I’m Pregnant, So Why Isn’t My Skin Glowing?

It is often said that nothing in the world is more beautiful than a mother-to-be. The fullness of the belly, the thick hair, the…..acne???? Chicago-based esthetician Liz Quesnelle of Le Bon Visage Corrective Skin Care and Cosmetics gives these tips to help future moms stay looking their best during some of the most amazing months of their lives.

1)      Cleanse gently, but thoroughly. “Whether you have oily or dry skin during your pregnancy, it is important that your skin is treated gently”, says Ms. Quesnelle. “A gentle product that contains no acids, enzymes or even vitamins should be used. The goal is clean skin, not to look younger!” Ms Quesnelle also recommends that cleansing be kept to a maximum of 2 times per day for oily skin and 1 time per day for those who are on the dry side. Excessive cleansing can dry the skin out, making it itchy and dull.

2)      Exfoliation is still a must. According to Ms. Quesnelle, many women cease exfoliating during their pregnancy out of fear that some ingredients may harm the baby. While there are certain ingredients doctors recommend avoiding, such as chemical exfoliants like acids, Retin-A, and retinol;  mechanical exfoliants are a must. “A scrub made from synthetic microbeads rather than ground nut shells or fruit pits is great for pregnancy skin.”, explains Ms. Quesnelle. “By mechanically exfoliating your skin, you are removing excess, old skin cells and unplugging the pore openings, thus allowing oil to reach the surface of the skin as intended.”

3)      Avoid the sun. While everyone should be diligent with their sun block usage, pregnant women in particular should avoid the sun during the hours of 10am – 4pm. The reason pregnant women need to take extra precautions? Hormonal shifts in their bodies can create a situation where excess pigment is produced, creating dark patches of skin called Melasma. Melasma is known as “the mask of pregnancy”. UVA and UVB rays can make the skin produce even more pigment, which results in darker melasma. Lightening products are to be avoided during pregnancy, so women can’t start treatments to rid themselves of the condition until well after the baby is born.

4)      Keep stretch marks to the minimum. According to Ms. Quesnelle, massaging the stomach with vitamin e and olive oil can help keep the dreaded stretch marks to a minimum, as well as reduce the itchiness and discomfort that can accompany the ever growing bump!

5)      Replace bar soap with cleansing cream. While the face may become oilier, the rest of your skin can become quite dry. “Bar soaps are often a little on the alkaline side. To help your body retain its natural oils and stay soft, replace your bar soap with a moisturizing body wash.” recommends Ms. Quesnelle. While you are at it, turn the water temperature down a little too. Hot water can contribute to dry skin!”