So, you’re pregnant and are wondering where’s this ‘pregnancy glow’ you’ve heard so much about. Firstly, do keep in mind that hormones play a large part in the changes you notice in your skin during pregnancy, be it good changes or bad.
Having said that, hormones are pretty unpredictable, hence some women may enjoy naturally glowing skin while some may be faced with sudden skin issues like acne, oily skin, itchiness, etc. If you’re one of the latter, there are still ways you can achieve praise-worthy skin!
Skin changes during pregnancy are inevitable — they’re part and parcel of being pregnant. Your body has to perform a whole lot of internal tasks to accommodate a baby for nine months. Hormones, as important as they are, may either serve you well or wreck havoc on your skin (and mood too!). Whichever end of the scale you’re at, maintaining your pregnancy health as well as getting into some health-promoting habits will help you get your pregnancy glow in no time. Here are some pointers.
Drink up!
Reaching the point of dehydration is all too easy for anyone, but when you’re pregnant, you really can’t afford to get to that stage! Not only will it contribute to a sluggish digestive system, which will reflect on your skin more than you think, it will also slow down the elimination of harmful wastes from your body. Who needs that, right? Keep in mind too, that no amount of skincare you use on the outside can make up for being dehydrated from within. So, drink up and make it at least eight glasses of water everyday, to help keep your insides healthy, so that it will show on the outside.
Move that body
With your doctor’s approval, get into a comfortable exercise routine — it will do magic for your skin and also, your whole body. Safe, moderate exercise will help you de-stress, a major step toward healthy, beautiful skin. Moving your body will also strengthen your muscles and will improve your circulatory system by getting your heart pumping a little faster, all of which will make you look healthier and more radiant on the outside.
Go make-up free as much as possible
Having make-up on for long periods of time may contribute to dull-looking skin in the long run, which, in turn, may prompt you to put make-up on more often to cover it. Your skin needs to breathe to be healthy, and if you happen to have breakouts, for instance, going make-up free for as long as possible will help prevent clogged pores and improve its condition. Reminder: Never sleep with make-up on, not even during a nap, for that’s the worst thing you could do for your complexion!
Make time for self-pampering
Self-pampering can make any woman happy, and a happy woman is a glowing woman! Seriously though, it will do your complexion a whole lot of good if you indulged in all-natural skin spas at least once a week. Note that it would not be advisable to walk into just any skin care center, but rather, seek out those that use organic or all-natural products for their facial treatments. This is important to prevent breakouts.
Catch some beauty sleep
A good night’s sleep is not just the most blissful thing to experience, but it can also do wonders for your complexion. It will rejuvenate your body and leave you feeling refreshed. Getting enough sleep also means that your body will have ample time to heal and repair any damages, including skin issues. Getting enough sleep may not be easy for some pregnant women due to discomforts of a huge belly, aching back, etc, but remember, every short nap you take will contribute towards glowing, well-rested skin.
It’s good to sweat but…
…but that’s not exactly the glow you’re after, is it? So, as soon as you’ve cooled down, wash your face clean! Sweat, dirt, and oil are not what you want to leave on your skin for long for they’ll get busy clogging up your pores and leaving you with a dull, unattractive complexion. Wash your face with a gentle face wash every morning and night, and also after cooling down from a workout. Keep your skin clean and well moisturized and you’ll have a much better chance of achieving that pregnancy glow.
No over-exfoliating!
Due to hormones at work, a woman’s skin can get quite sensitive during pregnancy, so the last thing you want to do is aggravate the situation. Avoid harsh skin exfoliators and scrubs: Together with the excessive secretions in your body, they may send your spiked hormones into overdrive, giving way to pimples and acne. It would be best to use homemade scrubs or mild scrubs containing natural, gentler ingredients.
Try this homemade natural face scrub: Mix a teaspoon each of oatmeal and rice flour with water and a few drops of lemon juice. Massage gently onto your whole face, rinse and pat dry.
