Product Review: My Must-Have Skincare Products during Pregnancy

Being pregnant my skin has changed more than I had ever thought possible, and along with the long list of products which are a no-no to use while pregnant, it has been a little bit of a jungle having to venture into a for me, new area of skincare that I’d never previously had explored. Here is a run-down of some of the key skincare products that I've been using during my pregnancy;

 
That itchy skin...

I’ve never before suffered with dry skin and only ever used heavy body butters during winter – but suddenly my skin turned dry and itchy. They say that the itchiness is cause by a combination of the skin stretching and hormones.

When you suddenly gain a lot of weight – and when the majority of it sits on your tummy, no wonder the skin stretches so much that stretchmarks often appear. I don’t think that there are any 100% guaranteed preventions for stretchmarks, but making sure to keep the skin soft and hydrated is said to help reduce the risk.

To help with both the itchiness and to try to prevent stretchmarks - and at over 39 weeks pregnant I still haven’t got any – I have used a combination of products..


On my tummy...; 

*Gaia Belly Oil (RRP $17.95/95ml) and *Belly Butter (RRP $17.95/150g)

This Belly Oil and Belly Butter from Gaia is truly godsend. Both products have been made without Vitamin A, steroids, petrochemicals or mineral oils, making it very gentle and completely safe to use during pregnancy without any fears of harming the unborn baby. In fact, it is so gentle that it is also recommended for use to smooth caesarean scars. The products contain organic rosehip oil, organic jojoba oil, organic wheat germ oil, to help rehydrate and rejuvenate the skin on the belly, breasts, thighs and bottom areas stay soft and thoroughly moisturised during pregnancy and after to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and avoid new ones from coming.

The Belly Oil is easy to use as it comes in a spray bottle, but it does take a little longer to absorb, so I’ve been using it at night time (to stop myself from scratching my tummy during the night!), or if I’ve been home and just wearing some of hubby’s old t-shirts where any staining hasn’t mattered so much. While if I’ve been going out, and dressed up in my nicer clothes, I’ve been using the Belly Butter as it absorbs into the skin instantly. These products deserve a medal, as I am convinced that the products are one of the main reasons I still haven’t got any stretchmarks!


Palmers Tummy Butter (RRP: $15.69/125g)

This Tummy Butter from Palmers is incredibly greasy, and it is so concentrated that you need to use the tiniest amount, and still it feels greasy! It takes a while to absorb into the skin, and consequently I have only been using this at night time when I’ve been relaxing in front of the telly, and my tummy has gotten very itchy, as it has helped calm it down. And besides, the little boy seems to really enjoy and respond to this massage, so it has become a nightly routine. It has a light cocoa butter scent, and is free from parabens and phthalates, intended for use during pregnancy. It also contains vitamin E, collagen, elastin and lavender to soothe the skin.


On my body, including thighs and bum...;

*Clarins Stretchmark control (RRP: $90/200ml)

I’ve never ever been as heavy as I am right now, and no longer being able to do any vigorous exercise, of course I have been worried about developing a severe case of stubborn cellulite on my thighs and bum.

The Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Smoother limits fat storage and activates fat destocking to reduce the most stubborn cellulite and block the formation of early cellulite at its origin. And it works to not only visibly reduce cellulite, Body Lift Cellulite Smoothers specific active ingredients reinforce the skin’s firmness, micro-circulation and hydration and has an immediate lifting and tightening effect.


I love how the Cellulite Smoother absorbs into the skin immediately, leaving my skin feel soft and smooth, and I love the slight tingling and warming sensation, as the cream works to tone and tighten the skin. And at 39 weeks pregnant, and the heaviest weight I’ve ever been, the little bit of cellulite I already had before I got pregnant, hasn’t gotten any worse, and I am yet to see any new cellulite appear, so to me this is an absolute wonder cream.

All over my body...;

*Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil (RRP: $69.95/100ml)

Although I have been lucky and most of my pregnancy weight gain is sitting on my tummy, and hasn’t ‘spilled’ out to the rest of my body, I have naturally a little weight all over, I don’t think that can be avoided. And to avoid stretch marks from creeping in and ensure that my otherwise normal skin – which suddenly during pregnancy has gotten a lot drier, - has remained moisturised, I have been using the Clarins Tonic Body Treatment.

The body oil has the most amazing and relaxing natural scent, which however quickly fades. The oil feels so luxurious to use, and it absorbs into the skin instantly, and unlike other body oils, it doesn’t leaving behind any greasy feeling. Rather it immediately gets rid of any dry skin, and leaves the skin feeling so soft, smooth and thoroughly moisturised, and after just a few days use, I can really telly that my skin both feels and looks nicer, and appears more toned. And it helps soothe any itchy skin immediately too. And again, I am yet to see any further stretch marks, so this is another miracle product.


