During pregnancy, the skin tends to become drier and the complexion duller. Skin problems can also occur, such as stretch marks, brown spots (melasma) and pimples. However, there are skin care products adapted to this period, which is subject to various hormonal upheavals. Focus on the face cream to use during pregnancy.
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What Cream(s) Should I Use When I’m Pregnant?
Summary
- Characteristics of the Skin During Pregnancy
- Which Cream(s) Should I Use During Pregnancy?
- Cosmetics To Avoid During Pregnancy
- Sources
Published May 31, 2021,
updated on August 2, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
5 min read
Characteristics of the Skin During Pregnancy.
At the beginning of pregnancy, women go through a hormonal upheaval that leads to an excessive production of sebum, and therefore a flare-up of pimples, especially on the face and neckline. In addition, stretch marks appear during this period on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts. However, they diminish after 3 or 4 months following childbirth. Also called melasma or chloasma, the mask of pregnancy corresponds to a skin hyperpigmentation resulting in the appearance of brown spots on the face at the level of the nose, the forehead, the top of the upper lip and around the eyes. This phenomenon is linked to an overproduction of hormones during pregnancy, which increases the synthesis of melanin. Between the 4th and 6th month of pregnancy, it can develop not only on the face, but also on the stomach in the form of a brown line. Since melasma is also caused by sun exposure, it mainly affects people who live in sunny areas.
Which Cream(s) Should I Use During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a special time, which means you need to take a few precautions and adapt your habits. During pregnancy, the skin tends to be more sensitive and reactive. So choose skin-friendly and health-conscious products rather than those that are highly concentrated in active ingredients.
In terms of facial care, opt for our TEN range of cosmetic products with a minimalist formula. Among them, you can find our 9-ingredient moisturizing face cream with a light texture. It contains hyaluronic acid and vegetable glycerin, two ingredients with moisturizing properties. It will protect against external aggressions by creating a layer of fatty film on the surface of the skin and will also allow it to retain water in the skin. However, this moisturizer for the face is not suitable for oily skin.
Moreover, ournourishing cream containing shea butter is also recommended for pregnant women. Containing vitamin E, the shea butter allows the skin to maintain its flexibility and its hydration. It softens, nourishes and soothes the skin. Moreover, thanks to its subtle perfume, its application is appropriate for pregnant women with a sensitive sense of smell. However, the nourishing cream is not recommended for people who are allergic to latex, as shea butter contains it in its natural state.
Finally, don't forget to use a sun cream because pregnancy is a period marked by the appearance of pigmentation spots on the face, called pregnancy mask. This hyperpigmentation is due to a combination of two factors: the sudden hormonal surge and sun exposure, both of which stimulate the pigmentary system. Therefore, remember to protect yourself from the sun by applying a suitable sun protection product with a factor of at least 30. Avoid sun exposure as much as possible and wear a hat and sunglasses.
Cosmetics To Avoid During Pregnancy.
On the other hand, some products should be avoided during pregnancy. This is particularly true of face creams containing vitamin A or its derivatives from the retinoid family (retinol, etc.). These active ingredients are used in many products designed to fight the signs of aging and pimples. These components can cause fetal malformations.
Similarly, it is recommended not to use cosmetic products containing essential oils obtained by distillation of plants. Their active ingredients can penetrate the body and cause skin irritations. For your information, essential oils containing ketones are forbidden for pregnant women because they are potentially neurotoxic, other essential oils will have more of an action on the hormonal system.
Finally, avoid cosmetic products containing ingredients likely to be endocrine disruptors, such as parabens (propyl-paraben, butyl-paraben, etc...), phthalates (diethylene phthalate, etc...), BHA, BHT, triclosan, etc... At Typology, we exclude from our formulations a good number of elements potentially recognized as having harmful effects on the body. You can find them in our black list.
Sources :
LANIGAN R. S. & YAMARIK T. A. Final Report on the Safety Assessment of BHT. International Journal of Toxicology (2002).
SCHETTLER T. Human exposure to phtalates via consumer products, International Journal of Andrology (2006).
YOSHINO S. Enhancement of allergic responses in vivo and in vitro by butylated hydroxytoluene. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (2007).
BYUNG-MU L. Risk assessment of unintentional phthalates contaminants in cosmetics. Regulary Toxicology and Pharmacology (2020).
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