Skincare during Pregnancy

In Ayurveda, pregnancy is viewed as a very special and spiritual time in a woman’s life. It is often reported that a pregnant woman’s aura is particularly luminous and golden — this is Ayurveda’s explanation for that intangible “pregnancy glow” we hear about! However, expecting mothers may not have moist, dewy, and glowing skin throughout their pregnancy and there are a variety of reasons for this. I, for one, had completely different experiences with my skincare during each of my pregnancies.

While skin issues are small concern compared to all the other changes, it is important to note that glowy, dewy and balanced skin is an indicator of health, and it is important to address it as necessary. Here are some commonly experienced skin challenges during pregnancy along with some tips on how best to manage them:

1. Melasma – Due to a sudden surge in hormones, pregnant women might experience botches and hyperpigmentation on their faces (mostly nose and cheeks). This may occur in other parts of the body as well. Generally this condition doesn’t tend to be permanent and disappears after giving birth you can use a paste of turmeric, gram flour (besan) and aloe and apply it on affected areas till it dries and then wash off. The exfoliation provided by this mask helps reduce the visibility.
2. Acne – According to Ayurveda, it happens mostly during the first trimester as the body is still adjusting to the hormonal changes. During this time, focus on cooling herbs such as sandalwood, rosewater, Holy basil to treat your skin. A home mask of sandalwood powder, turmeric, and rosewater can be applied on your face and washed with lukewarm water after half an hour.
3. Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP) – This is a skin rash that might occur in some women near the stretch marks well into their pregnancy. Although it is harmless and disappears after giving birth, this can cause severe itching and irritation which increases an expecting mother’s discomfort. As someone who experienced this intensely during both pregnancies, I can personally attest to how miserable it can be to do anything when you are constantly itchy. To manage this, I used a 2-3 drops of clove oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and applied it to the affected area (in my case my back); this was the one of the only ways I could get relief!

Avoiding these problems can add a little bit of sunshine during your pregnancy, but be mindful of your body’s reaction and adjustments to any of these herbs. Pregnancy is a time of hormonal fluctuations and it isn’t uncommon to develop new (hopefully temporary) reactions. If you are one of the lucky ones who is blessed with glowing pregnancy skin, remember to nourish your body and mind through oil massage. Giving yourself a daily massage with grounding and warming oils will nourish both your and your baby’s mind, body and soul.

Happy Pregnancy!