Skin changes during pregnancy

Pregnancy definitely has some benefits. Fuller hair, stronger nails, a glowing complexion – not to mention the fact you get to take an adorable little baby home at the end of nine months!

But during your pregnancy you may also experience some skin changes that are less than thrilling. Thankfully, the majority of these changes won’t be permanent if you simply take the time to love and care for your body while pregnant.

Stretch marks

Pregnancy causes the stomach, breasts and various other areas of the body to expand at a fast rate (which isn’t surprising seeing as it’s catering for another human life), making stretch marks quite common for mums-to-be. “When the body expands faster than the covering skin, the skin tears, forming a scar as it heals and these scars are visible on the surface of the skin as stretch marks,” explains Bio-Oil®. While the development of stretch marks also depends on skin type, age, diet and hydration levels,Bio-Oil® can be used as a preventative for all. When pregnant you can start to use Bio-Oil® straight away on the areas prone to stretching. It’s a great excuse to convince your partner for a massage, as it’s most effective when applied using circular motions, morning and night.

Uneven skin tone

Pregnancy glow for some, uneven skin tone for others. All pregnancy experiences are different and for those mums-to-be who have never even heard of pigmentation, let alone experienced it before, the appearance of patches of dark skin can be quite confronting. But we promise it’s not something to freak out about.

Uneven skin tone occurs when there is an inconsistent production of melanin by the body. This can be triggered by external causes, such as excessive exposure to the sun or the use of poor quality skin lightening products; or internal causes, such as hormonal fluctuations related to pregnancy, menopause or the use of oral contraceptives. Bio”‘Oil® helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.

It contains ingredients such as calendula and lavender, which help to restore the skin while boosting circulation and nutrients to discoloured areas. Plus it’s a great moisturiser. You may even find yourself using it well after your baby arrives!

Dry skin

To ensure you look and feel fabulous once your beautiful baby has arrived it’s important to look after your skin throughout your pregnancy and address any pregnancy-related skin concerns.

Surging hormones can cause skin to become dry, which can sometimes lead to itchy and irritated skin. Thankfully, you needn’t worry about your dry skin. Simply apply Bio-Oil® and sit back as your skin is soothed and hydrated. The oil formula will help to restore moisture, strengthen the skin’s barrier and, because it contains chamomile, it can help to soothe those annoying itches. It really is a pregnancy skin lifesaver!

Are you a mum-to-be?

A few of the members of the bh team have recently become mothers (hooray!). And one of the things they rave about is the support and knowledge they receive from fellow mums in their Mother’s Group.

We wanted to create a similar support group on beautyheaven for any mums-to-be, so have partnered with Bio Oil® to create a ‘Bio Oil® mums-to-be group’.

If you’re a soon-to-be mum who would love a safe and knowledgable place to ask questions, or simply learn a little more about preparing for motherhood, skincare concerns, body fears and how to best look after yourself on your exciting journey, then you can join the group simply by participating in this forum thread.

Did we mention there are lots of PRIZES up for grabs too? What better way to relax before bub comes than with a prize pack containing a bottle of Bio-Oil®, a cosy towelling bath robe and a beautifully-scented Cocoa and Kaffir Lime Glasshouse Candle?

Hop to it mums!

References:

1. https://www.bio-oil.com/en/application/stretch-marks

2.http://www.livestrong.com/article/511437-dry-skin-during-the-1st-trimester-of-pregnancy

Did you experience any skin changes during pregnancy? Have you ever used Bio-Oil?