I am a massive advocate for the work Mariga Sheedy does when it comes to skin. So much so I still rave to everyone who will listen about my skincare consultation with her last year. When I decided to do a pregnancy skincare post, it was a no brainer to turn to Mariga for tips and advice. Last time round, my skin suffered dreadfully, it was dry and really uncomfortable. Mariga's Nourishing Oil was a complete lifesaver and three years later, I still consider it a Holy Grail product.
Depending on the skincare routine you are on before becoming pregnant, it may be necessary for you to change some of your products.
Skincare containing vitamin A, retinol and salicylic acid are not recommended for use during pregnancy. These ingredients are most often found in products aimed at acne control and anti-ageing. In the Skin Essentials by Mariga range the products containing these ingredients are Overnight Repair Cream, Blemish Control Cream and Salicylic Cleanser. If you are not sure whether your creams have these ingredients please ask your skincare professional for advice.
Some professional treatments, particularly peels, will contain various acids so you should let your therapist know before treatment if you are pregnant so that she can tailor your treatment accordingly. Some electrical treatments are also contraindicated but you can still have a lovely, relaxing treatment to help keep your skin nourished and hydrated.
During this time, much of the nourishment that your body receives from your diet can go to your baby so the skin can suffer from lack of nutrients. You can counter this by using products rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. I particularly recommend my Nourishing Oil or Lipid Repair Concentrate for this.
Some women will experience pigment changes in the skin during pregnancy. These show up as brown patches on the face often referred to as 'mask of pregnancy'. This is very much down to individual genetics and can’t be prevented but using a good SPF30 daily will prevent the marks from becoming permanent through UV exposure.
Some women will find that their skin becomes radiant, especially after the first trimester, giving that pregnancy ‘glow’. For others, unfortunately, the opposite can occur and many women experience a recurrence of long-forgotten acne. As the actives to control breakouts are not suitable for use while pregnant the best that you can do is to keep your skin strong to help reduce the occurrence of spots. Drink plenty of water and use skincare with nourishing oils as above and add a hyaluronic-acid based moisturiser such as my Hydrating Cream to help prevent water loss which can lead to sensitivities and spots. Getting plenty of sleep helps too (while you still can!).
Whether or not you get stretch marks is greatly governed by genetics and is different for every person. Since they are, in effect, a scar that is created deep in the dermis, topical products that you put on your skin will not prevent them or remove them (no matter what the marketing says!). You can use nice, rich moisturising products on your tummy to help minimise their appearance and supply nourishment for quicker healing and to keep skin healthy but don’t expect prevention. I recommend rich natural products such as shea butter, cocoa butter or rosehip seed oil. If you are on a budget then baby oil will lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling soft, it just won’t supply nutrients to the skin cells. Whatever you choose, make sure that it is as pure a formula as possible with absolutely NO perfumes or essential oils which will overburden the skin’s immune system and cause accelerated free radical activity.
If you are expecting and have any questions about your skin or products please give me a call on 053 9145981 or email info@skinessentialsbymariga.
