My Pregnancy Skin Care Routine

Mama safe products for Dry Hyperpigmented Skin 

Pregnancy is one of the most magical moments in a woman’s life, but it's also one of the most difficult because of how much change our body goes through in nine months. 
 
There are changes happening internally and externally - everyone experiences pregnancy differently. For me, one of the external issues that came up was extremely dry skin the other was… you guessed it, my melasma made a strong comeback in the middle of my second trimester. So I wanted to share with you guys my AM & PM pregnancy skincare routine, mama safe products for dry hyperpigmented skin.
 
Before we get into it,  I wanted  to touch a bit more on my theory as to why  I think my melasma did not return until the last few months of my pregnancy. Back in March of 2021 I got the Cosemelan MD peel and that worked significantly to clear up my dark spots. Read more about that here. 
 
Then in Oct 2021 I got pregnant - since I went through IVF I had to inject synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestogen) for the first trimester. Now remember that melasma is considered the “pregnancy mask” because there is a steep rise/imbalance of estrogen and progesterone levels that stimulate excess melanin production. 

So in theory melasma is brought on by hormonal imbalances and because my hormones were being monitored and regulated by a doctor it makes sense that I did not see my melasma appear until after I  stopped using the synthetics and my body began to produce its own hormones (likely imbalanced). This is just my explanation because of the increase in hyperpigmentation.  – I don’t have science to back it up but in principle this may be what happened. 
 
With that said I optimized my skincare routine to focus more on hydration and hyperpigmentation. BTW, I purchased all of these products so this is not an ad or  sponsored product feature.

AM ROUTINE 

Step 1: Cleanse with Biologique Recherche Lait U

Many people don’t wash their face in the morning because of how stripping it can be but personally I like to start my day with a nice cleanse. I like Biologique Recherche Lait U Botanical Cleansing Milk because it has a nice milky consistency that leaves my face feeling hydrated and not oily. A lot of cream cleansers can leave an oily film on the skin but this one does not. Also I like this product because it’s rated green on EWG.

Step 2: Treat Dark Spots with Hatch Brighten Up Serum

I learned about Hatch after I got pregnant and I really like that they offer mama safe alternatives to powerful ingredients. The Brighten Up Serum contains a retinol alternative treatment. With a concentrated blend of wrinkle + melasma[P1] - fighting bakuchiol, nourishing oils and smoothing fruit extracts, which allows this brightening serum targets dark spots.

Step 3: Hydrate with Hatch Ultimate Glow Oil 

The Hatch Ultimate Glow Oil leaves my face feeling glowy and hydrated which helps with my dry skin. It has an antioxidant-rich botanical oil blend that delivers minerals, fatty acids and phytonutrients for renewed, calmer, more supple skin. 

Step 4: Protect with Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 

I picked this product up at Credo - where I do most of my clean skincare shopping now. I like Plumscreen because it’s mineral based and combines broad spectrum sun protection with the skincare benefits of Le Prunier’s cult-favorite Plum Beauty Oil. Antioxidant-rich Plum Superfruit Complex® shelters skin and protects collagen from pollution, blue light and UV damage while shielding from DNA-damaging free radicals. Plus it smells so good like oatmeal. 

PM ROUTINE

Step 1: Cleanse and remove makeup with Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser 

Another one I picked up at Credo, I like this brightening cleanser because it has a gel consistency and leaves your face feeling refreshed. Ingredients like  Lycopene which is rich in vitamins A, C & K and acts as a gentle skin exfoliant to help deliver a brighter glow. This one is also rated green on EWG.  

Step 2: When I’m feeling extra dry I do Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask 

This has been a total game changer!  On top of dryness I get this recurring pet dander allergy in my right eye where it turns red and my skin turns flakey. So I like to do the hydrating mask twice a week because it is hyper-hydrating with 1,000 sizes of hyaluronic acid to recharge dry skin, replenish lost moisture and deliver thirst-quenching hydration. It says it’s Best for dryness, dehydration, or uneven skin tone, and it is! This is rated moderate on EWG due to its bitter orange peel & jasmine extract being an allergen. 

Step 3: Brighten with Klur Brilliant Light 

I use the Klur Brilliant Light every other night. This multi-correctional repair serum contains vitamin C, E and rosehip seed which work together to illuminate, protect and correct skin damage.  

Step 4: Hydrate with Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil

I’ve purchased this facial recovery oil about 5 times, I’m so obsessed. Eminence is an organic, sustainable and cruelty free line. I love to finish my night routine with the recovery oil because it nourishes and smells amazing with ingredients like sage oil that calm and balance, olive oil, ylang ylang that regenerate and heal the skin. This is rated moderate on EWG due to its tea tree oil and ylang ylang oil being an allergen. 

Keeping a simple routine yet using potent clean ingredients has worked to keep my skin feeling and looking refreshed during my pregnancy. If you have any recommendations on pregnancy safe products you love drop them in the comments below.