Skincare guru Sonya Dakar, whose celeb clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Vergara and Kyra Sedgwick, shares some mommy-to-be skin saving tips.
With hormones raging your skin sometimes can look like a war zone. “I see so many women who usually have flawless skin suffer from hormonal breakouts on their face, chest, and back” says, Dakar.
Even if it's been years since you've seen a zit, don't be surprised if pregnancy brings out a bumper crop, particularly around your mouth and chin. These are the most common areas for acne to occur during pregnancy, and if you don't treat it right away, it will continue until you deliver, and sometimes even after baby is born.
With just a few small changes to your beauty routine, you can get the glow going and join the ranks of some the world's most beautiful pregnant divas!
Exfoliate 2-3 Times a Week
"Hands down, acne is the No. 1 skin problem to hit women during pregnancy – but there are also a variety of bumps and rashes and discolorations that occur as well" says, Sonya Dakar. She recommends using a gentle scrub 2-3 times a week on the face and other areas that may be the victims of breakouts, such as chest, back and shoulders. Look for a scrub that is natural and delicate – the last thing you want to do is irritate and scratch your skin.
Avoid the Sun - It’s Your Worst Enemy!
During these 9 months your hormones make your skin more sensitive to discoloration and developing a pregnancy mask. This means that dark splotches can appear on your forehead, cheeks and upper lip. Wear an SPF 30 EVERY DAY!! The sun damage does not go away when the baby arrives. Don't sit in direct sunlight, and wear hats. Keep your face protected at all times.
Avoid Overheating
Whether it's warm indoors or out, try and stay cool in the shade, with the AC, or a dozen fans blowing cool air on you. Overheating is not only unhealthy, but can cause tiny rash-like bumps to develop on your face and body. These in turn can turn into tiny little pimples. So if you can't take the heat then do yourself a favor and stay out of the kitchen.
Pregnancy Faux Glow
They say that you are supposed to be glowing when you are pregnant, but it's not always the case. Hormones are in high gear and can cause oiliness, pregnancy mask (discoloration on the skin), and enlarged capillaries…it's not always pretty. Sonya Dakar’s “pregnancy faux glow” recipe helps clients (and now you) to fake it with a little facial oil combo.
Sonya Dakar’s Beauty Rx:
At the clinic Sonya Dakar uses a fast-acting spot treatment with probiotics and Nano-Salicylic Complex to rapidly eliminate blemishes. This gentle formula quickly reduces redness, inflammation and kills bacteria.
While you're waiting for Blemish Buster to arrive, here's one of Sonya Dakar’s Zit Zapper Recipes you can try tonight!
- Pour a packet of yeast into a bowl and add water one drop at a time (about 1 tsp total). Mix well after each drop until the mixture turns to a medium paste.
- Add 2 drops of lemon juice and blend. Dab the paste on your breakouts (but be sure to give it time to dry before hiding under the covers).
- Yeast helps to draw out impurities and dry out the blemish. Lemon juice helps to lighten any discoloration.
