Maternity beauty tips: How can I feel beautiful during my pregnancy?

Skincare products suitable for pregnant women



What skincare products to avoid during pregnancy

There are certain ingredients that are generally advised against during pregnancy to be on the safe side, as they may pose a risk to the baby. These include:

• Retinoids/Vitamin A Derivatives: Avoid both prescription and over-the-counter products containing retinoids.

• High-Dose Salicylic Acid: While low-dose topical applications are often considered safe, high-dose products, such as peels, should be avoided.

• Some experts also advise avoiding parabens, phthalates, and certain essential oils (like rosemary, basil, jasmine, and sage). Please check for advice from the doctor for further details. 



Pregnancy-friendly skincare products that include gentle cleansers, moisturisers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and sunscreens with SPF 30+.

What is a pregnancy-safe skin care routine? 

The basic pregnancy skin care routine should include three steps: cleanse, moisturise, and protect.

1. Cleanse gently: Cleanse your skin up to twice daily and after sweating. Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser like Velvet Cleansing Milk to softly cleanse and supple the skin.
2. Intense hydration: Use a face moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin are generally considered safe and beneficial for dry or irritated skin. Try the Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Silky Cream, which is enriched with hyaluronic acid and organic leaf of life extract, intensely hydrates and plumps the skin. 
3. Protect from the Sun (SPF): Your skin is more sensitive to sun exposure during pregnancy, which can cause dark spots. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

How can I avoid stretch marks during pregnancy?

When do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?

Pregnancy pushes your body – and especially your skin – to its limits. That’s why stretch marks often go hand in hand with pregnancy, as your body expands to accommodate a beautiful new life. 

There’s no exact science as to when stretch marks will appear during your pregnancy, but most likely, you’ll start to notice them cropping up around the end of the second trimester, in line with when your baby bump begins to form. However, note that it’s not unusual for them to appear sooner, and every woman’s experience will be slightly different.



Ways to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy

While you can’t prevent stretch marks from forming, regularly soothing and nourishing your bump with a pregnancy cream is the best way to help reduce their appearance. 



• Moisturising and massaging: Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert is the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy that we would recommend. It is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula designed to prevent and minimise the appearance of stretch marks. Specifically developed for pregnant women, this nourishing cream also soothes and relieves the feeling of tightness in the skin (a known side effect of pregnancy). It contains a PhytoStretch Complex of Centella Asiatica and Organic Green Banana extract to help boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity and firmness of the skin. 

Because the keys to limiting stretch marks during pregnancy are hydration and maintaining your skin’s elasticity, we also recommend using Body Treatment Oils, such as our Tonic Body Treatment Oil – another product suitable for pregnant women, formulated with 100% pure plant extracts. Hazelnut Oil locks in moisture to leave skin satiny-smooth, while Rosemary, Geranium, and Mint extracts help to tone, nourish, and improve the skin’s elasticity. Combine a few drops into the Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert. Lightly massage the body oil on damp skin after bathing, focusing on the areas most prone to stretch marks, such as the stomach, thighs, breasts and hips.



• Eat well: Alongside your prenatal vitamins, eat a variety of vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps repair skin damage, plus it promotes collagen production, which keeps skin strong and elastic. Foods rich in zinc, like fish and nuts, will also help keep your skin in great condition.

• Hydrate: We all know we should drink more water, and it’s an essential part of keeping skin soft, supple, hydrated and healthy.

• Steady weight gain: To counteract the effects of rapid weight gain, try to gain your pregnancy weight slowly. Then, the skin won’t be stretched so quickly, and the risk of marks is minimised. However, this is often easier said than done, and as your body changes, remember to be kind to yourself.



When to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy?

As soon as possible is our recommendation, even in your first trimester. This is because stretch marks result from skin stretching, and early hydration helps maintain its elasticity.

How to exfoliate safely during pregnancy?

Exfoliation prenatal is recommended to promote cell renewal and keep your skin supple. If you do use a body scrub while pregnant, we also strongly suggest following with a body treatment oil, to maintain your skin’s elasticity and avoid any uncomfortable tight feeling. 



Choose a body scrub that is moisturising, not too harsh on the skin and without too many active ingredients. Our Exfoliating Body Scrub is a moisturising and refreshing treatment containing natural bamboo powders, a hint of ginger and nourishing shea butter. Skin regains a firm, satin-like, fresher appearance.

How do I avoid tired legs during pregnancy?

Tired legs in pregnancy can be experienced due to the changes in your body, like hormonal changes. Poor blood circulation can often lead to a feeling of heaviness or swelling in the legs.

Try the following to combat tired legs during pregnancy:

• When seated or lying down, prop your legs up on a cushion to improve blood circulation

• Opt for showers over baths

• Finish your shower with a blast of cool water from your ankles to your hips

• To combat water retention, massage a body oil (like our Contour Treatment Oil) from your feet and work your way up to your thighs

• Keep our Energising Emulsion on hand for an immediate cooling and soothing treatment for tired legs. This lightweight lotion — with Camomile, Basil, Sage, and Cypress — tones and revitalises weary legs and helps maintain the skin’s ideal moisture balance for soft, supple skin, and can even be applied over stockings.



While it’s best to avoid anything too strenuous, gentle activities such as walking or swimming are perfect for boosting your circulation, too. Regular exercise while pregnant is great for relieving stress and carving out some dedicated time for yourself. In addition to improving blood circulation to combat tired legs, gentle exercise is beneficial for strengthening your muscles and increasing your lungs’ vital capacity — two factors essential for your health and that of your baby. Before undertaking any exercise, always make sure to consult with your doctor first. 

Any tips for pigmentation changes during pregnancy?

If you’re wondering how to prevent pigmentation during pregnancy, the best answer would be – wear SPF! Even if you live somewhere that is not sunny, it is absolutely essential to wear a very high SPF50+ facial sun protection when pregnant to prevent pregnancy mask or hyperpigmentation. Our UV Plus Day Screen SPF 50, available in translucent, is a good final step in your morning routine to maintain an even complexion.



Try to avoid UV exposure between 12pm and 4pm when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. If you are outside during this time, opt for a wide-brim hat or stay in the shade.

What are pregnancy-safe skin treatments for dull and dry skin?

There’s no one-size-fits-all routine, but when pregnant, try switching your skincare to more hydrating and nourishing products. The Hydra-Essentiel range contains organic leaf of life extract, which triggers the skin’s natural hydration systems, making your skin softer and supple in the long term. The following is a great example of a deeply hydrating routine:



• After cleansing in the morning and at night, gently pat and massage in the Hydra-Essentiel Bi-phase Serum to stimulate circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage in the face and neck.

• Depending on your skin type, follow up with the Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream for very dry skin, Emulsion for dry skin or Matte Gel for normal to combination skin.

• In the AM, always finish with an SPF to help prevent hyperpigmentation.

A change in hormone production can severely affect the hydration levels of a pregnant woman's skin, so it is important to treat this in order to minimise discomfort during this time. 

As for glow, well, when you feel radiant and beautiful, you glow from the inside out. Having a positive, loving outlook on life has enormous benefits for both yourself and your baby, so make sure you find time to pamper yourself regularly.