Got a Case of Pregnancy Skin?

Pregnancy Skin

Why does it happen?

Hormones, hormones, hormones! They can be blamed for so much and acne during pregnancy is one of them. Androgen hormones are your sex hormones that are produced by your ovaries (and testicles in males) and since your ovaries are hard at work growing and supporting a tiny human, your androgen hormones are wild and out. The hormone most responsible for your pregnancy acne is progesterone. This is a vital hormone and required for a healthy pregnancy. 

Progesterone helps prepare your uterus for a healthy pregnancy. Once you are pregnant, progesterone helps keep you pregnant and sustain the health of your uterus. It stimulates blood flow and helps deliver nutrients to a developing embryo in early pregnancy. Your placenta will also be responsible for the production of progesterone, too. These high levels of progesterone are also the reason why women don’t continue to release eggs each month in pregnancy.

Unfortunately, high levels of progesterone also creates oils on your face because it stimulates the oil making glands of your skin. This, of course, is the cause of the dreaded ‘pregnancy acne.’

What can you do?

So if your acne is caused by the hormones that are absolutely necessary to keep your baby healthy.. What are you supposed to do? My suggestion is to take a look at your skin care routine. Sometimes as your hormones change, the best resolve is to go plant based with your products. 

I’ve never really had acne, but when I turned 28 my face decided to change its’ identity and now each month, I get a break out around my period. Much like pregnancy acne, period acne is also caused by androgen hormones. I have seen what these products have done for my skin and I want you to feel beautiful during your pregnancy so I’m sharing them with you!

Here are the products I love:

• - Cleansing Oil: Okay, this is one of the first products I bought because I decided I wanted to get rid of every ingredient I couldn’t say. I was already using Primally Pure’s deodorant and their face wash had been on my radar. No better time than when I’m trying to overhaul my face products. I know cleaning your face with oil doesn’t sound right. Trust me, I was so skeptical, but it actually made my face moisturized and reduced the oil. I was shocked, but also makes sense. If you’re using products that strip the oil from your face, your face will only make more oil to return to it’s natural oil levels. Switching to oil cleansing was a really big transition for me, but my skin has never looked better and I know it is because I switched to natural face products--specifically fragrance free products.
  
  Okay, back to the cleansing oil--yal.. it is so good. It feels amazing going on. It cleans everything on my skin, but my skin feels hydrated and so soft after using it. I also love the process. You put the oil on your skin with your fingers, massaging it for a few minutes. Then you wet a wash cloth in hot water and lay it over your face as to create a mini steamy facial. It’s heavenly and so addicting. I can’t imagine ending my evenings without doing my mini facial. It’s honestly so worth it.

• - Fancy Face Serum: After I loved the cleansing oil so much, I knew I needed to switch my moisturizer. I was, again, going for something fragrance free. I looked at the Fancy Face Serum and to be honest, I was sticker shocked by the price. I can’t lie. I was using the typical $15 face cream from CVS so $48 on a vile of face oil made me cringe. I saw the huge difference the cleansing oil made and I ordered the serum. I took a leap of faith and I’m glad I did. I absolutely love the smell. It’s earthy and elegant all in one. It smells grounding if that’s even possible. It also leaves my skin so soft. This serum + the cleansing oil are two products that I could not live without.

• - Everything Spray: This was my next item that I got. And well, I love it, too. I’m telling you, I didn’t think I would use it that often. I thought it would be nice for in the morning (I do not wash my face in the morning) to do a quick once-over before my day oil (Fancy Face Serum), but instead I use it in the morning, throughout the day, and in the evening. I love this spray. It truly is an everything spray. I use it in the morning just like I thought I would. I also use it before make up, when I come in from a client’s home (like washing your hands, not as aggressive as a bath, but getting germs off), when I need to brighten up during the day, when I get to wipe off any acne treatment (this serum is great to dab on spots), and if my face looks oily throughout the day! The Everything Spray is so versatile and it’s a staple for me.

