Pregnancy Skincare & Beauty Products!
Pregnancy Skincare & Beauty Products! So, you are pregnant now and are throwing up, uncomfortable, tired, bloated and all the rest. You probably haven’t given much thought to skincare yet right? Here is my go to list of Skincare & Beauty Products to use during Pregnancy. I have also included a list of several items you should NOT use while pregnant.
DISCLAIMER: Please note, I am not a medical professional and have no medical background or expertise. All of the products listed below I cleared with my own doctors (OBGYN and Dermatologist). Please consult with your doctor before using any of the products listed below.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting me! Read more about my disclosure policy.
GLYCOLIC ACID
To start, I will admit I have struggled with acne my whole life, starting at age 13. By the time I was in high school I was seeing a Dermatologist regularly and by junior year I was on Accutane, (that really harsh medication that they took off the market awhile back). Two rounds of Accutane later, the severity of it had cleared but, I still had regular breakouts until my mid 30s. Over the years I have used every kind of Acne product on the market, oral meds, creams, lotions, spot treatments, etc.
One day in my mid 30s I went to get a facial as a treat to myself. The esthetician suggested that I start using two things: Glycolic Acid and Retinol. I had heard of Retinol and used it in various products over the years but never Glycolic Acid. I made a mental note to look into both and few months later I asked my Dermatologist about Glycolic Acid. She told me that she used it as well and that it was actually ok to use during pregnancy. She recommended a specific product and I finally bought it. Let me tell you, my life changed overnight. I WISH someone had told me about this 15 years ago….
Glytone Exfoliating Serum: I love this product. The bottle looks small but it will last a long time. While pregnant, start with the first level, 5.5 (which stands for 5.5% glycolic acid). It’s generally suggested to stay below 10% while pregnant. I use this product year around whether I am pregnant or not. When I order this product I usually get two bottles to make sure I can take advantage of free shipping as well.
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Facial Cleanser: I use this in the shower a few times a week or on different days than the Exfoliating Serum. For the most part I have no problem using the Glycolic Acid daily, but everyones skin is different.
CETAPHIL
I use Cetaphil year around for a cleanser, and this is an approved pregnancy item. I love all Cetaphil products and use their face moisturizer too. My husband and son suffer from eczema our dermatologist recommended the Cetaphil moisturizing cream, so we are a Cetaphil family. 🙂
Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser: This has been part of my daily skincare routine for years and I was so happy to find out I could still use it during pregnancy.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion: There is a lotion and a heavier cream version. I have the cream version on hand too, but I like the lotion for every day use. If you suffer from eczema, definitely get the cream as well.
STRETCH MARKS CREAM
All things Belly Butter here! So I use a combination of these items, straight Belly Butter for my stomach and mid area specifically for stretch marks when I am pregnant and then I also suffer from extremely dry skin while pregnant as well. For my face I use the Cetaphil lotion above, and for my hands, arms and legs I use Cocoa Butter. When I am not pregnant I just use a generic brand from Target, but during pregnancy I use a recommended product.
Once you have the baby and especially if you bottle feed, your dishwashing frequency will skyrocket. After having my son, my hands were so dry the first few months from being in water so frequently. Cocoa Butter lotion helped so much on that front. Another great product you can use while pregnant and post delivery. For long term use I like the Target version because its bigger and more cost effective.
Burts Bees Mama Bee: Belly Butter and Body Oil. This combo works great and I love the smell of the products. It reminds me of pregnancy. Use this on your growing belly and surrounding areas.
Palmers Cocoa Butter: for hands, arms, legs, and belly if you want to as well.
AQUAPHOR / CHAPSTICK / VASELINE
So because I suffer from extremely dry skin during pregnancy, especially during the winter months (super excited to be having a winter baby this time around), I have to take extra precautions to try and avoid bloody noses. So far I have had one HOUR long bloody nose this time around and had several shorter ones in my past pregnancies. The best part of these items is you will need them for your baby as well, so stock up now and you don’t have to buy these items later!
Vaseline: I swab the inside of my nose before bed with Vaseline for extra moisture.
Aquaphor Tub: For the extremely dry nights and need something extra for your lips especially, also doubles as diaper rash cream when the baby comes, or eczema treatment if your baby has sensitive skin.
Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick: These are new to the market and not as oily as the regular aquaphor. You can take them on the go which is also convenient. I also recently found that they are great to use on your babies face when they have eczema spots or are teething and there is an insane amount of drool going on. Their skin can get so chapped and they will have little red marks. I use the stick on my sons face to spot treat eczema at night, right before he goes to bed, so that he won’t mess with his face too much.
EOS Organic Lip Balm: I also really like this one and keep it in my purse and diaper bag.
DEODORANT
I am sure you have probably heard that you shouldn’t use a Deodorant that has aluminum in it while pregnant. Well, unfortunately that means most Antiperspirants are out, which is where the aluminum comes in. I tried a lot of the natural deodorants, NATIVE, all the mainstream brands that have a version, I didn’t like any of them. Instead I chose to adopt a mens deodorant brand that did not have aluminum in it and I like this much better while pregnant.
Old Spice Deodorant: I know kinda strange, but I actually really like the smell! Scents either Bearglove or Wolfthorn.
SUNSCREEN
This one is super important. According to Project Sunscreen:
Mineral sunscreens, or physical sunscreens as they are sometimes called, get the greenlight during pregnancy since they are hypoallergenic and sit on the skin like a barrier. They work by scattering and deflecting UV rays instead of being absorbed by your skin. Meanwhile, certain ingredients are safer for pregnant women than others. To be considered non-toxic for use during pregnancy, a sunscreen must only contain ingredients that are generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE). Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only sunscreen ingredients in pregnancy safe sunscreens that meet the FDA’s criteria for GRASE ingredients.
https://projectsunscreen.com/blogs/news/pregnancy-safe-sunscreen
Project Sunscreen: This has an SPF of 50 and is a roll on stick which I really like. Anything where I don’t have sunscreen all over my hands is great, so I usually stick to sprays and sticks.
Babyganics: Sunscreen stick. I love this brand and use a lot of their products! Its quick, not too messy and you can easily throw it in your purse or diaper bag to have on hand. I am a big fan of products that both mom and baby can use to maximize efficiency and save you some money!
SHAMPOO
This one is very loosely followed but it is recommended that you switch to Sulfate free products when pregnant and I highly recommend it! I don’t like to take any precautions due to my history with infertility, so I switched over permanently to Sulfate Free Shampoos and Conditioners a couple years ago.
L’Oreal Paris EverPure is a good cheaper option. I also like the Kirkland version from Costco.
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner: If you want to go with a higher quality product, especially if your hair doesn’t do well with the drug store type options, I use this as well.
SKINCARE & BEAUTY PRODUCTS TO AVOID WHILE PREGNANT
Here is a quick list of items NOT to use while pregnant:
- Salicylic Acid
- Benzol Peroxide
- Aluminum Based Deodorants
- Sulfate Products
- Retinol
- Most Sunscreens
There is a much longer list, but these are the quick few to start.
Basically check with your doctors about your specific regularly used items such as makeup, skincare and other beauty products at your first doctors appointment. I am not a doctor and have no medical training or background so please check with your doctor before using any of the products above or discontinuing any of the products to avoid.
CONCLUSION
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