Reading this article, I learned that pregnancy can really affect your skin because of all the hormonal changes. It’s not just one thing either you can get acne, dark patches on your face (like melasma), itching, stretch marks, and even rashes. Acne seems to be pretty common, especially early on, and more likely if you’ve had it before, but it can improve later in pregnancy.

I also found out that a lot of women experience itching, sometimes without even having a rash, just because of hormones or the skin stretching. There’s also something called PUPPP, which is like a hive-like rash that can show up later in pregnancy. It’s uncomfortable but not harmful and usually goes away after giving birth.

From what I read, you can’t really avoid all these skin changes, so the best thing to do is keep skincare simple. Using sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) is important since your skin becomes more sensitive. It’s better to stick to gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and light moisturizers, and avoid heavy or oily products that can clog pores.

I also saw that things like really hot water or steam can dry your skin out more, so it’s better to avoid those. And one big thing is to stay away from products with retinol because they’re not safe during pregnancy.