Last summer I asked you to tell me your about your most pressing skincare woes and questions. I then picked the ten most frequently asked and emailed them over to Dr Murad in LA who has very kindly responded. If you want more background on the Q&A series, have a look here and if you want to read Dr Murad’s advice on reducing acne scarring and pigmentation then you can read that here. My problem is that ever since I started breast-feeding, my skin is acting crazy. I have inflamed patches of severe breakouts that itch and hurt and other parts of my face that are super dry and flakey. What can I use on my skin that won’t hurt my baby? You are not alone. Women can continue to get blemishes for a number of reasons. Hormonal changes and imbalances, including being pregnant and post-pregnancy differences, as well as a decrease in estrogen and an increase in testorerone and DHEA can make blemishes appear. In addition, the constant and pervasive stress we encounter each day, known as Cultural Stress (and having a newborn can be very stressful!);
the lack of a proper diet; and environmental factors, like free radical damage can contribute to the appearance of blemishes. Pregnant women can have an increase in breakouts. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can cause the sebaceous glands to go in to overdrive, boosting production of sebum which can block your pores and lead to inflammation and breakouts. It’s important to cleanse, treat and moisturize the face in the morning and at night to rid skin of dirt and bacteria. Sulfer-based topical products, as well as those containing AHAs or glycolic acid to help with cell turn over, will help combat these breakouts. In addition to a rich moisturizer containing Vitamin E and Shea Butter, I recommend pregnant and breastfeeding women use products for the face that contain Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. The Vitamin C will brighten the skin while providing antioxidant protection and flooding the skin with vitamins and minerals. As women tend to experience drier skin during pregnancy, Hyaluronic Acid will attract and retain moisture to the skin.
As always, here at Murad we recommend an inclusive health approach in order to achieve the best results from your skin. Having a baby can be stressful and you may not have as much time for yourself anymore. Stress is a factor that will override everything else when it comes to skin, no matter what products you use or what supplements you take, therefore it is important to learn to manage stress well and take some time out dedicated to you. Some relevant skincare recommendations from me: 1) Alpha-H Liquid Gold is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, though go carefully if your skin feels more sensitive than usual. The serum version is not safe to use, so make sure you’re looking at the right one! Avoid anything that has the words “salicylic”, “retinol”, or any word that looks similar to retinol (retinoic for example!) in the ingredients list. Liquid Gold will help with breakouts but also increase radiance and brighten up dull skin. You can find it on CultBeauty who will deliver worldwide for free if you use the code CULTAH at checkout.
2) Murad’s Essential C moisturiser SPF30 is a nice one for daytime. It’s not heavy at all, but does a great job of keeping the skin moisturised and it also contains sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Find it at FeelUnique with free delivery. 3) For a huge hit of Vitamin C, also have a look at Murad’s home facial kit (here) – it’s great for a weekly skin blitz. Filorga also do a brilliant intensive system called Meso-C. I’ve raved about that one before, the review is here. 4) Hyaluronic acid is a bit of a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to skin moisturising. Liquid Gold Perfecting Daywear Serum, Cult Beauty (free delivery with code CULTAH, as before) – note that this is not the same as the night repair serum. � 2016 A Model Recommends�: all opinions are my own and any sponsored or paid posts will always be clearly marked. I accept press samples and receive product and services to review as part of my job. Outward links to retailers will usually be affiliate links.
Please see here for full "about" section and disclaimer. A Model Recommends and Ruth Crilly are registered trademarks.It’s a massive understatement to say that moms-to-be have a lot on their minds. But in an effort to make the list just a little bit shorter, we reached out to top dermatologists to get the scoop on the pregnancy-safe beauty products expecting moms can use with confidence. RELATED: Beauty Products You Should Never Use When Pregnant "I recommend Bio-Oil to all my pregnant patients. It dries quickly but [is] still moisturizing enough to help those rapidly changing body parts from belly to breasts to thighs. And the best piece of advice: Bring it to the hospital and use it post-partum to help your skin recoil back to its pre-pregnancy feel. As a new mother myself, I can vouch for the fact that there's no other organic product out there with such an affordable price point.”—Rita V. Linkner, M.D. Manuka Doctor 24+ Bio Active Manuka Honey "I recommend Manuka Doctor as a pregnancy-safe skincare line.
Since you’re not able to use retinoids, you need to find alternative ingredients and formulas that provide anti-aging benefits. Manuka Doctor's main ingredient is manuka honey which, when used topically, has been shown to increase collagen cross-linking, promoting the structural growth of collagen in skin cells, which results in firmer, younger looking skin due to its nutrient-dense profile. It’s also a natural humectant, drawing moisture into the skin, further enhancing the skin’s elasticity and cell regeneration. The other main ingredient in the Manuka Doctor formulas is purified Bee Venom which improves skin texture, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces pigmentation and sun damage. Manuka Doctor’s Beatifying Bi-Phase Oil is a hydrating manuka honey–based product that can be easily incorporated into a skincare routine." “To keep skin glowing and hydrated, I love recommending the NeoCell Beauty Bursts to moms-to-be. As a safe, natural, and chemical-free option, these chews are packed with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and infection-fighting vitamin C—plus, they taste delicious!”
“A safe, plant seed-based exfoliator that’s easy and gentle enough for daily use is essential to keep skin glowy, especially for those who may be avoiding chemical exfoliants during pregnancy. Between the recent microbead ban and many consumers’ increased desire for talc-free products, Amarte Daily ExfoliPowder is an ideal choice. It’s a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliator that uses plant seeds and corn starch to gently polish dry, dull skin.”—Craig A. Kraffert, M.D. “Just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean you have to give up lash serums! A safe, drug-free alternative to Latisse is the HydroPeptide Lash, which contains peptides, biotin, folic acid, lemon peel extract, and soybean oil to strengthen and help grow both eyelashes and thinning eyebrows. I recommend women continue use through post-partum as well, as changing hormones sometimes provoke hair thinning or breakage.” SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel "As a mom of four and being acne-prone myself, I’ve had lots of firsthand experience with acne during pregnancy.
Instead of treating with retinoids—which can be toxic to a developing baby—opt for topical antioxidants. I really like SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF gel as it is a great overall product and can be helpful as a spot treatment. Also remember, if you develop deep acne cysts, keep your dermatologist’s number at hand; they can inject kenalog or cortisone into the deep acne cysts to help. If you are nervous about topical treatments, consider blue light therapy, in which light is used to kill the acne-causing bacteria and help reduce inflammation.”—Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Retexturizing Pads "Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is safe in pregnancy. Many other agents—like salicylic acid—can be damaging during that time. Glycolic acid is great for combating the hyperpigmentation that can occur from the hormonal surges that occur in pregnancy, called chloasma. When I was pregnant, I used Elizabeth Arden's Retexturizing Pads with 5-percent glycolic acid.