Basically what worked for me the past 9 months!
Since getting pregnant, I've made several changes to my skincare regime - largely cause I had just started using retinol before I got knocked up lol (and loved what it did for my skin I must add) but it isn't suitable for pregnant women and also because my skin did a 360-degree switch from combi to SUPER dry to the current almost-normal-but-sometimes-dry state it's in now over the last 9 months.
Besides retinol (which has been linked to birth defects), because I am super duper paranoid as you guys might already know by now, I've tried my best to eliminate parabens, BHA, benzoyl peroxide and some other ingredients from my hair, body and skincare regime.
I also stopped doing my nails - in fact, I stayed far away from nail parlours because I didn't want to breathe in formaldehyde from OTHER patrons - and refrained from dyeing my hair. My obgyn is generally quite relaxed (he even gives sashimi the green light!) so when he advised against hair dye, I think it's serious matter haha. Anyway my personal logic is, better to be (crazily) safe than sorry!
So... what can I use?
FACE
Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. I also use this as a light makeup remover.
Makeup remover: Avene micellar lotion on days when I have full warpaint on.
Moisturiser: Cetaphil Moisturising Cream for Dry/ Sensitive Skin. This was the ONLY moisturiser that worked when my skin entered the super dry phase and yet it isn't too rich to cause me breakouts.
Serum: Lancome Advanced Genifique. Apparently Kate Middleton used this during her pregnancy too!
Eye cream: Lancome Genifique Eye Illuminator - but I use it only like twice a week max.
Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Ultra-Light Fluid on days when I don't apply makeup.
On days that I apply makeup,
MAKEUP
Base: Kose Sekkisui BB Cream
Powder: Shu Uemura The Lightbulb UV Compact
Blusher: NARS Orgasm
Contour: Benefit Hoola
Eyebrows: Brow pencil from Erabelle
Lips: Ettusais lip essence in tinted red
Lifesaver: Eyelash extensions from EyeStudio Tokyo - been going to them for 3 years now!
BODY
Shower foam: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser alternated with Lemongrass House's Lemongrass shower gel (my fear of Zika is real!)
Moisturiser: Cetaphil Intensive Moisturising Cream
For stretch marks: I used Palmer's for the first 35 weeks and enjoyed smooth, stretch mark free skin but I suddenly woke up one morning to three horrible red marks on my thighs. I'm now trying Elastin3 Advanced Stretch Mark Therapy that I got from my gynae... it's too early to comment on its efficacy but I like how it smells. Kinda like baby lotion!
Insect repellant: All Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray from Lemongrass House though I've allowed myself to relax a little when I entered my third trimester.
Hope this helps!
