Pregnancy acne and feeling gross

[Abi88]

Anyone have any tips for dealing with pregnancy acne. My skin is a mess right now and it's driving me mad. Ive always had bad skin but my forehead right now feels like one giant spot. Anyone have any tips or reassurance it gets better after the first trimester?

Also what pregnancy beauty tips does everyone have? I would love to feel a bit less gross especially at the 'feeling fatter but no bump' stage. Does anyone still get manicures? I'm thinking of getting one before Christmas and all the advice seems to say it's fine but I still feel a bit scared and guilty.

 

[WinterWolf]

Sorry you're suffering with ache. I've been lucky and not had any skin problems so I can't really offer much advice. As far as I know, if you're washing your face morning and night there's not a lot that you can do to prevent hormonal acne. A lot of acne creams aren't safe in pregnancy.

Manicures/pedicures are fine but make sure you go to a place that has good ventilation. The fumes in some nail salons are not good for you or baby. I got my nails done once for our gender scan and will get them done once more for Christmas. As for beauty tips.. keep buying yourself nice clothes if you see any, don't cheap out just because you know they won't fit soon. I know it seems like a waste of money but having a new outfit that looks good really does help you feel more normal! Another tip would be to treat yourself to a nice pampering night once a week - so have a bubble bath (make sure its not too hot - below 37 degrees), do a face mask and listen to some relaxing music. Investing in a good moisturiser helped my skin feel softer, so that helped a bit too. You could get your hair done if you feel like that would help you. Hair dye is considered safe in pregnancy. I haven't gotten my hair done since before falling pregnant but there's no evidence that its dangerous.

My last tip is to be more relaxed about how you look. You can worry about what your body looks like once it isn't straining itself to grow another human. I mostly just embraced looking a bit naff if I'm honest, because I felt crap until midway through tri 2 haha.

 

[MoominGirl]

I was very well in pregnancy but I never did get that glow that everyone talks about!! Like winterwolf I just embraced looking a bit naff as it's only short term!! I found my skin was really dry to the point of flaky whereas it would normally be more spot prone. I did treat myself a few times just cos I felt I deserved it!! Think I had a pregnancy massage and a facial just for a bit of pampering. Also got my hair done.

I think winterwolf makes lots of great suggestions. Just find ways to give yourself a boost and remind yourself it isn't forever!!

 

[Abi88]

Thanks ladies! Love the idea of a bath, I'll have to get myself a thermometer to see how hot the water can be. I used to love a really hot bath before I got pregnant! I'm also going to book a manicure before I go home at Christmas, I'll try and be the first appointment of the day so the fumes aren't too bad. It's normally really hot here so everywhere has ac and the windows usually don't open so I think that's my best bet for avoiding fumes. Normally I would hardly have any nails to manicure, they have always been really weak and short but the pregnancy hormones have made them grow like crazy so I want to show them off! I'll also book a hair cut to cheer myself up since my hair has grown like mad too. Hair and nails will probably be the best things about pregnancy until I actually have a baby to hold and that seems a long way off yet!

I heard they won't do pregnancy massages before tri 2 but if that's the case I won't have to wait long now. I can't wait to get one booked!

 

[WinterWolf]

My thermometer is a floating rubber duckie that says the temperature and lights up red if the water is too hot for a baby. You can get them pretty cheap at any baby shop. It’s come in so useful and she’s not even here!

Pregnancy massage is a good idea! I hate strangers touching me so would never have thought of that lol. Yes you need to wait until tri 2 for them, and make sure you go to someone properly trained in pregnancy massage