Aug 04, 2022

The Safest Skincare for Pregnancy 2024

Throughout your pregnancy journey, hormones are at an all-time high and constantly fluctuating. Although this can result in a so-called ‘pregnancy glow’, it’s often overtaken and overlooked by other profound effects on your skin, such as increased dryness, sensitivity, pigmentation, acne, stretch marks and breakouts. Rest assured, these won’t stick around for too long! But until then, this calls for a change in your skincare regime, as the ingredients in your current products may be too potent for your heightened sensitivity.

So, you’re probably wondering… which ingredients should you look out for? And which ingredients CAN you use? We’ll explore this in further detail in chronological order of your skincare routine.

Cleansers

A popular substance often found within cleansers is Salicylic Acid due to its skin-clearing benefits. However, for the safety of you and your little one, it is recommended to avoid using this ingredient and instead incorporate alternatives.

Some of these include:

Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid

The two work great together in tackling skin texture, quality and brightness; just what you need to address your pregnancy skin concerns. The concentration of the two acids should not go beyond 7%.

Recommendation 1: Mesoestetic Brightening Foam Cleanser

Containing Glycolic and Lactic Acid, this product gently exfoliates, hydrates and brightens the skin whilst targeting imperfections such as pigmentation and acne. It is additionally formulated with an active biotechnological ingredient, Urban D-tox, which offers anti-pollution action.

Recommendation 2: CosMedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser

Featuring 5% Chirally Correct Lactic Acid, Purity Clean exfoliates whilst deeply cleansing the skin of impurities such as oil and dirt. Additional ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil help decongest the pores and reduce excess oil and shine, making it particularly beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin.

Recommendation 3: Neostrata PHA Facial Cleanser

For those sensitive to AHAs such as Glycolic and Lactic Acid, this cleanser uses 4% Gluconolactone (PHA) to provide more gentle exfoliation for sensitive and dry skin types, without stripping it of its natural oils. It has also been clinically-proven to brighten the skin and reduce blotchiness (bonus!)

Serums

When it comes to serums, Retinol is a highly active ingredient usually found within and is commonly known for its anti-ageing properties. However, this is a potent substance that all pregnant ladies need to steer clear of. Although typically regarded as a powerhouse skincare ingredient, it has been found to cause birth defects; avoid, avoid, avoid!

But not to worry, as there are plenty of substitutes available to help you attain anti-ageing and other skin benefits, such as:

Bakuchiol
Vitamin C

Bakuchiol Serum: Cosmedix Bakuchiol Complete (Plant-based Tretinoin Alternative Serum)

This organic and completely chemical-free serum is a must-have product in your pregnancy skincare routine. Its active ingredients collectively work to nourish, hydrate and brighten the skin whilst simultaneously reducing fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation, a key pregnancy skin concern.

Vitamin C Serum: Mesoestetic Aox Ferulic

Rich in antioxidants, your skin will be left with an instant radiant and youthful complexion post-use of the Aox Ferulic Serum. In addition to its Vitamin C concentration, other performing ingredients such as Ferulic Acid and Protech-Cell Complex act as an extra protective layer from environmental stressors.

Eye Creams

Eye creams significantly help reduce the appearance of under-eye imperfections such as puffiness and dark circles, which can be caused by factors such as fatigue, something you will dramatically experience throughout your pregnancy journey. Key ingredients that are typically used include Retinol, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides. Lucky for you, 3/4 of these ingredients are pregnancy-safe!

Recommendation 1: Neostrata Brightening Eye Cream

Combining peptides, Algae extracts and stabilised Vitamin C, this brightening eye treatment revives fatigued eyes by diminishing dark circles and puffiness, as well as improving the appearance of aging within the eye area.

Recommendation 2: ALPHASCIENCE Eye Matrix

This clinically proven eye cream reduces dark circles and brightens the surrounding area whilst deeply hydrating the skin through 2 Hyaluronic Acids. It also contains a plethora of anti-ageing ingredients such as L-glutamine and Genistein, and a Botox-like Tripeptide, giving you an overall revitalised finish.

Moisturizers

As it goes for everyone, using a SPF and your everyday night-time moisturiser is essential for maintaining a youthful and healthy complexion. However, during pregnancy, you need to look out for a mineral SPF rather than a chemical SPF. This is because it is safer by using more natural ingredients such as Zinc Oxide, which can help avoid triggering pregnancy-prone melasma.

SPF (Day Cream): CosMedix Zinc Defence SPF50

Lightweight and non-greasy, this mineral-based SPF is the perfect go-to and is suitable for all skin tones. Containing 23% Zinc Oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection, its combination of Clove and Goldenrod extract provides antiaging and anti-inflammatory benefits, whilst Ectoin maintains skin hydration levels, therefore highly suited to your pregnancy skincare needs. Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours!

Night Cream: CosMedix Resync Night Moisturizer

The Resync Night Moisturizer is a multi-purpose cream that helps tackle dry and dull skin, fine lines, uneven skin complexion and dark spots. It’s formulated with predominantly plant-based extracts such as Snow Mushroom and Kakudu Plum, and so is ideal for pregnant women due to its high natural concentration. So, it goes beyond your ordinary hydrating moisturiser and is well worth the investment!

Masks

Although many people often skip out on this part of their skincare routine, it has more benefits than you think. The purpose of applying a mask is to improve your overall skin complexion through, for example, increasing hydration, unclogging pores, balancing out skin tone and eliminating impurities. Common facemask ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid, antioxidants and plant and fruit extracts.

Recommendation 1: CosMedix Rescue with Cherry Extract Balm & Mask

This 2 in 1 hydrates and soothes dehydrated skin, relieving symptoms such as redness and flakiness by using natural ingredients including Shea butter, Cherry extracts and Willowherb extracts. Its antioxidant properties ensure that your skin is looking nourished and radiant, with further protection from external aggressors. And, of course, given away by its name, your face will be left smelling cherrylicious!

Recommendation 2: Mesoestetic Hydra Vital Mask

Full of nutritious ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Argan Oil, fatty acids and vitamins, the Hydra Vital Mask deeply hydrates and nourishes dry skin. It also offers other skin benefits such as protection from environmental damage, balancing out skin complexion and strengthening skin barrier function.

The organic and extra sensitive skin collection

If you have highly sensitive skin and are looking for an entirely organic collection of products to use, don’t worry - we got you! The Trio Therapeutic Extra Sensitive Skincare range is 100% natural, fragrance-free, and contains few ingredients to minimise the possibility of a reaction.

Products that you can use to help maintain your pregnancy skincare routine include:

Please note that all products containing any of the mentioned acids should be used at a low concentration.

FAQs

Skincare routine for Acne-Prone Skin during Pregnancy

If you have acne-prone skin, some ingredients to look out for include Glycolic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, and Zinc Oxide. These are great alternatives instead of harsher substances such as Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide, which are more commonly used to treat acne.

Skincare Routine for Anti-Ageing during Pregnancy

There are a wide range of anti-ageing ingredients that are safe to use while pregnant, including Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Peptides and Niacinamide.