• - Soothing Face Mask: This mask is amazing and works wonders on angry skin. Sometimes when my face is really inflamed, I like to hit the reset button and I find that this soothing mask is exactly that. It’s like I can put a layer of this on and when I take it off, my skin will have gone through a spiritual overhaul. The redness is gone, bumps are smaller, and my skin is refreshed and ready for nourishment (Fancy Face serum). All you really have to do to understand the power of this mask is look at the ingredients. You will see things like honey, oatmeal, spirulina, and evening primrose oil. I mean, c’mon!

For breakouts specifically:

Once you get your pregnancy acne under control, it’s just a matter of maintaining that amazing routine to support your skin’s health. However, as your hormones shift throughout your pregnancy (big shifts are usually noticed during the transition of trimesters), you might have to tame a few breakouts that pop up every now and then. Here’s what I use for the sneak attacks that my skin can pull.

Baby Balm: First, I know what the science and the professionals say--don’t pick your zits! I got it, but that is so hard for me to actually put into practice. I always pick at my face and it gets worse if I’m stressed. So when I do cross the line and create a scab on my face, this is my go-to. It goes on smooth (I mean, it’s made for a sweet teeny human’s bum), smells great, and heals hella fast. It moisturizes along the way and I’ve noticed it doesn’t leave me with scars. I have the large sitting on my bathroom counter and the small in my backpack/handbag.

Complexion Spray: The number one thing that I’ve learned makes a difference in taming breakouts (for my face) is to keep the area clean. Remember, I’m a picker so my fingers naturally (and without my notice) gravitate to my face. This Complexion Spray has come to my rescue so many times, I’ve lost count. As I’ve been trying to curb this horrible habit of touching my face during the day, I have also had to force myself to take notice when I am doing so and this has led to me noticing my annoying habit in client’s homes, in the car, standing in line in starbucks, in target, on a plane, and a number of other places you can’t just stop and wash your face. I needed something easily transportable and something I could use almost anywhere. This spray was the answer. I keep it with me along with the cotton rounds and anytime I find my fingers on my face, I spray a cotton round and wash the area.

Water: Hydration really is key here! We know that keeping hydrated is one of the best ways to support our bodies. We know you need extra hydration when you're pregnant. So there's no reason not to be drinking enough water, period.

Probiotic: A probiotic plays a great role in pregnancy! First, it feeds the foundation of your gut health and can support your body in fighting GBS so you don't test GBS+. It can also help reduce baby spit up, gas in babies, and reduce fussiness since your breastmilk is building our baby's gut and your gut health is going right into your baby via your milk. You can check out the probiotics we love the most here, but always check with your care provider before incorporating probiotics.

It’s time for a change. You deserve skin like a queen!

Acne is one of my very, very least favorite things. I have spent a lot of time and a lot of money trying to find products that work for my skin. I can honestly say I have never seen products work the wonders that Primally Pure has for me. I swapped all of my skin care over to Primally pure beginning in 2017. I only share products that I love and that I know are safe for you and your baby.

I am always ranting on my Instagram (@tranquilitybyhehe) about how harmful fragrances and other icky chemicals in our self-care products are to our unborn babies. I am a huge proponent of encouraging mothers to take part in relaxing self-care routines as a way to prepare themselves for labor, but I want it to be safe. I want it to be with good, wholesome ingredients that are supportive of yours and your baby’s health.

Primally Pure has their very own Holistic Skin Care Guide which is absolutely chocked full of great routines, how diet impacts your skin, how to read and react to your skin, what products are best for your skin, and the best supplements to support your particular skin goals! It’s over 80 pages of juicy goodness all about taking care of your skin to get your ideal glow. Grab yours here!

I’d love to hear your questions about any of the Primally Pure products. Chances are, if you’re wondering about something, I’ve tried it. Use code HEHE10 to save 10% off your first purchase.

Don’t forget to check out our newest adventure The Birth Lounge, listen in to The Birth Lounge Podcast, and follow us on Instagram at @tranquilitybyhehe!