Beautiful Pregnant Skin

If you're pregnant, no one has to tell you that your body will go through changes. Chances are you've realized this on your own already. Your hormones, weight gain and other changes associated with pregnancy affect your mind and body in ways you may not have been expecting or even been aware of prior to this experience. One of the most common but least thought about areas in which women experience problems during pregnancy is the skin.

One of the most common skin issues to experience from pregnancy is acne. Yes, you thought you were rid of it when you left puberty, but because of the hormonal changes, acne tends to often reappear during pregnancy. The problem is this: it's much more difficult to treat with over-the-counter products because benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and other ingredients are not safe to use while pregnant. You have to be very careful with the product you use.

Instead of using a product with those unsafe chemicals, try something like Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser. This cleanser leaves you feeling fresh and less oily without drying or damaging your skin. The formula is designed for all skin types and it is safe enough to use on a baby. You can purchase this at your local department store for about eleven US dollars. If this doesn't help your acne, pay your doctor a visit. He may have more suggestions or prescribe you a topical antibiotic treatment.

Another skin complication that can arise is melasma also known as the infamous "pregnancy mask". This is a discoloration of the face and can be quite embarrassing. Because it's related to sun exposure, a preventive step would be to wear sunscreen. If you already have it, try Aveeno soy-based products. According to Web MD they "...have a photo-stabilized sunscreen that contains soy and has been shown to lighten pigmented lesions on the skin." Azelaic acid and topical vitamin C products are also highly recommended.

Now on to a very common skin issue with pregnancy: stretch marks. Though I'd like to tell you a method to prevent or cure these annoyances, new research has shown that topical treatments (cocoa butter lotion for example) have little to no effect because the problem is likely mostly hereditary. Still, if you want to try something, skip the cocoa butter and try glycolic acid or green tea containing creams. According to Web MD, they are most effective.

Remember, the first step to keeping your skin healthy is keeping your body healthy. These products will prove useless if you aren't getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals. Always take your prenatal vitamins as instructed and be certain to eat well as instructed by your doctor. May you have a healthy pregnancy and beautiful skin!

Sources:

Web MD: Pregnancy Skin Care: Get That Glow! www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy-skin-care-get-that-glow