Super Dry Skin During Pregnancy - Cocoa Butter? Coconut Oil? Anything Richer?

Hey there!

Try this!

http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Catalog/Product.aspx?prod=29H...

I used this and cocoa butter (the balm..not the lotion) and the oil (listed above) throughout my pregnancy! Loved it! Never was dry again nor did I get a single stretch mark!

Good Luck!

I had a very hard time finding something that worked well for me and lasted a long time. After many different products I found that Aveeno with Oatmeal was the best. It was thick, not oily and lasted all day for me.

i buy an awesome lotion from an online whole-sale club. they actually have a body wash, hand wash, and bath oil dedicated to severely dry skin. it is awesome! I actually buy all of my cleaning and body care stuff from there because it is free of caustic chemicals. i wish someone would have told me about it long ago, because most shampoos, body washes, cleaning supplies, etc have caustic chemicals that can cause a plethora of health issues, including birth defects. I have to wonder about that too, because both my kids were born with abnormalities. you can go to http://www.HealthySafeAndClean.com and get more info there, if you fill out an information request, then you just need to put that you are wanting solutions to dry skin and someone calls you to tell you options. awesome company!

Hi K.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Dry skin is so common and doesn't need to be. You need to find products that do not contain any petroleum as petroleum cannot penetrate the skin and will actually pull moisture from skin, making it even dryer. Most products (even the ones from answers listed) contain it so you need to read the labels and not assume.

Another ingredient you'll want to avoid are sodium laurel sulfates (SLS). These are harsh cleansers that will strip all of your natural oils right off.

Sensaria Natural Bodycare is a line of naturally-based products, developed by a scientist who himself was extremely allergic to everything out there, does not contain petroleum, SLS, dyes, and uses only the finest ingredients and essential oils. There is the Jojoba Oil and the Jojoba Body Lotion Spray that will soak right into your skin and perfect if you want a non-scented option. The Body Butters (come in seven scents) will nourish anything and then you will absolutely love the Sweet N Smooth, perfect for the belly, as it has salts and sugars for exfoliating and smoothing and then essential oils of orange in the oil blend that will soak right in. There are also other salt glows.

It is important to exfoliate your skin, which will remove dead skin cells and allow better absorption.

Sensaria has a one-year guarantee and you can find more of my information in the local businesses. Perfect and a must for your children too.

www.sensaria.com/J.

Try Cetaphil (in the tub)or Eucerin or the Norwegian super rich hand cream.

I liked pure shea butter to ease the tummy skin discomfort when I was pregant. I found that coconut oil clogged my pores and I've switched to jojoba oil (can get it at Trader Joe's) for moisture now. It most closely mimics the skins oils and does not clog pores. I apply it after my shower, before I dry off.

coconut oil for sure! i got mine at a health food store, and you have to heat it up to put it on. My daughter is 2 now, but my husband just said the other day that he thinks my skin is so soft from all that coconut oil i put on while pregnant. Hahaha. I put it on daily after every shower.

I recommend Natureworks Calendula Cream. In our house we call it "mama's magic cream" because of its emollient and healing properties.
here is one website I've found it on, so you can see the tube (some Whole Foods carry it as well). It isn't cheap either, but a little does go a long way and it has been help for many friends - everything from radiation burns (breast cancer) to nicks and scratches and dry bumpies on our 5 year old.. . http://www.iherb.com/Abkit-NatureWorks-Calendula-Cream-4-...
Like another responder, I also like the Aveeno extra strength lotion/cream (white and blue tube, as opposed to the regular cream in beige and blue tube).

have a healthy rest of your wait!

Changes in your skin is very common in pregnancy. Bring it up with your doctor at your next visit. Melaleuca makes this great lotion that will help with the dry skin called Renew, and it is safe and natural enough to use on yourself during pregnancy and on your new baby. Let me know if you are interested and I can help you get it.

Highly recommend coconut oil. We used to slather my baby girl up in it when she was an infant because she would get itchy and scratch herself. And she smells so yummy afterward! We use it, too. Calendula cream also a good one, but coconut oil always worked well for us. Eating coconut oil or coconut butter in your diet is also great and will help. We add a spoonful to oatmeal, or a smoothie, or spread it on pancakes or toast.

Hi K.,

I'm allergic to chocolate, so I couldn't use the cocoa butter.
I used Mustela. They have a full range (anti stretch mark, moisturizing, bust...) for pregnant and nursing moms)
Also, remember to drink a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated from inside.

I used body oil. It worked wonders!

