Desperate for pregnancy-safe anti ageing skincare!

[Fagin99]

After religiously using tretinoin (retin-a) for ten years, I had to give it up a year ago when I started ttc. I'm now, mercifully, six months pregnant, but my skin looks older by the day! OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I'm desperate to find an anti-ageing skincare product that is pregnancy safe! Can anyone help?

I don't mind spending money if I get good results. Thanks!

The main prescription medications you can use while pregnant for acne are azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Hasn’t your dermatologist given you anything in place of the tret? Mine gives me the azelaic, either Skinoren or Finacea cream. Duac (BP) for when I have a spot (luckily hardly ever now).
In my last pregnancy I also used Zineryt which I think is a topical antibiotic. Not this time around though.
Are you still using spf daily? Skin is way more prone to sun damage when you are pregnant.

Many thanks for your reply. I bought tretinoin over the counter in European pharmacies over the years, and use it mainly for anti-ageing (although I am prone to breakouts). It's mainly the fine lines and lack of 'plump' that I'm trying to control . Desperate for something that can help and is OK in pregnancy!

Hi Fagin99 - you must have had your baby by now, hope you're both well? :)

just wondering if you ever got anywhere with this, I'm over the moon to be 5 months pregnant but at 38 my face isn't so thrilled...had to ditch the retinols (and botox obviously) and wondering if there is anything that actually works, let me know if you found anything!

Hi @kayteb, yes I'm the happy mother of a beautiful 11 week old baby girl now. Thanks for asking 😊
I hope everything is going well with your pregnancy?

I must admit I never found a miracle solution (largely down to lack of time to devote to such research). After my post, I started using the Pregnancy facial oil by De Mamiel. It certainly helped to make my skin less dry and more smooth, possibly a bit plumper. With make up over the top I actually looked half decent 😁. I actually found my skin became clearer and better looking in the third trimester (I know not everyone has this luck). Of course, now I'm post partum its reverting back to its old self and, as I'm breastfeeding, the search is back on for a decent cream or serum. I'm currently using azelaic acid and hyaluronic acid which I believe are also safe for pregnancy.

If you find anything good let me know! Very best of luck to you with your pregnancy x

Ahh congratulations! 💘lovely to hear!

So far all fine with the pregnancy, first trimester felt like a constant hangover with the carb and sugar cravings and nausea! Now I just get tired super quickly, but it's a good reminder to rest up (while I still can!).

Will check out the Pregnancy facial oil by De Mamiel, thank you for the tip! I'm also using a hyaluronic acid and a peptide serum (buffet) both by the Ordinary, who I've used for years (inexpensive, nice packaging and it's owned by Estee Lauder so figured must use some of their technology), plus their rose hip seed oil at night. I've been reading that Bakuchiol is a safe alternative to retinol so might give that a try - and also found on an old post on the Caroline Hirons website she recommends Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial, but that one might be a little steep with my terrible maternity pay ahead of me...

If I find anything else I'll let you know and enjoy your baby girl :) x

Thank you! Motherhood is wonderful, you have so much to look forward to. (Although I remember those pregnancy symptoms well!)

Ah yes I also love The Ordinary! In fact it's the brand I'm currently using. I haven't tried those products though, so thank you I will look them up.

The de Mamiel oil is quite expensive and, if I'm honest, there are cheaper oils out there that perform just as well. It is a bit of a treat though (and you can often get 10% off first time buys etc). X

Hiya :) Congrats on your pregnancy! This site has a whole section on pregnancy skincare including lists of products from various brands www.15minutebeauty.com/pregnancy-skin-care-guide