How to Adjust Your Skin-Care Routine During Pregnancy and Postpartum
According to derms and doulas who’ve been through it.
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Along with the existential changes that come with incubating a human, rampant hormonal fluctuations take your skin on quite a ride. If you’ve stood in front of the mirror wondering whether that should go on your face right now, rest assured, you’re not the only one. “It can be really difficult to determine what products are ‘pregnancy-safe’ without an understanding of skin care,” says Shereene Idriss, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City. “Even as a derm, I experienced the same confusion.”
There are plenty more dermatologists, doulas, and OB/GYNs who know these roads personally, so we asked them how to build a pregnancy skin-care routine — and what ingredients to jettison from the first to the fourth trimester.
SO, YOU NEED A PREGNANCY SAFE SKIN-CARE ROUTINE?
➼ FAQs
➼ Dr. Mara Weinstein Velez’s Routine
➼ Doula Carson Meyer’s Routine
➼ Doula Brandi Jordan’s Routine
➼ Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky’s Routine
➼ Dr. Shereene Idriss’s Routine
➼ More selects
➼ Our experts
FAQs
Dr. Mara Weinstein Velez’s Routine
“My skin goals were to prevent hyperpigmentation and stay clear of acne,” says Dr. Weinstein Velez. First, she stopped using medicated products with retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid, then switched to an all-pregnancy-safe routine. “I used a glycolic acid cleanser (Glytone) in the morning, followed by a vitamin-C serum (SkinCeuticals), and then the Hyaluronic Acid Gel Moisturizer from Neutrogena.” She topped everything off with sunscreen, with her favorite being Alastin’s HydraTint. In the evening, she would cleanse with a foaming cleanser, followed by a prescription azelaic acid topical, and La Roche Posay’s Toleraine Moisturizer. “I would also get glycolic acid peels every few months!”
Doula Carson Meyer’s Routine
“If you don’t already opt for clean skin-care products, pregnancy is a great time to detox your routine,” says Meyer. “Fortunately, I already ditched products with endocrine-disrupting chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals and established a clean skin-care routine long before pregnancy.” Her advice is to keep it simple: She says to stay away from fragrances unless you know they are made clean and to opt for natural products with a short list of ingredients you recognize. When she was pregnant, Meyer stuck with her company’s C & The Moon scrub and oil, both of which were formulated with moms in mind. She also made herself a shea butter and tallow mix and used Iris & Rome’s Best Skin Days foundation and Evereden’s sunscreen (“It contains zinc, a better alternative to oxybenzone for sun protection”) during the day.
Doula Brandi Jordan’s Routine
“I like to keep things very simple by recommending that clients switch to a gentle cleanser to be used day and night, and limit fragrances when possible,” says Jordan. “Next, they can find topical treatments that are deemed safe for use during pregnancy and increase daily hydration to their face and bump.” She recommends daily sunscreen, and being unapologetic in your indulgence in beauty and self-care. As a lactation consultant, she recommends Swehl’s (she is on its board) Nips Duos to help alleviate common pain caused by cracked and sore nipples and especially likes the minimalist packaging. (“Small details like this can make a big difference when there are so many things to learn and a new parent is working hard to take everything in.”) For remedies already in the home, she turns to “good old coconut oil.” Jordan adds that anything you put on your breasts or nipples should not need to be wiped off prior to nursing, as it ought to be comprised of food-safe ingredients.
Swehl The Nips Duo
Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky’s Routine
“As a pregnant dermatologist, the first thing I discontinued was the use of my topical retinol,” says Zubritsky. She replaced retinol with azelaic acid and bakuchiol, turned up the hydration, and avoided fragrances to appease her dry and sensitive skin. “I swapped out my previous cleanser for something with hyaluronic acid, like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost cleanser, which was so soothing on my skin.” (Zubritsky has previously worked with Neutrogena as a sponsor.) She also opted for a moisturizer that not only would hydrate but wouldn’t clog pores and started using a prescription-strength azelaic acid to help with fine lines, discoloration, and acne.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Dr. Shereene Idriss’s Routine
“The first thing I changed in my skin-care routine was switching to bakuchiol as an alternative for retinoids,” says Idriss. “My melasma was out of control toward the end of my pregnancy and postpartum, but I did not use hydroquinone.” Instead, Idriss incorporated different brightening ingredients to target her discoloration — which caused her routine to balloon to an unwieldy 10 to 12 steps. “Hence, why I created the PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Solution System,” she says. Idriss’s label is meant to simplify a routine targeting discoloration, something she personally struggled with staying on top of. Evidently, she’s not alone: The Major Fade system is currently on back order.
Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Solution System
More selects:
It takes a village (sometimes of glass bottles and fancy formulas), so we asked our community for their pregnancy skin-care favorites. First up: a nourishing oil or body balm that’ll turn your skin into an elastic waistband.
Hatch Belly Oil
MUTHA Body Butter
$95 at Forward by Elyse Walker
Acne during pregnancy is particularly brutal for those who previously had a potent regimen; here are some gentle products to guide you through the hormonal shifts.
PanOxyl Antimicrobial Hydrating Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
You heard the doctors: It’s hard to find a pregnancy-safe retinol alternative that actually works. Isdin is loved by dermatologists, but so is this particular formula from The Ordinary for something easier on the wallet.
ISDIN Melatonik Recovery Night Serum
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Lots of moms-to-be in our orbit revamped their entire regimen to “cleaner” products. One of the easiest categories to check off the list proved to be mineral sunscreen.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Summer Fridays Shadedrops Broad Spectrum Spf 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
Our experts: