As women, we will ride the pendulum of hormonal changes from our teenage years through menopause and our bodies are never consistent for very long. We are an ever changing, evolving system of unpredictable and often unsettling changes.
Not only will our hormones change but how we adapt to them must also change - especially pre-and-postpartum. We’ll be breaking down and discussing how to accommodate these changes with as much grace as our ever changing landscape will allow.
For many women, there’s this magical moment in time when teenage breakouts subside and your skin begins to self regulate. This generally happens in your mid to late twenties, when hormones are settling from puberty and you’ll find yourself wearing less makeup, and living your best glowing-skin life.
Then one day, you’re #blessed with starting a family and growing a little human inside of you, which can be shocking all on its own, as well as completely wreaking havoc on your skin. Suddenly all the rules have changed as to what products and ingredients are safe to use while pregnant, and the physical exhaustion and mental overwhelm begins.
The dirty list
The amount of “things to avoid” while pregnant can seem scary and expansive, but here is a quick list of ingredients that should stay out of your skincare and body care routine while pregnant or breastfeeding:
- Retinol
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Chemical Sunscreens
- Salicylic Acid
- Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Hydroquinone
- Pure Essential Oils (undiluted)
- Aluminum Chloride
- Hair Dye
- Injectables & Laser Treatments
Safe Alternatives
As some of you know, the FableRune skincare line was born when our founder (Jeriel) learned that she was pregnant and needed to find safe skincare products to use. Through that experience we ended up creating our own line using safe ingredients to maintain skin health through each stage of life. Here are safe alternative ingredients that we love and have incorporated into our skincare line:
- Niacinamide
- Rosehip Oil
- Vitamin C
- Peptides
- Sulfur
- Willow Bark
- Licorice Root
- Lactic Acid
- Mulberry Root
- Copaiba Oil
- Neroli
Your Skin will change
With some pregnancies, your skin will glow, and with others you may revert back to adolescent breakouts or develop severe discoloration. Hormonal fluctuations (changes in progesterone and estrogen) are responsible for a good amount of skin issues, including melasma, hyperpigmentation, and breakouts - combine that with your body’s increased water demands due to building an actual human being, and you can add dehydrated and tired skin to the list as well.
Create a Routine
During pregnancy we always recommend keeping your skincare simple and staying consistent. Here’s our favorite skincare routine for an expecting or new mama:
STEP 1 - CLEANSE:
TURMERIC CHARCOAL & COPAIBA FACIAL CLEANSER - Infused with healing ingredients, known for their hormone balancing abilities to combat everchanging skin. This cleanser helps to rid your skin of impurities with its natural yet powerful ingredients, such as turmeric, charcoal, and copaiba oil. These ingredients work together to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and protect skin cells from damage. Copaiba oil possesses apoptogenic properties, which helps the body adapt and restore balance in response to hormonal fluctuations.
STEP 2 - HYDRATE:
NEROLI & FRANKINCENSE FACIAL MIST - Your skin can become extremely dehydrated during and after pregnancy. Misting throughout the day helps balance your skin's pH to keep it hydrated and refreshed. Neroli oil is another hormone balancing ingredient, high in Vitamin C and encourages collagen production. This mist feels like an attainable luxury when you’re exhausted, and it helps revitalize your skin and mood with an easy ritual.
STEP 3 - RENEW:
ROSEHIP & ALGAE MUD SCRUB - Your skin is turning over and regenerating at an extreme rate while pregnant, and dead skin cells can build up and clog pores. Using non-damaging botanical ingredients to slough away dead skin cells and reveal your softest skin. Plant extracts nourish the skin with vitamins and minerals and protects from environmental stress. Natural essential oils balance breakouts and provide a cooling sensation to calm redness and irritation.
STEP 4 - REPLENISH:
PROBIOTIC & KELP MARINE FACE MASK- This is a great way to give the nutrients back to your skin that your body is pulling to create that magical baby. Gentle enzymes work to balance pH levels while powerful antioxidants help increase collagen and protect from free radical damage. Real talk, do this as often as you can while you are pregnant because after you have the baby this will be a lost luxury while your time is consumed with diaper changes.
STEP 5 - RESTORE:
COPAIBA & TAMANU BALANCING FACIAL OIL - Copaiba oil interacts with your endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters responsible for regulating various bodily functions. By activating this system, Copaiba oil helps restore balance and promotes overall equilibrium. High levels of essential fatty acids that hydrate the skin and reduce redness while protecting against the elements.
STEP 6 - MOISTURIZE:
AGAVE & GOLDEN ALGAE VITAL CREAM - We recommend creating a strong skin barrier and keeping that microbiome as happy as possible and that means moisturizing (inside and out!). Your water intake should be high, and your skincare should be nourishing with healthy oils and extracts. Use this product day and night to maximize it's hydrating effects, allowing it to deeply moisturize and restore.
Feel it out
Every pregnancy journey is different, and there really is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for skincare. Mix and match what feels good for your skin and remember you are not alone, we love to hear from you, to help support you through this time that can feel overwhelming, joyous, nerve wracking and all of the above. There is nothing you can say or share that we haven't thought or felt, so please reach out and connect with us.
Baby safe products
Okay, so now you have this baby... what are you supposed to do about this adorable little person, and their perfect little baby skin?
According to The Environmental Working Group (EWG), children are exposed to about 27 chemical ingredients on a daily basis that have never been assessed for safety. This study also determined that 80% of children’s products labeled as “gentle” contain ingredients linked to allergies and skin irritations. Children are typically more vulnerable to chemicals than adults. A child’s skin is 30 percent thinner than an adult’s, and can absorb greater amounts of chemicals from the skin surface.
Most of you have heard of some very popular baby products that have been under fire for knowingly using unsafe chemicals, toxins and carcinogens. This is why parents don’t sleep at night…
While we don’t have a traditional ‘baby product’ line, there are a handful of products that we have personally (Jeriel + Bobbie) used on our babies and kids over the years.
Remember to trust your mama intuition, investigate products and ingredients before you buy them, and try not to put too much pressure on yourself when caring for your new baby.
Pure & Gentle Goats Milk Soap - To cleanse and wash their skin. Made with rich and nourishing ingredients and contain the maximum possible percentage of pure goat's milk. The unique high organic fat content ensures an exceptionally moisturizing product, while its chemical-free recipe makes it ideal for sensitive skin. It contains zero fragrance or essential oils, making it perfectly gentle.
Belly Balm - Can be used to hydrate dry skin, as a diaper cream, to heal cradle cap, and to soothe rashes. Taking some sweet moments to massage their tiny bodies with this rich and nourishing formula.
Neroli & Frankincense Hydrating Mist - To soothe sunburns, to cool down during hot weather, we lightly mist their pillows before bed, and regulate big emotions with a quick mist and deep breathing. It’s also been known as a “magic spray” to keep monsters away.
Copaiba & Tamanu Balancing Oil - To soothe eczema and rashes. If your little one is struggling with a skin inflammation disorder this is a great product. You can mix it with a little of the Belly Balm and make a smooth paste and rub it on their little bodies.
Be Well Hand Sanitizer - Kids are so gross. Why do they lick everything? Why do they touch everything and put their hands in their mouth constantly… There’s no stopping it, but at least you can sanitize their hands and everything around them.
Pisces Moon Bath Soak - calming herbs for bath time, and it’s giving real mermaid vibes. This bath soak instantly turns the water a magical shade of blue and all of the magical adventures ensue. Its beautiful color comes naturally from Blue Pea Flower and spirulina, while ashwaganda, rose essential oil and blood orange essential oil help to create a healing, calming and soothing bath time ritual.
