Episode Title: K-Beauty Skincare for Pregnancy Ep-50
If you’re a Mum-to-be, you’ll want to make sure that whatever you’re using is safe for both you and bub, which is why today I’m giving you the need to know about K-Beauty during pregnancy.
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Pregnancy brings with it several changes in your lifestyle. Not only do you have to worry about the food and drink you consume, many people also worry about what skincare products they can and can’t use.
Many expectant mums experience at least one new or worsening skin issue at some point. The most common are:
People with preexisting skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea may also experience a change in their symptoms (for better or worse).
Pesky skin changes can affect other places, too — think stretch marks, veins and the like.
When it comes to skincare, as a general rule of thumb though, if it doesn’t require a medical prescription, it will be OK to use in pregnancy.
Prescriptions are usually required for high-strengthRetinoids(eg. Retin-A, Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate),Benzoyl PeroxideandHydroquinone. These ingredients can affect the development of an unborn foetus, so it’s best to approach them carefully. The safest bet is to ask your doctor if a product is right for you.
The good news is that very few K-Beauty products on the market contain Retinoids because they simply aren’t that popular in Korea itself. Some products I do know of that contain retinols includeAPLB’s Retinol Vitamin A Moisture Cream, COSRX’s Retinol Serum, and IOPE Retinol Expert.
Then, there is another category of ingredients that many people recommend avoiding that aren’t prescription medications.
These include things like AHA and BHAs (salicylic acid, glycolic acid and the like). While some people choose to avoid all acids, this is a personal call to be made between you and your doctor.
A 2013 European study concluded that products delivering ahigh dose of salicylic acid — such as peels and oral medications — should be avoided during pregnancy. These are not likely going to be found in your general cosmetic products.
One of the things I love most about K-Beauty is that the philosophy behind so many products is to nourish your skin with minimal irritation. With that in mind, let’s have a look at a few K-Beauty items to help your skin through some common pregnancy skincare concerns.
If your skin’s looking a bit spottier during pregnancy, you’re not alone. Pimples are a common side effect of pregnancy, especially if you’re coming off long-term birth control. As you’re adjusting to new hormonal levels, your skin can often go a bit haywire.
Keep your oil and moisture levels balanced with a pore-refining clay mask likeSubi Holo Dream Brightening Pore Refining Mask. Not only is it perfect for dull, rough skin it is also free from alcohol, synthetic fragrances, essential oils, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, phlalates, and much more.
For a 100% drug free spot solution, hydrocolloid pimple patches are a great treatment to have on hand. They offer a safe, simple and easy way to both conceal pimples and speed up the healing process.
Subi Perfect Pimple Patch is the best in class amongst hydrocolloid pimple patches. Ideal for daytime use and thin enough to be worn 24/7, they blend seamlessly into the skin with or without makeup. As they are 100% drug free, you don’t have to worry about harsh ingredients or chemicals drying out the skin.
If pregnancy is leaching your skin of moisture, reach for K-Beauty’s hydrating toners like Pyunkang Yul Essence Tonerand ISNTree Hyaluronic Acid Toner.
Finish off with a nourishing moisturiser that does the work of several skincare products like Jelly Ko Bubble Tea Steam Cream.
Used to using the big guns of skincare to brighten your skin, like hydroquinone or arbutin? Pregnancy is a great time to look towards effective yet gentler alternatives.
In Australia, hydroquinone is pharmacy-only medicine so you won’t find it in products on STYLE STORY.
Unfortunately, I’m aware that there are Australian K-Beauty retailers that do not comply with Australia’s very strict cosmetic laws and sell products that aren’t legally able to be sold here. I’ve seen big name stores sell everything from Korean sunscreens to products containing arbutin so be careful.
In general, avoid stores that sell every K-Beauty product known to man at cheap prices as they are likely cutting corners and due diligence is one of them. Many of them don’t even bother to label their products in English.
At STYLE STORY, we follow these regulations very closely and don’t sell any ingredients that can’t legally be sold here.
Vitamin C and bee pollen extract are hero ingredients that can soothe, hydrate and brighten dull skin. They also help restore it to optimal appearance and health.
APLB Bee Pollen Propolis Ampoule Serum is one of the rare products that contain both ingredients. It is perfect for people with more sensitive skin types as well.
For an equally effective vegan alternative, try Tosowoong Green Tea Eco Brightening Essence. This uses green tea to calm your skin and increase its natural elasticity.
Atopalm Stretch Mark Cream helps strengthen the skins’ moisture barrier, which can be especially compromised and sensitive due to pregnancy. It also helps to relieve the itching caused by the stretched, dry skin. The hypo-allergenic formula was approved by Korea’s Food and Drug Administration for tackling the red lines on the skin caused by pregnancy. It uses Atopalm’s patented Multi-Lamellar Emulsion (MLE) technology to protect and enhance the skin’s natural barrier.
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"When it comes to skincare, as a general rule of thumb though, if it doesn’t require a medical prescription, it will be OK to use in pregnancy."
- Lauren Lee, Host of the Korean Beauty Show podcastComments will be approved before showing up.