During pregnancy the body goes through a lot of changes. One very common complaint during this time is of pregnancy skin problems. These changes are however normal and should not be termed as skin disorders. They are the marks of motherhood and are no risk to the mother or unborn baby.

You should protect your skin from the sun by staying out of it when it is hot and also by using a sunscreen of at least SPF15. Some moms-to-be develop a pregnancy mask which is a darkening of the skin around the mouth, nose and forehead which worsens when exposed to the sun.

Dry skin and pregnancy are another common combination that calls for extra moisturizing to get rid of the dryness and the accompanying itch. The moisturizing cream will help with the dry skin, however, you should seek your doctor’s advice regarding anti-itch lotions which may be required to alleviate itchy skin during pregnancy.

Using a water- based moisturizer will help pregnant women who suffer from greasy skin. As there is no treatment, it is best to keep the skin moisturized with cocoa butter as it helps minimize the development of stretch marks.

It is advisable to perform the following skin care routines during pregnancy in order to avoid pregnancy skin problems:

Cleanse your face twice daily in order to keep pores unclogged and to help with acne. However, regular acne medication should not be used during pregnancy.

Do not use soaps, which will remove oils and make the skin even drier. Due to the sensitivity of the skin, use products labeled as being non-comedogenic. Don’t forget your feet, which are often neglected, especially if you suffer from gestational diabetes. Don’t forget to drink adequate amounts of water. Taking long baths should be avoided, as they will make dry skin even drier.

Most importantly, make sure you rest as much as possible as sleep restores the skin. While it is very important to maintain the skin care routine during pregnancy, expectant mothers must always ensure that the products being used will not harm the unborn baby.

Pregnancies can be very stressful and this is mostly shown on the skin of the woman. She can have dark circles under the eyes, varicose veins, acne, brown patches on the skin and also loss of collagen and elastin.

While pregnant, be aware of the special needs and requirements of your body and skin. Special care should be taken of your condition. Listen to your body. One of the most common skin problems faced by expectant mothers is stretch marks. Most women worry about stretch marks, which become visible during the latter part of the pregnancy or after birth. Almost all expectant mothers have stretch marks which are mostly visible on the lower abdomen, hips, thighs, breasts and arms.

Stretch marks appear on the body in different colors depending on the race of the expectant mother. For example if women have a light skin color the stretch mark is pinkish and in dark skinned women they seem to be lighter than the surrounding areas of the stretch marks. Unfortunately, there is no remedy for stretch marks other than to apply some medicated lotions on the effected areas.

It is unfortunately very likely that you will suffer from some form of pregnancy skin problem but a good skin care routine with safe and tested products will help you keep your skin in the best condition that is possible.