Cosmetics for pregnant women: body and face creams / Mama66.ru

Skin during pregnancy needs special care. Moreover, it changes and becomes more sensitive to the components contained in conventional cosmetics. It may turn out that your usual and favorite face cream suddenly becomes hated. To maintain the beauty and tone of the skin, a pregnant woman needs to carefully consider the choice of product. Some components can be harmful because they penetrate into the blood and lead to cell mutation. What should you think about in advance and how to navigate the variety of choices? You can learn about this from the article below.

Reasons to use the cream

Signs that become harbingers of dry skin:

Dehydration.
Long stay in a room with artificial ventilation, air conditioning, heating.
Living in environmentally unfavorable conditions.
Spending a long time in the open sun.
Change of season.

Without sufficient intake of water and vitamins, the new cell has no chance of transforming into a healthy one. It’s no longer a secret that you need to drink from one and a half to two liters of water a day. However, the situation cannot be solved only by replenishing the water balance. It is worth remembering that the water should be without gas and at room temperature. Externally, the skin should also be protected. Otherwise, it becomes flabby and you will have to urgently look for a special cream for pregnant women for the face.

Skin types

The skin does not change its type depending on how far along the pregnancy the woman is. In total, it is customary to distinguish three types of dermis:

Normal.
Fatty.
Combined.

Depending on weather conditions, age, hormonal levels, including during pregnancy, the skin can sometimes be prone to dryness or increased sebum production and become sensitive. You can choose a cream for pregnant women (for the face in particular) by conducting a home test. After washing and toning the dermis, before using the cream, it is enough to take a dry cloth, preferably a colored one, so that you can notice traces of sebum. It should be used to blot the skin on the forehead, near the wings of the nose, and on the cheeks.

Normal skin type is characterized by a natural pinkish tint, pores are invisible, and the surface is smooth. On the contrary, the oily type is characterized by an oily sheen; a woman may notice that the pores are enlarged. Because of this, the face may appear uneven, lumpy, and prone to acne.

The third type is characterized by the presence of dry and oily patches in certain areas of the face. Visually, you can draw the letter “T”, the base of which will go down the entire length of the nose to the chin, and touch the forehead from above. The skin with a combination type has an uneven shade, and acne may appear in places.

When is additional skin hydration needed?

It is a mistake to believe that only those who are prone to dry skin should use facial moisturizer for pregnant women. In order to bring it to a normal type, it is necessary to comply with the drinking regime. Pure water is the main source for the supply of moisture to the skin cell, which must receive it in sufficient quantities even at the nascent stage. In addition, cosmetologists recommend using high-quality skin care cosmetics. These can be entire series, which should also include a special face cream for pregnant women.

A sharp change in hormonal levels and restructuring of the entire body are reflected in the appearance and, first of all, on the skin of the face. If a woman previously had no problems, then during pregnancy the dermis may become duller, prone to the formation of acne. And the problem may lie in the fact that the cells lack nutrients. You can compensate for the resulting deficiency by consuming vitamins and following a diet, sleep and rest, as well as choosing the right products for your facial skin.

Cosmetics during pregnancy

The question of whether pregnant women can use cosmetics has long lost its relevance. Several decades ago, there was an opinion that when carrying a child, you need to give up not only creams, lotions, lipstick and mascara, but also cutting your hair. Today, attitudes towards care procedures have changed; many manufacturers produce products without harmful substances, suitable, including for pregnant women.

Few pregnant women need enough water and cleansers to care for their skin. Changes in hormonal levels and metabolism lead to problems that require the use of special cosmetics. Lotions, tonics, creams, oils and gels created for expectant mothers are hypoallergenic and safe for the baby.

Cosmetology for pregnant women means body treatments using sea salt and algae. Baths, wraps, and light massage (except for the abdominal area and in the absence of contraindications) will help you relax and relieve stress. It is allowed to make face masks using special cosmetics approved during pregnancy.

