How can I avoid stretch marks 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. 

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. 

Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula aimed at preventing and minimising 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). Body Partner contains a PhytoStretch Complex of Centella Asiatica and Organic Green Banana extract to help boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity and firmeness of the skin. 

Because the keys to limiting stretch marks during pregnancy are hydration and the maintenance of your skin’s elasticity, we also recommend using Body Treatment Oils, like our Tonic Body Treatment Oil – another product for stretch marks appropriate 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 your New Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert to combine results. 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.

Is there a way to exfoliate safely during pregnancy?

Yes! Exfoliation prenatal is rcommended 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. Gentle exfoliation can also help stretch mark treatments to work more effectively, like our Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert , specially developed for pregnant women.

Choose a body scrub that is moisturising, not too harsh on the skin and without too many active ingredients. 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 pregancy?

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 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 good for strengthening your muscles, and increasing your lungs’ vital capacity — two things which are essential for the health of you and 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 pregnancy mask 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.

How do I treat my dull, dry skin during pregancy?

Looking for a pregnancy skincare routine? 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 more soft 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 so 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.