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The best beauty products perfect for each trimester!
As you coast through the stages of pregnancy, you may find yourself shocked at the ever-changing reflection in the mirror. From your body expanding rapidly to your out-of-control hormones causing (nice and not-so-nice) changes in your skin, hair, and nails, it may get overwhelming even for experienced mamas. But fret not, we’ve got you covered! Stay rockin’ that fabulous bump with some beauty tips and recommended products for each trimester of pregnancy.
First Trimester
Pregnancy’s initial stages can be everything but magical for mamas-to-be. As your body changes, your decreased energy levels may often leave you exhausted and sleep-deprived. Suddenly, your skin is expanding around your growing bump, becoming a bit drier than usual. And unless you’re one of the lucky, enviable few, you won’t pass your first trimester without many run-ins with morning sickness. Tackle these first trimester woes with some relaxing scents, skin-strengthening moisturisers, and revitalising cosmetic treatments.
Ginger Body Wash
Ginger is nausea’s kryptonite, making Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash by Origins a soothing addition to your shower routine. Your heightened, doglike sense of smell will adore the added notes of lemon, lime and bergamot, altogether making this an effective morning sickness repellant.
Fortifying Shampoo
Your locks, which may have gotten noticeably thicker from hormonal changes, will love the little oomph from Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo, Green Tea and Lime. Containing organic, naturally hydrating ingredients like Moroccan Argan Oil and Vitamin E, this hair superfood complex will add shine and strength to your mane. The green tea and the fresh lime scent will spritz up your haircare regimen – not to mention keep your nausea at bay.
As your skin expands, using an exfoliator like Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub shoos away flakes and impurities, refining scaly skin. Natural Bamboo Powders, Mimosa and Shea butter make this treatment a gateway to a firm, youthful complexion. Massage onto wet or dry skin on focus areas like bust, knees, elbows, feet and thighs.
Dark Circle Remover
Sleepy eyes weighing you down? Perk up a tired complexion with Zino Dark Circle Removal Golden Eye Mask. The concentrated caviar extract and colloidal gold under your eyes will help improve micro-circulation and increase collagen proliferation, smoothing down those infamous dark under eye circles.
Rock a faux glow with Eco-Tan Invisible Tan Face & Body Creme. This Australian organic tanning lotion uses nontoxic ingredients like cacao powder for a sun-kissed appearance, especially useful for days when morning sickness has got the best of you.
Second Trimester
As morning sickness subsides and your energy restores, you’ll start to become more accustomed to your pregnant appearance. Soaring oestrogen and progesterone levels during this time will also make way for that lovely pregnancy glow.
For some, however, the increase in hormones produce puberty-level acne breakouts and dry patches. Some will even develop Cholasma – dark, freckle-like spots appearing on cheeks and forehead.
Your growing bump also increases your susceptibility to stretch marks. Don’t underestimate the power of moisturising, mamas! Slathering on products with Shea or cocoa butter onto your tummy, thighs, hips, chest, and lower back will keep your skin smooth, supple and more resistant to pregnancy changes.
Improve your skin’s elasticity and density with this Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream. Enriched with plant extracts, shea butter and jojoba oil, this nourishing lotion smooths away lines and keeps your expanding skin firm. Make a routine out of it by applying in the morning and at night on stretch-prone areas, giving special attention to stomach, bust, inner arms, and thighs.
Baby Oil
Now this is a product you can use through through pregnancy and far beyond. Using a mineral oil moisturiser like Johnson’s Baby Oil remedies dry skin, stretch marks, and other pregnancy skin issues. Apply on wet skin after a shower to get rid of dryness, or have your partner massage it onto your back to relieve aches and pains.
Belly Butter
Mambino Organics Oh Baby! Belly Butter is hailed for softening the appearance of old marks while restoring elasticity and hydration. Notes of lavender and mandarin add nourishment and fragrance to moisturising agents like shea, mango, and cocoa butter – keeping your skin healthy and firm.
Apart from protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays, applying Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 may prevent Cholasma. This oil and water resistant sunblock can also keep your existing “mask of pregnancy” spots from worsening. Spread this invisible, weightless lotion onto your face as a base to your makeup for great results.
Face Wash
Fight excess oil production with John Masters Bearberry Oily Skin Balancing Face Wash. Using citrus oils and 20 oil-fighting extracts, among them Willowbark, helps to minimise pore size and exfoliate dead skin cells for clean and fresh skin.
Third Trimester
By this time, your baby has made it very clear about wanting out. With your belly at its biggest, your tightening skin may become more prone to itching. And though it’s been weeks since you’ve last seen them, your poor feet have taken quite the beating from carrying all that extra weight. Get into hot mama mode with some relaxing remedies and some beautifying hacks.
Lavender Pure Essential Oil
In combination with jojoba or another mild carrier oil, using Lavender Pure Essential Oil can be a great stretch mark reliever, especially on the abdomen and upper thighs. Massage daily into the skin for best results. For safety measures, essential oils are to be used after the first twenty weeks.
Foot Cream
Your achy feet will be thankful for a conditioning with Mama Bee Leg and Foot Creme. This peppermint oil and rosemary extract lotion soothes and conditions, giving you an automatic leg up on rest and relaxation.
Bath Bombs
Soak up some suds with LUSH’s full range of Bath Bombs, which are so pretty you might not want to use them! Just throw it into a bath of warm (not too hot!) water for a skin rehydration party.
Lip Balm
Your lips will savour the yummy flavours of Earth Mama’s Certified Organic Lip Balm, a natural, vegan, and safe option for each mama-to-be. Choose from fun flavours like mint herbal, coconut, or lavender meringue to spice up your hospital bag essentials!
Nail Polish
Pretty up those swollen hands and feet with a little paint job using Scotch Naturals Nail Polish, an all-natural, nontoxic lacquer. Do keep in mind that in case of a C-section, the surgeon will need to remove polish to check your nail beds.
Word to the Wise: Tips for Hair Removal and Beyond
Keep your hair stylist or nail salon artist in the know about your pregnancy as early as you can. Although it’s NOT advised to dye your hair during this time, highlights may be a better option for women who insist on keeping their locks fresh. Be sure that your stylist avoids your scalp and minimises chemical exposure.
Your rising estrogen levels will give way to luxurious hair growth on your scalp (yay!) and in other areas – we’re talking armpits, upper lip, sideburns and your belly. Though this temporary growth is likely to go away within six months after baby, it’s best to learn safe tips on removing that unwanted fuzz.
If you’re used to shaving, threading, or plucking, the great news is that these chemical-free procedures are totally safe. Waxing and sugaring are acceptable if your skin is less sensitive, but both require the work of a trusted professional in a very clean facility for safe results. While no longterm studies have been done on the effects of depilatories, bleaching, and laser hair removal on pregnancy, these invasive procedures are best avoided until after baby is out.
