Where’s My Pregnancy Glow?

Pregnancy glow – the term used to refer to the lustrous hair, sparkling eyes and glowing skin that a pregnant woman seem to acquire as part of pregnancy. Some women however, need a little coaxing in terms of health habits to help this glow kick in.

An increase in blood circulation and some very beneficial hormone changes often bring with it a crowning glory of shinier, thicker hair and a brighter, almost flushed appearance in pregnant moms. This is what’s commonly known as the ‘pregnancy glow’. Although not everyone is lucky enough to naturally experience it, with a combination of good nutrition, beauty tricks and gentle exercise, that pregnancy glow is likely to appear. Here are some tips worth trying:

Hydrate yourself

Make it a habit to down between 8-10 glasses of water every day for total hydration of your body. It keeps your digestive system from getting sluggish, which is one of the culprits for dull skin, and also help your body to absorb nutrients. Drinking enough water is crucial for your pregnancy and indirectly works wonders for your skin. It also helps flush out water retention.

Sun protection

You might love the sun but keep in mind that hyperpigmentation (darkening patches of skin) is common during pregnancy, due to your elevated hormone levels. Try to avoid too much direct sunlight. To be safe, use a good sunscreen as a daily habit. You can also wear a protective hat when you’re out and about, to help your skin stay healthy.

Too pale? Self tan!

Sugar- and mineral-based spray tans are reportedly safe when pregnant, just make sure you don’t inhale the spray during application. For a totally safe colour boost, a bronzing powder is the best way to give yourself an instant glow. Always test make up products on your own skin for the right shade before purchasing.

Beauty sleep

Nothing benefits your complexion and health better than a good night’s sleep. During sleep, your body revitalises, heals and rejuvenates itself. Rest is especially vital when one is pregnant and contributes greatly in achieving that pregnancy glow!

Get on the move (but gently, please…)

Exercise reduces stress and gets the heart pumping and your blood circulating better, all of which help in giving your skin a healthy, radiant glow. Exercise also helps in preparing the body for the rigours of childbirth and will help in post-natal recovery too.

A good beauty regime

Keeping your skin fresh and clean goes a long way in getting you that lovely glow. Follow through with your regular beauty regime of cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturising for a fresher, more radiant complexion. Don’t forget to pamper your skin too, and one way to do that is by making a natural face mask for a relaxing facial. For a fabulous homemade face mask, try this:

Mix 1 tsp honey, ½ tsp yeast and 1 egg yolk together in a clean bowl. Smooth the mixture generously over your face (avoiding the sensitive eye area). Relax for 15 minutes and then rinse off the mask using lukewarm water.

Food, beautiful food

As your pregnant body calls out for higher levels of nutrients to feed your unborn baby, your skin benefits from them too! Foods loaded with vitamins and antioxidants especially, are perfect for improving the skin and keeping it glowing. Head for avocados, blueberries, pomegranates and watermelon. Aim for a rainbow of colours when it comes to fruits and vegetables and you’ll be loading up on beneficial vitamins and minerals for sure. You’ll also need a boost in your protein intake for its skin-renewing properties. Fish, chicken, turkey and eggs are rich in protein so do be sure that they’re part of your healthy diet as well.

Bouts of hearty laughter!

A good round of laughter not only delights you but boosts energy and decreases stress hormones too! Laughter is also capable of strengthening the immune system, and it releases endorphins (the body’s natural feel-good hormones). So, always try to look at the lighter side of things and… laugh! It’s that easy, it’s free-of-charge and it’s fun!