Pregnancy And Skin Problems: How to Adapt Your Skin Care Routine?

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes, both on the body and in everyday life. Facial skin is no exception: it can also change due to the intensification in the level of certain hormones, thus disturbing its balance. These hormonal fluctuations can cause certain skin problems such as pigmentation disorders (dark spots or Melasma), acne, the appearance of redness, dryness or an increase in dehydrated skin, etc. It can also be more sensitive and reactive, and therefore irritate more easily. Conversely, some women see the skin on their faces beautify under the effect of hormones and their skin concerns go away during pregnancy. Each woman's skin therefore reacts differently to these hormonal changes.

In either case, it’s important to take care of yourself and your skin. Before writing this article, several sources of information were consulted in order to offer you solutions to prevent or treat these possible minor discomforts that can occur during pregnancy. We will therefore present the most common skin problems that can be associated with significant hormonal fluctuation, which we accompany with our recommendations to adapt your skin care routine if necessary.

Skin problems during pregnancy and recommendations

Pigmentation disorders: brown spots and pregnancy mask

Pigmentation disorders are in the form of brown spots or pigment 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 gather in the center of the face as well as in the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, temples and cheekbones, giving the illusion of a mask. The sun and its radiation can promote the development of these irregularities and worsen the hyperpigmentation of the skin. Since the pregnancy mask and age spots can be difficult to treat, prevention remains the best solution. Protection with a mineral sunscreen with a high protection index and a broad spectrum, suitable for pregnant women and suitable for sensitive skin, is indicated to minimize the appearance. The application of 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, which is found in Central America. Rich in vitamins and antioxidant molecules, it enhances the radiance of the skin and reduces the appearance of dark spots caused by the sun or aging skin.

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

Dehydrated skin

During pregnancy, there is an increase in blood flow in the expectant mother, and therefore a higher body temperature. This phenomenon leads to increased sweating, causing a greater loss of water in the skin, especially that of the face. In case of skin dehydration, the Omy custom serum could be a great addition to your skincare routine, as it has a high content of hyaluronic acid (present in the form of sodium hyaluronate). Indeed, this ingredient helps to capture and retain water in the skin. If you are already using it and your skin is still showing signs of dehydration, adding the following active ingredient to your formula may help:

-The active ingredient Hy is a polysaccharide obtained by the fermentation of marine bacteria from French Polynesia. This molecule has a strong hydrating power and takes care of capturing and redistributing 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 level of hormones favorable to the vascular development of the unborn child causes activation of vascular cells. Thus, on facial skin, this phenomenon is manifested by the appearance of redness caused by the dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels, (vasodilation). With a high content of vitamin B3 (5%), the tailor-made Omy serum would be ideal for easing redness. Otherwise, adding these active ingredients to your custom skincare could help alleviate them:

-The active ingredient Ro is extracted from date seeds, 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 from the fruits and leaves of Tasmanian pepper, a shrub found in southern Australia. Containing an anti-inflammatory agent, it takes care to reduce the appearance of redness and boosts the active ingredient Ro.

Dry skin

Pregnant women often experience greater dryness in the facial skin; this manifests as physiological itching or irritation. In case of dry skin, it is recommended to cleanse the face with a soft, soap-free and non-drying product, to avoid damaging the hydrolipidic film on the surface. Cleaning with Delicate Omy mineral micellar water would be ideal. The use of 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 gain in comfort. If your tailor-made night cream is currently formulated with texture 1, opt for 2 instead, and if it has a texture 2, choose 3. You can also add this active ingredient to your tailor-made treatments:

-The active ingredient In uses its anti-inflammatory power here to instantly relieve itching and irritation, thus relieving 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 at its onset. The sebaceous glands tend to be more active during this period and therefore make the skin more oily and prone to imperfections. It is also possible to observe the appearance or aggravation of acne of an inflammatory type. If this is your case, it is important to adopt good facial cleansing practices based on your skin type in order to limit the presence of impurities, and therefore the clogging of pores. It would also be a good idea to use a day cream with a lighter, non-greasy texture. Omy custom day cream formulated with texture 1 would be ideal. The low percentage of salicylic acid it contains will help fight blemishes without drying out the skin. The combination of active ingredients in your personalized products can also be adapted:

The active ingredient Ac is an extract from the flowers, leaves and stems of the great willowherb, 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 the lemon myrtle, a tree native to the forests of eastern Australia. This active ingredient has a sebum-regulating action, controlling the production of sebum, in addition to matifying the skin. It also helps decrease the appearance of pores and blackheads.

If you suffer from inflammatory acne, adding this ingredient to your formula is specially advised.

We hope that these few recommendations will allow you to live your pregnancy more serenely, in case you are afflicted by one or the other of these skin problems. If you have specific concerns or would like advice, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to guide you in adapting your tailor-made skincare routine during this special time!