During pregnancy, the skin, hair and nails can experience changes due to hormonal fluctuations. Some women enjoy glowy skin, glossy hair and stronger nails, but for others, they can develop sensitive skin that becomes dry, red, irritated or prone to breakouts. These changes are usually temporary but they do cause discomfort and affect confidence. That’s why adopting a gentle and pregnancy-safe skincare routine is important for keeping the skin nourished, healthy and feeling your best. 

Why does pregnancy make skin more sensitive?

There are many reasons why pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive, causing different skin-related problems and even reacting to your current favourite skincare brands. Here’s why your skin may become more sensitive during pregnancy….

Hormonal Changes

During pregnancy, your body goes through important hormonal fluctuations, as levels of oestrogen and progesterone increase. These changes can affect your skin in many different ways. Some women experience an increase in oil production, which can make skin feel more oily, leading to breakouts and acne. Others may notice their skin is more sensitive, become drier and more easily irritated.

Weakened Skin Barrier 

The hormonal changes that your body goes through during pregnancy can affect the skin’s natural barrier function. This skin barrier acts like a protective shield for your skin, that locks in moisture and defends against irritants. However, hormonal fluctuations can weaken this barrier, making the skin more prone to dryness and dehydration leading to more sensitive skin. These skincare changes during pregnancy can leave your skin more vulnerable to external influences such as weather, allergens and harsh ingredients. 

Increased Blood Flow 

To support your growing baby, your body increases blood circulation significantly during pregnancy. This surge in blood flow can sometimes make the skin look flushed and warm, causing a ‘pregnancy glow’. However, for some, this boost in blood flow can also make the skin more sensitive. It may feel tighter, uncomfortable, red and become more prone to irritation. 

Stretched Skin

As your body grows to support your growing baby, your skin has to stretch to keep up with the changes. This increased stretching of the skin can make the skin more prone to discomfort, tightness, dryness, irritation and itching, especially around the growing belly, breasts and hips. Stretching can make it harder for your skin to lock in moisture, leaving it more sensitive and vulnerable to external factors. Many pregnant women also notice stretch marks as their skin stretches to its limits. 

Changes To Skin pH

The skin’s pH is an important part of keeping the skin healthy and comfortable. The skin’s pH is naturally slightly acidic (around 5.5) which helps protect against harmful bacteria or irritants while maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. However, during pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can cause the skin to become more alkaline, raising the pH above 5.5. This skincare change during pregnancy can lead to a wide range of concerns, including sensitive skin, breakouts, acne, dryness and irritation. 

What ingredients are safe in pregnancy? 

When choosing skincare products during pregnancy, it’s important to choose gentle, non-toxic and dermatologically tested products, especially if you’re suffering with sensitive skin. Here are a few of our favourite pregnancy-safe ingredients;

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a natural pregnancy-safe ingredient known for its soothing and hydrating properties. It can help calm redness, soothe dehydrated skin, and help to heal dry, flaky skin. 

Shea Butter

Shea Butter is rich in vitamins A and E, and acts as a deeply nourishing moisturiser for dry skin. It helps to relieve dryness and itching, improve elasticity and help to soothe dry or sensitive skin. 

Chamomile 

Chamomile is well known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. Not only does it help to reduce inflammation and calm sensitive skin, it also reduces redness and soothes acne-prone skin. 

Coconut Oil 

Coconut is a natural ingredient that hydrates and strengthens the skin’s barrier function. Its soothing properties help to lock in moisture, preventing dry and flaky skin while reducing irritation and sensitivity. 

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a pregnancy-safe ingredient that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It helps to keep the skin smooth and well-hydrated and reduces dryness, tightness and irritation. 

Allantoin

Allantoin is another ingredient that is safe to use in pregnancy. It helps to soothe the skin and provide relief from irritation and dehydration as well as helping to repair the natural skin barrier. 

Panthenol

Panthenol is one of our favourite ingredients to use in our skincare products. It helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin, whilst helping with healing the skin and reducing inflammation. 

A pregnancy-safe skincare routine for sensitive skin

Gentle cleansing

Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Look for a product that is soap-free, pH-balanced and uses pregnancy-safe ingredients. Our sebamed Cleansing Bar is an excellent option, as it’s formulated with gentle, soothing ingredients like Panthenol and helps to maintain a healthy pH level.

Toning

A toner with soothing ingredients like ​​Panthenol and Allantoin can help to remove excess oil, sebum and dirt from the skin whilst supporting the regeneration of the skin. Our sebamed Clear Face Facial Toner is the perfect choice to help refresh your skin without irritation. 

Moisturising 

Hydration is incredibly important during pregnancy. Choose a moisturiser that’s free from harmful chemicals and is deeply nourishing to the skin. Our Baby sebamed Body Lotion contains soothing chamomile and allantoin that will make the skin soft and supple - and the best thing of all, it’s a product that suits both you and your baby.  

To see the rest of our baby and child skincare products - click here