Skincare during pregnancy: how to avoid breakouts

About 70% of pregnant women develop melasma or chloasma – dark spots on the face and arms known as the ‘mask of pregnancy’. This disappears in the months following birth. Your acne and eczema may get worse while pregnant, while psoriasis may improve.

Changes to your skin 

• Progesterone can increase as much as 60%, which increases the amount of fat stored by the body
  
• Oestrogen can increase by as much as 30%
  
• The volume of blood can almost double, which explains the ‘healthy glow’
  

Chloasma/melasma 

This occurs as a result of an increase in the pigment-stimulating hormones during pregnancy. It develops as patches on the cheeks, upper lip, chin and forehead and is often genetic (more than 30% of people will have a family history of melasma). The second contributing factor is sun exposure. It fades after pregnancy but can reoccur if you have repeated or extensive sun exposure or if you become pregnant again. The best solution is to wear a high SPF on a daily basis.

Pregnancy breakouts 

With hormones in abundance and anxiety levels high, skin can respond with hormonal breakouts, especially around the chin and jawline.

Extreme sensitivity/rosacea

Skin can become more sensitive during pregnancy, particularly to certain products, temperature and sun exposure. It’s thought that this is our body’s way of protecting itself and the foetus from infection and disease. It also explains why we go off certain smells and foods that we previously enjoyed. As blood volume increases, it’s no wonder we feel like we have an internal radiator!

Product ingredients to avoid 

If your skincare products contain any of the following you should seek medical advice before using them:

• Vitamin A/retinol – they speed up cell turnover but also make the skin much more prone to sun damage and developing pigmentation. There have also been studies that link retinol-based products and birth/child defects, so continue to avoid vitamin A products whilst breastfeeding
  
• Phthalates/formaldehyde/toluene – these chemicals are often found in perfume and nail polishes. Research is being carried out to assess a possible link with birth defects
  
• Ammonia – often found in hair dyes, it has carcinogenic properties, so steer clear
  
• Dihydroxyacetone – found in self-tanning products. Inhalation can be harmful to both mother and foetus
  

Your essential pregnancy skin care routine 

• Cleanse twice daily before applying a serum and moisturiser
  
• Gentle exfoliation weekly
  
• High SPF daily
  
• Mask once weekly for a specific skin issue, such as calming, sensitivity, flushing or breakouts. 
  
• A guide to essential oils in pregnancy 
  

AVOID 

Basil – encourages menstruation

Chamomile blue – encourages menstruation

Cypress – acts as a diuretic and has a regulating effect on the menstrual cycle.

Jasmine – can stimulate uterine contractions.

Juniper berry – it’s a diuretic

Rosemary – it’s highly stimulating

USE 

Frankincense – it’s uplifting and deepens breathing.

Geranium – hormone balancing, good for stress-related conditions. A sedative, yet uplifting to the nervous system

Ginger – amazing for combating nausea

Mandarin – great for relieving stress and nervous tension. Also excellent for treating stretch marks when mixed with a carrier plant oil

Neroli – a sedative, good for anxiety and depression

Abigail James 

Abigail James is one of the beauty industry’s most revered facialists and wellbeing experts whose unique practices are regularly requested by those-in-the-know on both sides of the Atlantic. Now a published author, Abigail’s first book ‘Love Your Skin’ launched in May 2017 and is based on her philosophy that the link between our skin, our identity and our sense of self-worth is inextricable.

‘Love Your Skin’ is a comprehensive guide to looking after your skin through the ages taking into account genetics, skin foods, Abigail’s infamous facial massage and technologies that truly work.

Follow Abigail on Instagram! 

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