Pregnancy transforms your body in beautiful and unexpected ways, including your skin. As hormones shift, it’s essential to use gentle, pregnancy-safe skincare. Discover how to nurture your natural glow with ingredients that protect, soothe and safely support you and your growing baby. Kelli Clifton chats to Dr Alek Nikolic, a well-known aesthetic medical practitioner from Cape Town, South Africa, about all the dos and don’ts for pregnancy-related skincare.
The pregnancy glow – in a nutshell
“The pregnancy glow is caused by hormonal changes that make the skin look radiant and flushed,” says Dr Alek. “The body produces more blood to support the growing baby, which increases blood flow to the skin. This can make the skin look brighter, plumper, less wrinkled and fuller.”
Ingredients and products to avoid
“Avoid benzoyl peroxide, botulinum toxin and injectable filler treatments, hydroquinone, retinol and retinyl palmitate, salicylic acid, and skin bleaching/whitening products,” recommends Dr Alek.
If you weren’t aware of your pregnancy and still used said ingredients, don’t fret.
“It’s unlikely that the low concentrations of these ingredients will have any major effect, but it’s recommended that as soon as you know you’re pregnant, to stop using topical products with the ingredients mentioned above. Wait for a month postpartum before using actives to allow all the hormone levels to completely settle. Do not use these actives and treatments while breastfeeding.”
Common skin conditions during pregnancy
“The most common skin conditions we see during pregnancy are hyperpigmentation (melasma) and acne. Both of these are caused by the hormonal changes. Other skin changes include dark marks appearing on certain parts of the body, such as linea nigra, varicose veins, and spider veins.”
“For melasma, combine topical vitamin C and sunscreen. Use glycolic acid-based exfoliators, an oil-free SPF and a lightweight hydrator or moisturiser for acne. For the rest, I would recommend waiting until after the pregnancy, as some may resolve on their own,” says Dr Alek.
Try these:
Our spa treatment checklist
Can pregnant women have…
Pedicures? Yes. But, be aware of foot pressure points, as this can bring on early contractions.
Manicures? Yes, as long as the gel/polish used does not contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or formaldehyde.
Massages? Yes, provided it’s done safely with the right precautions. Make sure the therapist is trained in pregnancy massage. Be sure to lie on your side or chair and avoid lying on your stomach. Avoid deep pressure on your legs, ankles, toes, and abdomen. Good to know: Pregnancy massage can improve wellness and sleep.
Facials? Yes, provided there are no harmful ingredients such as retinoids used in the facial.
Remember: Always inform your skin therapist that you are pregnant.
Beneficial ingredients during pregnancy
- Glycolic acid: Helps treat acne and hyperpigmentation.
- Azelaic acid: Helps treat acne and hyperpigmentation.
- Vitamin C: A useful antioxidant that reduces pigmentation and slows skin ageing.
- Vitamin E: A useful antioxidant.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hydrates and maintains skin moisture.
- Lactic acid: Helps exfoliate and hydrate dry, scaly skin.
- Coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter: Look for these ingredients in moisturisers.
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide: These are found in mineral-based sunscreens.
Try these:
The importance of sunscreen
“I would recommend an SPF 30 or higher,” says Dr Alek. “It should contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.”
Try these:
Perfume and pregnancy
“As a general rule, pregnant women can wear perfumes, but note that some cosmetics contain stabilisers, solvents, or preservatives that may affect hormone levels,” says Dr Alek.
To self-tan, or not to self-tan?
“Pregnant women can use self-tan, but it is recommended that they clear the ingredients list with their obstetrician,” says Dr Alek.
Nailed it
“Avoid nail polish that contains formaldehyde or phthalates. To be on the safe side, my recommendation would be to only use nail products that specifically state ‘safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding’. The same applies to make-up products,” says Dr Alek.
Scar, stretch mark, and swelling solutions
These changes can be difficult to treat and prevent them from happening, as it depends on the skin type and skin condition. However, the best approach to minimise these changes is to follow a combined approach, such as:
- Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water as much as possible throughout the day to keep your skin soft and properly hydrated.
- Moisturising by applying creams or lotions several times daily. This will help keep your skin hydrated and supple. Look for creams that contain avocado oil, shea butter, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, collagen, or cocoa butter.
- Exercise will help increase circulation and collagen production, which can help your skin stay strong and more elastic.
- Eating a healthy diet will help promote healthy skin.
- Avoid sudden weight gain or loss to minimise the degree of skin stretch.
Try these:
Suffering from facial swelling? Try these tips:
- Staying hydrated helps with circulation and kidney function.
- Eating foods that are natural diuretics, like asparagus, celery, and cranberry juice.
- Increasing potassium intake with bananas, sweet potatoes, and beans.
- Wearing compression stockings may assist with facial swelling.
- Getting a facial lymph drainage massage.
- Sleeping on your left side helps keep pressure off the inferior vena cava, which in turn can help with fluid accumulation in the body.
- Applying cold compresses to areas that are swollen.
How to take care of a C-section scar
“The best approach would be to cover the scar with micropore for 4 to 6 months every day. One can apply scar gels/creams over the micropore to further help with healing,” says Dr Alek.
Try this:
In conclusion
Embracing pregnancy-safe skincare is about more than beauty. It’s self-care for you and your baby. By choosing gentle, nourishing ingredients, you protect your skin’s balance, enhance your natural glow and create a mindful routine that celebrates this transformative chapter of motherhood.
If you’re ever unsure of anything, chat to your obstetrician.
Kelli’s no stranger to the beauty biz, with this being her thirteenth year in the industry. She’s got over 100 issues of FAIRLADY Magazine under her belt, where she worked her way up from Beauty Intern to Beauty Editor. She had two loves – beauty styling, along with beauty writing but the main reason for her putting pen to paper each issue was the community she built – full of fellow beauty enthusiasts, sharing everything from their favourite fragrances to their skincare woes. Since leaving FAIRLADY in 2018 to pursue her own business of beauty content creation, consulting, social media management and more, she’s had the honour of working with both local and international brands, creating successful, personalised workshops in the makeup, skincare and fragrance space. She currently manages the marketing of some of SA’s most loved beauty brands and freelances for glossy Modern Beauty, Edgars Beauty Hub and Benefits Magazine. And now, she gets to add Aesthetic Appointment to her proud list of accomplishments.
- Kelli Cliftonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/kelli-clifton
- Kelli Cliftonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/kelli-clifton
- Kelli Cliftonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/kelli-clifton
- Kelli Cliftonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/kelli-clifton
MBBCh (WITS) ATLS (ACS) MBA (UCT)
Dr Alek Nikolic is a doctor with a special interest in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. With a focus on skin care, skin ingredients, and cosmetic dermatology treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, Botulinum toxin, and Dermal Fillers, he has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and is responsible for training many medical practitioners both locally and internationally. After receiving his MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand (1992) he went on to do an MBA at the University of Cape Town (2000). With over 24 years in private practice, he has lectured and performed live demonstrations across the globe, including Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Monte Carlo, Prague, and Warsaw.
Some of his accolades include: Owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, Owner of online skincare store SkinMiles.com, Owner and formulator of Skin Ingredients (sk.in): www.skiningredients.com, Founding member of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy, Advisor to Allergan Local Country Mentor in Facial Aesthetics, EXCO Member of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA), and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
