vitamin E (such as avocados and most types of nuts).
Finally, it is important to be sure that all of your skin care products are safe to use during pregnancy. If you are unsure, always opt to buy products that specifically state that they are safe for pregnant women and their babies.
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