Let’s face it; not everyone is blessed with a glowing pregnancy.
Meet Susan. She is 32 years old and pregnant with her first child. She was very excited the entire trip, waiting for the so-called “pregnancy glow.” Although she has always had oily skin, she has noticed that her skin is becoming dryer. Unfortunately, she frequently experiences itching and redness on her skin, which often results in peeling. Susan is disheartened by the drastic change in her skin and is far from glowing.
It is common for pregnant women to experience dryness. As your skin stretches and tightens to support a larger belly, hormone changes cause it to lose elasticity and moisture. This can result in flaky skin, itchiness, and other symptoms of dry skin. The majority of women have dry, itchy skin in the stomach area. However, some pregnant women will experience itching in their thighs, breasts, and arms. Some may experience itchy red bumps on their bellies during the third trimester.
Basically, it’s a fairly common but under-reported situation. And if you’ve never had dry skin before, it can be pretty shocking. Besides being hydrated and having a well-balanced diet, let’s look at these 7 points that can help you achieve healthy, glowing skin during pregnancy journey:
1. Use Lukewarm Water
Extreme temperatures can steal moisture and suppleness. That is why avoiding washing the skin with hot or cold water is essential. Instead, set your shower or bath water to the middle (lukewarm) setting.
2. Use Mild Products
To clean your skin, use gentle cleansers rather than harsh soaps, which can strip the skin of essential oils. Avoid overly complicated ingredient lists. Always pat dry your skin after washing it rather than rubbing it.
3. Moisturizer Is A Must!
The entire reason you have dryness is that moisture drains away too quickly. Moisturizers create a barrier between the outside air and your skin, preventing water from evaporating. Apply moisturizer in the morning, before bed, and several times in between. Make sure to use a pregnancy-safe skincare product.
4. Choose More Hydrating Skincare Products
Let us remind you that hydrating and moisturizing are NOT the same! Moisturizers form a layer on your skin to prevent moisture loss. Hydrators, on the other hand, deliver water to your skin. They are extremely important in treating and preventing dry skin during pregnancy. Apply hydrating creams or lotions, then layer them with the moisturizer for the best results.
5. Exfoliate Once A Week
Exfoliation is not altered simply because you become pregnant and develop dry skin. Exfoliation continues to provide substantial benefits. However, use gentle exfoliators only once a week to keep your skin’s delicate balance. This allows it to adjust to the fluctuating hormone levels caused by your pregnancy. There are also available gentle scrubs for stretch marks.
6. Do Not Avoid Spf!
The sun is highly absorbent, so shield your pregnant skin! Even if you’re not going to be in the sun, use mineral and chemical-free sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
7. Get A Humidifier
Dry air can cause dry eyes, eczema, itchy skin, dry nasal passages, nosebleeds, and cracked lips. Use a humidifier to rehydrate the air in your home. The ideal humidity level in your home should be between 40 and 60 percent. It will benefit your skin and relieve your symptoms of dry skin.
Pregnancy is both thrilling and frightening. Almost all skin conditions resolve on their own after pregnancy. Instead of worrying, concentrate on enjoying your pregnancy journey to the fullest. No worry is worth it.
