Skin Care for Before, During & After Pregnancy
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free skin care · Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:39 pm

I know we have to be cautious when using certain skin care and there are a lot of do's and don't.

I started taking prenatal vitamins and stopped using tretinon in the hopes of having a baby but this just broke my chin out. I called my doctor to see what would be safe to use to control the acne. He really wasn't any help.

I was wondering if you ladies can share some skin care products that you used when pregnant. Also if you also experienced the terrible acne and what can be done to control it.

free skin care · Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:05 pm

I am also really interested if anyone has experience with this and what they have used. I stopped BC about 7 months ago and I am still dealing with hormonal breakouts on my jaw line and general oily skin. I've started reading some of the other posts on controlling hormonal acne but I am taking lots of vit B too, so not sure what the answer is.

Any help would be great!

free skin care · Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:31 pm

Normally I stay away from parabens, harsh chemicals, and lean towards more organic and natural skin care. I recently came across this website that sells some nice products: http://www.maternitique.com/shop/1/beauty.html. I only wish they'd introduce a mature product line for women, as in "super wrinkle fighters" that are safe & such.

free skin care · Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:54 pm

When I had my children I knew nothing of skincare or options - I was probably using warm water and whatever soap was in the dish (horrors!). We all survived. Older is wiser in my case.

free skin care · Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:15 am

During Pregnancy, I had not use any skin product. Only use water. I don't want any
skin care because it may has chemical.

free skin care · Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:09 pm

So I was doing some research and I couldn't find too many products that are safe during pregnancy. Although I hear it is okay to use witch hazel as a toner because dr will say it's okay to use tucks(contains witch hazel) for your hemorrhoids.

Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:17 pm

Hiya! I am 38 weeks pregnant and had been dealing with acne breakouts for a good year before I had gotten pregnant up until about my sixth month of pregnancy.

Before I was pregnant I had been using the Murad acne line - kind of worked on the active lesions, but definitely fatigued the healthy facial skin. Got pregnant, and this whole line (and anything mainstream geared towards acne became a no go: full of salicylic acid, vitamin a/retinol derivatives, etc.)

It took me 38 weeks to figure it out, but I have really simplified my skincare routine and have found that washing my face with natural clays in the morning (take a tsp, add water or aloe and lightly "scrub" skin with it) has helped keep pores clean. I then moisturize with a tiny amount of Sweet almond oil blended with one drop lavender EO, and helichrysum EO (both shown to be pg ok - according to my esthy) and I further dilute that blend in a tsp of aloe juice (great for wound healing)in order to get better "spreadability." The EO's help fight bacteria, and I found the light oil/aloe blend moisturizes enough.

No sunscreen yet (definitely a con, but haven't found anything that doesn't trigger more acne...)

And I've switched to a simple powder mineral makeup. This has been one of the best moves for my congestion prone skin, and it has really cut down on the amount of active acne popping up at the end of the day.
Also, the less chemical ingredients, the better for my little one...

At night, I remove my makeup with a gel cleanser (fan of 302 acne cleanser - gel-like, emulsifies everything and is acid free/organic)and then rinse off the cleanser/makeup lightly wiping with a microfiber cloth I got at the dollar store. If I'm still feeling impacted, I steam and apply a layer of clay and let it dry 50% - 80% (I have sensitive skin, so any more tends to cause flaking, ugh. If it's not one thing its something else, eh?)
And finally I moisturize with a few drops Seabuckthorn berry oil (great for acne, stains skin orange so night appropriate only) blended with the helichrysum, lavender EO's hand emulsified in more aloe juice.

This routine has worked for me, and has helped calm and balance my skin. Active lesions heal faster, and my pores do not become impacted as quickly. However, it did take time to see improvement(about 3-4 months, with lots of tweaking to get to this point), and I do feel for certain that much improvement began after my switch from traditional foundation and powder formulations to a simple mineral powder (silicone and bismuth free). I feel that the natural essential oil/aloe penetrate better, the clays to exfoliate/detox better, and my facial skin can 'breathe' better...all (I feel) allowing the skin to naturally detox the infections and come to a more balanced state.

