Glowing Through Pregnancy: Safe Skincare Tips

Pregnancy is such an exciting time, but it can come with some unexpected skin  changes. Some people get that effortless “pregnancy glow,” while others suddenly find  themselves dealing with dryness, breakouts, sensitivity, or melasma for the first time  ever. 

One thing I always remind patients (and myself ) is that even though there are  certain skincare ingredients and treatments you should avoid during pregnancy, that  does not mean you should stop taking care of your skin during this special time. Pregnancy is actually the perfect time to focus on nourishing and supporting your skin in  a gentle, healthy way. 

At Therahaus Wellness, we always recommend focusing on two major things during  pregnancy: hydration and sun protection. Supporting your skin barrier and protecting  your skin from excess sun exposure can make a HUGE difference in how your skin  looks and feels throughout pregnancy. 

Why Your Skin Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can affect the skin in so many different ways. Increased estrogen  and progesterone levels can lead to: 

• More sensitive or reactive skin: Products that have worked for you for years may  begin to cause problems for your changing skin.  

• Breakouts or congestion: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased oil  production and acne breakouts. 

• Increased dryness or dehydration: This can often lead to itchiness, especially on  the abdomen due to the skin stretching. 

• Stretch marks: Rapidly growing skin on the belly, breasts, hips, and thighs can  result in stretch marks.  

• Melasma or dark patches: Melasma causes darker, discolored patches on the  face, predominately on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead. Due to the hormonal  changes and increased sensitivity to sunlight in pregnancy, it is at its worst during  this time.  

• Varicose veins/spider veins: Increased blood volume and pressure in the body  can lead to varicose veins in the legs and spider veins throughout the body.  

It can feel frustrating when products that used to work perfectly suddenly irritate your  skin or no longer seem effective. That is completely normal during pregnancy, and it is  usually a sign to simplify your routine and focus on barrier support. 

Hydration Is Everything 

If there is one thing I always recommend during pregnancy, it is hydration – both internally and in your skincare routine. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it can look  dull, irritated, tight, and more inflamed overall. Pregnancy also increases your body’s  need for water, so staying hydrated can help both your skin and how you feel in general. My personal goal is to finish at least two refills of my large Stanley water bottle each day  – about 80 ounces total – to stay well hydrated.  

A few of my favorite ways to support hydrated, healthy skin during pregnancy: • Drinking plenty of water throughout the day 

• Using a gentle, non-stripping cleanser 

• Incorporating hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin • Using a moisturizer with ceramides to support the skin barrier 

• Avoiding overly aggressive exfoliation or acne treatments 

Our skin often calms down significantly when we focus on hydration first. 

Sun Protection Matters More Than Ever 

Pregnancy can make your skin much more prone to pigmentation and melasma, which  is why sunscreen becomes even more important during this time. Even small amounts of UV exposure can worsen discoloration and make pigment linger long after  pregnancy. My biggest recommendation: wear SPF every single day, even if you are  mostly indoors or it is cloudy outside. 

A few easy habits that help: 

• Use SPF 30+ daily 

• Reapply every 2 hours when spending time outdoors 

• Wear hats and sunglasses when possible 

• Try to avoid prolonged direct sun exposure, especially midday 

Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are preferred during  pregnancy because they are gentle and provide excellent protection. I like to wear a  tinted mineral sunscreen to give me a little coverage without wearing makeup. The  Alastin HydraTint Sunscreen is my current favorite! 

Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients We Love 

There are still plenty of effective ingredients you can safely use during pregnancy to  keep your skin healthy and glowing, including: 

• Hyaluronic acid 

• Niacinamide 

• Vitamin C 

• Low concentration salicylic acid (under 2%) 

• Lactic acid or glycolic acid (under 10%) 

• Azelaic acid 

• Bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to retinoids) 

• Ceramides 

• Peptides 

• Mineral-based sunscreens 

It is always recommended to check with your OB-GYN before starting new ingredients  or products. Also, introduce new skincare ingredients slowly and consider doing a patch  test first to see how your skin response, since it tends to be more sensitive and reactive  during pregnancy. 

Ingredients Typically Avoided During Pregnancy 

There are also a few ingredients we usually recommend avoiding during pregnancy  unless specifically cleared by your healthcare provider: 

• Retinol and retinoids: The most concerning data comes from oral retinoids, but  out of an abundance of caution, healthcare professionals recommend  avoiding all forms of retinoids during pregnancy.  

• High-strength salicylic acid: Avoid salicylic acid strengths greater than 2%.  • Hydroquinone: This skin-lightening agent is absorbed into the skin at an  incredibly high rate. It is a concern that once absorbed, it can have toxic effects  on the fetus.  

• Chemical-based sunscreens: Further studies are needed, but out of an  abundance of caution, you can avoid chemical sunscreens in pregnancy.  

If you are unsure whether your products are pregnancy-safe, we are always happy to  help review your routine and suggest alternatives. 

My Current Pregnancy Skincare Routine 

I often get asked what I’m personally using during pregnancy, so I wanted to share my  current routine as a real-life example of how I’m keeping things simple, supportive, and  pregnancy-conscious. Of course, every skin type is different, but this is what has been  working well for me right now.  

AM Routine – In the morning, I keep things focused on hydration, antioxidant protection,  and sun protection.  

• Cleanse with water or Therahaus Antioxidant Purity Cleanser 

• Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology 

• Alastin HA Immerse Serum 

• Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum  

• OneSkin Face Essential Moisturizer 

• Alastin HydraTint Sunscreen (SPF30) or OneSkin Face Untinted Sunscreen  (SPF30+) 

PM Routine – At night, I focus on thoroughly cleansing the skin and supporting gentle  exfoliation and barrier repair. 

• Oil cleanse if I’m wearing makeup

• Second cleanse with either Therahaus Antioxidant Purity Cleanser or Therahaus  Clarifying Foaming Cleanse (salicylic acid 2%) depending on how my skin is  feeling 

• Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology 

• Alastin HA Immerse Serum 

• Azelaic acid 10% 

• OneSkin Face Essential Moisturizer 

I’ve found that keeping my routine flexible is key – some nights my skin feels great with  light exfoliation, and other nights it just needs hydration and rest. Most of the products I  use are available at Therahaus Wellness! 

Final Thoughts 

Pregnancy skincare does not have to be complicated. This season is really about  protecting your skin, supporting hydration, and giving your skin a little extra grace while  your body goes through so many changes. Even though your routine may look a little  different during pregnancy, you still deserve to feel confident in your skin and continue  investing in self-care during this special chapter of life. 

At Therahaus Wellness, we love helping patients build simple, effective pregnancy-safe  routines that keep their skin healthy, calm, and glowing throughout pregnancy and  beyond!

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