*Lanolips Herbal Treatment Body Oil (RRP $18.95/60ml)

The Lanolips Herbal Treatment Body Oil is a Ultra Pure Grade Lanolin oil with pine and eucalyptus oils to create a specialist treatment oil for stretch marks, scars, dehydrated skin & rough skin. The rich, nourishing oil keeps the skin moist and supple, providing the ultimate level of skin elasticity, during times of rapid growth such as pregnancy. Also contains violet leaf, coriander & copaiba balsam – leaving skin soft, silky, fragrant & healthy, and it has an absolutely amazing and natural gentle scent from all the natural ingredients.

It comes in a small hard plastic bottle with a flip lid, which makes it easy dispense just a few drops at a time. The bottle may look small for a body oil, but it is so concentrated that just a few drops is more than sufficient, so the small bottle will last you forever. I’ve been using this body oil all over after my shower, and it absorbs quickly leaving the skin feel incredibly soft and deeply moisturised. This oil is fantastic value for money, and a great alternative to body lotion.



*Johnson’s Baby Lotion (RRP $5.49/200ml)

When I have been using a body lotion on my increasingly sensitive skin, I’ve been using the Johnson’s Baby Lotion. Yep, it is not just for baby skin, it also perfect for adult skin. This moisturiser is so super gentle that it is gentle enough to use on a newborn baby, leaving a thing protective film on the skin, while being soothing and moisturising.

The body lotion which comes in a cute pale pink bottle has a pleasant gentle scent. The moisturiser is light and very easy to rub over the skin, and it absorbs into the skin immediately, without leaving the skin feeling greasy. And it instantly leaves the skin feeling thoroughly hydrated, a feeling that lasts all day. And it is so gentle that it doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive of skin, but rather it has an instantaneous soothing effect. I’ve made sure to stock up on this for our little baby boy, and lucky it comes at such a bargain price, as I am enjoying using this myself too!!


Pigmentation

Another thing many pregnant women often experience during pregnancy is an increase in pigmentation due to the change in hormones. I usually love being outdoors during summer, but this year, being pregnant I just couldn’t stand the hot weather we’ve been experiencing here in Melbourne, so consequently being less outside in the sun, than I otherwise would during summer has no doubt benefited my skin, as while I have seen a slight increase in the pigmentation, this is still not major. Sadly many of the conventional products targeting pigmentation are a big no-no during pregnancy, so I have been using


Kosmea Rosehip Oil (RRP $24.95/20ml)

The Kosmea Rosehip Oil has without a doubt helped me avoid me getting the 'mask of pregnancy'. In spite of thinking my combination skin wouldn’t like using a facial oil, my skin is loving it, and it is almost as if the oil production in my skin has normalised, and my skin is no longer as oily. In saying that, it is still too oily for my skin to use during the day, as it simply makes my makeup slide off, so I’ve only been using it at night time before bed. You can read my full review of the Kosmea Rosehip Oil here.


*Clarins White Plus Intensive Brightening Serum (RRP: $95/30ml)

The Clarins White Plus range is a relatively new skincare range from Clarins, targeting dull skin, and reduces dark spots and prevents their reappearance. It is super lightweight serum enriched with natural extracts of alchemilla, red sandspurry, gink-go biloba and white tea, and it has next to no scent. It absorbs instantly into the skin, making it feel incredibly soft and smooth and with a matte feel.

After just a few weeks of using the serum I started noticing larger pigmentation spots that I’d had for years, start to fade and give my skin a more even skin tone and a healthy glow – and that in spite of the up-hill battle with cream would have had in a period of likely pigmentation increase! This is truly amazing, and I look forward to seeing the results the serum will give after I’ve given birth and it has more favourable conditions to work its magic!!


Fragrance & Well-being

I always wear perfume. Always! And if I leave the house having forgotten to put some on, I feel as naked as not wearing my watch. It is simply a habit that I would not be without. Some girls have a signature perfume, - not me…there are simply too many great perfumes out there, to limit what I wear to just one, or even just a few. But I also have to be honest, and admit that while I’ve been pregnant, I have cut down dramatically on the perfume I use. In fact I have only been wearing it for very special occasions, simply because they say that perfumes generally are so loaded with chemicals, that I thought they surely wouldn’t be the greatest for our unborn baby boy either!

But on the few occasions where I have been wearing a perfume, I’ve wanted it to be special – and then I’ve turned to Clarins Eau Dynamisante..


*Clarins Eau Dynamisante Treatment Fragrance (RRP: $65/100ml)

You see, Eau Dynamisante is no ordinary fragrance, it is a treatment fragrance, that helps keep the skin soft, smooth and moisturised, and help tone and revitalise the skin, and of course at the same time, it has a lovely fresh feminine spicy yet citrusy scent – and if there’s something I love, its citrus scented products! It is such an uplifting and refreshing scent, and it lasts all day, while still being very subtle.

 Eau Dynamisante was launched in 1987…yeah, that right, how many fragrances are still going strong and are as popular after that many years on the market!! Shows that it really is a true classic.

* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. 
 

So there you have it, some of key products that I’ve been relying on to get me through my pregnancy. And I’ve loved them all so much that they are sure to stay on my favourites list!


What about you, have you tried any of these products? And if you are, or have been pregnant, which products did you rely on during your pregnancy?