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No one prepared me for the many skin changes during pregnancy.
Within weeks my normally combination skin had turned desert-dry and painfully sensitive.
Red flaky patches appeared around my chin and mouth, and nothingI meannothingseemed to soothe them.
Jart’s Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream).
What are the most common skin changes during pregnancy?
For many women melasma will fade postpartum as hormones normalize, she says.
For some women melasma sticks around.
Talk to your dermatologist about treatment options.
Stretch marks are common outside of pregnancy, butup to 90% of womenget them during pregnancy.
There is a big genetic component to the development of stretch marks, says Dr. Castilla.
If your mother had stretch marks, you are more likely to have them too.
Stretch marks are a sign the skin is being pulled to accommodate the growing fetus, she explains.
They are essentially micro-tears in the dermis and a sign of loss of elasticity.
Most fade over time.
All that stretching can also cause dry itching skin.
As your skin stretches to accommodate the growing fetus, it requires increased hydration, says Dr. Castilla.
Moisturizing religiously is key.
If that’s not helping, it could be a sign of an underlying issue.
There are pregnancy-related skin conditions besides dry skin that can cause your abdomen to itch, she says.
Some are benign, but others can be more serious.
If you’re dealing with any of these, talk to your doctor.
Another hormonal change, it typically fades postpartum.
And of course there’s the dreaded pregnancy acne.
With so many hormonal changes during pregnancy, this is common for many women.
(More on that below.)
What is a pregnancy-safe skin care routine?
Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
What skin care ingredients should I avoid while pregnant?
For this reason, oral retinoids like isotretinoin are banned during pregnancy.
Bakuchiolis a pregnancy-safe alternative to retinoids, she says.
Phthalates are potential endocrine disruptors, meaning they are thought to interfere with normal hormone function.
Unfortunately, phthalates are everywhere, from food and plastic packaging to skin and hair products.
We have essentially no ability to completely avoid exposure, says Dr. Castilla.
What can I expect from my skin postpartum?
Your skin may go through some significant changes after giving birth as well.
Lack of sleep and the stress of new parenthood doesn’t help.
Skin can be irritated and prone to eczema, she says.
It’s also possible that breakouts worsen.
Be careful combining exfoliant acids like glycolic and salicylic, especially if restarting a retinol.
Ahead, dermatologists share their favorite skin care and beauty products for pregnancy and postpartum.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is one of my favorites.
Save when you shop for pregnancy-safe skincare with theseDermstore promo codes.
Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex
Dr. Farber recommends this lightweight face cream for hyperpigmentation and pregnancy acne.
It has glycolic acid and azelaic acid to help with breakouts and skin tone, she says.
Plus, it’s gentle enough to apply morning and night.
This is a gentle mineral formulation and also has a tint to double for coverage.
This is a great option with peptides to help stimulate collagen, says Dr. Farber.
Apply it morning and night on your face and decolletage to soothe and firm.
SkinBetter’s serum is one of her favorites, particularly for treating melasma.
Apply morning and evening (just be sure to apply sunscreen in the a.m.).
For the next nine months, gentle is the name of the game.
Pregnancy is notorious for revving up our pigment-producing cells, or melanocytes.
This can manifest as uneven skin tone or as melasma.
As a final bonus, Casey says azelaic acid also gently exfoliates skin, leaving it brighter and glowier.
Save when you shop for pregnancy-safe skincare with theseSephora promo codes.