It is not recommended to carry out salon procedures that involve temperature changes and the use of chemical reactions. These include: chemical peeling, massage with heated stones, hot wraps, as well as any use of essential oils. It is worth holding off on electro- and photoepilation and lifting.

The use of conventional cosmetics can cause dermatitis and the appearance of age spots.

Decorative cosmetics for pregnant women should be hypoallergenic. We need to more carefully monitor the expiration date of each product: mascara, blush, eye shadow, lipstick. If possible, you should avoid using foundation; it closes the pores, enhancing the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the composition of cosmetics. Products with retinol, soy and bergamot are prohibited. If there are no allergic reactions, you can buy products from companies you already know. At the same time, it is worth giving preference to products with natural ingredients, and ideally, with a safety mark for pregnant women.

Important Components

There are a number of features in choosing cosmetics during the period when a woman is expecting a baby. It is worth listening to advice on choosing a face cream for pregnant women from experienced mothers and cosmetologists who do not recommend using products that contain hormones. This is why the composition of the product is very important.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body becomes vulnerable to various irritants; special attention should be paid to what components the cream is made from. Since it comes into direct contact with the skin, the risk of an allergic reaction should be minimized. Experienced mothers advise to study in advance the question of whether pregnant women can use face cream from a particular manufacturer. The buyer should pay attention to the packaging, which should contain detailed information about the manufacturer and composition of the product.

Application of cosmetics

The body of each pregnant woman is individual and unique, and therefore the reaction to any cosmetic products (even natural ones) can be unpredictable. Therefore, before using any product, you should consult a gynecologist. Otherwise, the likelihood of negative phenomena that worsen the woman’s condition increases and disrupts the development of the fetus. Even those products that have been approved by a doctor should be used very carefully, and if adverse reactions occur, stop using them.

To avoid negative consequences, follow these rules:

• Remedies for stretch marks are recommended to be used from the beginning of the 2nd trimester twice a day (after a shower). The cream is applied to problem areas (stomach, chest, thighs) and gently rubbed in.

• To ensure that facial cosmetics (creams, tonics, milks, scrubs and gels) for pregnant women do not cause side effects, use them once a day. It is recommended to use them before going to bed, and then in a minimal amount.

• For makeup, use hypoallergenic mascara and lipstick. Tinting the face with cream or powder is allowed only in rare cases in the presence of pronounced defects, for example, pigmentation. Avoid contour pencils and shadows. If care products are needed to eliminate dermatological problems, then decorative cosmetics only disguise them, and therefore its use should be kept to a minimum.

• To prevent severe hair loss after childbirth, regularly use burdock oil until then. Give preference to organic shampoos and other safe hair products.

• It is not recommended to expose hair to chemicals during pregnancy. If you really want to change your hair color, consult your doctor before the procedure.

Natural cosmetics for pregnant women can preserve the beauty of the expectant mother and prevent many negative consequences of childbirth.

Unwanted Components

The pleasant smell of the product can distract and mislead even an experienced buyer. It happens that the baby’s usual cream during the waiting period will be blacklisted due to an unpleasant odor. Hormones and increased sweating are to blame, which leads to increased body odor. Therefore, when purchasing new cosmetics during pregnancy, it is advisable to avoid new fragrances. It is better if it has a neutral aroma, and the presence of alcohol-containing substances will be excluded among the other components. They have the unpleasant property of drying out the skin, which leads to flaking and dryness.

The presence of synthetic oils, fragrances with phthalates and parabens is also unacceptable in skin care cosmetics. However, this rule should be followed not only during the period when a woman is awaiting the birth of a baby, but also after childbirth. It is best to use hypoallergenic cosmetics or something from the medicinal series (if the woman had problems with her facial skin before pregnancy).

What cosmetics can pregnant women use?

