Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful experiences any woman can experience, but it can significantly impact the skin.

Hormonal fluctuations can cause a variety of skin issues that include acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and sensitivity.

Thus, maintaining a healthy skincare routine during pregnancy is crucial. Certain ingredients that are found in skincare products can induce risk to both mother and baby.

Karepedia is here to help you build the perfect skincare routine that is not only effective but also pregnancy safe.

Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy

First, we’ll see the ingredients that one should totally avoid during pregnancy.

• Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin): Vitamin A derivatives, used for anti-aging and acne. It can cause birth defects.

• Salicylic acid: Higher does (> 2%) can increase the risk of birth defects and pregnancy complications.

• Hydroquinone: Used for treating hyperpigmentation. It has high absorption rates and potential risk for fetuses.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Used for acne treatment. Must be avoided or used only if prescribed by a doctor.

• Chemical Sunscreens (Oxybenzone, Avobenzone): Some of its components are reported to increase that its implications are and therefore more safe than mineral sunscreens.

Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Ingredients

Now that we know what one should totally avoid, let’s look at ingredients that are safe and effective for addressing common skin concerns during pregnancy.

These are some of the over the counter (OTC) products ingredients that are safe and effective as well as during pregnancy skin issues:

Vitamin C: A skin treatment for skin part which needs to be attended and the skin tone reduction and gives a splendid glow to blot out the skin pathetic area.

Glycolic Acid: Concentration of less than about 10% of it can specifically exfoliate the skin layer and decrease the skin tone.

Azelaic Acid: Regarding its effectiveness in eradicating acne and lightening the skin, Noreaster is not toxic and can be ingested during pregnancy.

Hyaluronic Acid: A type of massaging that does not involve the furthest layers of skin, called dermis, and which must be administered each time.

Mineral Sunscreens (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide): Protects the whole wide range without chemical absorption.

Niacinamide: Recommended for skin care section as it pertains to acne and it has a topical application that aids skin redness, skin tone firming, and any skin pigmentation issues.

Step-by-Step Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine

Morning Routine

1. Cleanser:

This is best done with a mild, sulfate-based soap that will not harm the skin or deepen the skin’s wrinkles through harsh cleansing. Recommended Products:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

The Moms Co. Natural Vitamin C Face Wash is absolutely safe on all skin types but clears away all your skin opponents in the sketchiest of seconds.

2. Toner:

The final step for your skin care is using an alcohol free toner to help restore skin’s pH and increase its moisture level.

Recommended Products:

Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner – product brochure.

Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner is perfectly functioning in this aspect.

3. Antioxidant Serum:

Mineral sun protection followed by a Vitamin C serum will address the skin – particularly the face – to the damaging effects of the environment, while also ensuring it receives a lift in luminosity.

Recommended Products:

Juicy Chemistry Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum For Hair

This is a very easy to use product and as promised by Kama Ayurveda, it is indeed a beauty fluid that works wonders during the night.

4. Moisturiser:

Use a gel-based, non-pore clogging moisturiser to help in maintaining the skin’s wetness.

Recommended Products:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel This water gel helps to hydrate the skin due to its gel formulation and contains the active ingredient Glucosamine which provides skin hydration.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Himalaya Herbals cocoa butter intensive body lotion.

5. Sunscreen:

Use a water-proof and highly absorbent mineral based lotion with an SPF of 30 or above to reduce exposure to UV rays.

Recommended Products:

Products that meet with these requirements include, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Supergoop!Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30

More than just a sunscreen, the Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock SPF 40 provides sun protection along with a matte finish to the skin.

Evening Routine

1.Cleanser:

Then they recommend the use of a gentle cleanser to wash off any makeup and precipitates of the day.

Recommended Products:

Same as the morning routine.

2.Exfoliator: (2-3 times a week)

Choose a mild to moderate glycolic acid face scrub to accomplish this since it solutions dead skin cells and enhances cell production. Recommended Products:

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a toner that has been derived from glycolic acid that has been known to impart various benefits.

For example, Pixi Glow Tonic, although I don’t use it very often, just wash it on the skin.

Biotique Bio Papaya Gel Scrub for skin with smooth texture.

3.Treatment Serum:

Add a product with Niacinamide or Azelaic acid if you have areas of the skin that need treatment, such as killing the bacteria for acne or lightening of the skin for pigmentation.

Recommended Products:

of course, the Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Kama Ayurveda is a beauty product range that originates from India and comprises Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum.

4.Moisturiser:

One should use a richer moisturiser in the night to take maximum advantage of the repairing benefit of night time.

Recommended Products:

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Skin Cream is infused with honey and, as the name suggests, was designed specifically for the face.

5.Eye Cream:

A good instance can be putting on an eye cream in order to moisturize the skin and / or continuing with making heed towards avoiding accumulation of fluid and blood and thereby resulting in reduce instances of forming dark circles.

Recommended Products:

One of Kiehl's suggested products to address the problem mentioned above is the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. And that is why we need a truly natural, every day under eye cream from Kama Ayurveda.

The pregnancy-safe skincare tips suggest using products that don’t affect the mother or the baby and skincare issues related to pregnancy.

Skin texture problems during pregnancy can be best taken care off by using cosmetics which have no side effect on the skin and by following the skin care regimen properly.

However, in many instances, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to obtain professional advice on whether certain goods are suitable for specific conditions and circumstances when purchasing new products.

The mentioned guidelines and tips should be followed in order to achieve a skincare regimen that is helpful for both the skin and the fetus of the expectant mom.