We hate to be the bearer of unfortunate news but the coveted pregnancy ‘glow’ we all hear about, isn’t guaranteed. 

During the trimesters, you may find yourself dealing with several skin concerns. Think: pigmentation, increased sensitivity, sudden breakouts, extra oiliness or dry patches. If you’re lucky, you might hit the jackpot and experience all of the above. No need to panic though. At the end of the day, your entire body is changing and it’s only natural for your skin to change too. 

To make navigating the world of pregnancy-safe skincare less overwhelming, we asked two expectant mothers about their experience dealing with pregnancy skin - and how they’re handling it. Over to them. 

Meet Cristina

My pre-pregnancy skin concerns were a combination of oiliness, congestion, and texture. My skin concerns now are that - with the addition of dryness and breakouts. Thanks, hormones! 

The biggest challenge has been the shift from oily to dry skin so I’ve had to focus on increasing my skin’s hydration levels while still keeping my congestion and breakouts at bay. Since using Ultraceuticals products, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin. Within one week I noticed less congestion and an increase in overall hydration and radiance. I’ve never looked forward to my skincare routines as much as I do with Ultra!

Her morning routine: I start the day with Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser. It’s light-lathering and gentle, formulated with Aloe Veras and Cucumber - which leave my skin feeling so refreshed and hydrated. I then apply a spritz of Ultra Hydrating Skin Mist and follow with my Ultra Moisturiser Eye Cream to keep my under eyes looking awake. I never leave the house without my SPF, too. 

Her evening routine: In the evening, I love a double cleanse so I first remove my makeup with Ultra B² Micellar Cleansing Water. It’s so refreshing on my skin. I then do my secondary cleanse Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser. After applying my skin mist and eye cream, I lock in hydration with Ultra B² Hydrating Serum and Ultra Moisturiser Cream. Combined, these are saviours for my dry skin. 

My biggest piece of advice to expectant mums: Focus on things that make you feel good about yourself. Don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a massage or facial. You deserve to feel special.

Meet Katja

Typically, I deal with the signs of ageing skin; fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and pigmentation have always been my main concerns. I don’t think my skin has changed too much during pregnancy, if anything I feel more dry and dehydrated than usual. 

Before using Ultraceuticals, I had a very basic skincare routine. I wouldn’t cleanse my skin - or even use sunscreen (oops!). By switching up my AM/PM routines with nourishing skincare products, I’ve noticed that my skin feels much more hydrated, smoother and refreshed. I can’t wait to see my skin change even more as I continue to use my Ultra products.

Her morning routine: My go-to cleanser has been Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser. It’s a silky foam cleanser that leaves the skin brighter, refreshed and more radiant. I then follow with Ultra Hydrating Skin Mist, Ultra Moisturiser Eye Cream and Ultra Protective Antioxidant Complex - a serum full of antioxidants that leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. I then apply my SPF, which feels so lightweight and hydrating.

Her evening routine: My evening skincare routine is quite similar to my morning line-up. I take the day off with a double cleanse of my Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser. After my skin mist and eye cream, I use my (favourite) Ultra B² Hydrating Serum. My dehydrated skin drinks this up! I just love how my skin feels. As my final step, I apply Ultra Moisturiser Cream. 

My mum-to-mum advice - (If you can) try to prioritise at least five minutes in the morning and night for your skincare routine. Self-love is critical during both pregnancy and motherhood. We can feel as though we lose part of our identity in those early postpartum days, so I often found that the little things, such as taking a shower, washing my hair, spending time on my skincare routine and grabbing a coffee - helped me feel like ME!