Curated Organic Beauty Blog

5 Tips to Make Your Skin Glow During Pregnancy

8/15/2017

By: Neve

So, conventional wisdom (and the movies) had you believing that you'd glow during pregnancy; that you would be shining radiantly as you blissfully glided about your day. Instead, however, you're feeling bloated and nauseous, you are constipated and have hemorrhoids, and your skin, far from glowing, is itchy, dry and may have developed a 16-year-old's acne.

What gives?

If you have all the icky pregnancy side-effects just listed, then poor you! You're having an uncommonly tough pregnancy. What's not unusual, though, is developing sore or uncomfortable skin.

Fear not.

Here come five super-easy, natural tips to manage your skin and keep it comfortable.

Demand a Daily Massage -

Prolonged stress is intimately connected to many of our bodily functions, often in negative ways. For example, cortisol, the 'stress hormone' may increase the amount of oil produced by your skin, leading to acne. Other skin conditions are caused by autoimmune problems which, again, can be triggered by stress.

Karen Mallin, PsyD, of the University of Miami, is a lecturer in psychiatry and dermatology. She notes that "The mind and skin are connected on many different levels ... Psychodermatogy is a [growing] field that addresses the impact of an individual's emotion as it relates to the skin."

You've got a strong case, so convince your partner to whip out the organic coconut oil and give you a daily back rub.

Maximise Your Sleep -

Blood flow to your skin increases as you snooze. Get a good sleep and you're more likely to wake up with a healthy complexion. The problem is you can never guarantee eight hours sleep during pregnancy. Those pesky trips to the toilet, or the sheer awkwardness of getting comfortable despite your bump, make it a bit hit-and-miss.

To give yourself a fighting chance, try burning some lavender essential oil. Don't go for the cheap stuff which is often just perfume. Instead, treat yourself to some pure, organic lavender oil.

Next, invest in a decent pregnancy pillow. This can be a lifesaver. Even if you previously tried and didn't get along with one, take another look. There are many different shapes and sizes, so it's worth finding one that works best for you and your bump. I've written a whole guide on pregnancy pillows and how to choose the right one if you'd like to learn more!

Drink plenty of water -

Yup, you knew this one was coming! And, no doubt, you are well aware that during pregnancy it's important to stay hydrated. I won't labor the point here (excuse the pun), but will quickly mention that our skin is about 65% water and, put simply, skin cells function best when they are properly hydrated. This leads to healthier-looking skin. Another reason to keep on top of your fluid intake during pregnancy.

Stretch marks -

As your boobs and belly grow, you may find that you develop stretch marks. Try not to worry too much. Firstly, if you read around, you'll soon discover that most guys don't mind them. More than that, many men find them sexy. (Not that I'm advocating self-esteem and body image based on what men think!) There are also lots of natural ways to reduce or avoid stretch marks altogether.

If you're into DIY, then try mixing organic coconut oil, coconut butter and shea butter together. You'll need to warm them up first. Then add a few drops of Vitamin E and organic lavender oil. (Heck, if you make enough of this, then you can use it for your daily massage, too.)

If, on the other hand, you want to save time and keep it simple, then there are some conscientious companies making decent organic stretch mark creams.

Eat Dark Leafy Greens -

These wonder foods contain beta-carotene along with lutein, potassium, fiber and folate. This is great for all sorts of things, but in terms of your skin, the folate is an important nutrient for repairing DNA. This helps to keep your skin looking great.

There You Have It. Pregnancy is a wonderful time but comes with some niggling side-effects. Give these five tips a shot and, hopefully, bad skin won't be one of them. In fact, with a little help from your surging hormones, you may even attain that elusive "pregnancy glow".

Neve blogs at WeTheParents.org where she seeks to bring out the humour in parenting and gets nerdy researching and reviewing the gear that mums and dads (apparently) need. You can also catch her on Facebook and Twitter.

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5 Tips fpr Preventng Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

5/19/2017

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By: Kate Trout

If you're pregnant, then getting stretch marks are one of those things that you just dread getting. They are unnatural looking lines that are created around your stomach while your baby grows. Luckily, there are things that you can do while you are pregnant to help prevent the stretch marks from forming at all! Many soon-to-be mothers may have heard about ways to reduce them after your child is born, but this guide is designed to prevent them completely, or at least, as much as possible. Let's take a look at five tips that you will want to know about to help you prevent unsightly stretch marks during your pregnancy.

Exfoliate Regularly

When you are with child, exfoliating your skin to remove the dead skin cells is just as important as rehydrating and moisturizing your skin. In fact, using a sugar scrub is actually a great way to prevent stretch marks from forming at all. Of course, you will need to make sure that the sugar scrub that you select is safe for your baby, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to exfoliate without using unsafe products like dry brushing.

Stay Hydrated

You have always been told that you need to drink six to eight glasses of water a day, but did you know that when you are pregnant, your body needs at least two liters to function properly. When your skin is hydrated, it is more elastic, which means that your baby will be able to grow inside you without leaving those unsightly stretch marks behind. Remember, your baby is essentially living in a bubble of water inside your body, so you need to stay hydrated more now than ever.

Stretch Mark Creams

There are a number of stretch mark creams on the market, but one of the best options available to you is a DIY cream that is made from all natural ingredients that are designed to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. It is a simple mixture that combines coconut oil, olive oil, and a little bit of beeswax. You can add in some rosehip seed oil or frankincense oil to add some scent and additional protection from the stretch marks. Once you combine the ingredients, all you need to do is heat them until the wax melts, and then let it cool before applying it to your skin. I have a whole guide on how to choose a stretch mark cream if you'd like to learn more!

Lots of Gelatin

Gelatin, or collagen, is one of the most important factors that make your skin elastic. So, if you want to improve the elasticity of your skin and prevent stretch marks from appearing on your body, then you need to eat more gravies, sauces, and soups. Some gelatin can be used as a thickening agent in your meals, so you have plenty of options. If you like stews, they are a great option, but if you'd prefer, you can simply drink some bone broth on a daily basis to give you the collagen that your body needs to prevent stretch marks from the inside.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to help keep your skin's elasticity in check while you are pregnant. It also regulates the blood flow in your skin so that you can breathe easier as well, which is great for your baby and your skin because increased blood circulation is ideal for preventing stretch marks from appearing. If you exercise while you are pregnant, you will also control the amount of weight that you gain to some extent and a controlled gain is better for preventing stretch marks. All exercises are not safe to take part in when you are with child, so confirm that your regimen is safe with your doctor.

Wrapping Up

If you're pregnant, most likely stretch marks are on your mind. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can prevent stretch marks completely. To help you maintain your skin while you are pregnant, follow these tips: