The Best Skincare Tips to get you through Pregnancy
Pregnancy…that time of your life when you expect a radiant glow, but alas, are met with a range of less welcome changes. Whilst it is such a special time in a woman’s life, with pregnancy comes a few side effects which can include skin changes from breakouts to stretch marks. It’s an exciting time but it can be fraught with skincare challenges.
As pregnancy develops and the body goes through many changes, your skin is no different. You may find your skin goes haywire and you experience acne, we can blame the surging hormones for that one. Obviously the most important question is, what can I do to help acne during pregnancy and what products are safe to use?
Firstly, let’s chat why acne can rear its ugly head during this time.
What is pregnancy acne?
Many women can experience acne during this time and it is most common during the first and second trimesters. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Almost half of pregnant women experience acne during pregnancy. If you’re batting breakouts instead of basking in pregnancy glow, here’s why... The culprit is an increase in hormones associated with pregnancy – this hormone is called androgens. This hormone can cause the glands in your skin to grow and produce more sebum. This oil clogs the pores and leads to bacteria, inflammation, and breakouts. Seems we can’t escape these pesky breakouts at any point in our lives. Hope is not all lost…we can work to prevent and treat these breakouts.
Pregnancy related acne can really affect anyone, but it is found to be more common in women who are prone to breakouts during their menstrual cycle.
The preventative measures
If you’re a mum-to-be and experiencing acne, don’t worry, there’s a lot you can do to help throughout your pregnancy. As with normal acne, the best way to prevent or minimise this is to keep a regular and healthy skin routine.
Pregnancy is a great time to ramp up that self-care regime which can include taking better care of your skin. The TSOK skincare range have some of the best skincare products which are gentle and safe to use during your pregnancy. Whilst you should chat to your medical professional, the good news is that most products like cleansers, toners, moisturisers, and eye creams are safe during pregnancy.
Your skin during your pregnancy can be quite sensitive. The TSOK skincare range has clean, natural skincare that supports healthy and hydrated skin when expecting your little one.
Some tips to assist with keeping your skin healthy:
- Wash your face regularly – not more than twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
- Avoid rubbing the skin when drying (don’t scrub). It’s always better to pat the skin dry with a soft cloth and apply moisturiser straight away.
- Don’t touch your face! Keeping your hands off your face will help to avoid the spread of bacteria.
- Don’t pick or squeeze pimples as it can cause scarring and lead to infections.
- Stay hydrated gals!! Dink lots of the good stuff and maintain a healthy diet, trying our best to avoid refined sugars and processed food.
- Washing those new-born clothes? Throw in the pillowcases too! Washing hair and pillow cases regularly will help to avoid oil build up and excess bacteria that builds up when we sleep. Try the TSOK anti-bacterial Silk Pillowcase.
Treating acne and what products are safe?
If you want to try treatments to cure those pesky breakouts, it’s best to chat to your medical professional to ensure the product is safe for you and your baby. Some products can include harsh chemicals which may be harmful and have unknown effects. It’s best to try and avoid benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for breakouts, as these ingredients are considered unsafe. It’s also advised to steer clear of retinol during pregnancy due to its vitamin A content. The TSOK skincare range have our Mum’s in mind and have thoughtfully curated some beautiful and safe skincare pregnancy products. Whether you have normal to dry or combination skin, there is a set to suit everyone.
For mums tackling normal to dry skin concerns we recommend using the below:
- Facial Cleansing Cream
- Brightening C Serum (top choice for pregnant/breastfeeding mums)
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Hydrating Moisturiser
Try the TSOK Normal to Dry Skincare Set
Try the TSOK Combination Skincare Set
By following the steps above you will be on your way to that natural pregnancy glow before, during and after the arrival of your baby! It’s good to also remember, as with all skin issues we can experience throughout the different stages in life, pregnancy acne is usually temporary. It will likely clear up once baby comes along, and the hormones have stabilised. So don’t be too hard on yourself and enjoy this exciting time in your life.