Skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding – safe care, nourishment, and moments of relaxation

Pregnancy and the breastfeeding period are a beautiful stage of life, but they can mean major changes for your skin.

Perhaps you had problem-free skin before pregnancy and suddenly pimples, pigment spots, sensitivity, or redness have appeared.

Or perhaps your skin is much drier, tight, lacking radiance, and you feel that your favorite cream is no longer enough.

And perhaps you aren't troubled by any significant issues at all.

You just look at yourself in the mirror and say:

“I need a break. And my skin does, too.”

That is precisely why cosmetic care during pregnancy doesn't have to be just about treating acne or pigmentation.

It can also be an hour just for you.

You lie down, close your eyes, and don’t have to deal with anything for a while, and I will ensure your skin receives the hydration, nourishment, soothing, and care adapted specifically to this period.

You don’t have to give up quality cosmetic care during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. We just need to choose the right products and procedures.

That is why my treatments don’t start with the question:

“Which procedure do you want?”

But:

“How has your skin changed, what is bothering you – and do you need to address anything specific today, or do you primarily want to relax and treat your skin to beautiful, gentle care?”

Skin can start to behave completely differently during pregnancy

Hormonal changes can affect sebum production, pigmentation, sensitivity, and the skin's ability to maintain comfort and hydration.

You might therefore suddenly be dealing with:

• dryness and tightness,

• dehydration,

• increased sensitivity,

• redness,

• increased oiliness,

• pimples or acne,

• pigment spots,

• melasma,

• a dull and tired look,

• more prominent fine lines caused by dehydration.

And sometimes the condition changes several times during a single pregnancy.

That is why it’s not enough to say: “I have always had dry skin” or “I have always had oily skin.”

Skin type is one thing.

Its current condition is another.

And I select care based on that current condition.

“What can I actually use?”

This is one of the most common questions.

And I don't blame you at all.

On the internet, you will find one article that forbids almost everything, and right next to it another that claims you can use absolutely everything.

The result is often a woman who, out of fear, stops her entire routine.

Or, conversely, keeps using products that are no longer suitable for this period.

If you are unsure, you are welcome to show me the cosmetics you use at home.

We will go through them together:

what we can keep → what we need to adjust → what we will leave out during pregnancy → what we can replace a product with, if necessary.

You don't need to become an expert on cosmetic ingredients.

That is what I am here for.

What we definitely leave out during pregnancy – retinoids

There is no need to experiment here.

Retinoids are not used during pregnancy.

This includes, for example, cosmetic forms of vitamin A such as:

• retinol,

• retinal / retinaldehyde,

• retinyl derivatives,

• medicated retinoids.

If you used a retinoid for acne, pigmentation, or anti-aging before pregnancy, we will find a more suitable alternative.

This doesn't mean we can't take care of your skin for nine months.

We can. Just differently.

And during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a different period than pregnancy itself, and we usually have more options here.

However, I still choose to be cautious with retinoids, and their use should be assessed individually, especially when it comes to medicated products.

Of course, no active cosmetics that could be ingested by the baby during breastfeeding should be applied to the breast and nipple area.

If we have a gentler alternative, we don't have to return to the strongest active ingredients immediately after childbirth.

Acne in pregnancy – you don't just have to endure it

Perhaps you never had a big problem with pimples.

And suddenly they start appearing on your chin, jawline, cheeks, or forehead.

The first reaction is usually:

“I need something strong.”

But precisely during pregnancy, I don't want to start aggressively drying out the skin.

We can work, for example, with:

• gentle cleansing,

azelaic acid,

• niacinamide,

• appropriate hydration,

• supporting the skin barrier,

• gentle care for clogged pores,

• SPF.

For deep, painful, or rapidly worsening acne, I will recommend a dermatologist who can choose treatment suitable for pregnancy.

Acne during pregnancy is no reason to dislike looking at yourself in the mirror for several months. We just need to choose the right and gentle procedure.

