What you need to know about pregnant skin as a future mom

The maternity glow, we've all heard about it before and hope it's also for us should we get pregnant. Unfortunately, it's only the lucky few who get that beautiful glow.

A lot changes during such a pregnancy: from physical to hormonal shifts. And our skin is the largest organ that absorbs all these changes for you. Very handy, but not such an easy task.

Top 4 most common pregnancy ailments

During pregnancy, your skin will react very much to what changes everything. And that can lead to a number of ailments. Let's list them briefly, because a prepared woman is worth two.

01 Stretch marks

In other words, stretch marks. These stretch marks are actually small breaks in the bottom layer of the skin. As you will notice, your skin stretches enormously during pregnancy. Don't worry, your skin is prepared for that and has a certain elasticity. However, it is often not sufficient to fully accommodate the growth of your belly, and therefore your child. Then red stretch marks occur. These fade over time.

02 Pigmentation

In other words, the pregnancy mask. Because of the many hormones that rush through your body to help your child grow in the most protected environment, you also produce more pigment. As a result, parts of your body can darken. Often in the face, but a dark vertical discoloration over the middle of the abdomen (= stretch mark) can also occur.

03 Pregnancy acne

In other words, the other side of the pregnancy glow. That glow is a result of the extra sebum that is produced by hormonal shifts. But too much of that sebum can clog and inflame the pores. Many pregnant women therefore suffer from acne.

04 Dry skin

Pregnant skin is sensitive skin. Dehydration, itching and irritation are therefore never far away. If dry skin is not cared for, it can become inflamed and thus trigger eczema.

What can you do to protect your pregnant skin?

One thing is certain: your skin will only grow. It is therefore important to keep them as elastic, protected and hydrated as possible. And that can be done in various ways. So lubricate, lubricate and lubricate is the message.

But what else can you wear? We know that it is often said that you should avoid a lot of ingredients during pregnancy, but that's not so bad.

Avoid these 3 ingredients during pregnancy

• Vitamin A Often prescribed to treat acne, but not recommended during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives.
• Hydroquinone Used to bleach the skin and prevent brown discoloration.
• Oxybenzone A specific sunscreen in your sunscreen.

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Prefer to opt for these ingredients during pregnancy

• Benzoyl peroxide is a good alternative to vitamin A if you suffer from pregnancy acne.
• Glycolic Acid we recommend it as an exfoliating ingredient. The doses in products are often low enough to be used safely.
• Niacinamide and/or vitamin C you can safely continue to use as an anti-aging cream.
• Azelaic Acid can be used safely to prevent pregnancy masks.
• Sun cream: most sunscreens are safe for use during pregnancy and it is also very important to protect your skin properly with a high enough factor during pregnancy. If you notice that your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, you can opt for a mineral filter based on zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

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If you are not sure about a product or if you want specific advice or treatment, you can always contact our dermatologists rightly. Wherever you are, start a consultation in the Skindr app and receive advice within 48 hours.

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