Your changing skincare needs in pregnancy
Weleda’s skincare expert Elizabeth King advises on particular skincare needs during pregnancy, when many mums-to-be look to change their usual skincare routine.
Pregnancy can be celebrated as one of life’s most significant moments of change. Excitement and possible uncertainties mean that emotions fluctuate, while hormones are surging and the body is constantly adapting and adjusting. Your environment is also changing as you prepare your home space and manage your work.
It is not unusual for these changes to be reflected in your skin, and for it to feel super-sensitive during your pregnancy. This super-sensitivity also extends to your sense of smell, which may mean you find certain fragrances overpowering or unappealing.
Time to switch!
During pregnancy, your blood circulation naturally increases, your body temperature may increase slightly, and skin can therefore become drier. Certain substances that have entered through the skin may potentially reach the developing baby.
Face and body care preparations can offer tremendous support and care for your skin, so if you haven’t already, this is certainly the time to consider switching to 100% natural. It’s a good time to ditch synthetic fragrances, preservatives and colourants such as parabens, phthalates or ‘endocrine disrupting’ ingredients such as triclosan.
Skin sensitivity
Skin that is feeling highly reactive appreciates being cocooned. The precious almond oil, found in the Almond Soothing Facial care, offers such protection. Almond has a great affinity with the skin, immediately creating a protective shield so that the skin can re-establish its healthy barrier function.
And for the super-sensitive noses, the almond soothing facial range is fragrance-free, while it gently gets to work to soothe skin irritation and redness.
What about stretch marks?
It is ideal to begin preparing and strengthening the skin of your tummy, breast and thighs as early in your pregnancy as possible. Weleda’s Stretch Mark Massage Oil contains an expert combination of sweet almond oil, vitamin E rich wheatgerm oil and organic arnica to improve elasticity and help prevent stretch marks. At the same time, its exquisitely delicate fragrance of rose, neroli and myrrh gently envelops you and brings about a feeling of comfort, calm and joy. It is no wonder we hear of many mums continuing to use this oil long after pregnancy ends!
Consciously applying this oil as a nurturing massage ritual is a simple and powerful way to connect with your baby. By the end of the second month of pregnancy your baby’s skin, as the primary sensory organ, already has a fully developed sense of feeling and touch. Use rhythmical circular movements over your tummy, around your breasts, and flowing figures of eight movements over the upper thighs and buttocks. This warms the tissue and brings a sense of calm and peace to you both.
If during the second trimester, you start to notice a brown line running down from your belly button, don’t worry, this is called linea nigra. Like melasma, this pregnancy pigmentation is as a result of increased hormones, and usually disappears after pregnancy.
In conclusion, pregnancy brings about significant changes in both body and emotions, which can be reflected in the skin's sensitivity and reactivity. Weleda's 100% natural skincare offers a gentle and protective solution for mums-to-be. By making conscious choices in skincare, expectant mothers can cherish this transformative time with peace of mind and radiant skin.