I plan to continue on with this routine, but to add SA peels every two weeks post pregnancy to really clean out the small comedones. I also have been itching to use my new gadgets, but will wait until I've completed weaning. Simplifying skincare formulas has been key for me(no more chemicals, silicones, preservatives, fillers, whathaveyou!) Smile

Good luck! And I wish I had simplified everthing sooner, maybe I could have enjoyed that mama glow a bit longer Wink

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:47 pm

Heres an interesting article from cosmetics cop newsletter.

Pregnancy & Skin Care
Find Out What's Safe to Use and What to Avoid

Pregnancy is an exciting time for women, but it comes with many health-related challenges, for both the baby and the mom-to-be. Concerns include everything from what to eat and what not to eat, what medicines you can take or not, and what to do or not to do about the many changes your body is going through. Pregnant women also wonder about which skin-care products are okay to use and which ones are not—that's where we can help!

Because some ingredients—both from prescription drugs and from some skin-care products—are absorbed into the body when applied to skin, you need to know what's safe for use during pregnancy and what to avoid. The Paula's Choice Research Team turned to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers of Seattle's Madison Skin & Laser Center for answers. Being a new mom herself, Dr. Rogers is in a unique position to offer advice based on science and on her and personal keen understanding of the skin-care concerns many pregnant women have.

Although it is always important for you to check with your own physician, Dr. Rogers points out that, as a general rule, "regular" skin-care products such as cleansers, toners, moisturizers, eye creams, scrubs, and lip balms that do not contain "active" or prescription ingredients are fine for use throughout your pregnancy. However, prescription and many over-the-counter skin-care drugs are a different issue. Here is what you need to know….

Using Topical Prescription Drugs During Pregnancy
The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all prescription drugs be classified according to their risk if you are pregnant, into one of five lettered categories: A, B, C, D, or X, as follows:

• A = Controlled Studies Show No Risk. Studies in pregnant women show the medication causes no increased risk to the baby during pregnancy.

• B = No Evidence of Risk in Humans. Studies in pregnant women have not shown increased risk of fetal abnormalities. In the absence of human studies, animal studies show no increased fetal risk.

• C = Risk Cannot Be Ruled Out. Human or animal studies are unavailable. There is a chance of harm to the baby if Category C drugs are used during pregnancy, but in certain cases the potential benefits may outweigh the risk. The anti-aging prescription drug tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A) falls into this category, as do anti-acne drugs benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You should discurss the level of risk with your physician.

• D = Positive Evidence of Risk. Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the baby. However, the benefits may outweigh the risks if the mother's life is in danger. Examples include the antibiotics tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.

• X = Contraindicated in Pregnancy. Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. The use of the product is not recommended in women who are or may become pregnant. The best skin-care example of a Category X drug is isotretinoin (formerly Accutane).

You should avoid any prescription medicine in Category D or X during pregnancy unless the mother's life is at risk and the physician and the mother decide otherwise.

Using Over-the-Counter Topical Drugs During Pregnancy
We're often asked about whether or not over-the-counter drugs such as benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone, sunscreen actives, and salicylic acid are safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing. It appears that many pregnant women's physicians don't have a ready answer, leaving the mothers-to-be frustrated and confused. Dr. Rogers explained that lots of physicians don't know what to say because "there are very few studies evaluating the safety during pregnancy of the active ingredients in many skin-care products. This makes it difficult for physicians to say with certainty that a specific ingredient is completely safe to use regularly throughout pregnancy."

Rogers also commented that "Because pregnancy is a very important and very temporary state, it is easy for physicians to simply recommend avoidance, but that can lead to a LONG nine months for mom!" Here's what Dr. Rogers told us about common active skin-care ingredients during pregnancy:

• Hydroquinone is in Category C, which means that risk cannot be ruled out. It is probably best to wait until your third trimester (months 7–9 of pregnancy) before using skin-lightening products that contain hydroquinone. Even then, it is advised to not use products with hydroquinone every day; rather, use them only 2–3 times per week.
• Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid (BHA) are in Category C, so risk cannot be ruled out. Because these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin, their use during pregnancy and while nursing is likely best avoided.
• Sunscreen actives are not categorized based on the rating system described above, but many pregnant women wonder about them. Following is Dr. Rogers' advice about sunscreen actives:

"To date, the majority of research on the safety of sunscreen ingredients is studies where animals were exposed to systemically high doses (fed massive quantities) of the ingredient in question. This makes it difficult to apply any findings from this research to the typical woman's use of sunscreens. Yet, to err on the side of caution, during pregnancy I encourage patients to first cover up by using long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses. For the face, I recommend the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a preference for the physical blockers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide."