During pregnancy, you should choose hypoallergenic options from pharmacy, bio or organic brands. They usually have high-quality ingredients and neutral compositions. The mass market often sins with cheap and dubious preservatives, while professional products are saturated with active ingredients, which expectant mothers have absolutely no use for. Be sure to carefully read the ingredients of the product before purchasing.

Body care products can often be found in special series for expectant mothers. But even here you cannot blindly trust the manufacturer. Only the composition will give you the answer whether this cosmetics is really safe for pregnant women.

Vitamins and sunscreen

The intake of vitamins and antioxidant complexes into the body should occur constantly. This is not to say that cosmetics containing them should be used only during certain periods. Body cells need them constantly. Therefore, even if a woman takes dietary supplements, this does not mean that attention should not be paid to their presence in face cream. As a rule, manufacturers separately indicate that the product contains some special oil or vitamins.

Antioxidants play an important role as they prevent premature skin aging. This is especially important during periods when there is a lot of sun, such as in summer. This is also true for those who live in southern countries. Long exposure to the sun provokes the formation of age spots. A sun filter will help protect your skin, and the higher its value, the more effective it is.

Diet and lifestyle

Caring for oily skin is not only about home and salon treatments. An important factor is also compliance with a special diet aimed at stabilizing the microflora and intestinal functions. Canned foods, coffee, chocolate, lemonade, alcohol, and spices are excluded from the diet. You should limit your consumption of sugar, honey, sweet fruit juices, fried foods, and fats. It is recommended to consume baked goods made from wholemeal flour, grains, potatoes, mineral waters, natural yoghurts and fresh vegetables, cheese, cottage cheese, sugar-free fruit juices, green tea, pumpkin seeds. It is also recommended to take courses of multivitamin preparations.

For oily skin, the use of foundation and powder should be limited, and prolonged exposure to the sun should be avoided.

There is not a single organ or cell in a woman’s body that is not affected by pregnancy. And the skin is one of the first to be affected by this, because it is an organ with many functions that is closely connected with all systems of the body.

What should not be used?

Before you go shopping, you need to research which face creams can be used by pregnant women. Some components can be very harmful, for example, carcinogens. They allow the product to retain its properties, but at the same time, when entering the body, they negatively affect it. Known to many, parabens, which are classified as preservatives, tend to accumulate in the body. They cause the greatest harm to the reproductive system; in excess, they provoke the development of a cancerous tumor.

Also, do not confuse products with each other and apply to your face what is intended for the whole body. For example, many people know Avent products for pregnant women, but they do not have a separate face cream. But there are skin care products for stretch marks and breast skin care. Proper use of the product allows you to achieve the effect advertised by the manufacturer and not cause harm to your body.

Facial skin in the second trimester

This is the period when age spots appear. The number of moles may also increase. In any case, the sun in the second trimester of pregnancy is not the best ally for the skin of the expectant mother. Therefore, it is better to use products with a high level of protection when going outside if the second trimester occurred in the summer. The spots most often appear on the face, arms, chest, and also in the lower abdomen. Other enemies of the skin are cellulite and stretch marks. The baby is growing, and even the most elastic skin loses some of its properties during pregnancy.

For many expectant mothers, swelling begins during this period. Therefore, you should review your diet and remove salty foods from it, since salt retains fluid in the body. At night it is better not to drink a lot of water, but to eat an apple or some citrus fruit. But the amount of protein in the diet should be increased - the skin will become more elastic. In addition, you can add vitamin E to your usual cream (buy in capsules, puncture one of them and mix with the amount of cream for one application). Contrast showers and massage are recommended for pregnant women. Healthy sleep is required. After a shower, instead of cream, you can apply baby body oil to your face and body after bathing - it will retain moisture and protect against the appearance of wrinkles.

Pigmentation

Pigmentation often occurs during pregnancy, and many women who are against this reaction of the body want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Creams with whitening and exfoliating effects are used. Unscrupulous manufacturers often add components such as glutathione or hydroquinone. These ingredients have a detrimental effect on the production of melanin enzymes. The list of undesirable ingredients also includes retinol, which during pregnancy can lead to mutation in cells. It easily penetrates the layers of the skin, entering the bloodstream.

