YOUR SKIN: What to Expect When You Are Expecting...


Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy, and skin is no exception! This is down to changes affecting your hormones, circulation and immune system. We are all different and how we experience these changes and to what extreme varies. For example, some women can get stretch marks straight away, while some may never get them at all. Most skin changes aren’t harmful to you or your baby. However, talk to your GP or midwife if your skin is inflamed or blistered, or if you have a rash, soreness, irritation or itchiness that lasts for more than a couple of days or becomes severe.


First Trimester - One of the biggest changes in pregnancy can be to our skin, caused by the huge increase in hormonal activity. Your skin may be oilier, or you may experience a few more breakouts than


normal. Help this by using a mask such as REN’s ClearCalm 3 Restoring Mask (£32) once a week. This helps to absorb sebum and gently exfoliates to deeply cleanse pores and improve skin tone. It’s also possible that your skin feels dry and dehydrated. Invest in a good face oil such as REN’s Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil (£27) to help hydrate and nourish the skin. A lovely facial massage with an oil in the evening is a great way to boost circulation and brighten the skin. Your skin may become very sensitive to certain products that it was never sensitive to before. This is normal, just cut them out of your skincare routine until after pregnancy.


You may notice brown patches of pigmentation on your forehead, cheeks, and neck known as Chloasma, Melasma or “mask of pregnancy”. Chloasma is caused by your body making extra melanin, the tanning hormone, which protects your skin against ultraviolet (UV) light. Roughly two thirds of mums-to-be are thought to experience this in pregnancy. Being in the sun may darken your patches, making them more noticeable. Wear a sunscreen (SPF30 or more) or a hat whenever you go out. This is especially important as you may have noticed an increased sensitivity to the sun during pregnancy. If you are at all anxious about the brown patches, a good foundation and concealer will help to disguise them.


Second and Third Trimester - As your skin is stretching and making room for your baby, you may experience some itchiness and stretch marks may also appear. This is thought to be hereditary so if your


mum or sister had them you most likely will too! Help prevent these with a good nourishing lotion such as cocoa butter to help with elasticity. Apply all over the breasts, stomach, upper legs and back area daily.


Here’s the good news! Due to all that extra blood flow, your skin should be glowing. As your skin retains more moisture during pregnancy it may look more plumped up and fine lines may be smoothed. Now that your hormones have settled down a bit, it is a great time to have a facial or a pregnancy massage to help nourish your skin and give you some well needed relaxation time before the baby arrives. Due to this extra blood flow, it isn’t uncommon to notice some broken capillaries on your cheeks. These are very common and will fade after pregnancy. In the meantime, try to protect your face from extremely cold or hot temperatures as this can make them worse.


Fourth Trimester (Post Birth) - Once your baby arrives sleep and self-care are a precious commodity! Drinking plenty of water, eating healthily and resting as much as possible will all help. Results driven


radiance treatments such as REN’s Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial (£34) are brilliant for new mums as you can apply it in the evening and forget about it! This transformative treatment works overnight to exfoliate your skin, using AHAs to deep-clean pores, even up texture, support natural cell turnover, and boost radiance, helping to counteract any broken sleep, leaving you looking glowing and rested.


Another top tip is to maximise your time by being savvy with products, for example, use a nourishing bath oil to cleanse your skin in the shower or bath so you don’t have to moisturise after a shower!


Written by Gemma Boakes of Elementary Skin & Body (currently in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy). Editor, Helen McClorry, Babies on board Magazine.


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