Realising you’re growing a tiny human inside your body is incredible, but it comes with a few extra precautions you might not have thought about, like saying au revoir to wine, soft cheese and sushi for a few months. This also includes skincare, with a few ingredients you should be cautious around, and a surge in hormones meaning you may need to switch up your routine entirely as your skin changes and adjusts. The pregnancy “glow” doesn’t always come naturally!

We’ve put together a list of what to expect from your skin when you’re expecting, including the products and treatments you should skip, and the new ones you might want to add in, to keep your skin feeling healthy, safe and radiant for this special and unique time in your life.

1. Sun protection is even more essential

You might already know that pigmentation can form (or worsen) with pregnancy due to an increase in hormones, with new dark spots, melasma patches or freckles forming on the skin. The key here is to use a safe, natural and zinc-based SPF sunscreen every day without fail. Invisible UVA rays can damage our skin even on cloudy days and with cooler weather, as well as through your car or office windows.

Some chemical sunscreens (which work by creating a chemical reaction in the skin to absorb UV rays) haven’t been tested for safety during pregnancy, so many women opt for mineral ones (which physically protect the skin like a shield). We love the Suntegrity Suncare and Skincare RX Sunfix ranges. The Suntegrity range is a safe mineral sun care line designed to nourish the skin while protecting from both UVA and UVB rays with SPF30 from at least 20% natural zinc oxide.

2. Put the retinol and salicylic acid on pause

Vitamin A in most of its skincare forms (including Retin-A, retinol and retinyl palmitate) is best avoided during your pregnancy. Usually, we love retinol for its ability to quicken our cell renewal and prevent skin collagen from breaking down, making it the dream anti-ageing ingredient, but studies have shown use of retinoids during pregnancy can potentially be harmful in potent forms.

Although these studies have been more for the strong medicine-based, oral forms (such as Roaccutane), it’s best to play it safe and skip your retinol serums until after baby is born. Salicylic Acid is another one to avoid, again due to studies of its oral form which, like aspirin, can increase the risk of bleeding. While it’s unlikely a topical form on your skin (a common ingredient in acne serums and facial peels) would pose risks, there are no studies that confirm this, so it’s best to put it on hold for the duration of your pregnancy.

3. You’ll likely need extra hydration

You might already notice an increase in thirst while pregnant, thanks again to hormonal changes, an increase in blood volume and the loss of fluids in our body. While drinking plenty of water is a given, you can give your skin extra hydration with a quality Hyaluronic Acid serum. We love our Nimue and Skincare RX Hyaluronic serums, which has been created using only the most premium ingredients for safe infusion into the deepest layers of the skin, to help retain moisture and plumpness. Our Dr K Dermal range also have an amazing Hydrator.

Your complexion will drink these up!

For some extra nourishment, add a layer of the our Nimue Anti-Ageing Leave on Mask every few nights..

4. Acne might pop up

A combination of hormones and a change in diet (with morning sickness meaning fries or crackers are sometimes the only thing you can stomach) can mean surprise surges of acne every now and then. The best way to treat and prevent acne is to make sure you’re caring for your skin with a quality cleanser that won’t strip the skin of oil, such as the Nimue Cleansing Gel and a moisturiser that’s been created for nourishing problematic skin without oil, like the incredibly hydrating and bacteria-targeting Nimue Purifier Moisturiser.

Taking some internal EFA (essential fatty acid) supplements such as Kiki Health Krill Oil capsules or Bestow Beauty Plus Oil to help regulate oil production, but always check with your midwife or doctor before taking supplements. It’s also best to avoid sunscreens and foundations that full of chemicals that can clog your skin, so instead opt for some cleaner, mineral formulas.

5. Prepare for tight skin around your tummy

As your belly grows, the skin around your stomach will stretch, which can result in itchiness and stretch marks. The best way to prevent this is to stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and to use a super nourishing oil on your skin to avoid that “tight” feeling and to help the skin stretch. We have an Elim Body pack specifically formulated to support and nourish the skin of your stomach during this time

A nutrient-rich diet is also important to keep your skin healthy but can be difficult during some stages of pregnancy when you go off certain foods. Try adding Kiki Health Zinc  and the Alkaline Infusion Powder blend of minerals and natural Vitamin C from lemons) to your diet, but always double check with your midwife or doctor before taking supplements – even natural ones.

6. Botox, fillers, microneedling and strong peels will need to wait

Some of your favourite anti-ageing treatments will unfortunately need to be put on pause. Since studies are limited around these treatments, it’s best to avoid getting Botox and filler injections, as well as Dermal needling/Collagen Induction Therapy treatments or high-strength peels. But don’t worry, it’s only for a few months, and you can jump back into them to treat post-pregnancy pigmentation and give your skin a bit of a confidence-boosting glow up later! It’s worth noting that you can continue with exfoliating products with gentle fruit acids, so these can be safe during pregnancy, just check with your local skin clinic on what they advise.  LED Light Therapy is also a safe and a super relaxing skin rejuvenation treatment.

7. Try a pregnancy massage for some relaxation and sore muscles

It’s important to take time for yourself with some pampering, and a pregnancy specific massage is an incredibly relaxing treatment to treat yourself to. Your massage therapist will focus on pain and tension in the legs and hips (which can be a huge help for those night leg cramps!), while taking care to ensure the mother and baby are always safe.

You want to avoid stress during this important time in your life, and massage is an excellent way to unwind and reduce stress and anxiety – as well as improving our sleep (another challenging part of pregnancy), not to mention it will help soothe those sore muscles from the extra weight you’re carrying.