What to Do When Your Skin Doesn’t Get the ‘Pregnancy Glow’ Memo
Pregnancy skin can run the gamut from dewy-fresh-faced pregnancy goddess glow to splotchy-red-broken out mess. Then there is itchiness, discoloration, the linea nigra on your belly — your skin basically likes to keep you guessing when you’re gestating a human. If your skin has been acting up ever since you got that positive pregnancy test, check out these tips from the experts at DDF. They share a few skincare tips for all three trimesters and beyond.
1. Keep oily skin under control. During the first stages of pregnancy, skin is likely to become oily due to changes in hormone levels and overactive oil-producing, sebaceous glands. Cleanse the skin twice daily with a gentle cleanser to clear away excess sebum and rid the “greasy” or “sweating” feeling that may occur.
Product tip: Avoid acne medications; certain ingredients within acne products have been shown to affect the health of the mother and child during usage.
2. Protect yourself. Approximately 70 percent of pregnant women experience melasma, or the “mask of pregnancy,” which includes dark skin discoloration typically on the forehead, cheeks and chin. Avoid excessive sun exposure and incorporate sunscreen into your daily skincare regimen even when it’s not sunny outside. Broad-spectrum protection is essential at all times, including pre- and post-pregnancy, to prevent further skin discoloration and fine lines.
Sun tip: SPF within makeup is not sufficient protection for an average day. It would require seven times the normal amount of foundation to provide enough coverage.
3. Post-pregnancy pigmentation protocol. It is normal for freckles to become darker after pregnancy, but the pigmentation will begin to disappear. Continue to use broad-spectrum protection to avoid further darkening of freckles and use targeted hyperpigmentation products, such as DDF’s Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer, to reduce the appearance of melanin build-up in the affected areas.
Thanks to DDF for the tips! Did you experience any darkening of the skin during pregnancy? I had a dark spot appear on my cheek during pregnancy; I’m trying to decide if it’s pregnancy-related and will fade or if it’s going to be permanent. —Erin