Pregnancy Skincare Advice Blog - Free Tips & tricks

Hi there

Moving into my 3rd trimester has bought with it the joys of nausea again. For the first 12 weeks I carried a paper bag in my handbag wherever I went which did attract strange looks from fellow commuters on the tube, am sure they just thought I was hungover, that most definitely feels like a thing of the past! Now, at 27 weeks pregnant I was thrilled to be trying out something more sophisticated, the "reach before you retch" Rescue Anti-Nausea pulse point not only smells delicious, I have particularly enjoyed the restorative mandarin with ginger, the soothing and calming scent helps alleviate the
sickness and take your mind of chucking up in the nearest bin. For a more refreshing and reviving scent, the Sesame oil with peppermint is lovely too.
 
All these delicious Blooming Babe lotions and oils are helping to make me feel relaxed and in control of my body again. In line with an attempt to retain my fitness, very important for both mummy and baby throughout pregnancy. The past 6 months i have been sweating my way through a series of self disciplined work-outs but moving into my last trimester I do feel the need for extra guidance, with my balance shot to bits and a near fatal trip of the treadmill landing in a heap on the gym floor I decided it was time to get a personal trainer. Perusing the selection of trainers can be a mind field so its always best to ask what they specialise in, finding the right one is essential for both your well being and the health of the little one growing inside you.
 
An hour of research later I chose Daniel Chicano, who works at David Lloyds in Kensington. He specializes in pre and post natal training and has extensive knowledge of nutrition so was able to guide me through the does and don'ts of what to eat. He's also very good at reminding me to do my pelvic floor   exercises, easily forgotten when left to your own devices, something I am certain I will be thankful for later on! Concentrating on keeping my oblique's taught and balance on track, along with a fierce determination to keep my butt in some kind of shape, I now see Danny twice a week. Its only been 3 weeks but already I feel like I have more energy, my body feels fitter and I am more confident knowing i'm not over stretching or risking my health and
that of my baby.
 
Jo x

OK!  So I've been using the Blooming Babe Pregnancy Skincare Survival kit for a couple of weeks now.  As Liz explained the kit is intended to treat the various skin issues that arise over the nine months of pregnancy, so i started with The "Feed your face" Harmonise Facial Moisturiser(see below) is a light & soothing consistency which means my skin doesn't feel over loaded with product, important at a time when the rest of my body feels like a ton weight, at least my face feels light and refreshed! I had typical combination skin before pregnancy but now into my 6th month my skin does feel more sensitive and i have areas of dryness, noticeably on my cheeks and on my forehead. The sesame seed oil and Goji berry extract has really helped minimise this dryness, helping my skins elasticity and tone. It isn't heavily scented, so at the times when that lovely pregnancy nausea kicks in, it is tolerable.

I have tried various different oils and creams in a bid to help minimise stretch marks. Into my 3rd trimester it's ever more important. Unlike other creams which i found generally left a greasy residue or i was confused as to how much to rub in (when the word stretch mark is in the forefront of your mind, you do tend to rub for your life, invariably rubbing it all of!), it was lovely to try a lotion that when applied felt like it was really soaking into the skin. The "Prepare to Bare" Prevent Stretch Mark lotion (see below) on application, the immediate whiteness of the lotion is a great guide to how it is being absorbed, when the whiteness disappears you know it's time to stop rubbing. The ingredients, Gotu Kola encourages good circulation, which is great when everything at the moment feels like its come to a stand still. It's fragranced with Ylang Ylang which is subtle and has a calming effect.

Over the past few months, I have been blinded by the different types of oils on offer for pregnancy use. Generally i found the scents of most of them over-powering or too greasy. I have really enjoyed using the "To the Moon and Back" - Serenity Body Oil (see below), its fresh scent and light weight consistency leaves my skin feeling hydrated, nourished and relaxed. Its a lovely oil to use for massage so not only is my body now beautifully soft and hydrated so are my husbands hands!

Other points -Love the soothing colours of the lotions and oils, a soft palette of cream, taupes and peach look lovely on the bathroom shelf! The natural hesian bag with the hot coral coloured wording  is a good balance of modern and bohemian. Its suggests chic organic with style