your life BEAUTY
New-Mom Skin Savers
All the stu; that happens to your body when you’re pregnant
(increased hormone levels, weight gain, stress ... to name a few)
contributes to the skin issues you face as a mom. Doctors agree
that when you’re pregnant or nursing, products containing benzoyl
peroxide or salicylic acid should only be used as spot treatments,
while those with retinol are an absolute no-no (it’s been linked to
birth defects). But e;ective alternatives abound. Just talk to your
ob-gyn before using any skin-care products in early motherhood.
Take this story with you to start the conversation.
FACE FACTS
Puffy Eyes
Sluggish circulation stemming from exhaustion
causes excess fluid to build up under your eyes.
THE FIX Moms at any stage (including pregnancy)
can dab the area daily with a product that boasts
skin-tightening ingredients. The Fastscription
Instant De-Puff Eye Gel from Patricia Wexler,
M.D. Dermatology ($20; bathandbodyworks.com)
uses yeast to deflate the bags.
Acne
The extra progesterone produced during pregnancy signals
your glands to secrete more oil, which can lead to breakouts.
THE FIX For pregnant or nursing women, skin-care experts
recommend all-natural cleansers that contain sulfur, a proven
antibacterial agent. Try Dermify All-in-One Acne Solution
($40; dermify.com). Once you’re done breastfeeding, consider
slathering on something more potent, like Clearasil Ultra
Overnight Wash, $9, which contains salicylic acid to reduce
redness and pimple size while you sleep.
Melasma
Also known as “pregnancy
mask,” this skin condition
occurs when elevated
hormone levels trigger
pigment-producing cells
to go into overdrive. The
result: patchy areas of
discoloration on the face.
THE FIX Post-nursing, the
patented combination of
skin-lightening ingredients
(including soybean extract
and salicylic acid) found in
Aveda Enbrightenment
Brightening Correcting
Creme ($55; aveda.com)
works powerfully to
diminish the dark spots.
But docs say you can
reduce the amount of
discoloration you get in the
first place by using a
sunscreen with vitamin E
during your pregnancy.
WOMAN AND BABY PHOTOS: FERNANDO MILANI. STYLING BY KIM FIELD. GROOMING BY SUSAN DONOGHUE FOR ENNIS INC. PRODUCTS: PETER ARDITO. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AT MASS;MARKET RETAILERS.
90 August 2010 Parents
