Dry skin pregnancy

Many changes happen during pregnancy and dry skin is one of the most common side effects. With hormone levels fluctuating, the skin can become dry and itchy. Discover how to avoid dry skin during pregnancy and keep your skin hydrated.

How to deal with dry skin during pregnancy?

It is common for pregnant women to have dry skin as the skin undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Dry skin has various causes and manifests differently from one woman to another. Fortunately, there are different solutions to help avoid dry skin.

What causes dry skin during pregnancy?

In a study published on the Online Library Wiley we learn that “Pregnancy is a special physiological condition characterized by numerous hormonal, metabolic, and immunologic changes that support the development of the fetus. These changes often lead to noticeable alterations in a woman's body, particularly in the skin.” Dry skin during pregnancy may have different causes but the major trigger remains hormonal changes.

The effects of hormones during pregnancy cannot be overlooked. Indeed, fluctuating estrogen levels can affect the production of sebum, skin hydration and elasticity. This hormonal shift can alter the skin barrier causing itching and dryness.

Pregnancy makes the skin more reactive to fragrances, alcohol, and harsh ingredients. The skin's natural barrier becomes more fragile when a woman is pregnant. Because of this weakened barrier, the skin is more vulnerable to aggression and can easily dry out.

Common symptoms of dry skin during pregnancy

Dryness, redness and itchiness often occur during pregnancy, but there may be other symptoms.

The most common symptoms of dry skin include dryness and itchiness in the belly area. You can also experience tightness, flaking, or a rough texture on the thighs, breasts, hands, and arms.

Other common symptoms include:

Cracks or dry patches on elbows, knees, or heels

Development of eczema

Stretch marks on the stomach and chest

Hypersensitivity

If your symptoms worsen and there is no improvement in your skin condition with home remedies, you may consider seeing a dermatologist.

The following symptoms are a sign to consult a specialist to have a proper diagnosis and treatment to treat your skin condition:

Severe itching on hands and feet

Red bumps or lesions on the belly

Dark urine, light-colored stool, fatigue, or appetite loss.

The latter are often recognized as the symptoms of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a condition related to liver disorder affecting the normal flow of bile which can be dangerous for your baby.

How to treat dry skin during pregnancy?

There are different ways to treat dry skin during pregnancy depending on its causes. Dry skin is mainly due to dehydration, which is why it is important to restore its moisture barrier with moisturizing agents.

Moisturizing the skin is the first step to relieve dry skin. Apply your moisturizer at least twice a day and after each shower. Use products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or urea which are richer and more nourishing. Avoid scented or alcohol-based products that are not recommended during pregnancy.

The Atoderm Intensive Balm is perfect to soothe and reduce the feeling of discomfort while durably strengthening the skin barrier of hydration.

Make sure to moisturize the exposed body areas like the face to avoid dry skin around the mouth or dry skin around the nose.

When you set up your hydration routine, it is important to choose moisturizers with natural based ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, and shea or cocoa butter. These ingredients are ideal to nourish the skin. Always apply your moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture without a greasy feel.

Petroleum jelly is an ideal option to lock in moisture to get rid of chapped lips, which is a common problem during pregnancy.

Because your skin is particularly sensitive during pregnancy, use non-soap cleansers once daily to avoid irritating your skin.

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel is a great option of soap-free cleansing gel that respects the softness of the skin.

In addition to non-soap cleanser, try to avoid deodorant soaps which soak up moisture.

When you are down cleaning, pat skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing too harshly.

Hot water is drying out your skin and stripping its natural oils. Remember to limit your showers to 10 minutes or less and avoid hot steaming water.

To soothe dry skin and eliminate dead skin during washing, you can add oils or milk to your bath for extra hydration.

Exfoliating is important to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and improve hydration but remember to exfoliate gently. Use mild exfoliants like lactic acid or yogurt masks and avoid over-exfoliating, which can cause irritation and lead to dryness.

Weekly facial masks can provide extra moisture to your skin and help reinforce the skin barrier hydration.

Alcohol-free Vitamin C serums help protect the skin’s surface. Apply vitamin C serum in the morning to provide dryness protection.

Lifestyle tips to prevent dry skin during pregnancy

During pregnancy, dry skin is usually caused by hormonal fluctuation which impacts skin hydration and elasticity. Find out our expert tips to prevent dry skin during pregnancy.

The amount of water your body requires will increase during pregnancy, which is why you need to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Hydration is the most important step to prevent dry skin. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and by moisturizing your skin daily.

Eating well is very important to keep your skin healthy. It includes good fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil) and foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins (sweet potatoes, bell peppers, sunflower seeds) to prevent dry skin.

A humidifier boosts moisture and prevents dry skin in heated areas. It is recommended to use it at night to maintain moisture in the air and help speed up the skin’s natural regeneration process.

Protect your skin from external aggression like the sun and the wind. Use sunscreen SPF 50+ daily and wear protective clothing to protect your skin from harmful UV light and windburn.

Avoid harsh fabrics and use fragrance-free laundry detergents to prevent irritation.

Dry skin during pregnancy can be very annoying but fortunately there are ways to maintain healthy skin and to prevent dryness. Follow our experts’ advice to keep your skin hydrated throughout pregnancy.