Best Pregnancy & Postnatal Skin Care Products
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Topical Treatment
This was a life saver for me! Loved it and really helped with my breastfeeding journey!
Bio-Oil
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I've used Bio-Oil and would like to share my experience. Upon application, I noticed an improvement in skin texture, with my skin appearing smoother… Read more
and exhibiting a subtle radiance. I did not encounter any adverse reactions during the period of use. Notably, the product contributed to a reduction in the appearance of dark spots on my skin.
Smells amazing – Started using before stretchmarks could start showing and still have no stretchmarks at 22 weeks with everyday use. Has a great smell and doesn't leave oily residue on skin. Is very compatible with other products and great value. Show details
it will not get rid of stretch marks – No product can prevent anyones skin from getting stretch marks. Coco butter has always been a great product for me and even though it didnt get rid… Read more
of any supercial marks it leaves my skin feeling lovely and leave you smelling wonderful. It literally leaves your skin feeling like butter its wonderful. But dont buy it with the intention of clearing your skin because that just depends on your health and genetics.
Best mummy to be tummy cream – This stuff is the boss! My fave product to use on my mom tummy. I honestly feel like this helped me to avoid stretch marks. Highly recommend ❤️ Show details
Affordable and effective – I have been using this for most of my pregnancy (nearing the end now) and on my 2nd tub. I use this at night as it is quite sticky/thick, rather than… Read more
letting it get on my day clothing. I like that it is thick though, my skin still feels very hydrated in the morning. I haven't developed any stretch marks yet and while I know there are no products that can stop stretch marks I feel this product definitely helps keep my skin hydrated to help prevent them. It is quite firm so get some out with your fingertips and melt/warm between your hands before applying. The scent is a little strong but goes away after applying.
Aromababy Mother and Child Massage Oil
Excellent – It's great how it is free of chemicals and a little goes along way. There isn't much of a fragrance though which I miss but seeings it works the best… Read more
I overlook that. It worked well on my daughters cradle cap. I would put this on at bathtime then wash it off with there body wash. Has know real frangrance
Stratamark
Waste Of Your Money – After doing some research on this cream and travelling for an hour to purchase this cream, it did not work and it was a huge waste of my time. I… Read more
used this cream, day and night during my second and third trimester of my pregnancy and it did not work so just save your time and money!!!
Don't believe the hype!!!
Not sure – UPDATED REVIEW: Phyto Stretch Mark Oil I originally rated this product 4 out of 5 stars, but after finishing the bottle, I feel it's important to… Read more
update my experience. While it does leave my skin feeling softer and hydrated, I haven't noticed improvement in fading my old stretch marks. The fragrance is still a downside for me and would be irritating for sensitive skin. It’s concerning that the company website only seems to showcase five-star reviews for this product. My original review was never posted there which is why i’m posting here instead. I did leave some honest feedback that didn’t make it to the site. It makes me wonder if they filter out anything less than glowing feedback. Overall, while I appreciate the moisturising effect of this oil, I’m not convinced it’s worth the full price, and I’m not sure I’d recommend it to others based on my experience.
***** Old review: I left a review on their website, but they didn’t publish it. Maybe they only publish five star reviews. My review was for the phyto stretch mark oil. I rated it four out of five stars. I would have preferred if it was fragrance free. It smells like orange. (Fake orange, not real orange). I’m not sure how the addition of fragrance to a skincare product is beneficial. I have only been using this product for a little while so it’s too early to tell if it is fading my old stretch marks. It does make my skin feel softer and i feel like it does moisturise well. It’s not cheap to purchase. I bought it in their black friday sale but i don’t know if i would repurchase it again at full price.
Products with safe ingredients
It’s crucial to choose products with safe ingredients because chemicals from skin products can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Always check the contents of the products you’re using, as toxic chemicals can potentially cause harm to your unborn baby.
Safe and unsafe ingredients
Here’s a rough guide to some skincare ingredients you can use or that you should avoid. This isn’t a comprehensive list, so for further information or advice specific to your condition, consult a medical professional.
| Safe | Unsafe |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Retinoids (Vitamin A) |
| Vitamin E | Salicylic acids |
| Vitamin B3 | Oxybenzone |
| Zinc oxide | Essential oils |
| Green tea | Hydroquinone |
| Peptides | Formaldehyde |
How to check if your skincare products are safe
Check online: read reviews, blogs, websites, advice from other people who have been pregnant or by medical professionals providing information on the subject.
