Skin Care During Pregancy

Did you know during pregnancy you're limited to what skin care products you can use? I didn't.

Since my pregnancy, I have started breaking out like a teenager. And in my late 20's, I'm not looking for that. I've read a lot about the increase of hormones being the culprit of acne, and that you can't use over the counter medicine to help. Being limited and wanting to do what's right for the baby, I figured natural products are the way to go. That's where Lush comes in.

I'm sure I'm the last to join the Lush bandwagon, but better late than never; am I right?! I just never felt the need to go into Lush since I had my skin care products down pact. Also, I always saw it as the supplier of bath bombs that were too pretty to use. But a last, I have found a skincare regimen that has been working so well for me during this time.

A little bit about my skin, other than the fact I was breaking out, is it's very sensitive and considered combination.

    

1. Angels on Bare Skin: This is the first exfoliator that I can use daily and leaves my skin so soft. I recommend using it in your night routine and that you clean your face prior with a magic eraser cloth or with a cleansing oil if you're wearing make-up. This product is not for taking your makeup off.

2. Eau Roma Water: Lush's version of a toner & I love it! One thing I've learned over the years is that you don't have to always cleanse your face in the morning. It can dry out your skin. I use the Roma water as my way to tone and prep my skin for moisturizer. I even love it when I'm traveling and I feel like my face needs moisture.

3. Imperialis: I'm not sure if it has to do with my pregnancy, but this is the first moisturizer that keeps my face moisturized without having an oil-slicked face by the end of the day. I'm thinking my old moisturizer wasn't doing its job and produced oil to keep my face from drying up. But, with this moisturizer, I'm shine free. It's lightweight and absorbs quickly.

4. Tea tree oil: The last product is non-lush, but I recommend tea tree oil as a spot treatment for pimples. They say it's just as effective as benzoyl peroxide, without the negative side effects. It reduces the size and redness of my pimples.

Pros:

• All natural ingredients, so it's safe during pregnancy 
• They have a great app that shares reviews, ingredients & instructions on how to use
• You can get a free mask by bringing back 5 clean Lush pots

Cons:

• Certain products can only be purchased in store (Masks in particular)
• Some products have a shelf life of 3 months- CHECK the date prior to purchasing
• Some products need to be refrigerated (Masks in particular)
• And I have yet to try a mask because they're always sold out! (more like a personal problem)

Did your skin change when you got pregnant? Let me know in the comments. 

Is there such thing as a plan?

Where do I start!? Do I tell you about my original plan or jump into my first trimester? I'll start from the beginning. 

I got engaged last June, and right after everyone was asking when's the wedding. After much thought, we chose to get married in 2 years. But, speed up to October 29th and BAM! I found out I was pregnant; nonetheless days before my favorite holiday. My first reaction wasn't a good one. Of course being a mother was always on my list, but I'm a planner! And this was for sure something planned after marriage. 

I cried when the pregnancy test came out positive. I mean as women, we have our freak attacks and think were pregnant, even if were not. So, I thought when I took the test, it was going to be one of those thoughts again. But, behold it was NOT! 

We went to the doctors to confirm, and sure enough, they said: "Congrats Adrianna, you're pregnant!." Alex was with me and excited even from the beginning. It was hard for him to register why I wasn't as excited, and the main reason was fear! I mean becoming responsible for another life is no joke. And the other reason was because I've been raised with the notion that kids come after marriage, so I felt ashamed. 

After I told my parents and a few friends, I felt immensely better. They were so supportive; my shame faded. I couldn't say the same about fear because that comes and goes. But, the more real things became, the more excited I would get. 

We live in a new day and age, and we shouldn't have to feel ashamed about getting pregnant out of wedlock. It's just something embedded in our brains since childhood. I especially shouldn't, being in my late 20's and all, but old habits die hard. 

Today, I'm 24 weeks, and this baby boy is all I think about! My excitement grows every day. 

What was your experience when you found out you were pregnant? Leave me a comment. : )