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Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Buys To Pamper And Nourish

Navigating the next nine months can be tricky, but your beauty routine doesn't have to be.

By ELLE Beauty Team
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For many people, being pregnant can be the most exciting yet overwhelming experience. Considering your body is busy doing the hard (and magical) work of growing another human being, the last thing you need to worry about is your skincare routine. But since pregnancy does bring changes to the skin on your face and body, we went straight to the experts to find out what to expect and how to tweak your regime. Hint: it's all about streamlining.

'Many mums-to-be and new mums experience changes in their skin during and after pregnancy,' says Antonia Knox from Aurelia Probiotic Skincare. 'During your first trimester, hormones are running riot, and can cause extreme changes in your skin. For some women, skin can become quite dry and needs a bit more looking after.' CeraVe consultant dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite agrees, adding that we can expect to see 'changes in acne (both improvement and worsening), pigmentation over the face, breasts and abdomen, itching, rashes and an increase in stretch marks and benign growths such as skin tags'.

The good news is, your skincare routine doesn't need a complete overhaul. In fact, it's good to keep it simple, according to Dr. Granite. 'It's the best way to help avoid potential skin reactions or sensitivity. Opt for a rich moisturiser for the body, a gentle foaming cleanser, oil-free moisturiser and SPF for the face,' she says, noting that effective yet pregnancy-safe ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and azelaic acid are all excellent for alleviating dryness, soothing sensitivity and tackling pigmentation.

As for what to avoid, steer clear of retinoids and retinols, hydroquinone (often found in prescription creams) and high levels of salicylic acid, advices Dr. Granite. 'When it comes to fragrance, it's important to remember that skin during pregnancy can behave unpredictably and reactions may develop even when a fragrance or product was previously tolerated well before,' she adds. 'Many may be prone to nausea with heightened sensitivity to certain smells, so tolerance for fragrance may also be diminished during pregnancy.' When in doubt, always check with your GP.

Another common occurrence when it comes to pregnancy skin is cellulite and stretch marks; both are completely normal and there's no need to get rid of them unless you want to. 'Topical creams have limited efficacy when it comes to cellulite and stretch marks but can in some cases slightly improve their appearance. I generally recommend using simple emollients during pregnancy, such as CeraVe Moisturising Cream to support the skin barrier and skin health,' says Dr. Granite.

Read on for the best pregnancy beauty products...

The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

£11 at Cult Beauty

The latest addition to The Ordinary's cleansing range is its gentlest yet. It uses glycolipids, a plant-derived surfactant that removes every trace of make-up while maintaining the skin's pH and ensuring the barrier stays healthy. It's a water-based formula to keep both combination and dry skin types happy.

Malin + Goetz Foaming Cream Cleanser

Foaming Cream Cleanser

Malin + Goetz Foaming Cream Cleanser

For complexions prone to shiny T-zones, this gentle foaming cleanser will take care of excess sebum without stripping the skin of it's natural moisture. It's fragrance-free and infused with fatty acids to maintain plumpness.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% Serum

Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% Serum

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% Serum

Don't underestimate the powers of niacinamide and zinc when it comes to tackling blemishes and pores as it helps to take down inflammation and balance sebum production. This no-frills serum is also vegan and unscented.

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Kora Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum

Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum

Kora Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum

If you're missing the smoothing, refining effects of your retinol, try this plant-based solution from Kora. It uses bakuchiol to improve elasticity and protect against environmental damage while rosehip oil encourages skin renewal and hydration. It does contain low levels of essential oils, but the formula is created to be kind on sensitive skin.

Votary Super Seed Facial Oil Fragrance Free

Super Seed Facial Oil Fragrance Free

Votary Super Seed Facial Oil Fragrance Free

Now 20% Off

A good face oil such as Votary Super Seed will help replenish lost moisture and restore the glow using its blend of 22 plant oils including grape and pumpkin seed. The fragrance-free version is excellent if you're sensitive to scents or simply steering clear of essential oils during pregnancy.

Evereden Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream

Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream

Evereden Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream

Formulated by a team of doctors with a focus in dermatology (and who are also mothers themselves), Evereden is the chic pregnancy skincare brand you need to get acquainted with. This rich hydrating moisturiser is packed with plant butters and peptides to keep skin smooth and supple.

