Best Natural Skincare Products For Pregnant Women

Congratulations mama-to-be!

Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey that comes with numerous physical, psychological and emotional changes. From stretch marks and spots to sensitive skin, many women experience some form of change to their skin during pregnancy.

And while you focus on the health and well-being of your unborn child during this special time, it is equally essential to prioritise your self-care. This should include creating a safe, natural pregnancy skincare routine that ensures your well-being and that of your precious baby.

Women typically experience a lot of changes during pregnancy. During this period, your oestrogen levels increase leading to your skin’s increased elasticity. The connective tissue of your skin also stretches due to your weight gain. But these are not things to be worried about because we’re here to help you give your skin the care it needs while keeping your baby safe from harm.

Typical Pregnancy-Related Skincare Issues

• Stretch marks:

Due to hormonal changes in the first trimester, your skin’s connective tissue starts to loosen. This allows the skin to stretch to give your baby enough room to grow. For most women, the elastic fibres of the skin can become overstretched or tear due to weight gain which causes stretch marks, also named striae.

• Uneven skin tone:

You may experience uneven skin tone that presents as Melasma or Hyperpigmentation on your face. This may be triggered by hormonal changes which stimulate a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces. These typically disappear after you’ve had your baby.

• Spider veins:

You have a greater risk of developing spider veins during pregnancy. These are tiny broken blood vessels (capillaries) that are harmless and common, especially in the first and second trimesters. They are due to extra blood circulating in your body, which puts pressure on your blood vessels, and higher levels of the hormone oestrogen. You’re most likely to notice them in your face, throat, neck and arms but they will fade within a few months after giving birth, once your hormone levels have settled down.

• Acne:

Increased levels of hormones during pregnancy encourage the production of sebum, which keeps your skin supple. But when your body produces too much sebum, your pores can become blocked, resulting in greasy skin and spots. The glands that produce sebum, known as sebaceous glands, are usually most active in late pregnancy. Note that if you had acne before getting pregnant, it may calm down in the first trimester, but flare up again in the third trimester.

• Rosacea:

Rosacea is a common skin condition that can get worse during pregnancy. For people of colour with black and brown skin like us Africans, signs of rosacea include your face feeling warm all the time and a burning or stinging in your face. Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, some possible triggers include hot or cold weather, sunlight, stress, exercise and spicy food. If you’re experiencing rosacea, you are safer with using a product that’s recommended for you by a doctor.

Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy

There isn’t enough evidence-based data on the safety of specific products in pregnancy because it is not ethical to perform clinical tests on pregnant women. Despite this, results from tests on lab animals have shown some serious fetal effects related to a few common skincare ingredients like:

• Retinoids

Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good health of the skin, eyes, reproduction and immune systems. When ingested or absorbed through the skin, your body converts Vitamin A to retinol. Some birth defects have been linked to higher doses of retinol in pregnant women. As a result, all retinoids are advised against during pregnancy.

• Hydroquinone

This is a prescription product for lightening the skin or reducing skin pigmentation like melasma which can be brought on by pregnancy. There’s no clinical link between severe congenital defects and hydroquinone at this time. However, because the body can absorb a significant amount of hydroquinone compared with other ingredients, it’s advisable to limit your exposure to it during pregnancy.

Ingredients That Are Safe During Pregnancy

Many skincare ingredients pose no risks to pregnant women and are safe to use. These ingredients include:

• Cocoa butter.
• Aloe vera,
• Antioxidants, such as vitamin C or E,
• Shea butter, and
• Coconut oil.

Best Natural Skincare Routine For Pregnant Women

To minimise the appearance of your skin issues and improve the quality of your skin, here’s a general day- & night-time skincare routine to help you.

• Step 1: Gentle Cleanser 
• Step 2: Any recommended treatment products/serums
• Step 3: Moisturiser 
• Step 4: Sunscreen (day-time)

You can apply an eye cream (if you want), but make sure that your sunscreen is a broad-spectrum mineral-based sunscreen for your face and exposed skin. Also, for stretch mark prevention, apply moisturiser on your belly, hips, and thighs.

