During pregnancy, along with the
obvious changes that your body goes through there may be some that you
weren’t expecting such as problem skin – those with previously oily
skin may notice dry patches and those with dry skin may find themselves
fighting breakouts! If this is the case
it may be worth altering your skincare regime until things settle down by
following some easy to follow tips to help you through.
If you have or develop oily skin try to use a gel cleanser like Simple Oil Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser applied to damp
skin followed by a light oil-free moisturizing lotion. For dry skin try
massaging a cream cleanser such as No7 Soft & Soothed Cleanser onto damp skin and removing with damp cotton wool pads and then apply a rich
creamy moisturiser with high oil content.
You may also find that you develop a combination of an oily
t-zone (forehead, nose and chin area) with dry patches around your cheeks and
eyes. If this happens, don’t
despair! Simply look for products for a
combination skin tone which when applied alter to the needs of your skin, try the Simple range.
The good news is that prior skin conditions such as eczema
and acne have been known to improve during pregnancy. I had quite severe eczema
prior to having my second child but it cleared up considerably whilst I was
pregnant and I rarely have any problems now!
There are certain ingredients that can be found in
cosmetics and skin care which may have adverse effects in pregnancy, the most
notable are listed below but you should speak to your midwife for a full list.
·
Retinoids – Often found in anti-aging products. Also known
as Retin A, Retinol, Retinyl.
·
Salicylic Acid – found in acne treatments and exfoliates. Also known as BHA, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Willow
bark.
·
Fragrance/Phthalates – found in many cosmetic/skin
products. Always opt for a fragrance
free version
Make-up can make us look and feel better but during
pregnancy your routine should be kept simple, particularly during the 1st/3rd
trimester when tiredness is likely to be an issue.
To start always ensure you cleanse and moisturise your face
thoroughly to remove all traces of oil and dirt, this gives you a clean slate
on which to work and makes the finished look more polished and it will also
last longer!
For a fuss free look firstly apply a yellow based concealer
to cover any dark circles under the eyes, gently pat the concealer into place
using your ring finger – this also has a temporary tightening effect as extra
blood is brought to the surface and so blurring fines lines!
Dark spots can be a problem during pregnancy but they can
be covered with a yellow/orange based corrector cream, Apply with a concealer
brush and then blend until no visible lines can be seen.
Tinted moisturiser and BB creams are ideal multi-tasking products;
they have a lighter feel than foundation and are easy to blend when you’re in a
rush. If you prefer fuller coverage try a mineral foundation, always a good
option in pregnancy when skin can react unexpectedly as they don’t contain ingredients
known to irritate the skin.
Try to choose non-comodogenic products to avoid clogging
your pores and causing breakouts!
Blusher is a must for brightening tired looking skin. Try applying a soft pink/coral shade on the
outer edge of your cheek bones and flicking it up at the temples for a natural
flush of colour. If you apply to much
colour, don’t worry, simply sweep a large brush loaded with translucent powder
over the area and then brush of the excess.
Keep eyes natural with a wash of taupe over the eyelid and
finish with a coat of lengthening mascara onto your upper lashes. For a wide awake look try running nude
coloured eyeliner along your bottom inner lash line.
Lip gloss is great for a natural, quick and largely mistake
proof application! Simply apply straight
from the tube or with your finger to complete your look!
