Skin Care Tip: Due to the increase in hormonal activity while you are pregnant, many women can develop pigmentation, also called melasma or pregnancy mask. This is a very frustrating condition as patches of brown spots can appear on the skin.
Who’s at risk? Women who have freckles, get brown spots during the summertime, or those that developed brown spots while being on birth control, all have an increased chance of developing pigmentation while pregnant. But sometimes, those who have never had brown spots can still have them appear during their pregnancy.
What to do? For anyone who is pregnant, your best defense for preventing pigmentation is to start using a natural skin lightener every day under your sunscreen. A skin lightener is designed to suppress melanin activity so you can prevent less pigmentation from appearing. But of course, while you’re pregnant, you want to opt for natural skin lightening ingredient such as Vitamin C (specifically Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate). There are many types of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid are a few examples) but we find that MAP works best…
How does Vitamin C (MAP) work? Magnesium Asorbyl Phosphate is a potent corrector of hyperpigmentation (brown spots), as it interferes with overproduction of melanin (skin pigment) by melanocytes (cells responsible for production of melanin.) Through this interaction, not only does Vitamin C reduce the appearance of dark spots, freckles, melasma, sun spots and other pigmentation disorders, but it also increases overall skin radiance and brightness.
Where can you find it? Our Vitamin C & E Complex contains a powerful, but safe amount of this amazing type of Vitamin C. Whether you have pigmentation or not using this product daily will give your skin a dose of anti-aging protection.
What about post-pregnancy? After you give birth, some people will find that the pigmentation will gradually disappear while continuing to use our Vitamin C & E Complex. But many cases will require both home care and/or professional skin treatments to get it to fade quickly. Chemical peels are best for this. But it’s best to get a jumpstart and address this while you are pregnant to help it from getting darker, but do know that the real success can come after you’ve had your baby.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”