Pregnancy is a word used to define a phase in which a fetus is growing inside the woman’s uterus. It usually lasts approximately 40 weeks or nine months, calculated from the last menstrual period up to childbirth.
During pregnancy, a few expecting mommies experience a lot of physical changes during their pregnancy period. Not just the size of your bellies is changing, but your face skin may also experience changes like a few mommies who experience dull, dry, and tight skin.
Here are the answers to some questions that you might be thinking about:
See also:
A: Is dry skin on the face regular during pregnancy?
Q: Dry skin during pregnancy is common because hormones changes which causes your skin to lose moisture. But there is also a chance that your favorite facial cleansers are causing the dryness of your skin.
A: What helps dry skin on the face during pregnancy?
Q: Aside from drinking lots of water. To prevent your skin from drying, you can always use a facial cleanser that can hydrate and moisturize your skin, BUT always remember that you should use facial cleansers that are also safe for you.
A: How can I clean my face during pregnancy?
Q: You can clean your face by using gentle but effective facial cleansers that are safe for pregnant women. Avoid products that contain harmful ingredients like paraben and sulfate; instead, look for products that contain organic and natural ingredients.
A: What can I eat to stop dry skin?
Q: To hydrate your skin, you can eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fats, avocados, walnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, tomatoes, green tea, and many more. These are the foods that can give you healthy-looking glowing skin.
Skincare products might help you if you are experiencing dull and dry skin, but you need to be extra safe in purchasing products, for they might harm the growing baby inside you.
So here are a few review products and guides in purchasing the most suitable facial cleansers, what ingredients to avoid, and a skincare routine during your pregnancy.
Face/Skin Changing During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, there are many changes that you may encounter. Enlarged bosoms, puffed hands and feet, a growing belly, and some skin and face changes like darkening of the skin, breakout, and drying of the skin may also experience by a pregnant woman throughout the three trimesters of her pregnancy.
Here are some face and skin changes that you may experience during your pregnancy journey. However, not all these changes may apply to you because not all skin is the same.
Swollen Nose
Due to the increased production of estrogen, more blood
and fluids are produced on your body, specifically in the mucus membrane areas
causing. That is why it makes the nose swell up.
Swelling of the Face
Swelling of the hands and feet is normal during pregnancy. Your face may also swell up as your body produces more fluids making your face look puffy. But also make sure to consult your doctor if you experience a sudden swelling around your eyes, face, and hands, especially if it’s accompanied by high blood pressure, as it could be a sign of a serious health condition called preeclampsia.
Acne
Due to the fluctuation of your hormones, some women experience increased oil production, causing the build-up of sebum level and clog the pores on your skin. So, you do not need to worry if a pimple breakout happened to you, as it is just typical for a pregnant woman to experience it.
Skin Redness
The cause of redness during your pregnancy is increased blood production in your body to support the growing fetus inside your uterus. Increased blood level makes your blood vessel larger, making your skin looked red.
Sensitive Skin
During your pregnancy, your skin also becomes sensitive. It quickly gets irritated, swollen, or gets rashes. If you have a history of a skin problem or just sensitive skin before getting pregnant, it may get worse.
But if you don’t have any skin problem or sensitivity history, it still may happen to you as our hormones fluctuate. You might notice that your skin suddenly looks irritated when you use products that never irritated your skin before.
Glowing Skin
The increased amount of hormones causes a pregnancy glow (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, and HCG) during pregnancy that can make your skin looked flushed. While the increased production of oil makes your skin achieve that glowing look.
Dry Skin
You may also experience having dry skin during your pregnancy period as it is also an effect of hormonal changes. It can knock off your skin’s natural oil and elasticity during your pregnancy, making your skin dry and look dull.
Top 25 Best Pregnancy Safe Face Washes: List of Top Cleansers
1. Extra Gentle Daily Scrub ,Gently Exfoliates & Cleanses Without Over-drying, For All Skin Types, Suitable For Sensitive Skin
The Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub is a mild exfoliating cleanser gentle enough to use every day. It can wash off oil, dirt, and other impurities on your face. It will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft, and glowing due to it is infused with a skin conditioner like glycerin which is responsible for hydrating the outer layer of your skin known as the stratum corneum.
