If you’re on your pregnancy or postpartum journey – congratulations. With all the physical and hormonal changes going on during this time, it’s no surprise that your skin will also show some signs of change.
In this article I cover what to expect and offer nourishing products to support your skin to feel its best on this journey to become a mother and beyond.
Pregnancy is an incredibly special time, and a huge gift for a woman who is creating life and giving birth to a human. It can (and should!) be celebrated as one of life’s most significant times of change both physically and mentally.
These moments won’t just change your life but will also change what your body is required to do – you're growing a little human after all. During pregnancy, your body is adapting and adjusting, and it’s common for some of these changes to be reflected in the skin.
Strengthening the skin’s natural rhythms can be very helpful in supporting your skin’s ability to cope with all the changes.
During pregnancy, there are a number of physical changes that take place, including:
- Hormonal changes
- Sensitive skin/breakouts
- Dehydrated skin
- Tender nipples
- Skin stretching
How does our skin change during pregnancy?
When your body expands to nurture a baby, blood circulation and body temperature will naturally increase, and in turn, skin can become drier.
Products tailored for your face and body during pregnancy can offer fantastic support and care for the skin. So - what should you look out for?
- Choose natural, gentle ingredients
- Protect your skin with SPF
- Be sure to nourish your whole body - don’t stop at your neck!
- Finally, avoid harsh actives like retinol (which contain high levels of vitamin A)
Natural skincare during pregnancy
Weleda’s bespoke pregnancy range is certified natural by NATRUE and has been especially developed to safely support your skin and body during this precious time. Our mother-to-be products are full of ingredients derived from nature, and are free from synthetic fragrances, colours and preservatives.
You can be sure you’re making a kinder choice for your health, your family, and nature thanks to HealthPost’s Ethical by Nature Promise. Every Weleda product is thoroughly checked by HealthPost’s Naturopaths against their 5-step ETHICS check: Eco-friendly, Transparent, Holistic, Ingredient Integrity, Caring, and Sustainable.
Supporting skin elasticity
During pregnancy oestrogen levels increase, affecting skin thickness, blood flow, collagen and water content, all increasing your skin’s elasticity.
At the same time these hormonal changes also contribute to the skin’s connective tissue starting to loosen, particularly in the first trimester. The skin is stretching to give the baby plenty of room to grow. As pregnancy progresses, the skin’s elastic fibres can become overstretched or tear due to the increase in size - this is how stretch marks can appear.
How to prepare the skin for pregnancy?
As the body begins to respond as soon as conception occurs, Weleda encourages making time to prepare and strengthen the skin as early in pregnancy as possible. Regular relaxing oil massages of a growing area such as the belly, breasts, thighs and buttocks can support skin’s elasticity, flexibility, and moisture balance, meaning skin will stretch more easily and help prevent stretch marks from forming.
Oil massage for skin regeneration
Regular oil massages can also support skin regeneration and reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks. Self-massage is a lovely practice to continue after birth to support irritated, dry and flaky skin.
Massage: a mindful practice for you and baby too
While massaging our skin supports a number of benefits , it’s also an important opportunity to connect through a mindful selfcare practice.
Your skin is your primary sense organ, it creates a physical opportunity to connect with yourself and draw awareness to the changes happening inside your body. A pregnant body is growing and nurturing life, so taking a few mindful moments each day to feel proud and grateful for this gift can help in accepting all the changes it’s going through. For me, I remember entering my 20th week of pregnancy and reaching a space of acceptance and gratitude through self-massage and connection.
Get your pregnancy glow with these bestsellers
Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil
Pure and natural, Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil contains Sweet almond oil and organic Jojoba oil to restore moisture in your skin. The nourishing formula also contains vitamin E-rich wheat germ oil which supports the elasticity and tone of the skin, and arnica oil to support skin regeneration. With delicate floral scents of rose, neroli and myrrh, mums-to-be can feel confident, comfortable and calm. For best results, massage daily on slightly damp skin. Use gentle, circular movements over the belly, breasts, thighs and buttocks - and be open to responses from baby, once they begin to move.
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Replenishing tender nipples
Breastfeeding is a special time when a mother and baby are beginning a whole new relationship of nurture, trust and connection. Although it’s natural, breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally. It can be challenging, especially for first-time mums, but as time goes on it can become more comfortable. Plenty of patience, support and encouragement, and lots of practical advice about positioning, latching and attachment right from the start can be very beneficial. To help prepare a mum-to-be, Weleda created our bestselling Nipple Care Cream. This is applied during the last six to eight weeks of pregnancy to help tone the nipple in preparation for breastfeeding. Once the baby arrives, it can take around six to eight weeks for the delicate balance of milk supply-and-demand to be established. During this time, it’s normal for new mums to experience nipple tenderness and discomfort.
Weleda Nipple Care Cream
Weleda Nipple Care Cream is a natural, soothing moisturising cream that helps to prepare and tone nipples for breastfeeding. Once the breastfeeding journey begins, it provides soothing relief for sore and cracked nipples. Moisturising properties of Aloe vera, Marshmallow and natural plant oils soften and care for the nipple, while Horsetail and Nettle work to tone and condition the skin. And Calendula and Chamomile help to calm, soothe and support the healthy renewal of cracked skin.
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Nurturing nursing time
The breastfeeding journey brings so much – with each feed a new mum is giving her baby love, warmth and security. With this, close bonds are strengthened as a baby gets all the natural nutrition needed for healthy development. Looking after yourself by staying hydrated and eating well, and introducing food and drinks that are known to support milk supply, is encouraged.
And at a time when a mum is giving so much, taking a quiet moment to enjoy a cup of tea to herself can be so replenishing. A pleasant tasting, refreshing and hydrating drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold is perfect during these times.
Weleda Nursing Tea
Looking for a nourishing drink that supports your breastfeeding journey? Weleda Nursing Tea was created to support a harmonious nursing relationship for breastfeeding mums. Our caffeine-free herbal tea contains 100% certified organic plant ingredients. Blended with caraway and fenugreek which are known to support healthy milk supply. New mums on the go may be looking for digestion support, so fennel and aniseed support by calming the digestive system, which is passed on to baby through the milk, easing tummy comfort in little ones. Finally, we have Lemon Verbena which supports and calms the nervous system, relaxing new mums so breastfeeding is a bit easier.
Each unbleached teabag is packaged in individual sachets to prevent the loss of essential oils and is free from added sugar and flavourings.
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Supporting your face skincare during pregnancy
With all of the hormonal fluctuations taking place, these can also be reflected in the skin on your face. Dryness, breakouts, and sensitivity can all be experienced during pregnancy.
The increase in oestrogen can reduce the water content of the skin, leaving your face feeling dry and flaky. Weleda’s newest hydration range packed with Prickly Pear locks in moisture, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.
Over the term of pregnancy, redness and blemishes can occur. If you’re experiencing unwanted outbreaks, Weleda’s blemished skincare range supports calm and balanced skin.
Sensitive skin? Weleda’s sensitive skincare range is fragrance free and full of gentle ingredients. And all-time global family favourite, Skin Food is a wonderful all-rounder for dry, sensitive skin that leaves your skin glowing – especially when a lack of sleep leaves you feeling otherwise.
Your journey to becoming a parent is filled with emotion – joy, excitement, apprehension – the list goes on. Supporting you and your body during this precious time brings about beautiful benefits – both physical and mental, so leaning into gentle, natural support loved by families everywhere can help make this new life phase as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
If you’re looking for extra support to find the right product for your needs, feel free to connect with the HealthPost team.
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