Read the label on the product: once you have an idea of the type of ingredients you should be avoiding, you can check the label on products while shopping.
App or website: there are various apps and websites dedicated to compiling data on whether ingredients are safe or not to use. It’s best to find an app or website that is Australia-specific, so you don’t receive incorrect information.
Consult with a dermatologist: a dermatologist can recommend specific products that will be safe to use throughout the stages of pregnancy. They also may be able to confirm whether the products you’re currently using are safe to continue using or not.
Skin issues during and after pregnancy:
During your pregnancy, you might notice your skin begin to change and feel more sensitive than before. There are a few common issues that may arise during pregnancy that will cause unease or discomfort. Here are some problems that you might experience (or are already experiencing) - and how to deal with them.
Pregnancy rash
PUPPP rash (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) develops around the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This rash develops into itchy red patches that emerge around stretch marks and usually spread to the arms, legs, and buttocks.
How can I get rid of a pregnancy rash? Topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, and oral prednisone are a few of the ways to eliminate the discomfort and pain caused by PUPPP rashes.
Pregnancy acne
An increase in the hormone androgen causes oil glands to secrete more oil, resulting in inflammation and breakouts. Acne is most common during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
Does pregnancy acne go away? Pregnancy acne should start to disappear once your baby is born. If this isn't the case, it's best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks are the result of skin splitting from your stomach stretching. Stretch marks are a natural part of pregnancy - as the child within you grows, it’s only natural that your skin would grow to accommodate this.
During pregnancy: There is nothing that will really prevent getting stretch marks, but you can try and apply some stretch mark serums or creams during pregnancy as a preventative measure. Treating stretch marks as soon as they appear my help to get rid of them, whereas leaving them until they’ve been there for a while may mean they become harder to remove.
After pregnancy: Generally, stretch marks will fade on their own or with the aid of an oil or cream. If you’ve found that your stretch marks haven’t disappeared and they’re bothering you, you can also consult with a dermatologist about undergoing a treatment such as laser therapy.
Ways to treat stretch marks:
Bio-oil: This is an oil that has been marketed as an effective method of removing stretch marks. However, keep in mind that our reviewers have given this product mixed reviews. Some reviewers swear by this product and claim that it cleared their stretch marks, but others are disappointed by not seeing the results they were hoping for. Bio-Oil can be found at most supermarkets and chemists and is relatively inexpensive - think of it as taking a $20 gamble as to whether this oil will work.
Lotions/creams: Lotions and creams that you can massage into stretch marks. Lotions and creams, such as Palmer’s massage cream or Palmer’s massage lotion, are a good place to start if you're searching for a cream/lotion to try out.
Pregnancy skincare routine
Whether or not you're experiencing skin issues, you might be hoping to give your skin a little extra TLC or pampering during your pregnancy. However, consider holding off from reaching towards an arsenal of beauty products.
Generally, dermatologists recommend limiting the products that you apply to your face during pregnancy.
Rather than following a complicated 8-step beauty routine recommended by influencers. Instead, try something more laid back and natural.
To protect your skin from the sun and keep it moisturised, Use a light moisturiser with SPF 30 or SPF 50, but choose ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients are considered safe because they’re hypoallergenic - this means they sit on the skin instead of being absorbed (unlike traditional sunscreen ingredients).
Vitamin C helps to even out your skin tone and prevent signs of ageing, such as wrinkles. Vitamin C is available in a variety of creams and serums from beauty stores, chemists, or supermarkets.
Cetaphil is a versatile skincare brand that is cheap, popular and recommended by dermatologists. According to the Cetaphil website, all Cetaphil products should be safe to use during pregnancy, except for its daily facial moisturisers with SPF. Cetaphil Daily SPF moisturisers contain drug products, such as oxybenzone, which is considered unsafe for women to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Conclusion
You’ve survived this time, so go ahead and buy yourself a new cream or book yourself in for that fancy facial to treat yourself - you deserve it.