Pregnant women need to use appropriate skin care products and stay well hydrated to ease dry skin.
Every woman erupts with joy on hearing the news of her pregnancy. However, these 9 months of pregnancy bring innumerable bodily changes and a myriad of health problems, a common one being dry, itchy skin. Dryness in skin during pregnancy has been attributed to hormonal imbalance. Estrogen levels increase dramatically at the time of pregnancy. This change in hormone levels, which is inevitable during pregnancy can make the skin dry.
Ways of Relieving Dry Skin
Although, skin becoming dry in pregnant women is not a new thing, the constant itchy feeling is annoying and can drive anyone crazy. Here are some proven ways to ease the dry, itchy sensation.
Use Skin Friendly Products
At the time of pregnancy, using gentle cleansers and moisturizers should be given utmost priority. The cleanser should not be loaded with synthetic chemicals. A natural based product is skin friendly and gently works to relieve dryness. Dermatologists often prescribe cleansers like Murad Soothing Gentle Cleanser to soften dry skin. This cleanser can reduce the irritation and provide comfort to the dry skin. It removes the impurities and at the same time, moisturizes the skin to get rid of itchy feeling associated with dry skin. Skin care moisturizers that can be used during pregnancy are given below:
- Clarins Huile Tonic Body Treatment Oil
- Mario Badescu Drying Cream
- Mama Bee Leg & Foot Cream
- Bella B. Silk & Honey Moisturizing Creme
Applications of emollient moisturizers that contain vitamin E are also useful in reducing discomfort associated with dry skin. Vitamin E oil for dry skin is also beneficial in this regard. Many people ask “what is the best time to apply moisturizers?” For good results, using it immediately after taking a bath is often advised as the skin is still moist and has a higher capability to absorb the ingredients.
Tips for Buying Best Pregnancy Skin Care Products
While purchasing products to alleviate skin problems during pregnancy, one must glance at the label and look for ingredients considered to be harmful for pregnant women. Retinoids, a form of vitamin A known for its anti-aging benefits, can be actually troublesome for the unborn baby. There is a possibility of birth defects with the usage of skin creams containing retinoids (retinol or retinoic acid). So, in case the label is indicating the presence of retinols like adapalene and tretinoin, make sure you avoid using that product. Other than retinol based products, one should refrain from applying skin cream that has salicylic acid and beta hydroxy acid.
Stay Away from Hot Water
Bathing in hot water can worsen the itchiness and the irritation that commonly accompanies dry skin. Also, hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, making it prone to dryness. Instead, go for warm water when it comes to having a bath during pregnancy.
Install a Humidifier
A humidifier is a device designed for the purpose of improving moisture levels in the room. Exposure to dry heat is also one of the reasons behind itchy, dry skin. Humidifier adds moisture to the surrounding air, which helps to soothe dry skin.
Use Bath Oils
Avoid using harsh soaps as it can irritate the skin. Use gentle soaps such as Dove or Neutrogena for better skin care. One can also use bath oils to provide comfort to dry skin. In a bucket of water, add one or two tablespoons of bath oil. Bathing with water containing bath oil is yet another way to ease dry itchy skin.
Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
Dry skin problems aggravate in the presence of blistering heat of the sun. The skin sweats profusely while roaming in the hot sun. Excessive sweating can further irritate the skin, thereby increasing a woman’s woes. So, don’t forget to apply a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 before traveling in the scorching heat.
Preventive Steps
Instead of curing dry skin problems during pregnancy, how about preventing them? To start with, one must drink adequate water daily. Drinking water adequately which is equivalent to 5-8 glasses of water is an inexpensive way to keep the skin healthy and free from any sort of dryness. Follow a healthy and well-balanced diet and stay away from fried and fast foods. Also, during pregnancy, there is no need of doing makeup. However, if one has to attend any social function (a rarity during pregnancy), use makeup sparingly. Keep in mind that pregnancy is not the time for dating someone, and therefore, makeup should not be given much importance.
In case the skin has become extremely dry, one may use a gentle exfoliator for dry skin or a better option is to consult a doctor so as to know about the exact treatment that would safely provide relief from dry, itchy skin.
