As you might already know, pregnancy brings about a lot of physical, emotional, and mental changes. And for those who strive to always maintain a radiant glow; mood swings, unintentional weight gain, backaches, and morning sickness are often less of a concern.

It is not unusual to experience flaky, dry skin, which can even sometimes feel itchy. You can’t even think of blaming it on the new bundle of joy concealed inside the lovely enlarging bump waiting to grace our planet. 

But there are a few things you can do to get back your glow and radiance! 

This piece seeks to explore the reasons why pregnant women experience bouts of dry skin, and what you can do about it… Shall we?

Causes of Dry Skin While Expectant 

The most obvious reason why women experience skin dryness during pregnancy is the hormonal changes that occur in this period. During the first few stages of pregnancy, for instance, the levels of the hormone estrogen increase tremendously, making one prone to lighter and oilier skin.

In the last trimester, the level of estrogen tends to decrease naturally. Here, the skin may lose its ‘hydration’ and shine, consequently making it appear dull and even dry. Hormonal changes in pregnancy typically rob the skin of its elasticity and natural glow.

Together with other possible factors like an increase or decrease in body weight, as well as changes in personal hygiene habits, the changes experienced during pregnancy are largely to blame for dry skin.

Common Symptoms of Dry Skin 

The signs of dry skin in pregnancy may vary from one woman to the other. However, it might appear cracked, rough, and flaking. Scaling, itchiness, fine lines, and tightness in the skin are also common symptoms in some women.

Ways to Treat Dry Skin in Pregnancy 

Now that we know the causes and symptoms to look out for, how do you treat dry skin during pregnancy? Well, none of them may count as the ultimate silver bullet to skin dryness during pregnancy per se; the hacks below can go a long way in combating dryness and restoring healthy skin while pregnant.

1. Moisturize Immediately After Bathing 

There is little point in treating dry skin during pregnancy with a body or face lotion because the dry patches are usually present in the earlier months of pregnancy. Rather, it is more effective to apply quality body and bath moisturizer immediately after you have bathed or showered.

It’s even better if you pick one made from natural organic ingredients. And, yes, it might seem a bit inconvenient, but the faster you moisturize your skin, the faster your skin will get in the best of shape and appearance.

Also, you can try using a good oil or moisturizer for your face, keeping a tube of moisturizer handy for frequent applications.

2. Keep Hydrated – take plenty of water

Along with moisturizer, one of the most effective ways to soothe dry skin and restore its lost moisture is to drink ample amounts of water. An adequate water intake will keep your skin and body hydrated as you look forward to a bouncing baby boy or girl.

After all, dehydration could be the reason you have dry skin, so drinking a lot of water will help you manage your skin’s moisture levels better.

You can go about drinking as much water as you want – or you can limit yourself to 4 liters per day, which should be enough to quench your thirst and keep your body hydrated without causing water retention edema.

 

3. Avoid Wearing Hot Clothes and Certain Perfumes 

A hot or tight shirt can be great for summer weather, but it can also worsen dry skin. So, it is best not to wear a low-cut or sleeveless outfit in the hot weather. If at all you must wear a tight-fitting dress or top, try wearing light makeup under the clothing.

It will help to hide the redness and dullness that may appear when your skin is exposed to heat.

Also, it is best to pick and wear a quality perfume to avoid wearing some of the common chemical-based fragrances and colognes. These can make your skin dry and flaky, so you’ll want to steer clear of them, especially if your skin is ultrasensitive or prone to breakouts.

Apart from these, other things you may want to avoid when experiencing dry skin in gestation include:

  • Body scrubs
  • Long baths
  • Hot showers
  • Harsh soaps and cosmetic products
  • Using skin wipes on your face
  • Dressing while your skin is not completely dry

4. Stay On Top Of Your Diet – Eat lots of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E

While pregnant, nothing is more important than observing healthy nutrition. A proper diet is essential to your health and that of the little one in your tummy.

In addition to taking plenty of water, it is also important to eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which help keep your skin’s moisture levels in check.

In this case, some foods to take in plenty include walnuts, chia seeds, green leafy vegetables, and pumpkin seeds. Don’t forget to include ample amounts of avocado and fatty fish in your weekly diet as well.

  • While Omega-3 from sources such as fatty fish helps your skin look younger, supple, and elastic, the antioxidant-rich vitamin E protects the outer layer of your skin from drying out. The latter also helps reduce breakouts alongside keeping your skin hydrated.

5. Use a Humidifier While Indoors 

Last but not least, ensuring proper air conditioning in your home, office, or bedroom can help soothe your skin and promote recovery from dryness. Especially if you are living in an area prone to low humidity, consider turning your humidifier whenever you’re indoors.

This can even help prevent the problem in the first place. When pregnant, the immense changes that take place in your body can give your skin’s radiance a run for its money.

In Conclusion

As excited and eager as you are about the thought of finally holding your newborn in your arms after nine long months, you also want to do so in your happiest and best-looking self. The above few points can help make sure that pregnancy skin dryness doesn’t stand in the way of that!

 

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