Pigmentation and melasma – a problem better caught early

Pregnancy can significantly increase the tendency for pigmentation.

Typical examples are, for instance, pigmentation:

• on the forehead,

• on the cheeks,

• above the upper lip,

• around the eyes.

In some women, melasma appears.

And this is precisely where I don't want to start with the most aggressive peel.

With melasma, excessive irritation and overheating of the skin can make the problem even worse.

Therefore, the foundation is:

SPF + gentle brightening + antioxidants + a healthy skin barrier.

SPF – one of the most important things during pregnancy

If you are prone to pigmentation, sun protection is truly essential.

I recommend regular use of broad-spectrum SPF and reapplying it when spending more time outdoors.

For melasma, tinted SPF with iron oxides can also be a suitable choice, as visible light can be significant in addition to UV radiation.

And alongside that, simple things:

• a hat,

• shade,

• limiting intense sun exposure,

• not tanning the face “for pigmentation.”

It is much easier to prevent pigmentation than to lighten it for many long months afterward.

Which ingredients I like during this period

Azelaic acid

Very interesting for:

• pimples,

• redness,

• post-acne marks,

• uneven tone.

It is one of the options we can utilize during the period when we are omitting retinoids.

Niacinamide

Helps support:

• the skin barrier,

• hydration,

• a more balanced look,

• care for both oily and problematic skin.

However, with sensitive skin, we don't automatically need the highest concentration.

Vitamin C

Can be a lovely part of care for:

• tired skin,

• pigmentation,

• uneven tone,

• antioxidant protection.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin

Help bind and maintain water in the surface layers of the skin.

They are very suitable especially where the skin looks tired and fine lines are accentuated by dehydration.

Ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids

If the skin is dry, stings, or suddenly reacts to almost everything, we very often need to support its skin barrier first.

Panthenol, beta-glucan, and ectoin

Are beautiful helpers for sensitive, stressed, and dehydrated skin.

And sometimes this simple care is much more important than another “strong” serum.

And what about acids and peels?

It is often said:

“No acids are allowed during pregnancy.”

It is not that simple.

It depends on:

• the specific acid,

• the concentration,

• the scope of use,

• the condition of the skin,

• the specific product.

Gentler cosmetic exfoliating formulations may be suitable depending on the specific composition and skin condition.

However, I am significantly more cautious with intensive professional peels during pregnancy.

We don't need to do something strong just because we know how to do it.

I do not use hydroquinone during pregnancy

Hydroquinone has a relatively high rate of absorption by the skin, and therefore I do not consider it a suitable choice during pregnancy.

Pigmentation can be addressed in other ways.

How professional treatment during pregnancy works

Before we start, I always need to know:

• what stage of pregnancy you are in,

• how the pregnancy is progressing,

• if you have any restrictions from your doctor,

• how your skin has changed,

• what you use at home,

• what is currently bothering you the most.

And sometimes the answer is:

“Nothing is bothering me significantly. I just want to have beautiful skin and finally relax.”

And that is perfectly fine.

You don't have to have a problem to come for a facial.

Hydration, nourishment, and more radiant skin

If the skin looks tired, dry, or lifeless, we can focus the treatment, for example, on:

• gentle professional cleansing,

• intensive hydration,

• nourishing care,

• supporting lipids and the skin barrier,

• soothing,

• antioxidant care,

• gentle brightening,

• professional masks,

• suitable serums and boosters.

The goal doesn't have to be solving a major problem.

Sometimes we simply want the skin to be, after the treatment:

softer, more hydrated, fresher, and beautifully cared for.

Relaxation is also a part of care

Pregnancy is not just a growing belly and the joy of a baby.

It is also fatigue, body changes, sometimes poor sleep, and a lot of new thoughts.

Therefore, a cosmetic treatment can also be a moment when someone takes care of you.