It also improves the skin’s barrier function and mechanical properties. A vitamin complex like panthenol (known as vitamin B5) is an excellent ingredient for hydrating the skin and improving the plumpness and the skin’s elasticity. It is clinically tested hypoallergenic & non-comedogenic.
2. BELLA B Foaming Face Wash 4 oz – Pregnancy Safe Face Wash
If you have an acne problem during your pregnancy, this Bella Foaming Facial Wash is recommended for you. The Bella B Foaming face wash contains pharmaceutical-grade ingredients like Tea tree oil that help soothes dry skin, organic ingredients like Pomegranate Extract which is an excellent ingredient for penetrating the skin locking in moisture making it a perfect ingredient for skincare product made for dry skin and contains natural emollient like Shea Butter which is proven to moisturize the skin.
This product does not contain parabens, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl, and benzoyl peroxide. You can use it twice a day as it is a hypoallergenic facial wash.
3. Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body and Face Cleanser – Fragrance and Soap Free for Dry
The Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Body and Face cleanser are great for normal-to-dry skin types. Since it is a soap-free formula that prevents the body and face’s skin from drying out, this facial cleanser contains a surfactant known as coco-glucoside that helps remove dirt and oil from your skin. Using this facial cleanser helps your skin maintain its ideal pH level, which is 5.5 on the pH spectrum.
It also preserves the skin’s protective barrier. This product is free from fragrances and dyes, making it safe for pregnant women and also non-comedogenic.
4. Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
The Phisoderm Deep Clean Cream Cleanser has a mild formula cleanser free from dye, alcohol, and soap. The rich formulation of the cream moisturizes your dry skin as it gently cleanses, removes makeup, oil, and dirt. It contains mineral oil that helps your skin lock in moisture, making your skin look soft and healthy, and is also made to restore the skin’s natural balance.
It has an Aloe Baebadensis leaf juice which contains anti-inflammatory that help soothe burnt skin. It is also an excellent ingredient for protecting your skin from UV damage. Aloin herb can block up to 30% of the UV rays.
5. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser with Pump Dispenser
The Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is made to avoid common chemicals that irritate your skin. It is gentle to your skin, but it is an effective cleanser leaving your skin feeling clean and smooth. It also removes makeup and oil without leaving your skin dry.
It contains an amino acid known as Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, which is known for cleansing and skin-softening. It is a mild and non-irritating ingredient that rinses clean and leaving your skin feeling moisturized. This type of ingredient is often found in baby products. It does not contain paraben, dye, sulfate, and fragrances that may cause irritations to your skin.
6. WOW Skin Science Moroccan Argan Oil Foaming Face Wash with Built-in Brush
The Moroccan Argon Oil Foaming Face Wash comes with a built-in face brush that you can use to clean your face. It hydrates and rejuvenates your face and also helps revitalize your dehydrated and dull-looking skin. It contains argan oil which contains a healing property like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps reduce symptoms of different inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea.
It has vitamin E that helps moisturize your skin, and is excellent at reducing UV damage on the skin. Aloe Vera extracts helps stimulate the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid, a type of chemical that holds water.
7. PCA SKIN Creamy Cleanser – Hydrating Face Wash for Dry
The PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser leaves your skin feeling smooth, soft, and radiant looking. It contains lavender oil, which, according to a study, heals the skin tissue and can lighten scars.
This product also has Rosa Canina Fruit Oil or Rosehip oil, which contains many essential fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acid that make the cell walls strong to prevent water loss. It is said to hydrate and moisturize the skin. This product does not contain potential irritants like fragrances and dyes. It is also a cruelty-free product.
8. Dove DermaSeries Fragrance-Free Face Wash, for Dry Skin
This Dove DermaSeries Fragrance is a mild and moisturizing cleanser that contains Vitamin F (ALA and LA) that helps retain the skin’s moisture. Vitamin F is a hydrating ingredient that helps protect the skin barrier. Thus, this creamy and non-foaming facial wash seals in moisture, leaving your skin smooth and soft as you use this product over time.
This product is hypoallergenic and is free from paraben and fragrances and cruelty-free. It is also acknowledged by the National Eczema Association (NEA) that it is suitable for people whose skins are eczema-prone.
9. CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser- Fragrance Free
The CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser effectively removes dirt and makeup that you wear all day without washing off the skin’s natural moisture, leaving your skin feeling dry and tight.
