Pregnancy and skin problems: how to adapt your skincare routine

Pregnancy brings its share of changes, both to the body and to everyday life. Facial skin is no exception: it can also change due to increased levels of certain hormones , thus disrupting its balance. These hormonal fluctuations can cause certain skin problems such as pigmentation disorders (brown spots or pregnancy mask), acne, the appearance of redness, dryness or skin that is more dehydrated than usual, etc. It may also be more sensitive and reactive , and therefore become irritated more easily. On the other hand, some women see the skin on their face become more beautiful under the influence of hormones and their skin concerns disappear during pregnancy . Each woman's skin therefore reacts differently to these hormonal upheavals.

In either case, it is important to take care of yourself and the skin on your face. Before writing this article, several sources of information were consulted in order to offer you solutions to prevent or treat these small inconveniences that can occur during pregnancy. We will therefore present to you the most common skin problems that may be associated with significant hormonal fluctuation, which we accompany with our recommendations for adapting your skin care routine as needed.

Photo credit: Anne-Marie Turcotte

Skin issues during pregnancy and recommendations

Pigmentation disorders: brown spots and pregnancy mask

Pigmentation disorders appear in the form of brown spots or age spots, which are called “melasma” or “chloasma”. During pregnancy , there is an increase in the production of melanin , the substance responsible for coloring the skin. This increase can lead to the appearance of spots, which sometimes cluster in the center of the face as well as on the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, temples and cheekbones , giving the illusion of a mask. The sun and its radiation can encourage the development of these irregularities and worsen hyperpigmentation of the skin. Since pregnancy mask and pigment spots can be difficult to treat, prevention remains the best solution. Protection using a mineral sunscreen with a high protection factor and broad spectrum, suitable for pregnant women and suitable for sensitive skin, is ideal for minimizing its appearance. Applying CyberDERM Simply Zinc Ultra SPF 50 sunscreen, offered by Omy Laboratoires, as well as wearing a hat would therefore be essential during pregnancy and after childbirth. In the event that brown spots have appeared, these active ingredients could be added to your personalized care formula:

• The active ingredient Ta is extracted from pitaya, known as dragon fruit, found in Central America. Rich in vitamins and antioxidant molecules, it enhances the radiance of the skin and reduces the appearance of brown spots caused by the sun or skin aging.

• The active ingredient Ox is an extract of the Kakadu plum, a fruit native to Australia. Very rich in antioxidants, it helps improve the uniformity of the complexion and restores radiance. Along with the active ingredient Ta, it will help lighten pigment spots and reduce uneven skin tone.

Dehydrated skin

During pregnancy , we observe in the mother-to-be an increase in blood flow , and therefore a higher body temperature. This phenomenon leads to increased perspiration, thus causing greater water loss from the skin, particularly that of the face. In case of skin dehydration, Omy tailor-made serum could be a nice addition to your skincare routine, as it has a high content of hyaluronic acid (present in the form of sodium hyaluronate ). In fact, this ingredient helps capture and retain water in the skin. If you're already using it and your skin still shows signs of dehydration, adding the following active ingredient to your formula might help:

• The active ingredient Hy is a polysaccharide obtained by the fermentation of marine bacteria from French Polynesia. This molecule has strong hydrating power and ensures that it captures and redistributes water to the skin. In order to maintain an optimal skin barrier, this active ingredient also contributes to the synthesis of lipids.

Appearance of redness

During pregnancy, the increase in the blood level of hormones favorable to the vascular development of the unborn child causes activation of vascular cells. On the skin of the face, this phenomenon manifests itself by the appearance of redness caused by the dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels, called “vasodilation”. With a high content of vitamin B ₃ (5%), Omy's tailor-made serum would be ideal for soothing this redness. Otherwise, adding these active ingredients to your tailored treatments could help alleviate them:

• The active ingredient Ro is extracted from the seeds of the date palm, the fruit of which grows on a palm tree in the heart of the Sahara desert. The active molecules it contains stimulate blood microcirculation and help reduce vasodilation, thus helping to minimize the appearance of redness and its extent.

• The active ingredient In is an extract of fruits and leaves of Tasmanian pepper, a shrub found in the south of Australia. Containing an anti-inflammatory agent, it helps to reduce the appearance of redness and is a good ally of the active ingredient Ro.

Dry skin

Pregnant women often experience greater dryness in their facial skin; this manifests itself as physiological itching or irritation. In case of dry skin, it is advisable to clean your face using a gentle, soap-free and non-drying product, to avoid damaging the hydrolipidic film on the surface. Cleansing with Délicate Omy mineral micellar water would be ideal. Using a night cream with a richer texture than usual is also recommended. By increasing the oil content of the facial skin, it will be soothed and more comfortable. If your tailor-made night cream is currently formulated with texture 1, opt for 2, and if it has texture 2, choose 3. To your tailor-made care, it is also possible to add this active ingredient to help soothe dry facial skin:

• The active ingredient In here uses its anti-inflammatory power to instantly relieve itching and irritation, thus calming the symptoms associated with very dry skin.

Skin more prone to acne and blemishes

The hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy can cause an acne breakout in its early stages . The sebaceous glands tend to be more active during this time and therefore make the skin more oily and prone to blemishes. It is also possible to observe the appearance or worsening of inflammatory type acne . If this is your case, it is important to adopt good facial cleansing practices according to your skin type in order to limit the presence of impurities, and therefore the clogging of pores. It would also be wise to use a day cream with a lighter, non-greasy texture. The Omy tailor-made day cream formulated with texture 1 would be ideal. The low percentage of salicylic acid it contains will help fight against imperfections without drying out the skin. The combination of active ingredients contained in your personalized products can also be adapted:

• The active Ac is an extract of flowers, leaves and stems of the willow herb, a plant growing in the prairies of northern Canada. Rich in molecules with antibacterial action, it limits the proliferation of the bacteria that causes acne, responsible for pimples, blackheads and excess sebum.

• The active ingredient Se is an extract from the leaves of lemon myrtle, a tree native to the forests of eastern Australia. This active ingredient has a sebum-regulating action, meaning it controls sebum production, in addition to mattifying the skin. It also helps diminish the appearance of pores and blackheads.

• If you suffer from inflammatory type acne, to calm the inflammation, the addition of the active ingredient In which was mentioned previously would also be desirable.

We hope that these few recommendations will allow you to experience your pregnancy more peacefully, in the event that you are affected by one or other of these skin problems. If you have any specific concerns or would like advice, please do not hesitate to contact us . We will be happy to guide you in adapting your tailor-made care routine!