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Mama Mio Pregnancy Boob Tube

Pregnancy Boob Tube

Mama Mio Pregnancy Boob Tube

Packed with skin-kind ingredients such as squalane, aloe vera and shea butter, this bust cream by Mama Mio soothes chapped skin and restores hydration. The uplifting scent of mandarin and bergamot lends a sensorial touch too.

Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm

Babymoon Belly Balm

Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm

Fans of this vegan body moisturiser rave about its rich, velvety consistency which helps to hydrate flaky skin and keep stretch marks at bay. It's water-free and brimming with rich plant oils to leave skin feeling extra plush.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum

Calming Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum

Credit: .

Beauty director Katy Young is a fan of this soothing serum for taking down any redness and irritation. The lipid-based formula reinforces the skin barrier while fatty acids help replenish moisture loss.

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Pai Curtain Call Rosehip Brightening Mask and Cloth

Curtain Call Rosehip Brightening Mask and Cloth

Pai Curtain Call Rosehip Brightening Mask and Cloth

Now 72% Off

For an instant glow-boost without any harsh acids, try Pai's Curtain Call Mask. Instead, it uses rosehip oil - known for its brightening properties - and a generous dollop of glycerin and sunflower seed oil to bring bounce back to tired complexions.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50

Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50

Credit: .

The best way to stop dark spots in its tracks is to commit to a daily SPF regime. This one by La Roche-Posay goes on completely invisible and wears so comfortably, it almost feels like second skin.

Caudalie Grape Water

Grape Water

Caudalie Grape Water

Credit: .

For an instant skin pick-me-up, keep Caudalie's classic Grape Water in your arsenal. The minimal ingredients list makes it a winner for pregnancy skin. Stash it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.

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Dr. Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Light

Flawless Moisturiser Light

Dr. Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Light

This face cream is described as a 'cuddle for your skin', and we're inclined to agree. Formulated by skincare expert Dr. Sam Bunting, this moisturiser contains calming panthenol, ceramides and glycerin; everything you need to protect delicate complexions from the elements. There's a richer version for drier skin types too.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

Azelaic acid is a powerhouse for diminishing post-blemish scarring, softening the appearance of pigmentation and minimising pesky spots. This one by Dermatica has added squalane and ceramides to protect the skin barrier, too.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

Now 20% Off

If your skin is feeling especially parched, it's worth keeping this decadent night treatment on your top shelf. The balm-to-oil formula soothes inflammation and protects fragile skin using a potent blend of olive, almond and linseed oils alongside nourishing vitamin E. It's great for dry patches too.

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Good Light Luna Pimple Patches

Luna Pimple Patches

Good Light Luna Pimple Patches

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Hydrocolloid stickers are the easiest way to handle sore blemishes without further aggravating it. Just pop on after cleansing (ideally on dry skin so it doesn't slip and slide), and it'll help minimise the swelling.

Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

100% Squalane Oil

Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

Squalane is a molecule that occurs naturally in our own skin but diminishes over time. This oil made 100% from the ingredient is recognised by our skin and absorbed more easily. Use it on everything from your body, to your hair, to your face – it will help protect and renew the skin from within. We would bathe in it if we could.

Susanne Kaufmann Arnica Body Oil

Arnica Body Oil

Susanne Kaufmann Arnica Body Oil

This powerhouse oil contains a mixture of sweet almond, jojoba and wheat germ oils to help hydrate the skin and aid elasticity while your body grows in turn minimising stretch marks forming and helping to smooth the appearance of those that already have. Our top tip: apply it daily after a bath or shower onto wet skin to help the vitamin E absorb more easily.

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CeraVe Moisturising Cream

Moisturising Cream

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

This generous tub will keep your skin feeling comfortably soft all throughout your pregnancy. It's packed with ceramides to bolster the skin barrier and is completely fragrance-free, perfect if you're sensitive to scents.

Aurelia London Firm And Revitalise Dry Body Oil

Firm And Revitalise Dry Body Oil

Aurelia London Firm And Revitalise Dry Body Oil

'Some women can experience itchiness on their skin during their second trimester as their baby begins to grow much faster and the skin stretches, so it is important to keep the skin highly moisturised to soothe and hydrate,' explains Knox. 'This beautifully nourishing oil that keeps skin supple and soft.'

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