Get that glow!

Sure, you've got that "pregnancy glow" but being pregnant can also cause some unnecessary havoc to your skin. With all of those hormones working over-time, it is common to see an increase in pimples and skin irritations. Another common gripe? Stretch marks! Fortunately, there are tons of great products out there to make you confident when showing off your "epidermis".

Zits. No one likes them and what makes matters worse is that when you are pregnant, acne fighting ingredients like retinol and salicylic acid are not recommended. What to do? First of all, avoid abrasive scrubs or exfoliants because your skin is too sensitive at this time to use them. Look for milder, oatmeal based facial scrubs to help you unplug your oily pores.

It happened during puberty and now it is happening again- you are undergoing a physiological growth spurt which goes hand in hand with stretch marks.Other skin ailments include itchy spots and colored spots. A good scratch down should do the trick for the itchy spots, but the feeling of relief might not last long. Generally, these areas that itch are dry and flaky or they itch because of a heat rash. Be sure to use a good moisturizer religiously to help avoid a case of the "itchies". Also be sure to use a good cocoa butter based or a rich skin cream to help you prevent stretch marks. Though you might end up with a few markings, prevention is key!

Avoid exposure to ultraviolet light (ie, sun, tanning beds,etc) which further stimulates melanin production that could result in abnormal brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma. Due to pregnancy hormones, the melanin cells are stimulated in your skin to produce more pigment, yet not uniformly which is why you might receive these blotchy spots. Unfortunately, chloasma cannot be prevented, but the intensity of these spots can be limited by shielding yourself from UV rays.

Good news is, that the "pregnancy glow" is not just a wive's tale. Your glow actually has a biological basis due to the increase volume of blood which causes your face to blush. So, while there might be a few skin changes that are not so pleasant, having to use less make-up is definitely a great reward!

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo,

The Moody Mamas