Best Natural Skincare Products For Pregnant Women

It’s not easy to give up your beloved skincare products from pre-pregnancy, but for the period of your pregnancy, it is advisable to use skincare products that are safe for you and your baby. You can use our list of pregnancy-safe skin care products to shine with confidence knowing you’re making healthier choices for your unborn child.

Natural Skincare Products For Cleansing Pregnant Skin

Your skin needs to be clean of dirt and pollutants that could clog your pores. Using a gentle cleansing product will give you a clean slate for introducing your other products without interfering with your skin’s pregnancy-induced sensitivity.

The best cleansing products for pregnant women should be gentle, include ingredients that promote moisture retention, and help the skin stay soft and hydrated. Some great natural cleansing products for pregnant women are:

• Kanda Ghee Soap:

This Ghee soap is handcrafted with highly nourishing and moisturising Ghee (also known as Man shanu in Northern Nigeria). It is rich in omega 3,6 and 9 and contains vitamins A, D, E and K which gives the skin a rich luxurious and healthy feel. This is an everyday soap that is safe for pregnant women and will reveal your skin’s natural glow.

• Kanda Shea Soap:

With a scent profile of sweet orange and grapefruit, the Shea soap is made with raw, unrefined, skin-loving, luxurious, and moisturizing Shea butter locally handmade and processed in Nigeria. It is made with a blend of luscious lather-boosting Palm Kernel Oil and is a favourite for everyday use to give your skin the healthy feel and glow it deserves.

Natural Skincare Products For Moisturising Pregnant Skin

The best way to maintain healthy skin during pregnancy is to stay hydrated and moisturised. Moisturising helps to lock much-needed moisture in your skin to help you combat the dryness and itchiness of your now-sensitive skin. The ideal moisturiser for pregnant women should promote proper skin hydration and help balance your skin’s microbiome. This will help you to reduce or eliminate acne breakouts and inflammation.

To achieve this, your moisturiser should contain rich, fortifying ingredients that deeply penetrate the skin barrier. We recommend using moisturising balms because they include natural ingredients that penetrate the skin and treat a range of skin issues from within. A great natural moisturising product for pregnant women is:

• Kanda Shea Body Balm:

The Shea Body Balm is made with mild, nutty, and woody-scented shea butter. It has a scent profile of peppermint and sweet orange and is full of anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is smooth enough to be used as a moisturiser and a massage product as it locks in hydration and keeps the skin soft, supple, and moisturised.

Sunscreen For Protecting Teenage Skin

As a result of the increased sensitivity of your skin, you must round up your skincare routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30+. Religiously apply it on your face and uncovered areas of your body daily and reapply it as often as possible when you’re outdoors in the sun.

Other Skincare Tips For Pregnant Women

Other skincare tips that can help you to protect your skin during pregnancy include:

• Maintaining a healthy, nutrient-dense diet.
• Avoid over-cleansing as this may dry your skin. Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap like those recommended above, or use a fragrance-free cleanser for taking off make-up.
• Choose water-based, rather than oil-based products, that won’t block your pores. Look for products that are labelled noncomedogenic or pH-balanced.
• Incorporating regular massages with natural oils can help prevent stretch marks. Abdominal massages in particular are a way to make an early connection with your baby.
• Keep the hair off the face, as hair care products can clog pores.
• Don’t pick or squeeze your spots. This will protect your skin from scarring and harmful bacteria.
• Don’t use acne creams or treatments unless your doctor advises you to. Some acne treatments aren’t suitable for pregnancy, because they could harm your unborn baby.

All Kanda products work together to balance your skin’s pH and give you a naturally gorgeous complexion and skin texture. As highlighted above, some safe ingredients for use during pregnancy include aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and antioxidants, such as vitamin E or C. All products listed in this article contain these ingredients and are safe. So, you should not need to significantly alter your skincare routine during pregnancy. If you have any skincare concerns, talk with your OB-GYN or dermatologist for guidance on treating them.