Pregnancy Skincare ~ 6 Products for Tired, Dull, Acne Prone Skin

'Pregnancy is such a joyous thing', they tell you. 'You'll be glowing in no time', they say. 
Now for those among you for whom that rings true, I'm so happy for you. Personally, in my second trimester, my face fell apart. Hormones are raging, it's getting harder to sleep and maybe you might even be experiencing a touch of stress or anxiety whilst attempt to balance work/family/everyday life alongside being pregnant. 

Now I'm on the home straight, I thought I would share with you six skin saviours for if you, like me, have battled such pleasures as pregnancy acne, eye bag puffiness and just general skin dulling fatigue. Let's start with skin care.

GAME CHANGERS- Could not recommend a better trio for battling pregnancy acne

1. La Roche- Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel 200ml £11

Gentle but effective is the best way to some this face wash up. It cleans really well, it's none drying and after I've used it I really feel like my skin is clean. Prior to changing my skincare up I tended to use face scrubs like the Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion, or this Biore one. I still use these every now and then, but there was just something about the scrubbiness of them that my skin couldn't take any more, so shifting over to a soap-free, colourant-free, alcohol-free and paraben-free gel that is gentle on my newly sensitive skin was seriously a god send. I use it in the morning and at night after I've removed my make up. 

2. La Roche- Posay Effaclar Micro Exfoliante 200ml £11

Okay, not as gentle as the gel wash but I needed something to get rid of the spots. There's a lot going on with your body in pregnancy that you have to adjust to. Your body shape is changing, your sleep patterns are up the wall and really, the last thing you want to take on as well as all that are bloody spots. Mine where mainly those massive red under the skin ones. TMI but they really got me down and I don't know, I felt a bit robbed having shitty skin in pregnancy when I was eating so healthy, not drinking or generally doing any of the things that might formally be to blame for my breakouts. 
Swept over the skin morning and night, this really kills pimples and plukes and reduces pore size too. AMAZE.

3. Vichy Normaderm 50ml £12

Promising to offer anti-imperfection hydrating care that tackles 6 imperfection concerns:
blemishes, pores, shine, oily skin, marks and uneven complexions, this really is excellent stuff.
Enriched with Salicylic and Glycolic acid, it killed off so many of the problems my skin was experiencing. I only use this in the morning as it is a little strong for evening use I find, but once a day still makes this product so effective in clearing up break ups. Highly recommended! 

Just to note too, all of these products are available at Boots so waiting for the 3 for 2 skincare offer can make this trio more affordable for all of us out there who have prams and cots and all that expensive stuff to buy! Now, the make up.

1. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer in Warm Apricot £7.99
I use this after my moisturiser and it's great. It provides a nice even base to apply foundation over and that is principally why I'm recommending it for problem pregnancy skin. Do the warm apricot tones help balance out grey skin? I don't know, but the texture I can say helps hide fatigue when used under foundation.

2. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe £32

This is a cult product and it is my holy grail foundation. The price is eye watering, but it is the ONLY foundation that makes me feel good about my skin. I don't use a lot of this, maybe a 5p sized blob a day and so it lasts me 6 months. On that basis I can justify buying it. I get this from Space N.K and with their points card you can accumulate enough to get some money off after about your third bottle if this is the only thing you buy there. If the price tag is a deal breaker, my dupe for this is the Loreal True Match foundation which at £9.99 is obviously way more reasonable. Not the same coverage for me and so I tend to use more and go through it faster, but still a great alternative.

3. Boots No.7 Instant Radiance Highlighter £9.95

Oh my god. I bought this after I saw Meg of Meg's Boutique do a You Tube tutorial on how to contour. Seriously, for dull, sleep deprived pregnancy faces, this is a lifesaver. Swept over the top of the cheeks, temples and cupids bow this makes such a difference in making you look more alive. Definitely one for the make up bag in my opinion! Again wait for the 3 for 2 offer at Boots and you're onto a winner.

Till next time!

Kathy