Being pregnant is a wonderful adventure – a miracle of sorts. But not everybody takes to it like the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle seems to be. The former Hollywood actress looks positively stunning and as the weeks go by, her baby-on-board glow only seems to increases.
If you’re expecting but wondering when your glow is going to kick in the following skincare guide will help.
When you first got pregnant you pictured yourself swanning around in flowing summer dresses, with glowing skin and shiny hair. You were going to be a fertility goddess, the most radiant you had ever been. Now, crouched by the toilet bowl, covered in pimples, oily hair and 10kg heavier, you wonder where that mysterious pregnancy glow is. Stretch marks, pigmentation, oily skin and dry patches – ah the bliss of womanhood.
We feel you. And so does Amelia Gartner, managing director of the natural beauty brand Cedar + Stone, who provided the following tips for mamas-to-be.
Skin Tone Worries
Your hormones are all over the shop. An increase of ostrogen, progesterone and the melanocyte-stimulating hormone during pregnancy can result in pigmentation of the skin. There’s also a very common condition called melasma, which can bring frustrating discolouration to your nose, lips and forehead.
What can you do? Be fussy about UV. Spend minimal time in the sun, don a big ol’ hat and don’t forget sunscreen with a high level SPF.
Oil Overdrive
Unfortunately, extra-oily skin is very common during pregnancy.
Get excess oil under control by adding a mask treatment to your weekly routine; Bentonite clay does a brilliant job sucking up oil and is super healing for the skin.
Remember, with clay masks it’s important not to let them fully dry to a hard cracked surface on your face as this can dry skin. Rinse off with warm water once the mask is about 50 per cent dry so you get all the benefits without denting skin’s moisture. Also be sure to avoid oil-based makeup.
Dry Patches
Hormones fluctuate so much during pregnancy that dry and scaly skin can also be common. Your skin’s hydrolipidic barrier – the protective layer of water, fat, and wax – can weaken and even develop small breaks. Moisture evaporates more quickly through these breaks in your skin, leaving you dry, itchy and cracked.
Fight back by drinking plenty of water. Using a humidifier and taking regular warm oatmeal baths will also help. You may also need to change your cleanser to a more gentle, non-drying option. Cedar + Stone Ylang Ylang and Chamomile Oil Cleanser, $35, is a great option.
Stretch Marks
Your body is growing to accomodate another human. Your skin stretches in amazing ways during this process, leaving some women with stretch marks. Lessen the impact of these by massaging skin with a quality body oil. Obviously pay attention to your bump, but don’t forget your hips, breast, butt and thighs.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
