I think it has made me more aware of simplifying my skincare - both in terms of the formulas of the products I use, but also as far as my routine itself. At the beginning I wasn’t sure how pregnancy hormones would affect my skin and luckily there doesn’t seem to have been any major changes, but I do think that that has a lot to do with having a good routine in place and sticking to it. Not adding anything new and crazy. All that said, I’ve definitely been dedicating more time to rituals that nourish my skin and make me feel good - so regular-ish facials, using Gua Sha regularly, remembering to do a mask when I can… ultimately, being kinder to my skin and more accepting of its natural ups and downs.
I wasn’t in a good skincare groove before I fell pregnant, and I was changing products every time they ran out which meant that it was hard to understand how different ones were affecting my skin. But right at the beginning of this pregnancy I sought out some advice and started on a simple regimen that incorporated nourishing basics and pregnancy-safe actives. These have kept my skin feeling bright and glowy, particularly while more heavy-handed actives like retinol have been off the table.
My two favourite iS Clinical serums — the Active Serum and the Super Serum Advance + — have been crucial through this process. I use the Super Serum in the morning and the Active one at night and I love how light they feel but how effective they are. I always have a bottle of Bioderma on hand for morning and night — it’s essential. (Nothing makes my skin feel as clean without drying it out.)
The Active Serum and the Super Serum Advance + — have been crucial through this process. I use the Super Serum in the morning and the Active one at night and I love how light they feel but how effective they are
Also, my iS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50+ has become something I totally rely on every single day. Obviously SPF is critical but this one, with its subtle tint, leaves such a beautiful glow on the skin. I never wear foundation anymore, just this product with a touch of concealer when necessary and it makes my face feel clear, light and fresh. On a very practical note, this has also made my morning routine so so easy, which will be critical for when my wee one arrives.
I’m right down to the end of my Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beauté body oil which I truly looove. So, some mornings I will use that post shower all over my body, including bump. (It smells divine.) This is particularly lovely if I’ve done a dry brush before the shower, which has long been one of my favourite things to do, but has become harder as my bump has grown. Otherwise, I’ll massage the bump with a really natural oil before bed. It’s a lovely way to take a moment to connect with baby. That said, I haven’t adopted a routine to try and stave off stretch marks or anything haha. If they appear, they appear, it’s just a part of this incredibly special process.
Booking in for massages and facials when I can has really helped ease my body and relax my mind through this pregnancy. Seeing my osteo and having regular acupuncture has also been really helpful for managing the physical changes too. Listening to my body when it comes to exercise and not overdoing it has been really important. Pilates has been a life-saver. Also, recognising that, while it can be really hard to slow down particularly when so many of us have been told that ‘busy-ness’ is some kind of marker for success, how important it is to cultivate moments of quiet and calm to yourself while you’re pregnant. Even just reminding myself every day how grateful I am to be going through this, has become something of a self-care ritual for my mind… the small stuff I used to really care about doesn’t seem as important any more.
Even just reminding myself every day how grateful I am to be going through this, has become something of a self-care ritual for my mind… the small stuff I used to really care about doesn’t seem as important any more.
In a similar vein to my skincare, I think the key is simplifying. I certainly don’t wash my hair every day and when I do, I make sure it’s with goodquality products. I am a natural blonde but my lovely hairdresser Shannon at D&M gives me a boost every six-or-so weeks so it’s pretty important that I’m doing things to nourish my blonde colour and my hair’s health. Love Leonor Greyl haircare — their massaging shampoo brush is so dreamy to use in the shower, and so good for scalp health. Christophe Robin’s Regenerating Mask is great because I can use as a conditioner but also as a super nourishing hair mask when I feel like my locks need a bit of TLC. Their Baby Blonde purple hair treatment is also ESSENTIAL for keeping my colour fresh. I also barely ever use heat on my hair — unless I want it particularly smooth, in which case I’ll blow dry it straight. But never tongs or curlers.
Essential oil diffuser.
Gua Sha if I’m doing it myself. Facial massage if someone else is doing it for me.
Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
South Island New Zealand
iS Clinical Active Serum
iS Clinical Super Serum Advance
Christophe Robin Baby Blonde
iS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50+ Tint
Ines Gua Sha Leonor Greyl
Huile Secret de Beauté oil