Many of you started the switch to natural cosmetics when pregnant! During this magical period women tend to question many of their habits – coffee, diet, cosmetics… and then choose more natural alternatives. It is a win-win for the health of mums-to-be & babies too!

So… you started the research into ingredients in cosmetics and then realised that many of them, although natural, can’t be used by pregnant women! This can easily cause a headache, and this is the last thing you need when growing a little human inside you.

That is why I summarised key information you need to know about skincare during pregnancy.

• What ingredients to avoid and what will be beneficial for mums-to-be?

• What skincare routine should you adopt when pregnant?

• What is the best natural remedy for stretchmarks?

Let’s start!

(it's me - pregnant with my son Leo in 2019)

Ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

Choosing natural and organic cosmetics when pregnant is a great decision not only for you, but also for your baby! Did you know that substances which enter into your bloodstream will eventually be absorbed by your baby? This unfortunately includes the endocrine disruptors and toxic preservatives present in so many drugstore cosmetics …

By choosing certified organic cosmetics you can be sure that there are no such ingredients in your products! But are all organic beauty products safe to use during pregnancy?

Some ingredients present in natural & organic cosmetics are not recommended for pregnant women. They include undiluted essential oils (more about it in our post dedicated to essential oils), retinol and salicylic acid.

So… what ingredients to look out for when shopping for pregnancy skincare products?

Shea butter, coconut oil, rosehip oil, lavender hydrosol & zinc oxide (mineral UV filter) are pregnant women’s skin best friends!

The first three work great to prevent the formation of stretch marks. Use them straight after the shower and massage the entire body. 

My tip: To prevent stretchmarks use an exfoliating glove under the shower. It exfoliates the skin, promotes blood flow & prepares the skin for the absorbtion of moisturisers. 

Rosehip oil can be also applied to the face. It’s non-comedogenic so won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it helps stimulate metabolic changes in the skin and helps to prevent pigmentation spots (soo often occurring during pregnancy).

Finally, also to prevent pigmentation, mineral UV filters are so much gentler and healthier to use when pregnant! They work by blocking UV radiation, rather than absorbing it. Pregnant woman are much more prone to skin damage caused by the sun so SPF is an absolute must!

Here are my personal favourite products I used during my pregnancy.