Skin Care and Accessories

While you may be expecting a “pregnancy glow,” many women actually experience negative skin changes during these tumultuous nine months. It’s common to see things like skin dryness, acne, stretch marks, itchiness, and increased sensitivity. Some women also see pigment changes in their skin, which can include dark patches, and a dark line along the middle of the navel.

Skin changes during pregnancy are mostly attributed to changing hormone levels. As the amount of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during pregnancy, your skin might react by producing more oil, drying, changing color, and so on. Increased blood flow and water retention can also make your skin extra sensitive.

There’s nothing you can do to change the hormone fluctuations you’ll experience, but there are steps you can take to give your skin a little extra love and care during pregnancy.

Remember to drink plenty of water, take your prenatal vitamins, wear sunscreen, and moisturize your skin daily.

Because products can partially absorb into your bloodstream, be sure to use gentle, safe ingredients on your skin while pregnant. Avoid things like retinol, laser treatments and injections, salicylic acid, and fragrances.

Safe products include fragrance-free moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and clothing barriers like Belly Bandit’s Belly Shield and Flawless Belly.

Unfortunately, whether or not you develop stretch marks can be up to your genetics. However, there are some things you can do to keep your skin healthy and happy and potentially reduce stretch marks.

Many women find success in massaging lotion or body oil onto their belly, then using a barrier to keep the moisture in place throughout the day. Belly Bandit’s pregnancy skin care line is designed to keep your skin nourished and protected alongside your favorite moisturizing products.

As far as hormonal changes like acne, dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity, your skin may start going back to normal just a few days or weeks after delivery!

Stretched out skin on your belly will take longer to tighten up again, but using a Belly Bandit postpartum belly wrap can definitely help.

Stretch marks can take a few months to lighten in color, and they won’t fully go away, but think of them as a badge of courage for your accomplishment of bringing life into the world!