Pregnancy skin conditions can be unfortunate surprises. But that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate them completely during those nine months.

We have some tips for turning your skin woes into that coveted glow.

01. Cleanse

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to prevent clogged pores and a dull appearance. Do use cleansers for sensitive skin, such as a glycerine based soap, as your skin may be more sensitive than normal during pregnancy.

02. Exfoliate

Dull skin could be caused by buildup of oils, dead skin cells, sunscreen and makeup. Exfoliate your skin to get that glow back on your face. Use a mild scrub, cream that contains fruit acids or even raw oats. Gently exfoliate your skin to prevent skin irritation.

03. Refresh

To get rid of the “tired” look, you can use a face spray to lightly spritz your face. A simple do-it-yourself method is to fill a spray bottle with one part alcohol to six parts water and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. You will feel instantly refreshed and it will show on your face.

04. Moisturize

Use an oil-free moisturizer to moisturize your face, especially after you have cleansed your face. During pregnancy, there is a faster shedding of skin cells. Thus, the skin needs better hydration during this period.

05. Protect

Your skin may be more sensitive and prone to burning when you are pregnant. Do wear sunscreen everyday to protect your skin. Since your skin is becoming more sensitive, switch to oil-free or extra-gentle sunscreens specially formulated for facial use.

06. Soothe

If your skin has been exposed in the sun for too long, soothe it with cocoa butter cream or aloe vera gel. These ingredients are gentle and does a good job at soothing and moisturizing the skin. Use fragrance-free formulas to prevent further skin irritations.

07. Enhance

Enhance your pregnancy glow to have a sun-kissed look by using a shimmery bronzer. A shimmery bronzer in the form of gel or a sheer cream can be applied to the skin, complimented by a rosy blusher applied to the apples of
your cheeks.

08. Powder

To prevent acne breakouts, you can use a translucent pressed powder compact to blot your skin frequently. This will make you look fresh as the pressed powder compact absorbs the oil and extra sweat.

09. Nourish

The stress of pregnancy can show on your skin. So, nourish your skin by placing a facial mask on your face for 10 minutes. Use a plant-ingredient mask for normal skin, mud mask for oily skin or avocado mask for dry skin. Just mix half cup of oatmeal with warm water and a tablespoon of honey for an easy-to-make home remedy mask, which is suitable for all skin types.

10. Pamper

Give yourself a home spa treatment to make your skin look and feel fresh. Gently cleanse your face, and then steam it over a bowl of hot water with lavender and rose leaves or your favourite fragrant tea, for five minutes. Drape a towel over the back of your head while leaning over the bowl. This is to trap the steam from the hot water. Next, splash your face with cold water and apply some toner and moisturizer. Your pores will now be absolutely clean.