Pregnancy is a thing of beauty, but skin changes during pregnancy leave much to be desired.
Stretch marks will be one of the most common changes to your body. People usually experience them when their skin tissues stretch suddenly, and due to hormonal changes. As a result, 8 out of 10 pregnant women will get stretch marks.
Pregnancy changes are often permanent but can be significantly reduced. Continue reading for the techniques and skincare products that can effectively treat pregnancy skin.
Stretch Marks
First on our list is stretch marks. Most women gain about 30 pounds during their pregnancy. As a result, the skin stretches and generally causes stretch marks, which are pale wrinkly lines that leave permanent scars. Almost 90% of women experience stretch marks during pregnancy and not just on their stomachs, but also on their breasts, hips, and thighs. The scars do fade over time, but for many, it doesn’t fade away enough.
The most common ingredients to prevent or treat stretch marks are usually all-natural and easy to find. Some of the best natural ingredients are:
- Vitamin E
- Hyaluronic acid
- Aloe vera
- Sweet almond oil
Pregnant women will appreciate Life’s Butter Body Oil for stretch marks and uneven skin tone because it has a bounty of nourishing ingredients. Jojoba oil deeply hydrates the skin, to keep stretch marks at bay, while sweet almond oil can reduce lines. Also included is sunflower oil, packed with the antioxidant vitamin E, which can reverse and prevent stretch marks.
Linea Nigra
Linea nigra is a dark vertical line down the middle of the abdomen. It’s the result of hormonal changes and is unpreventable. It does fade away once the baby is born, but there are preventative measures you can take to make the less noticeable.
- Stay out of the sun as much as possible
- Wear protective clothing when outside
- Wear sunscreen when your belly is exposed
In addition to this, you should also avoid using bleach creams, as they are not safe, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding. Instead, we recommend using safe skincare products to make linea nigra less noticeable, such as Life’s Butter Body Oil. Massage a few drops on damp skin every day during and after pregnancy to see results.
Varicose Veins
These enlarged veins commonly occur on the legs during pregnancy. For other people, there is no known cause for varicose veins, but for pregnant women, it is usually the result of the body compensating for the extra blood flow going to your baby.
Varicose veins can be extremely uncomfortable and mildly painful at times. Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of them is with medical procedures, so the best thing to do during pregnancy is to take preventative measures. For example, walking as much as possible, keeping your feet elevated, and wearing stockings can help prevent them from occurring. You can also start dry brushing to help stimulate blood flow. Dry brushing also works if you already have varicose veins, as it alleviates pain and swelling.
Don’t expect dry brushing to cure varicose veins if you already have them. But if you don’t, it can be an extra preventative measure to keep these unsightly veins at bay. We recommend using an ultra-fine bristle brush, like Life’s Butter Dry Brush. The gentle, natural bristles won’t cause damage if you are gentle.
Use it all over your body in circular motions after showering.
Dry, Itchy Skin
It’s common for your skin to itch and feel uncomfortable as your stomach grows and stretches. The stretching and tightening caused by the baby can also lead to dryness of the skin.
To alleviate both dryness and itchiness, we recommend Life’s Butter Body Oil, which has antioxidants to soothe irritated skin – a common affliction as your skin changes during pregnancy.
If you’re out in the sun and want a shimmery golden glow, you’ll love Life’s Butter Healthy Glow Body Shimmer. With so many soothing and hydrating ingredients, including shea butter and marula oil, you’ll relieve pain as you glow.
