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Pregnancy Safe Skin Care

Learn how to manage pregnancy-related skin changes with pregnancy safe skin care. Skin solutions during pregnancy for acne, dryness, redness and sensitivity.

From breakouts to dryness and increased sensitivity, pregnancy changes your skin. Our lineup of esmi pregnancy safe skin care can help you manage skin concerns while you’re expecting and breastfeeding.

Not all products are safe for use during pregnancy. It’s crucial that you check the ingredients in your current skin care routine and stop using any that contain unsafe ingredients. See the FAQs at the end of this page for a list of skincare products to avoid during pregnancy.


HOW YOUR SKIN CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY
Common skincare concerns you might experience during pregnancy include:

- Hormonal acne: Breakouts around the chin and jaw are common.
- Melasma also known as ‘mask of pregnancy’: Hyperpigmentation that can appear on your forehead, nose, and cheeks.
- Dehydration and dryness: Dryness can make fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced.
- Increased sensitivity: Redness, flushing, and irritation


ACNE DURING PREGNANCY
Hormonal changes can trigger an increase in sebum causing many women to experience pregnancy acne in their first and second trimesters. More sebum means pores are likely to become blocked, leading to breakouts and inflammation.

Acne treatment ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.

These ingredients aren’t safe for use while you're expecting or breastfeeding.

- Salicylic acid
- Retinol (Vitamin A)
- Some oral acne medications are also unsafe. Always consult with your healthcare professional

Safe ingredients to use during pregnancy for acne
Pregnancy skin care for acne contains safe ingredients to help manage breakouts including:

- AHAs - Glycolic acid and lactic acid
- Fruit enzymes
- Bentonite clay
- Activated charcoal

esmi pregnancy skin care products to help manage acne

Cleanser: The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Anti-Redness

Serum: Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum and / or Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie

Face oil: Acai Hydrate & Nourish Duo and / or Peppermint Green Oil

Exfoliation: Fresh Sea And Salty Sand facial exfoliant and /or Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum

Booster mask: Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask


REDNESS AND FLUSHING SKIN DURING PREGNANCY

Include these cooling, calming ingredients in your pregnancy skin care routine to help manage redness and flushing.

- Aloe vera
- Arnica
- Tasmanian Pepper Extract
- Linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid)
- Menthol

Our recommended Pregnancy safe skin care products to manage redness and flushing: Cleanser: The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Anti-Redness
Serum: Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie


SENSITIVE AND REACTIVE SKIN

You may find your skin has become ultra sensitive and reactive almost overnight. Increased sensitivity is due to a shift in hormones and your skin may react to products and ingredients you previously had no problem with.

We recommend these skin care products for pregnancy related sensitivity.

Cleanser: The Uncomplicated Cleanser
Moisturising lotion: Probiotic Skin Mylck
Booster mask: Ultra Nourishing Booster Mask

Skin is also extremely sensitive to sunlight so wearing mineral SPF30+ sunscreen every day is a must. Avoid chemical sunscreen containing oxybenzone as this is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical.

We recommend: Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Fragrances can also trigger reactivity so it’s best to steer clear of heavily fragranced products - even those fragrances with essential oils.

While essential oils are natural they can be strong on skin and cause adverse reactions, especially if your skin is more sensitive than usual. Some essential oils may not be safe for use during pregnancy so always consult with your healthcare professional.


DRY SKIN

Dry patches of tight-feeling, flaky skin are often associated with pregnancy, even if you don’t usually experience dryness. The skin barrier is more permeable during pregnancy meaning moisture evaporates quickly.

We recommend pregnancy safe skin care to keep hydration levels topped up and moisture locked into the skin. Pregnancy-safe ingredients to aid skin hydration include:

- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Glycerin
- Aloe Vera

We recommend the following pregnancy skin care products to address dryness and dehydration concerns.

Serum: Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
Moisturising lotion: Probiotic Skin Mylck Plus Hydration
Face oil: Hydrating And Nourishing Acai Duo

In addition to keeping moisture levels topped up with hydration focused skincare make sure you’re drinking plenty of H2O and eating foods with high water content.

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esmi offers a full range of skin care products safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding to target a range of pregnancy related skin concerns including acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, dehydration and sensitivity.

During pregnancy and while breastfeeding avoid skincare products containing the following ingredients. They have been found to pose a risk to your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Retinol, retin-A, retinoic acid, and tretinoin or any Vitamin A derivative: Many products focused on anti-ageing or acne contain a form of Vitamin A.
Salicylic acid: An alpha hydroxy acid often used to address acne.
Hydroquinone: Can be found in some products used to treat hyperpigmentation.
Parabens and phthalates: Endocrine disruptors that can affect the reproductive system.
Thioglycolic acid: Often found in hair removal creams.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): Self-tanning products can contain this ingredient.
Formaldehyde: Linked to respiratory health issues and should be avoided.
Oxybenzone: Commonly found in chemical sunscreens. We recommend choosing a natural, mineral sunscreen to avoid this ingredient.
Aluminium chloride: This ingredient stops you sweating and is used in many antiperspirant deodorants.

If you are unsure if an ingredient is safe to use during pregnancy or best to be avoided, always consult with your healthcare professional.

For healthy skin during pregnancy take a holistic approach to skin care. Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, use sunscreen daily, update your skincare routine to address pregnancy related skin concerns, and use gentle products without the ingredients listed above.

All esmi Serums and Duos from the Skin Treats range are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Anti-Ageing Eye Serum is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy may make your skin look better. Some women experience a more glowy complexion thanks to an increase in blood circulation and hormonal changes.

Our team of skin care experts are ready to help with any questions about how to take care of skin during pregnancy. Chat with an esmi Skin Consultant today!