Not only are pregnant women beautiful on the inside, they have a glow about their skin which is known as the motherhood glow. They have an innate beauty that is unmatched by any other types of artificial materialistic beauty services. However, it is extremely necessary to take care of your hair and skin at this stage, since looking good is often linked to how we feel about ourselves; since this period is a roller coaster of emotions, looking good may be your ticket to feeling better about yourself. If you are too lethargic to go through your beauty routines, it can be a good idea to ask for help from a family member.
Simple tips for beauty and personal care during pregnancy
Reading labels
If you are opting for cosmetic products, it is very important to see the labels of the products you are using. Look carefully at the list of ingredients on the container or the packaging can inform you of the ingredients in the products. Look for any type of nano materials, toxic materials, fragrances, parabens and sulfates. Ensure that no products have any toxins that may harm the skin. Ensure that the products are approved by a government agency. It can be a better idea to go for cosmetic products that are vegan and organic.
No spa, hair dyes or color treatments
It is not a good idea to go for any type of spa treatments while you are pregnant. Since most hair and body spa products are toxic and can be harmful to the baby and the mother. It is not advisable to use nail polish either, as it contains xylene, ketone, toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, methyl ethyl ketone etc. and can cause hormone disruption, cancer and damage to the nervous system.
All-natural products
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to make the switch to all-natural products as these will not have a lot of the effect those traditional cosmetics with the harmful chemicals that can harm the skin. There are plenty of vegan and cruelty free makeup which is organic and has no chemicals to harm the skin. Ensure that you choose products like creams, deodorants and toothpastes that are organic and are made from herbal ingredients.
Fragrance-free products
Do not go for skin care items with a strong scent. Most fragrances can contain harmful chemicals and phthalates, which can cause endocrine disruption. Ensure that the products you use are free from fragrances and use essential oils instead.
Sunscreen
While sunscreen lotions are often prescribed to stop the harmful UV rays of the sun, it is not something you want to use during your pregnancy. The active ingredients in most sunscreens include octocrylene, octinoxate, avobenzone etc., amongst which, a chemical called oxybenzone has been linked to lower birth weight in babies. They can also contain hormone disruptors which may cause reproductive and developmental disorders in the fetus. Ensure that you stay out of the sun at its highest points, wear cotton and full sleeved clothing and use sunscreens with titanium/zinc oxide.
Skin lighteners
You may notice some dark patches on the skin during your pregnancy; however, it is a must that you avoid skin lighteners at any cost. They contain hydroguione which can disrupt hormones and can cause organ toxicity. Use natural and herbal products like Vitamin C instead.
Stretch marks and other blemishes
With the stretching of the skin and the hormonal imbalance, these issues gain prominence. While there are a number of products on the market targeted towards treating skin blemishes and stretch marks, however, not all of them are safe. Use natural cures like pure cocoa butter to treat these issues.
Avoid popping pimples
Since this period is the time when there are a number of hormonal changes in the body, popping pimples can give rise to an increase in acne. A number of serious rashes like chloasma can also be common during pregnancy.
These are some of the best pregnancy personal care tips to ensure you have keep your hair and skin beautiful throughout the period of your pregnancy without having to worry about harming the baby with harsh chemicals. These can help you retain your pre-pregnancy beautiful skin and tackle any skin and beauty conditions that may arise during this period.