This gentle facial wash is formulated with three essential ingredients like amino acids that helps hydrates the skin by pushing the moisture into the skin and increases water retention causing the skin to look plump, ceramides that help treat dryness and restore the moisture in the skin, and hyaluronic acid which help preserve the skin barrier and lock in moisture.
It is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and soap-free, and is non-comedogenic.
10. Wild Naturals Face Wash, With Organic Aloe Vera + Manuka Honey, for Acne, Dry
This Wild Natural Face Wash is a gentle cleanser with a perfect pH balance (5.5), just like the recommended pH level of our skin. Using this to cleanse your face will not wash off the natural nutrients and oils in your skin. It contains coconut oil which helps moisturize dry skin and people with a skin conditions like eczema.
The Manuka Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that will help moisturize your skin, while Aloe Vera will help soothe irritations. It is cruelty-free, no fragrances and dyes, and does not contain ingredients that may irritate your skin.
11. L’Oreal Paris Skincare Age Perfect Cream Cleanser
The L’oreal Paris Skincare Age Perfect Cream Cleanser is made with replenishing oils like macadamia ternifolia seed oil, similar to the skin’s natural sebum hydrates without clogging the pores. It profoundly soothes, moisturizes the skin that helps you achieve that firm and fresh look. It gently cleanses your face without leaving your skin feeling dry; instead, it will leave your skin smooth and soft.
The replenishing oil is also effective in removing that left makeup that you wore all day. It also contains Ascorbyl glucoside that functions as an antioxidant and works well with replenishing ingredients to maintain the skin smoother, brighter, and younger.
12. Mary Kay Timewise 3 in 1 Cleanser Normal/Dry Skin
The Mary Kay Timewise Cleanser will leave normal to dry skin the feeling of fresh, clean, and glowing that your skin will feel fresh and feel that younger-looking skin with each use of this product. It has an emollient ingredient known as sucrose stearate, an active ingredient responsible for smoother and softer skin. According to a study in 2002, sucrose stearate can enhance the activities of antioxidants and nutrients that protect the body from the effects of free radicals.
It is a non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic product that makes it suitable for pregnant women who have sensitive skin. It is fragrance and oil-free and is clinically tested for skin with irritations and allergies.
13. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser | Moisturizing Non-Foaming Face Wash with Hyaluronic Acid
The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser removes dirt and makeup without damaging the skin’s protective barrier and washes off the skin’s natural moisture. It is a gentle facial wash that has three essential ceramides that preserve the skin barrier. It contains hyaluronic acids to improve your skin appearance.
Studies also found that hyaluronic acid products can help reduce wrinkles, dryness and even improve skin texture. The role of MVE Delivery Technology is to supply a lot of nourishment for your skin. This product is a non-comedogenic and effective face wash but does not cause any irritations.
14.L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift Bright Reveal Facial Cleanser with Glycolic Acid
The L’oreal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal cleanser is a gentle, brightening facial cleanser that exfoliates dullness. It has micro-pearls that exfoliate impurities to improve skin tone, texture, and clarity to reveal glowing skin. It contains glycolic acid is one of the most well-known used hydroxy acids in skincare products.
It is said to be an excellent ingredient because of the benefits it can give to the skin. It can smooth fine wrinkles and improve the tone and texture of the skin, making your skin texture smoother and more refined. It also helps boost the skin’s hydration level and plump it.
15. Clarins Cleansing Milk, Normal To Dry Skin
This Clarins Cleansing Milk will maintain your skin from looking silky and smooth and give your skin a radiant look. It has Helianthus annuus seed oil or also know n as sunflower seed oil, that serves as an emollient in the product. It can provide benefits like renewing the skin barrier and decreases inflammation.
Sunflower oils contain necessary quantities like vitamin E and sterols. It is a daily use cleanser for normal-to-dry skin types that will leave your skin fresh and make your skin look healthy and glowing. This cleanser will help maintain your skin balance during and after cleansing as you gently remove traces of makeup and impurities.
16. E.l.f. Daily Face Cleanser, Removes Impurities, Dirt & Makeup, Cleanses & Moisturizes Skin
The e.l.f. daily face cleanser removes dirt, impurities, and makeup gently while it hydrates your skin. It is infused with purified water whose main role is to deliver active ingredients to where it will be beneficial and effective to the skin, and citric acid serves as an antioxidant that is a great exfoliant for brightening and moisturizing the skin.