Aquaphor. I am sure it is not all natural. But, it is the only thing that you can use for dry skin during radiation treatments, and it works.

The skin will usually be one of the first places that will show signs of nutritional deficiencies. The baby needs a lot of nourishment and is taking from all your resources. How is your diet? You need lots of fresh fruit and veggies and whole grains, no soda or coffee or other dehydrating beverages. God Bless! Let me know if I can help. J.

I have extremely dry skin. I use Aveeno Bath Oil - it's in the bath section at the drug store not with the regular lotions. Take your shower then put on the Aveeno Bath Oil while you're still wet. Let it soak in then wipe yourself down. It doesn't leave you greasy and it really helps.

Hope this helps! Good luck.

I'm on Accutane right now, which causes the worst dry skin imaginable - I'm so dry that in addition to the scaly patches, sometimes my skin gets so dry it cracks and bleeds. So Sister, I'm with you on the dry, itchy skin!

For Christmas, I received Triple Moisture Shower Cream as well as Triple Moisture Body Cream from Bath & Body Works. This stuff is fantastic! The Shower Cream is used like soap (on a bath pouf), and then the body cream is a super-thick lotion that you can use whenever. Both last for a full 24 hours on my skin and leave it velvety soft! I was so surprised, since they are not expensive and come in a lot of wonderful scents. Also the cream does not leave my skin greasy at all, like some oils can. (Previously I was having to moisturize with Aquaphor, which works, but is soooo greasy.)

If your face gets dry, try "When Hope is Not Enough" by Philosophy. Super thick, not greasy, wonderfully emollient.

I hope that helps keep you from drying up and blowing away! ;-)

Look at the ingredients list and make sure that the first ingredient is NOT water. It should be shea butter or something else for a rich base. Shea butter is really good. Also any oil base is good too. I'm 8 mos. and I ran out of my belly cream so I switched to Stretch OIl by Earth Mama Angel Baby. I can use it on my belly, nipples (just be careful not to stimulate), and perineum area so I'm preparing that for stretching during delivery.

Have you tried Eucerin's Aquaphor? I have exzema that leaves me itchy and peeling and that's the only thing that helps while I'm pregnant. Normally I use a steroid cream which of course I can't use while pregnant.

What you are experiencing may seem unusual but in reality, it is very common. There is a product called Renew lotion that cannot be purchased over-the-counter that is a great natural product for your skin condition. I found a free website that will give you a 1 oz. sample just for opting in on their mailing list. To talk to them or find out more go to:
http://www.eczemaandyourlife.com where they will also give you free articles to learn more about this very common eczema occurrence.

Check with your doc, there is a condition that is slipping my mind right now, but if you have it they can give you meds that are proffesional stregnth for it. Good luck and hand in there mama. Try oatmeal baths, they are soothing. : )

I used both "Tummy Honey Butter"(found at various locations or online) a couple of months and towards the end of my pg ended up using "Weleda Pregnancy Oil" (found at Target). Both were really greasy and I don't have stretch marks. Neither is cheap, but I wasn't going to take my chances with the cheap stuff!

Also, make sure you're drinking plenty of water!

Hi K.,

I can't seem to access the other responses you received, so please forgive me if I repeat...

I'd try Shea butter (the real stuff, not mixed with anything else - I get th NOW brand Shea butter from Henry's. I'd also recommend EGem brand vitamin E drops (also from Henry's, though I'm sure other retailers carry these items).

More important than the external solutions, I'd also recommend an omega-3 and antioxidant supplement to nourish your cells from the inside out. Send me an email, If you want more information about how you can do this and naturally receive more of the essential fatty acids (like DHA and EPA) without mercury, pesticides and toxins of any kind. Both you and your developing child require Omega-3s and antioxidants now more than every to promote proper brain function & development and overall wellbeing. You can reach me at ____@____.com or contact me via Mamapedia. In any case, congratulations and best wishes to you on your journey! -P.

Coconut Oil is the absolute best! I buy the Nutiva brand.

molting snake is never good. I swear by olive oil. It's thick and my skin sucks it right up. I buy a big container of the cheap stuff, regular not extra virgin because regular is usually cheaper. Grape seed oil is super awesome but more expensive.

I love almond oil. It's a little messy, but it works great. No stretch marks for me!

The Aquaphor is an excellent idea - that or A&D ointment. Both are ointments, not lotions and can be more effective. Also, are you taking fish oil as a supplement? Excellent for the baby's development, your health and may help with your skin as well.