"Our mother". Products

A wide range of products for pregnant women from the Our Mom brand allows you to choose a product not only for a newborn, but also for his mother. Many women advise using cosmetics that are suitable for children's skin. However, it is worth considering that it is denser and oilier. Such products are more suitable for those with dry skin types, since the cream contains fat. But if a pregnant woman’s skin is more prone to oily skin, then you should refrain from such a purchase. In order not to clog the pores even more and prevent increased sebum production, cosmetologists advise choosing a light lotion. For combination skin, a cream lotion is suitable. The softer and more delicate texture is quickly absorbed and does not leave behind a greasy sheen.

We have several products that can be used by both the mother during pregnancy and the newborn. For example, if irritation appears on the face or body, which especially often bothers sensitive skin, a special baby cream will allow you to easily and quickly eliminate it. The composition includes vitamins A and E, as well as extracts of calendula, chamomile and string.

Stretch marks

No less a problem for a pregnant woman is stretch marks, or as they are scientifically called, stretch marks. Their appearance is quite logical, because over the entire 9 months the skin tightens considerably: the tummy grows, the breasts swell enviably, and weight gain sometimes turns out to be excessive or spasmodic. Therefore, ruptures occur in the connective tissues, and stripes appear on the surface of the skin: initially violet-red in color, and over time they scar and turn white. It is almost impossible to get rid of stretch marks (except through a special skin resurfacing procedure). In addition, they are quite noticeable, especially on tanned skin, since these formations lack melanin.

The skin in the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and chest is most susceptible to stretching. Light-skinned women develop stretch marks much more often than dark-skinned women. Moreover, 80% of this is due to heredity, and only 20% is due to skin care, lifestyle, nutrition, and so on. But if you can influence at least this 20%, then you should do it.

The first thing that is necessary is to establish nutrition. Moreover, no matter how susceptible you are to the appearance of stretch marks, you need to eat a nutritious, varied, balanced diet. Focus on products that promote the skin's natural production of elastin and collagen. Already from the 12th week, intensively nourish the skin with creams and lotions. Choose anti-stretch mark products designed for pregnant women. It can also be regular olive oil or natural cocoa butter, which do the job perfectly. Be sure to moisturize your skin with at least something, this will significantly reduce the risk of stretching. In addition, while applying the product to the skin, you perform a massage, which improves blood circulation, increases the flow of nutrients to the skin layers and increases its elasticity.

Control your weight gain, do not go beyond the permissible limit: this is dangerous in many ways, including the risk of stretch marks.

Weleda

One of the popular products for pregnant women is Weleda face cream based on almond and plum kernel oils. Do not be alarmed by the presence of alcohol in the composition; it is intended to combat irritations. After using the product, even minor rashes go away, and, judging by the reviews of experienced mothers, it effectively combats skin changes during pregnancy. Thanks to almond oil, the skin softens and acquires a uniform appearance. It is advisable to use it on a daily basis in the morning and after evening toilet.

In addition, you can find cream with calendula on sale, which nourishes and moisturizes the skin. The product is well absorbed and does not leave a greasy sheen. Moms recommend using it on a daily basis. The composition of the cream is so safe that it can be applied to the baby’s skin while walking.

Prohibited substances

Usually doctors have nothing against creams that a woman is used to before pregnancy. But in some cases (especially if the pregnancy is accompanied by complications, there is a threat of premature birth, the tone of the uterus is increased), they strongly advise paying attention to the composition of the product. It is worth discarding it if the cream contains certain substances.

