Skin Care During Pregnancy: Suggestions For Expectant Moms
Finding out your skin care routine at any time can be overwhelming, but skin care during pregnancy? This brings with it a whole host of new concerns. During pregnancy, your skin can change in different ways and behave completely differently than when you are not pregnant. Read on for our recommendations and remember to always consult your doctor before using new skin care products or professional treatments during pregnancy.
The first trimester: supple, hydrated skin
With some expectant mothers, your skin bypasses the coveted pregnancy glow and becomes dry and irritated instead. Certified product support officer for cosmeticians and Eminence Organics Alicia Hawthorne Shares: "Hormone changes can cause the face to dry out and lose moisture and oil, which in turn can make the skin feel itchy, red, and irritated." To combat this, Alicia recommends a gentle oil-based cleanse with a product like our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil and a soothing facial oil like our Rosehip Triple C&E Firming Oil. For an easier application that helps to minimize transepidermal water loss (TEWL), our Lotus Detoxifying Overnight Treatment contains unique melting balls that release jojoba oil when applied and make the skin soft, smooth and moist.
The second and third trimesters: body care and aromatherapy
When your bundle of joy begins to show, the skin around the stomach area expands and often causes stretch marks. While not everyone develops these tiger-striped scars, it is American Academy of Dermatology points out: “Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also be at higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks. “In addition to their appearance, this stretching of the skin can feel incredibly itchy, tight, and uncomfortable all round.
Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also be at higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks.
One of the most effective ways to relieve stretch marks is to moisturize your skin. Make sure your skin is in its best shape by drinking plenty of water and using rich and moisturizing products for your abdominal area. A favorite Eminence Organics Our apricot body oil is a product to relieve the feeling on the skin. This award-winning product uses grape seed, jojoba, apricot seed extract and sea buckthorn oil to deeply nourish and moisturize the skin. Mix a few drops of the oil with our Coconut Firming Body Lotion for the ultimate moisturizing treatment. Not only does this minimize the appearance of stretch marks, this soothing combination moisturizes and keeps the skin elastic and soothes dry, itchy skin.
A persistent feeling of nausea and changes in mood and sleep patterns are just a few things you should "expect while you expect". Essential oils and herbs are a natural solution to address all of these problems and more. According to Fit Pregnancy, "In the second and third trimesters, some essential oils are safe to use because your baby is evolving." These oils include lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang, which can calm the mind, relax the body, and support sleep. As with any of our recommendations, please contact your doctor before trying aromatherapy at home during pregnancy. Since the symptoms and sensitivities of pregnancy vary from person to person, it is important to always play it safe.
In the second and third trimesters, some essential oils can be used safely as your baby is more developed.
The inclusion of these gentle fragrances in skin care is a simple and mild way to incorporate aromatherapy into normal life. Two fantastic options are ours Soothing chamomile Tonique and our lavender correcting night concentrate. A quick splash of the soothing chamomile Tonique will soothe and relieve stress. This product is gentle enough for pregnant and nursing mothers and soothes the senses and cares for the skin with soothing ingredients such as lavender, chamomile and aloe. Our Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate adds a wonderfully light dose of moisture with soothing lavender and shea butter to replenish the skin's appearance. 
During and after pregnancy: clear, smooth skin
Hormonal acne can be extremely frustrating because it fluctuates during pregnancy, as well as after childbirth and breastfeeding. During pregnancy the "pregnancy hormones" HCG and progesterone increase the number of oil glands on your face. While this leads to this beautiful "pregnancy glow", the excess oil can clog the pores and lead to an increase in hormonal breakouts. In addition, estrogen levels decrease and testosterone levels rise after childbirth, which can also lead to excessive pimples when the body tries to regulate itself.
I recommend treating these hormonal outbreaks with products that can help stabilize the excessive oil production that can occur during pregnancy.
Alicia says, "I recommend treating these hormonal outbreaks with products that can help stabilize the excessive oil production that can occur during pregnancy." With the inclusion of yucca extract that contains phytoestrogens, Alicia recommends ours Eight green collection. Not only are these products beneficial for improving the appearance of hormonal defects, but they also have anti-aging benefits as they help the skin feel firmer. 
A drop or two of ours Eight Greens Youth Serum on the face help absorb excess oil, improve the appearance of hormonal breakouts and make the skin feel young and smooth. Our Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer helps to balance and soothe red, dry skin. Last but not least, our Eight Greens Phyto Masque (not hot) is an amazing weekly treatment for pregnant and lactating mothers. Applying a thin layer of this gel mask to the entire face is a dream for dry, sensitive and problematic skin types. The skin looks light, clear and radiant, without the sharpness of our Eight Greens Phyto Masque (Hot). 
Any additional tips or tricks for skin care during pregnancy? First-hand experience that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below or share it with us on social media.
