If you are pregnant or TTC, I would suggest running anything you’re concerned about by your doctor, as I have for a lot of these products. But as someone who also suffers from rosacea and sensitive skin, a lot of these products have been great for both of those issues too!

I’ve grouped everything into three categories: cleansers, treatments, and moisturizers – just like the order you would use them in! Let’s get to the products, because there’s some really great new products I want to talk about!

Cleansers

Cleansing is the most important step of each night of my skin care routine. Since I can’t use as many heavy-hitting treatment-type products, I have begun double cleansing and very much enjoyed it! I begin with the e.l.f. Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Balm to help hydrate and remove my daily makeup. I follow this with a gentle cleanser such as the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, or the Tula Probiotic Cleanser. Both are extremely gentle, non-stripping, and really great for the skin! I have other cleansers I use as well when my skin is a ~bit~ more problematic. I have had several breakouts while pregnant, and some including painful, cystic-type breakouts. When this occurs, I use the Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Cleanser which really helps for exfoliation and preventing any further acne. Glycolic acid is pregnancy safe as long as its 10% or less, so this cleanser fits into that category. I have also used the Belli Anti-Blemish Face Wash to help combat breakouts. It’s made from natural ingredients, making it OBGYN approved for acne control. It wasn’t as good for fighting my cystic breakouts, but is definitely gentle and very cleansing. Lastly, I started adding in the e.l.f. Niacinamide Cleanser lately since my skin has been a bit more congested. This is a newer product from e.l.f. and I definitely feel like it’s a great cleanser to really clarify the skin and help reveal a more luminous complexion.

My cleansing equation consists of at least one of these cleansers for a specific purpose such as: One wash with a gentle cleanser/makeup remover and one treatment-specific cleanser for problems (acne/breakouts, lackluster complexion, etc.) if needed. Luckily, all of these cleansers are very gentle, and if rotated properly are not drying or stripping to the skin!

Treatments

For treatments, I mentioned above having to cut out most of this category due to not being pregnancy safe. However, in my pursuit of a greener, gentler skincare routine, I found a product I really enjoy! The Biossance Squalene+Lactic Acid Resurfacing Serum is fantastic for helping skin texture, congested skin, and future breakouts. I apply after cleansing and before moisturizer, and I’ve really enjoyed this skincare staple over the last couple months! I’ve also kept using my azelaic acid products because they are safe, as well as not only great for treating rosacea and redness, but also can be useful for treating pregnancy acne when most products aren’t safe!

Moisturizers

The last step in the routine is moisturizer! I don’t use many serums or oils personally because they freak my skin out, so I try to really quench my skin with a good moisturizing product. If you have a beloved eye cream, I apply that underneath my moisturizer first and then apply to the rest of the face. Personally, I’ve struggled with dry skin the whole time I’ve been pregnant, and winter certainly hasn’t helped either! I’ve enjoyed the texture of the Neutrogena Water Boost Gel-Cream, because it’s not too heavy for my acne-prone skin. However, at times this still wasn’t enough for my dry skin. This is when I would go in with my heavy-hitter products such as the Laneige Sleeping Mask or the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which I use on my face and body!

If you’re struggling with a pregnancy or sensitive skin routine, hopefully this post will help you to find some new excellent products! Any of these would work great for any skin type, so if you’re unsure or have questions let me know below!

xo, Chelsea