Pregnancy is definitely a minefield with a whole host of 'dos' and 'don'ts' - you can spend as long thinking about what you are putting in your body as what you are putting
on your body and can leave you in quite a tizz! Not long after I found out I was pregnant, my thoughts turned to finding some new skincare products that were specifically designed for mums-to-be. You skin undergoes such a huge change during pregnancy I wanted to ensure I was using all the right stuff to keep my body and soul as maintained and soothed as possible, as well as being content in the knowledge that the products I was using were safe for me and baby.
I am nearly 28 weeks pregnant now and am fortunate enough to report that I haven't suffered from one stretch mark...yet. Of course, there is still time but even though I think part of it is genetics (my mum never experienced any either), I do like to think that the other half is down to the products I have been religiously slathering on bump and boobs since week 6 or 7 of pregnancy. So here is a little round up of some of the lovely mum-to-be products I have been using over the past few months, perfect for bump, body, baths and beyond.
First up is a trio of gorgeous Neal's Yard Remedies products from their Mothers range. Each are designed to keep stretching skin soft and supple as well as containing relaxing oils to de-stress tired mums and weary mums-to-be!
Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Massage Oil (£19.50) is a fine mix of neroli and mandarin oils as well as soya and almond oils for an intensively nourishing and uplifting treat. You can apply to damp or dry skin on any areas that you feel need a bit of elasticity-boosting or soothing. The beautifully fragrant scent creates a relaxing, aromatherapy-like aroma as you start to massage it in - you just need to find a willing partner to help ease those sore shoulders and back!
Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Bath Oil (£15) is a bath time treat and will scent your bathroom with a beautiful aroma of bergamot, ylang ylang, lavender and cardamom. It contains moisturising oils such as olive, almond and apricot so really work well as relaxing and nourishing your skin as you kick back, soak up the bubbles and enjoy some Netflix in the bath!
Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Balm (£20) is a solid balm that gloriously melts into a rich oil as you work it between your palms and onto your skin. It is intended to help prevent and minimise stretch marks by helping keep skin as elastic and supple as possible as well as soothing irritated skin as your bump continues to grow. It is fragrance-free and contains lots of lovely essential fatty acids such as almond and coconut oils and beeswax. This is definitely best applied at night time or as you step out the bath as it can feel a little greasy on your belly for a while before it all sinks in.
Next up is a range that I hadn't heard of before - Mama Mio which was born in 2005 as a side-line to the popular Mio body care brand. Their mission is to make us pregnant ladies feel as confident and happy as possible in their ever-changing skin and rumour has it that it has even become a Kardashian favourite as well.
Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow balancing facial wash (£23) is a light, foaming facial wash that is gentle enough on pregnancy skin that may be sensitive or reactive. Free of any nasties and laden with lovely stuff such as tea tree extracts, lactic acid, organic evening primrose, sweet almond and avocado oils it is a great facial cleanser to moisture, nurture, balance and protect unpredictable skin throughout your pregnancy. This has handled my minor breakouts really well!
Mama Mio Megamama super-rich Omega body lotion (£24.50) is a sumptuous all-over body lotion that smells divine and is a wonderful blend of organic Omega oils and powerful antioxidants to strengthen, nourish and pamper dry skin and is completely safe to use throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Omegas and superfoods are vital to keep you strong from the inside out so this rich lotion is packed full of the good stuff to keep you healthy on the outside as well. Superfood Chia and Pumpkin Seeds nourish and help ease muscles whilst the Omegas plump the skin and help fake that natural pregnancy-glow!
Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks visible stretch mark minimiser (£45) certainly doesn't promise that you will be saying goodbye to stretch marks for good but it does offer us a powerful blend of peptides, fruit and algae extracts that helps
improve the visible appearance of new and old stretch marks - hooray! With the additional of the swanky-sounding Seppicalm TM plant extract, this cream promises to improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks by lightening the pigmentation of stretch marks at their deepest level. To finish there is sweet almond oil which gives us anti-itch benefits so is perfect if you are starting to feel those dreaded stretch marks forming!
Pai Pomegranate & Pumpkin Seed Stretch Mark System (£45) is a two-step skincare regime offering you a hydrating cream (ideally for the morning) and a replenishing oil (for the evening). Between them they provide a full range of essential fatty acids to keep the skin soft and supple and aid skin cell regeneration to help fade stretch marks. This system is great if you are trying to avoid getting stretch marks during your pregnancy or actively trying to improve the appearance of current marks on your skin. It is wonderfully gentle and pure and free from any nasties that could irritate sensitive or sore skin. Vitamins E and C and plenty of Omegas are all here to help promote elasticity, minimise tearing and provide lasting skin nourishment. Apparently Natalie Portman is a huge fan and credits her lack of stretch marks to her long-term vegetarian diet and a daily slathering of the Pai Stretch Mark System. Well if it's good enough for Ms Portman...
Mum & Me Bump Relax & Unwind Bath Soak (£3.65) is the perfect excuse to make the most of some down time, pamper time in your bath tub before the baby arrives! It is a lovely milky solution that creates gentle, foaming bubbles with a delicate camomile and jasmine scent to help you relax and unwind. The added moisturisers and milk proteins nourish your skin beautifully and I genuinely step out the bath feeling all brand new and revived with silky soft skin!
If you are a mum or a mum-to-be and know of any must-have beauty products I need to try then please do let me know! :)