If the pregnancy is progressing without complications and there are no other contraindications, we can, depending on the skin condition, include a gentle relaxation massage of the face, neck, and décolleté.

I will adapt the technique to how you feel and how your skin reacts.

No need to “endure” anything.

No aggressive massaging.

Just calm, pleasant care, and time for you.

What I prefer not to include during pregnancy

For device-based and more intensive procedures, I always follow the contraindications of the specific technology and the manufacturer's recommendations.

Therefore, during pregnancy, I will not use a device at any cost just because I have it in the salon.

Depending on the specific device and its contraindications, the following may be unsuitable, for example:

• microcurrent stimulation,

• galvanic care,

• Darsonval,

• radiofrequency,

• certain ultrasound technologies,

• intense electrical stimulation,

• microneedling,

• aggressive resurfacing procedures.

If I have any doubts about the suitability of a specific technology, I will choose a safer cosmetic protocol without devices.

Because a beautiful treatment doesn't have to be complicated.

LED / photon therapy

For LED as well, I follow the specific device, its intended use, and the manufacturer's safety instructions.

The following does not apply to me:

“It's just light, so we can definitely use it.”

If a specific technology is not clearly suitable for a pregnant client, we simply skip it.

We have plenty of options to give the skin quality care without it.

Breastfeeding – after childbirth, the skin may not be the same as before immediately

Perhaps you expected that after childbirth the hormones would disappear and your skin would be like it was before pregnancy again.

But then comes:

• breastfeeding,

• little sleep,

• fatigue,

• stress,

• a new daily routine.

And the skin can for some time still be:

• dry,

• dehydrated,

• sensitive,

• pigmented,

• prone to pimples,

• dull and tired.

Give it time.

We don't have to do the strongest peel or procedure immediately after birth.

Sometimes the skin first needs to be hydrated, soothed, and its barrier restored.

And sometimes it's the mom who most needs a rest

The breastfeeding period can be beautiful, but also very exhausting.

Perhaps you have been sleeping for two hours at a time for months.

Perhaps you feel that someone needs something all day long – and you are the last one.

Precisely then, a facial can also be a small moment just for you.

To lie down. To close your eyes. To not have to deal with anything for an hour.

And meanwhile, we will take care of your skin, which will receive hydration, nourishment, and care according to what it truly needs.

When can we return to more intensive anti-age or regenerative care?

I don't just follow the sentence:

“I have already given birth.”

I need to know:

• if you are breastfeeding,

• how long you have been after childbirth,

• how you are feeling,

• what your skin looks like,

• what its barrier is like,

• what you use at home,

• what we want to address.

Only then do we decide when it makes sense to gradually add more intensive procedures.

There is no rush.

You don't have to choose between beautiful skin and safe care

This is the most important thing to me.

Pregnancy does not mean:

“I can't put anything on my skin for nine months.”

And breastfeeding does not mean:

“As long as I am breastfeeding, cosmetics make no sense.”

They do.

Only their goals and options change.

Sometimes we will address pimples.

Other times pigmentation.

Other times sensitivity.

And sometimes we won't address any problem at all.

We will simply treat your skin to hydration, nourishment, softness, and radiance – and you to an hour of calm.

At myIdealSkin, I always look at the skin based on what state it is in right now.

I will use appropriately chosen professional cosmetics and gentle procedures adapted to the period of pregnancy or breastfeeding.

And I will also help you adjust your home routine so that you know:

what to use in the morning → what in the evening → what to leave out during pregnancy → what we can safely replace → and how to change care when your skin changes again.

You don't have to look for everything yourself on the internet.

And you don't have to have a problem to be able to treat yourself to care.

Book a professional cosmetic treatment. Whether you need to treat acne, sensitivity, or pigmentation, or you simply want to rest and treat your skin to hydration, nourishment, and a beautiful, fresh look, I will adapt the treatment specifically to you and the period you are in.