Skin Care During Pregnancy

How does the skin change during pregnancy?

• Hormonal changes
  Pregnancy is often seen as a high point in a woman's life, as it is a time of particularly intense physical and emotional experiences. Pregnancy, which lasts around 40 weeks, is accompanied by many changes in the female body. This does not only affect the visible belly circumference, which grows with each week of pregnancy. The main determining factor for pregnancy-related changes is the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels.
• baby glow
  Many women who are expecting a baby notice that their skin looks rosier, firmer and more radiant during pregnancy, so that small wrinkles disappear. This "baby glow" is related to increased blood circulation, slightly increased sebum production and increased hormone production.

Skin problems during pregnancy

• itching, redness or intolerance
  Skin problems such as dry, oily, irritated skin or pregnancy acne can sometimes occur during pregnancy. The skin of an expectant mother can react more sensitively - with unusual itching, redness or intolerance to care products that have not caused any problems for the skin for years.
• pregnancy acne
  While some pregnant women even experience acne disappearing, the hormonal changes can also increase blemishes, blackheads and pimples in some women or make acne worse (pregnancy acne). Women who already had skin problems with pimples before tend to be more likely to suffer from pregnancy acne.
• stretch marks on the stomach
  The rapid growth of the belly, which becomes increasingly visible after the fifth month, places great demands on the elasticity of the skin. The connective tissue can easily be overstretched or even torn. Stretch marks can appear especially on the stomach, but also on the breasts, hips and thighs. These stretch marks often begin as bluish-reddish lines that fade over time. Stretch marks are a normal skin change that affects many women. They can be concealed with makeup and self-tanner or simply compensated for with natural self-confidence.
• Hyperpigmentation: Pregnancy Mask
  In the last trimester of pregnancy, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) causes visible hyperpigmentation in the midline of the abdomen, breasts and genitals. Large, dark pigment spots can also form on the face. The so-called "pregnancy mask", "chloasma" or "melasma gravidarum" is caused by the increased estrogen levels, which stimulate melanin production. The pregnancy mask usually fades some time after the baby is born, when hormone levels return to normal. This may require some patience and sometimes gentle lightening agents to help.

Don'ts: Active ingredients you should avoid during pregnancy

The following list contains cosmetic ingredients that are not generally considered harmful, but which you should avoid if possible, at least during pregnancy. The list is of course not complete, as most cosmetic products contain a variety of potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, paraffins, mineral oils, aluminum salts, microplastic particles, phthalates, formaldehyde and other skin-irritating or hormonally active ingredients. It is best to check every single product in your skin care routine - for example using the Codecheck app or via hautschutzengel.de.

• retinol
  Retinol is one of the synthetic vitamin A derivatives. Retinol is a skin-tightening, cell-renewing anti-aging and anti-inflammatory anti-acne agent, but even a small overdose can cause severe skin irritation. Retinol is administered orally as a prescription as tretinoin (retinoic acid) to treat severe acne. Retinoids can be found in cosmetics as retinoic acid, retinaldehyde, adapalene, isoretinoin or retinyl palmitate, for example. You should definitely avoid retinoids during pregnancy, as they can lead to malformations in the embryo. As an alternative to synthetic retinol, there are some active ingredients with similar benefits for the skin - without any risks for the unborn baby.
• salicylic acid
  Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and is used primarily in peelings against pimples and acne to improve the appearance of the skin. According to the EU Cosmetics Regulation, a maximum of 0.5% salicylic acid is permitted for preservation, 3% in rinse-off products and a maximum of 2% in cosmetics that are not rinsed off (leave-in). At higher doses, such as those used in dermatological practices, salicylic acid can enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of malformations for the unborn child.
• benzoyl peroxide
  Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The active ingredient, which is synthetically produced from benzoyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide, is used to treat acne. Possible side effects include redness, dryness, flaking and burning. Benzoyl peroxide should be avoided during pregnancy as its safety has not been established.
• hydroquinone
  Hydroquinone is synthetically produced as a derivative of benzene, has a skin-bleaching effect, and is used to treat hyperpigmentation. There are concerns about its safety during pregnancy, especially when taken orally.

Dos: Active ingredients that are also suitable during pregnancy

The following active ingredients are good alternatives to retinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and hydroquinone, as they are also recommended for use during pregnancy:

• Bakuchiol
  Bakuchiol, a purely herbal ingredient derived from the babchi plant, has similar skin-improving properties to retinol, including antimicrobial effects against pimples and acne, improved collagen production, and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles - but without the potentially teratogenic properties of retinol.
• vitamin C
  Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals. The vitamin C serum we use with a natural vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl glucoside) has a gentle lightening effect on hyperpigmentation and ensures an even complexion.

• Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
  Niacinamide is effective against acne, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, niacinamide protects against cell damage caused by free radicals, for example sun damage caused by UV radiation. It therefore also counteracts skin aging.
• willow bark extract, lactic acid, glycolic acid
  Alternative active ingredients for a skin-friendly, only lightly peeling effect during pregnancy include moderately dosed willow bark extract (Salix Alba Extract) under 2% and exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, which ensure a gentler peeling of the skin to remove dead skin cells and improve the skin structure.

How can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

The appearance of stretch marks is at least partly genetic, but there are some things you can do to support skin elasticity during pregnancy:

• massages
  Massages with moisturizing creams or oils improve blood circulation, promote the removal of toxins through the lymph and help keep your skin elastic.
• Healthy eating
  A diet rich in nutrients and fresh food supports your skin's health. During pregnancy, make sure you get enough vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, zinc and proteins.
• Controlled weight gain
  Try to gain a healthy but moderate amount of weight during pregnancy to avoid overstretching your skin. Slow and steady weight gain reduces the risk of stretch marks.
• Clothing
  To reduce pressure on the skin and minimize the risk of stretch marks, you should wear loose clothing if possible.
• Movement
  Regular exercise promotes blood circulation and supports skin health. Pregnancy gymnastics and yoga are particularly useful - also with regard to conscious breathing during birth.
• Moisturizing creams and oils
  Regularly apply cream to your skin on your stomach, breasts, thighs and other areas that could be affected by stretch marks. High-quality organic plant oils, fats and waxes such as jojoba, argan, grape seed oil and shea butter are particularly well tolerated by the skin. The skin-neutral myrto formulas without alcohol, emulsifiers, fragrances or synthetic preservatives help to strengthen the skin barrier and the natural skin flora (microbiome). All myrto care products such as organic facial cleansers, toners, facial serums and moisturizers, eye serums, shampoos and deodorants can therefore also be used without any problems during pregnancy.