While looking for skincare products to manage dry completion and skin stretching during my pregnancy, I discovered and re-discovered a few products and brands that are also of interest to non-pregnant people. Pregnancy is an intermediary season lasting nine months, more or less forty weeks, when the body goes through dramatic changes. Women must adapt, including their skincare routine, if they follow any. Yet, I didn’t want to invest in clean beauty oils and creams that would only be useful for a few months. Targeting the face, arms, abdomen, legs and feet, the skincare products I picked during that time are light, low in essential oils and super nourishing, so I am still using them. I have also included a few habits that improved my overall pregnancy wellbeing, which I keep doing nowadays.
How to deeply nourish the skin in and out of pregnancy
I decided to limit skincare products with synthetic ingredients and opt for those with fewer essential oils simply because skin may get more sensitive and reactive during pregnancy. The completion can change because of hormone fluctuation, body skin extends in some parts, and not all products are suitable for pregnancy. Similar physiological phenomena could also happen outside of pregnancy, say during menopause, body weight fluctuation or under stress. Following are my essentials.
Organic Rose Water by Rowse
I already shared about Rowse Rose Water in a previous grooming article, but I can’t stress enough how much I love this water spray. I like the sensation of freshness on my complexion, the very short ingredient list and the relatively low price (and Rowse makes a 20% discount for what it feels like every month, so there are plenty of occasions to get this product cheaper!). I got a CURRENTBODY light mask for Christmas to mitigate postpartum signs of fatigue, and spraying some of the Rose Water after use feels very luxurious.
C'est La Cream by Violette_FR
The super nourishing cream from one of my favourite French brands. I spoke prior of the brand and their most popular product, Boom Boom Milk (which I also used during pregnancy). The cream's formula is vegan, sans fragrance, and prebiotic-based, and it is super hydrating, skin barrier protective, and works for sensitive skin. It is not sticky and smells neutral, like Boom Boom Milk, which I like. I used it mainly to mitigate my arms and elbow's dryness.
Arnica Body Oil, by Susanne Kaufmann
Stretch marks may appear during pregnancy and after giving birth, however this form of skin scarring is not absolute. There could be a genetic propensity to getting some. Regardless, I focused on prevention here and regularly applied the highly moisturising Susanne Kaufmann's Arnica body oil on the belly front area, sides and upper tights. It is suitable for the whole body and ideal for anyone needing to hydrate their skin. I picked this oil after some research because it was marketed for stretch mark prevention and contains Arnica flower extract, a powerful plant used from the beginning of time, here for skin support and redness mitigation properties. For those into spirits, the plant is also believed to "protect against low vibrational energies and spiritual attack", which can always be a bonus when expecting or for life in general. Kaufmann's Arnica body oil also contains jojoba, almond and wheat germ oil for moisturisation and promoting skin suppleness. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free.
Oliveta Body & Scalp Scrub by Rowse
Another product from Spanish brand Rowse is their exfoliating cream gel, which I mainly use on my belly and legs. I chose this particular exfoliator because it was marketed as minimising scars, boosting skin elasticity, and promoting hydration. It is helpful for a growing abdomen and anyone who likes to exfoliate with a gel-like scrub. It comes in a glass container, a low-waste bonus. I haven't tried it yet, but this exfoliator can also be used for the scalp. A readable list of ingredients and the scrub grains being made from powdered olive seeds finished to convince me to purchase. As usual with Rowse, this exfoliating product is plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free.
Baume SOS réparateur by La Rosée
I also focused on my feet during pregnancy because I tend to grow callused skin in this area. As I exercised and walked a lot, plus they were getting more pressure from increasing weight, I used the Baume SOS réparateur from La Rosée, a typical affordable French pharmacy brand. This balm can be used anywhere on the body, including lips and is also suitable for babies. Hyper-concentrated with natural wax and oils, it repairs, nourishes and calms damaged skin areas. I like its thick texture melting onto the skin. Not tested on animals but, unfortunately, not vegan as it contains beeswax.
Habits to improve wellbeing, in and out of pregnancy
Pregnancy is a deeply personal state, and I have learned that there is not one identical pregnancy, as there is not one birth the same. It makes navigating this period sometimes challenging, either because something is happening, and who knows if it is an issue, or because nothing is happening, and one wonders if there is an issue! So, to improve the odds and stay in balance, I implemented some core habits and principles in my daily life, which are also useful for non-pregnant people anyway.
Supplement. I was surprised at how few women at my birthing class were taking overall support supplements. Supplementation is something I have been used to since switching to a predominantly plant-based diet, and it felt common sense to pursue it during pregnancy. Health providers prescribe Folic Acid and Iodine fortification, but Omega 3, B12 and Iron are also important. I felt that optimal nutrition through a balanced diet and supplementation supported my overall wellbeing, with less fatigue and good energy at all semesters. Resources such as The Proof by Simon Hills and Plant Based Juniors helped me navigate pregnancy's nutritional side and are still relevant nowadays.
Movement. I think that the biggest cliché heard during pregnancy is about exercising. Lots of people associate being pregnant with some sort of condition similar to a disease or a weakness, and pregnant people have to slow down and do less. If the pregnancy is going well and the fetus is healthy, there is no reason to reduce exercising. At any stage of life, improving muscle strength, energising the body, maintaining endurance and flexibility, so keeping moving is essential. It uplifts the mood, prepares the body for the intense effort of giving birth, and helps with recovery. Of course, the physiological changes happening to the body will limit some movement, like front abdominal exercises and intense reverse positions such as headstands or running as it pushes on the pelvis. It is also advised not to begin learning a new type of intense sport during this season, i.e. If you weren't doing heavy lifting prior, maybe don't start. It is a question of listening to our body's cues. In my case, I kept practising pilates, mat and reformer, until the day I gave birth, going on-site and following online classes adapted to pregnancy. These classes would also be perfect for people with back pain and tight hips. Later this year, I will resume classes with Nicole online.
Mental health care. Taking care of the mind is also crucial. There are as many pregnancy experiences as there are women, even as there are newborns. It is an experience so personal that many, sometimes most, of the advice we can read around won't necessarily apply to oneself. And then there is the birth, the big unknown that carries so many fears. I found that all of the previous leaves expecting mothers in limbo sometimes. Getting mentally prepared for all this uncertainty helps sooth difficult moments and open the mind, adapting faster and better to possible change of situation. Practising respiration, guided meditation and using positivity routines made a consequential difference in apprehending the whole experience for me. And so, such a set of mental tools will support other stressful or difficult moments in life.
Water.
I think we can't stress this enough: to drink water all the time, 2 plus litres a day. Hydration is powerful—it drains, it soothes, it satisfies. And there is more to it. It helped me avoid one of the everyday annoyances of pregnancy, hemorrhoids, which can also happen to non-pregnant people.
Please keep in mind that this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek advice from your health provider before altering your routine, particularly if you are expecting. Always patch test beauty products before using.
