8 Ways to Maintain Skin Health During Pregnancy

Skincare during pregnancy is not only cosmetically beneficial but can also have uplifting psychological effects. With the right combination of a healthy diet and clothes for pregnant women, you will look and feel your best during pregnancy and after the baby arrives.

Here are a few tips for keeping your skin at its best during pregnancy.

#Healthy Diet, Healthy Skin

Now that you’ve attended to your mind and body with a healthy pregnancy exercise regimen, let’s turn our attention to your skin and outer body. Most pregnant women start their pregnancy with a healthy, tell-tale glow. Unfortunately, many women fall victim to stretch marks, dryness, and sore and tired feet during the second and third trimesters.

Diet is a great way to enhance skin tone and control outbreaks. When combined with specially formulated maternity skincare products, you can minimize many of those second and third-trimester skin problems and discomforts.

#Get a Mega Dose of Omegas

Omegas, also known as essential fatty acids, are considered a “superfood.” They are well known to keep your skin hydrated and springy but did you know they also boost your skin’s healing ability, so blemishes go away faster? Omegas are also crucial for the baby growing in your womb as they are crucial for brain and eye development.

One of the best sources of omegas is salmon, and more specifically, if you can get it, wild salmon. Salmon is low in mercury and high in omegas. Other delicious sources of omegas are avocados and nuts.

#Get Your Greens

Green, leafy vegetables contain antioxidants great for healthy skin during pregnancy, keeping it as potent and elastic as possible. Antioxidants also protect vital collagen and elastin, which give skin its healthy spring and aid in stretch and recovery. Green vegetables are also rich in nutrients that help fight inflammation associated with breakouts. The high fiber may also help prevent blood sugar spikes which have been linked to acne.

#Don’t Forget The Fruits

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are an essential part of your pregnancy diet as they are vital for a baby’s development, but they also shield your collagen from damage. Vitamin C is crucial as your skin can’t produce collagen without it. Besides the apparent citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and lime, you can get mega-doses of Vitamin C in red and green peppers, strawberries, and kiwis.

In addition to providing collagen-protecting antioxidants, water-rich fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe provide valuable hydration, and they’re also a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

#Secret Super Food

Artichoke hearts served on a salad or in the form of a side dish are a delicious alternative superfood that you may not have considered. They are packed with nutrients that protect your collagen and skin, such as folic acid, vitamin C, potassium, and biotin.

#Skincare Creams and Moisturizers

There are also many skin care products on the market aimed at pregnant women — the trick is to sift through them to find products that not only work for you but are safe to use during pregnancy. Natural ingredients are, of course, preferable, and a bit of research will provide a list of ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.

In addition to your skin in general, some key areas need a little special attention during pregnancy, such as breasts, legs, and waist.

#Stop the Sag

No skincare product will help you defy gravity, so the first step in breast care during pregnancy is getting a couple of well-fitting maternity bras for support. Invest in at least two daytime support bras, which will also help prevent breast soreness, and a light, supportive nighttime maternity bra.

Once your lingerie is sorted, it’s recommended you get a suitable breast protection cream, which can be used throughout pregnancy and after the baby arrives, even when breastfeeding. These creams are rich in omegas that hydrate and elasticize the skin, thereby strengthening and protecting the breasts from sagging. They also contain cabbage extract, which helps to soothe breast swelling during nursing. To protect against stretch marks and sag, layer the cream over the affected area during pregnancy and a few months after the baby arrives.

#Soothe Those Swollen Legs

One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is swollen, aching legs and feet. Short of daily spa treatments, which can be a bit costly, we can’t think of a better way to soothe aching limbs than a cream or moisturizer.

Try ingredients like natural spearmint, organic coconut oil, cooling menthol, healing arnica, ginger root, murumuru butter, and tangerine oil. Your legs will reinvigorate you as they provide rapid relief that gently moisturizes and cools tired toes, feet, and legs.

Keep any of these ingredients in your handbag for a quick pick me up after a long day at the office, an errand run around town, or even after a bit of exercise. Apply it with a gentle, upward stroke to help increase lymphatic drainage and decrease swelling.

Leg cramps can also become a frequent occurrence during pregnancy. Still, you can reduce the frequency by drinking plenty of water (at least eight glasses every day), wearing no-fuss, easy maternity pants or leggings, and putting your feet up between physical activities.