Within the Paula's Choice line, you may want to consider Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15, RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer with SPF 25, or Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15. All of these contain the mineral active ingredients Dr. Rogers recommends. You can find options from other brands on Beautypedia. Be sure to apply the sunscreen liberally to ensure you're getting the amount of protection stated on the label. You can also layer SPF-rated products for increased protection.

Skin-Care Concerns During Pregnancy
Based on the restrictions above, you may be wondering how you're going to manage your skin-care concerns while you're pregnant. Don't worry; there are workarounds you can use to take great care of your skin while having peace of mind that your baby is safe. Here's what you can do, depending on your concern...
Skin discolorations (hyperpigmentation) during pregnancy:

• Apply a physical ("mineral") sunscreen whose active ingredients are titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, and make sure it is rated SPF 15 or greater. Note that many foundations and pressed powders with sunscreen contain these gentle active ingredients. You must apply sunscreen daily, rain or shine, and apply it liberally!
• Use an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliant daily or consider a series of AHA peels from your dermatologist.
• Consider using a product with hydroquinone during your third trimester (make sure to get your physician's OK), but only a few times per week.
• Talk to your physician about a prescription azelaic acid product (such as Azelex). This drug is considered safe for use during pregnancy and can be effective for treating hyperpigmentation.

Acne during pregnancy:

• Because your doctor may advise against using salicylic acid, consider exfoliating with an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) product and/or having a series of AHA peels.
• Instead of benzoyl peroxide, ask your physician for a prescription topical antibiotic, such as erythromycin or clindamycin, both of which are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• Azelaic acid (brand name Azelex) is another prescription option for acne that is considered safe for use during pregnancy.

Rosacea during pregnancy:

• Metronidazole (the active ingredient in MetroCream and Lotion) is considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• Azelaic acid can help with acne and discolorations, but some find it effective for controlling symptoms of rosacea as well. It is safe for use during pregnancy.
• A gentle mineral sunscreen with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide is advised for those with rosacea, whether they're pregnant or not. For extra protection, use a foundation or tinted moisturizer with a mineral-based sunscreen, too.

Anti-aging/wrinkles during pregnancy:

• Avoid prescription retinoids (e.g., Renova, Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, and generic tretinoin) and over-the-counter products with retinol.
• There is no documented concern about common "cosmeceutical" ingredients, such as vitamin C, niacinamide, or peptides, being used during pregnancy.
• In-office treatments, such as a series of AHA peels and microdermabrasion, are generally fine during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor the safety of intense pulsed light or laser treatments during pregnancy.
• Ongoing use of skin-care products loaded with antioxidants and skin-repairing ingredients is highly recommended, but again, be sure to check with your physician and follow his or her advice.

Although the information above is not exhaustive, it should give you a clear idea of what's OK to use during pregnancy and what should be avoided. Most important, you can achieve your skin-care goals during pregnancy, and that's sure to put your mind at ease! As a friendly reminder, it is always a good idea to consult your physician about the use of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you're considering while pregnant or nursing.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/pregnancy-and-skin-care-which-products-are-safe.aspx

free skin care · Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:04 am

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114665/?tool=pmcentrez

Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:29 pm

Here is another article you might like:

Daily Question: Which Skin Care Ingredients and Supplements Should Pregnant Women Avoid?
http://www.futurederm.com/2011/08/16/daily-question-which-skin-care-ingredients-and-supplements-should-pregnant-women-avoid/

Smile

Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:12 am

During pregnancy there can be dark circle on the face. For this one should have to take proper nutritious diet, drink plenty of water and use the good quality cream which helps to reduce the dark circle and included natural ingredients in it so there will not be any side effect.

free skin care · Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:06 am

use natural skincare,,no retin a ,,no aha..use gental things is better

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