What could be potentially dangerous for pregnant women:

retinoids. It would seem that what’s wrong with vitamin A-based components? But retinoids, which usually effectively fight wrinkles and help renew the epithelium at the cellular level, can lead to delays in fetal development. Retinoids are labeled Tazorac, Avage, Differin, Retin-A, Renova, Retinol.
salicylic acid. Creams with salicylic acid cannot be used while expecting a baby, although it is very often included in creams for acne and any rashes. When pregnant, it is dangerous due to pathologies of fetal development, complications of pregnancy, and premature birth. You can recognize its presence by the designations BHA, Salicylic acid.
Phtalates. Esters and salts of phthalic acid easily penetrate the placenta, reaching the child directly. They can lead to changes in the newborn’s body and affect the child’s growth: lead to hyperactivity syndrome and even manifestations of aggression. They are designated.
sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, SLES) are carcinogenic substances that in certain concentrations cause intoxication of the expectant mother and fetus.
parabens (PA). are included in almost all cosmetic products to increase shelf life. According to recent studies, they can cause tumors, provoke breast cancer, and lead to pathologies of the reproductive system.
glautathione, hydrochiron (Glutathion, Gidrohiron). These are essential elements in whitening creams and artificial melamine synthesizers. They are very toxic and dangerous for pregnant women.
ethylene oxide (ethylene oxide). It gives the skin softness and smoothes, although it is a powerful carcinogen. Oxide can lead to fetal mutations.
hormones. The effect of hormones on the body of a pregnant woman has not been fully studied and is therefore potentially dangerous.
benzenes cause anemia and are destroyers of human bone marrow.

Some natural ingredients can also be dangerous. These are, for example, plant esters with bright aromas. They often provoke an allergic reaction and the appearance of hives. In the worst cases, it all ends with Quincke's edema.

We'll tell you what a high-quality cream for pregnant women should contain.

Sensibio by Bioderma

Cosmetologists also recommend using the French cream “Sensibio AR”, which turns out to be very effective during pregnancy. It is intended for the care of sensitive skin, as well as for frequent irritation and peeling. The light texture of the cream is very pleasant and comfortable to apply. If a woman has problems with pigmentation, then cosmetologists advise applying this skin whitening product. After application, the effect of radiance and hydration remains. The composition includes extracts of algae, soybean, camellia, ginkgo biloba and canola oil.

Pregnant women are recommended to use the cream on a daily basis, as well as for use under makeup. To achieve the greatest effect, you can combine the cream with another from the same series - Sensibio Forte.

What problems will it solve?

Modern cosmetologists say that pregnant women not only can, but also need to actively use face cream. A good product nourishes, protects, moisturizes, just like usual products, and in addition solves a number of problems that arise only during the period of bearing a child.

A good cream helps cope with:

with increased skin sensitivity. The body adapts to new conditions of existence, all its systems are rebuilt, reaching a special level of “defense”. Any external fact-irritant, such as frost, heat, individual components in food, household chemicals become “enemy No. 1”, and the skin responds with irritation, redness, and itching.
with restructuring of the skin. Against the background of hormonal shock, skin type often changes. Many expectant mothers notice that their once oily skin has become normal. On the contrary, the normal one began to shine and shine. Dry skin dries out even more and begins to flake, reacting to the most gentle cleansers. Everything is explained by the work of the hormone estrogen - during pregnancy it is released in large quantities, affecting the condition of the epithelium and the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
with vascular networks. Spider veins are frequent companions of pregnant women. The fact is that the vessels dilate and become visible on the skin. There is nothing fatal in the phenomenon, no one experiences any discomfort. But from an aesthetic point of view, it looks ugly and becomes a cause of worry.
with age spots. The period of waiting for a baby is often associated with a disruption in the production of melamine, which is responsible for the production of pigment and skin color. As a result, spots ranging from small to huge appear on the face.
with acne, pimples. Since the sebaceous glands work intermittently, rashes, pimples, and large acne often appear on the face during pregnancy. The pores become clogged, creating favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

But some pregnant girls continue to shine, delighting others with their excellent skin condition. Usually these are those who carefully chose a product for daily self-care. We will teach you the basics of choosing a good, safe product.