How to Exfoliate Your Skin Safely When You’re Pregnant

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When you’re pregnant it can be hard to keep up with all the things you should and shouldn’t do, like what foods need to be avoided, and whether your usual skin care regime is safe. It can feel overwhelming, but you’ve got this, mama!

Here I’m going to relieve any concerns you might have about exfoliating during pregnancy, and give you tips on everything from why it’s a great idea to exfoliate to how often to use body scrub when you’re expecting.

CAN I EXFOLIATE WHEN I’M PREGNANT?

The simple answer is yes, you can! Exfoliating scrubs are safe to use when you’re expecting. It’s natural to worry about the products you’re putting on your skin when you’re carrying a precious bundle inside, but you can rest assured that exfoliating your face and body is not only safe, but beneficial. So you can add it to your pregnancy to-do list!

If your skin is feeling more sensitive than usual during pregnancy, then you can tailor the level of exfoliation to your needs. You’ll find that exfoliating body polishes are available in various levels, so you can choose a gentle level of exfoliation, rather than moderate or deep. If you have sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to speak to your dermatologist before introducing a new product.

THE BENEFITS OF EXFOLIATION DURING PREGNANCY

Exfoliating your skin is great at any time of life. It helps to remove dead skin cells, smoothing and softening the surface of your skin. It helps to clear clogged pores. It helps your skin absorb the nutrients from your moisturizer and other creams and lotions. And it helps your skin glow – giving you a helping hand with that much talked about pregnancy glow!

Specifically during pregnancy, exfoliating is even more helpful. By removing impurities, a body scrub can help keep your skin toned, and it can help improve elasticity. That’s super helpful when considering how to deal with stretch marks. By helping oxygenate your skin, exfoliating also aids skin cell renewal. 

On top of all those physical benefits, taking care of your skin in this way is also good for your mental health. Treat yourself to wonderful at-home spa experiences by continuing (or starting) these comforting skin care routines. Indulging in self-care can be a great way to combat stress during pregnancy.

HOW OFTEN TO USE BODY SCRUB WHEN PREGNANT

Using a body scrub exfoliator twice a week will help you keep your skin soft and smooth. Just like when you’re not pregnant, exfoliating isn’t a daily step in your skin care regime when you’re expecting. If you’re entirely new to exfoliating, then start off using it once a week, to let your skin get used to the product. Then you can move onto twice a week. 

Soften your skin in a warm bath or shower first to help get the most out of your body scrub. Warm, damp skin responds much better to exfoliation, as the pores will have opened and the surface will have softened. You might choose to use a loofah of soft body brush to help you get to those hard-to-reach places! 

As you can see, it’s a great idea to exfoliate during pregnancy, so enjoy some time, mama. You deserve it! 

What self-care activities do you like best?