By Anastasia Baklushina
No doubt, the time awaiting your baby’s arrival is one of the most special periods in every mother’s life. But it may also require an additional bit of self-care as your body is tirelessly carrying a second life (or, perhaps, even a couple of lives). Although looking after both inside and out are equally important, today we’re focusing on some skin and hair routines using some carefully chosen organic products.
There are so many ways in which the body might behave differently throughout pregnancy due to hormone fluctuations. Meaning that, to a certain extent, it’s not unusual to have breakouts or for your hair to change slightly. The first step to overcoming any of these changes is knowing what works best for you. The second? Being gentle on yourself and treating your body with TLC and respect.
1. Say “no” to stretch marks
As an embryo develops into a foetus, they start occupying a increasing amount of space. Although our skin has an incredible capacity to expand, this growth is still taxing on your body and it might feel itchy or uncomfortable. It’s also really important to protect your future self from any stretch marks that might appear post-birth. The best way of doing this is by frequent moisturising, which is where body butters, oils and creams come to the rescue.
Estelle & Thild BioCare Baby Pregnancy Body Oil
Consciousness: Vegan, organic, certified cruelty-free.
Best For: Improving skin elasticity.
Cowshed Mother Stretch Mark Balm
Consciousness: Certified organic ingredients, vegetarian.
Best For: Preventing stretch marks.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks
Consciousness: Natural, paraben-free.
Best For: Night-treatment for stretch marks.
2. Taking care of breasts and nipples
Another common experience is that, while breasts may become more tender, the nipples can feel dry. Often this leads to sore and cracked nipples which you need to take good care of.
Mama Mio Keep Calm Nipple Balm
Consciousness: Vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably sourced and recyclable packaging.
Best For: Comforting dry and sensitive nipples.
Weleda Nipple Balm
Consciousness: Certified natural.
Best For: Replenishing cracked nipples.
3. Importance of facial skincare
Skin mirrors our internal processes, so it comes as no surprise that pregnancy is often accompanied by rashes. During the three trimesters you are limited in which treatments are safe for mother and baby, so the best option would be to seek a doctor’s advice. Nevertheless, the application of lotions and creams designed for acne-prone skin are always a great choice. Besides, cleansing with a soft gel can also help soothe the skin and minimise the appearance of pimples.
De Mamiel Pregnancy Facial Oil
Consciousness: All-natural, glass packaging.
Best For: Using after the first-trimester for skin healing and nourishing.
Fresh, Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash
Consciousness: All-natural ingredients.
Best For: Removing impurities and purifying the skin.
4. Leg relief
Compared to all other body parts, your legs experience your pregnancy to the fullest. The additional few kilos you’re carrying put pressure on your lower body which may lead to swelling or varicose veins. In this case, you might need something with a refreshing and cooling effect to revitalise yourself at the end of the day.
Mama Mio Lucky Legs
Consciousness: Vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably sourced and recyclable packaging.
Best For: Cooling tired and heavy legs, feet and ankles.
Little Butterfly London Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel
Consciousness: Certified organic, vegetarian, cruelty-, paraben- and silicone-free.
Best For: Relieving swollen legs during the first trimester.
5. A hair retreat
It is also not uncommon to notice slight differences in your hair. It may be a blessing and you find yourself with a luxurious and voluminous mane, but you might also experience some hair loss or thinning.
Australian Bodycare Hair Loss Wash
Consciousness: Certified organic, vegan.
Best For: Strengthening thin hair and preventing further loss.
Foltène Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Consciousness: Paraben- and silicone-free.
Best For: Revitalising stressed hair.
Weleda Wheat Balancing Shampoo
Consciousness: All-natural.
Best For: Sensitive scalps.
6. Remembering UV protection
Staying protected from UV-rays is crucial in daily life and even more so during pregnancy. The skin becomes more receptive to the bright sun and can be prone to hyperpigmentation. While in the first trimester it is recommended to avoid direct contact with the sun’s rays wherever possible, staying protected during the other two is still ‘a must.’
This is where mineral sunscreens take centre stage. Not containing dangerous chemicals, their ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide don’t penetrate the deep layers of the skin. Plus, in our recent article we noted that mineral sunscreens save our ocean as well, so make sure to read for our tips to cultivating a healthy relationship with the sun.
It’s the little moments of care and gratitude that we can show our bodies during pregnancy that make the period smoother and more pleasurable.
Nevertheless, we still strongly advise that in any of the above cases you consult a professional dermatologist. It’s always better to carefully select the products based on your individual features, especially during such a significant period of your life.
Anastasia Baklushina
Anastasia has always followed her passion to write about things that matter and inspire for change. Apart from finishing her BA in Liberal Arts, you can find her traveling, learning new languages or enjoying sunsets.