This cleanser is paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free, making it gentle enough to use by pregnant women who have sensitive skin. This skincare product is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA certified.
17. Green Goo Natural Skin Care, Face Wash, Facial Cleanser and Scrub
The Green Goo Face Wash is a family business, and a B-Corp certified. This product is good enough to use if you’re experiencing redness, acne, dry patches. An oil-based facial cleanser helps balance the skin and locking in hydration, making your skin moisturized.
It is formulated with calendula that is great for soothing eczema, jojoba oil which balances the oily skin and hydrates dry skin; lavender oil for lightening the skin and reduces wrinkles; and Vitamin E oil to reduce inflammation and to give you younger-looking skin.
18. Aveeno Positively Radiant Hydrating Micellar Gel Facial Cleanser with Moisture Rich Soy
The Aveeno Hydrating Micellar Facial Cleanser is gentle enough that it can hydrate and enhances your skin’s natural glow. It is made of a kiwi complex that helps turn the skin into a moisture magnet by attracting moisture. In that way, it keeps your skin stay hydrated, making it look radiant and glowing.
Kiwi is said to be rich in vitamin C, and E is known to be a great help for keeping your skin looking healthy and reduces the firm wrinkles making your skin look younger. The facial cleanser gently removes makeup, oils, and impurities. It is also hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
19. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Cleanser, Pore Purifying Pineapple Enzyme
The Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Cleanser is made of vegetarian ingredients like Ananas Sativus fruit extract or pineapple fruit extract. It is an organic acid and enzyme that help exfoliate and cleanses the skin gently while it gives your skin deep hydration. It is rich in carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins that provide moisturizing, mineralizing, and toning the skin.
It cleanses the skin without removing the skin’s natural oil. It is suitable for sensitive skin as it is made up of pineapple and papaya enzyme that can wash off makeup, and impurities leaving the skin surface fresh, clean, and hydrated. It is a hypoallergenic product and is also cruelty-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
20. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, Face Wash for Normal to Dry Sensitive Skin
The Coleraine Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser is gentle enough to add to your daily skincare routine, especially if you have normal-to-dry skin. It is a gentle cream that will help your skin rejuvenate its comfort and protect its natural moisture, making your skin look hydrated.
It is infused with prebiotic thermal water that will calm irritations, ceramide-3, which is responsible for strengthening the skin’s barrier and retaining the moisture into your skin which can result in smoother and firmer skin, niacinamide that will help your skin texture improve, and glycerin which is also responsible in locking in moisture and hydrating the skin.
21. Face Wash – Facial Cleanser Made With Organic Aloe – Face Soap With Skin Soothing & Clearing Ingredients, Non Drying
The Christina Moss Naturals Organic Facial Wash is gentle yet can thoroughly cleanse without drying the skin. Instead, it will give your skin nourishing and benefiting components. This product contains olive oil serves as an emollient it helps your skin lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated.
It also has rosemary oil, an excellent source of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can cleanse impurities and support healing. It is also said that it can help balance oil production and promote circulation, suitable for achieving healthy-looking skin. This product does not contain any harmful chemical ingredients that may affect the growing fetus and are hypoallergenic.
22. Purifying Organic Facial Cleanser
The Aleavia Purifying Organic Facial Cleanser is made of 10% organic Aloe Vera. One of the most known herbal products that help cleanses the skin and removes impurities like dead skin cells, oils, and toxins. At the same time, it keeps your skin hydrated and balanced.
The Aloe Vera gel quickly absorbs, making it a good recommendation for oily skin. It can also help moisturize dry skin as it helps lock in moisture into the skin. The product is also said to be a great help to maintain the optimal pH level of the skin. This product is free of GMOs, harmful chemicals, and parabens. It also does not contain fragrances and synthetic dyes. It is an environment-friendly product and cruelty-free.
23. Mederma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser–formula with glycolic acid gently cleans while exfoliating and hydrating skin
The Mederma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser gently removes and exfoliates the skin’s dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells. This product contains sorbitol, a type of sugar alcohol added to skincare products as a moisturizing and hydrating agent. It is said that it can help improve the product’s thickness and help the skin absorb moisture.
Sorbitol helps lock in moisture, providing you plump, hydrated, and younger-looking skin. It will also give your skin the feeling of fresh, clean, and soft. It is also said that it helps balance the pH level of the skin. This face wash is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and soap-free.
24. EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser, Gentle, Oil-free, Sensitivity-free
The EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser is enriched with bromelain that can be found in pineapple enzymes. Bromelain can be a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and fibrinolytic. Some studies say that bromelain help reduces allergy symptoms. Bromelain helps the skin become smoother, softer, and brighter.
It can also exfoliate your skin by breaking down the protein that holds the skin cells making “dead skin cells” washes off your skin. This product can remove traces of makeup, dirt, and impurities on the skin and pores as you micro-massage the oxygen bubbles that will make your skin feel clean and balance the skin moisture. It is oil-free, paraben-free, and sensitivity-free.
25. InstaNatural Facial Cleanser – Vitamin C Face Wash – Breakout & Blemish & Wrinkle Reducing, Exfoliating Gel
The Instanatural Vitamin C Cleanser is formulated with antioxidants and other extracts such as Vitamin C, which is a known antioxidant that can maintain your skin’s hydrated, improves skin’s texture, brightens skin, and protect your skin from damage caused by UV rays and pollution, Green Tea Extract that will make your skin look younger as it can decrease wrinkles and slows down the aging of the skin.
It can also help prevent melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers; Coconut Water allows the skin to get sufficient nutrients and get rid of toxins. It is also responsible for the hydration and elasticity of the skin.
Buying Products Guides: Ingredients to Avoid
When pregnant, it is always right to pay attention and be aware of the ingredients in buying your beauty products. Not just in beauty products but also in food and drinks like cutting out alcohol and caffeine.
A facial cleanser that consists of organic and natural is the only safe beauty product or skincare product you can use. It is the only ingredient that is safe for you and the baby. Fortunately, there are a lot of manufacturers that produce products that contain organic and natural ingredients that are effective.
Here is a list of natural ingredients safe for you: coconut oil, Aloe Vera, jojoba oil, almond oil, avocado oil, green tea, oatmeal, shea butter, tea tree oil, and many more.
Things to Consider While Buying Pregnancy Safe Facial Wash
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Ingredients
In buying skincare products, it is always a good thing to check the ingredients before using them. Avoid facial wash that contains salicylic acid, parabens, DEA, benzoyl peroxide, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, retinol, and retinoids.
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Action
Always choose a gentle facial wash or cleansers that do not wash off the skin’s natural oils. Find products that will help your skin retain the moisture and protect the moisture barrier.
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Texture
For texture, always go with a foaming facial wash, soft and creamy cleansers that will most likely hydrate your skin.
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Hypoallergenic
In buying facial cleansers, avoid products that can cause irritations to your skin.
According to the dermatologist Dendy Engelman MD, “There are many beauty and skincare ingredients that can directly affect the health of the fetus,” pregnant women should look out for ingredients such as formaldehyde which can be found in hair straightening treatments, nail polish, DHA is a color additive which can be found in self-tanning products, aluminum chloride hexahydrate which can be found in antiperspirants that controls excessive sweating.
Ingredients like salicylic acids and benzoyl peroxide may cause irritations and possibly absorb and pass those to your baby and cause congenital disabilities, just like parabens that are said to be the possible effect of impaired growth miscarriage, and low birth rates.
Skincare Routine
So the above lists are some products that you can use when you’re pregnant, some guides in buying skincare products, and what ingredients you should avoid. Here’s how you can take care of your skin during pregnancy.
- Wash your face using a gentle and safe cleanser
- Use a toner to remove all the dirt and makeup residue
- Apply moisturizer after cleansing and toning your face every day
- Use an exfoliant once a week to remove dead skin and dryness of your face. Always remember to wash it off with lukewarm water
- Apply a nourishing mask twice a week to help hydrate your skin
- ALWAYS DRINK YOU WATER
Conclusion
The products that are mentioned above are facial cleansers that are safe to use during your pregnancy. It is always best to be aware of the skincare product ingredients before using them. You may also consult your doctor if you want to have an opinion from experts.
Reference
1. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/pregnancy-safe-skin-care-makeup-products
2. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/complications/health-and-safety-issues/12-cosmetic-ingredients-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/
3. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/beauty/pregnancy-skincare-whats-safe-for-face-and-body/
4. https://globalnews.ca/news/3383851/11-skincare-ingredients-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-foods-for-healthy-skin
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