Use sunscreen
This is one area that is most neglected when it comes to pregnancy skincare! It doesn’t help too, that a common problem encountered by pregnant women at the time of pregnancy is hyperpigmentation also known as chloasma or melasma gravidarum in medical terms. Pick a facial sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and ensure that the product you choose protects your skin for harmful UVA rays. As for after sun care, use organic aloe vera gel or cocoa butter products to soothe and further moisturise your skin.
Moisturise!
Many women the mistake of linking moisturising to adding oil onto their faces, which is not true. Pregnancy hormones will make your skin oily, but that is not a reason to leave moisturizing out of your skincare regime. Use an oil-free moisturizer that can keep your skin supple and soft. Opt for hypoallergenic products if you happen to have very sensitive skin during your special nine months.
Pay attention to what you eat
It’s not an easy concept to grasp, but healthy, glowing skin has to begin from a good, nourishing diet. Fresh, wholesome foods are the best ways to go, for they provide the much-needed nutrients your skin needs to be healthy and glowing. In addition to antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables which help to protect your skin from damage, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts and eggs should also be included for the work to maintain the barrier that preserves the moisture in your skin.
Be happy, and it will inevitably show on your face
A happy woman is a beautiful woman, so do try to chill and relax as much as you can while you await the arrival of your precious baby. Think happy, fruitful thoughts, and fill your days with positive vibes. Your complexion will thank you for it!
DIY homemade remedies enroute a wondrous, dewy complexion
Nothing beats the nourishing goodness of homemade facial packs made with good quality ingredients right from your kitchen. So, since glowing skin is what you’re after, give these a try!
Calming, Soothing AYL Creamy Face Mask
The avocado is a time-honoured ingredient used in beauty treatments way before it became a hit and found its way into conventional beauty products. Why compromise its effectiveness when you can fully reap its goodness for a glowing complexion?
What you need:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tsp yoghurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
What to do:
- Deseed the avocado and mash well.
- Mix the yogurt and lemon juice into your mashed avocado.
- Apply all over your face and neck with your fingers or face brush and leave on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off the mask with cold water.
Cooling Fruity Face Pack
So, you love watermelons, but have never tried it on your face? Well, now’s the perfect time to do so! It’s packed full of fruity goodness and combined with other ingredients like cucumber and milk, it makes powerful beautifying skincare!
What you need:
- 2 tbsp watermelon juice
- 2 tbsp cucumber juice
- 1 tbsp milk powder (or fresh milk)
- 1 tbsp thick yogurt (try Greek yogurt!)
What to do:
- Mix all ingredients till they’re well-combined.
- Apply all over your face as evenly as you can — don’t leave out your neck, please!
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with clean, room temperature water.
Flower-Power Rose Mask
The rose may be famously linked to Valentine’s Day, but you can also show some serious love for your complexion with this antibacterial, antioxidant
-rich flower!
What you need:
- A handful of rose petals
- 1 tsp manuka honey (while manuka is best, you may use other variants)
- 1 tsp plain, thick yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon or lime juice
What to do:
- Using a clean pestle and mortar, ground the rose petals with the lemon or lime juice.
- Combine the crushed petals with the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cold water.
Acne-Buster Aloe Face Pack
Say hello to aloe and bye to unsightly pimples and acne with this blemish-hating skin saver.
What you need:
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel (from half a fresh aloe leave)
- 1 tbsp egg white
- 1 tsp plain, thick yogurt
What to do:
- Press the aloe vera fresh gel through a food strainer to get a liquid-like mush.
- Mix the aloe with egg white and yogurt, combine well.
- Apply the mixture onto your entire face, including all those problem areas. (Avoid rubbing it into your skin though)
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes and rinse off with cool water.
Glow-Inducing Citrus Mask
Assuming you love oranges, whenever you eat them, save those peels! Dry them out for a few hours under the sun and grind them up for a powerful addition to your DIY face packs. You can store them in an airtight container.
What you need:
- 1 tbsp orange peel powder
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp thick plain yogurt
What to do:
- Mix all ingredients to form a nice, thick paste.
- Apply onto your face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water.
