I feel like every day there’s a new pregnancy announcement in Hollywood—maybe it’s because I’m pregnant and hyper-aware, or maybe the 2021 baby boom is real, despite what’s been reported on the news. Either way, many of us who are expecting are constantly on the lookout for ways to keep our skin smooth during this time of rapid change (and stretching!), and some options are better than others. Here, actress Ashley Tisdale shares her product of choice, as well as some of her other beauty must-haves.
First off, congrats on your baby girl. How did you choose the name Jupiter?
“Thank you! Honestly I can’t remember exactly what made me think of it, but it was a year before getting pregnant and I remember seeing some image on Instagram that inspired me to think of it. Weirdly the planet Jupiter was super present last year, so it felt meant to be.”
Did your skin-care routine change when you were pregnant?
“I luckily was super quarantined, so I wasn’t having to use a lot of makeup, but I did use super clean brands. I have a blog called Frenshe that is all about my journey in mental health and a nontoxic lifestyle, and I believe it’s all about balance. I still have my go-to products I love that aren’t the cleanest, but I make up for it in other ways.”
Were there any products you used specifically for pregnancy-related changes to your skin or body?
“I discovered Bio-Oil from a friend who recently had a baby. Taking care of your skin being pregnant is a MUST! You’re growing so fast and it’s important to create a little ritual. I used Bio-Oil religiously! Before being pregnant I never would have thought to use oil, but now it’s become so much of my routine. It definitely helped prevent stretch marks, but it also smells so insanely good and I use it for my keratosis pilaris that I recently have on my arms from hormones. It has helped so much!”
What surprised you most about changes to your body during or after pregnancy?
“I think the whole thing is surprising. It’s amazing what our bodies can do and I’m just proud of my body. Yes there are days where I wish I could lose more weight, but that’s not what is important. The important thing is that I feel strong.”
I heard you’re a fan of dry brushing. Did you do it while you were pregnant, or is it a newer thing for you?
“I didn’t dry brush when I was pregnant because I hadn’t really gotten into it, I but I definitely do it now. It’s my way of taking care of me. The one I use is from Dr. Barbara Sturm.”
I saw you posted a picture of your shower on Instagram, and it was filled with davines hair products. Are you a big fan?
“Huge fan! The smell of their Love Conditioner is insane!”
Do beauty rituals come easy to you? Can you do your own makeup and hair well?
“Yes, but I’m better at makeup than hair. I feel like I always go toward the same hairstyle, but with makeup, I’m more creative and freeing when I do it.”
You’ve also posted how you love to set up “relaxation stations” around your house. Tell me more!
“I think it’s important to have those little spaces to go when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious and need some energy change, and you can have a diffuser or a candle, your favorite book and maybe a journal. It’s just helps to ground you!”
What new projects do you have coming up?
“Right now I’m enjoying my time with Jupiter and loving that I’ve been able to work from home. I’m doing a lot of amazing things for Frenshe that I can’t share yet, but being able to connect to a community of people that is choosing to learn more about self-love and mental health, and sharing the tools that have helped me, has been one of my favorite things to work on!”
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Select a state Select a state Select a stateEvery editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.Dendy Engelmann, MD is the go-to dermatologist for skin health for the stars. So when she had her own pregnancy, women clamored to know—how did you avoid those dreaded stretch marks? Here are her secrets.
Healthy mom, healthy baby
During pregnancy, moms focus so much on the arrival of their “bundle of joy” that they may neglect themselves. There are many permanent body changes and beauty surprises that happen during pregnancy—and mom may not be prepared. You can take steps along the way to ease the transition and help get your body back to its pre-birth state. Part of this process is taking steps to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy. “My pregnant patients are always asking me, ‘How can I prevent stretch marks?’ in the same breath as ‘What are the safest face products to use during pregnancy?’” says Dendy Engelman, MD, an NYC-based celebrity dermatologist. When she was pregnant with her second baby, she said she was just as concerned about what she was putting on her body as her patients were. We can all learn from her “healthy mom, healthy baby” regimen.
Avoid products deemed unsafe during pregnancy
When it comes to your beauty routine, steer clear of vitamin A derivatives, warns Dr. Engelman. These include retinol and retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and skin lighteners like hydroquinone. Be cautious of oral acne and Lyme disease treatments, too. So, keep an eye on things like Accutane, tetracyclines, doxycycline and minocycline, and chemical sunscreens. The American Academy of Dermatology outlines even more specifics about what acne treatments are potentially safe or unsafe during pregnancy. For example, they note that while certain antibiotics for acne seem safe, some women have given birth to a child with birth defects when taking them. To be sure, ask your doctor and learn more about the ways to prevent birth defects before and during pregnancy. “My clients are usually knowledgeable enough that they stop retinoids as soon as they get the positive pregnancy test, but we forget about some toxic ingredients found in everyday beauty products,” Dr. Engelman says. “Nail polish, deodorant, acne creams, and skincare can have ingredients that could potentially be harmful to an unborn baby.”
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Dr. Engelman said that she didn’t get any stretch marks during her first pregnancy and also indicated similarly into her second pregnancy. She attributes this to daily preventative use of Bio-Oil and Serica Moisturizing Stretch Mark Formula. But for people who do get stretch marks, she recommends pulsed dye laser for new, red marks. A 2017 issue of The Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery reviewed various stretch mark treatments. Their conclusion is in line with Dr. Engelman’s words. “Laser therapy of early stretch marks (striae rubrae) targets vessels,” the journal notes. “Laser treatment is a physical tool used in the improvement of stretch marks with a focus on early stretch marks.” For older stretch marks though, Dr. Engelman has a different suggestion. “When they become white and strophic, fractionated CO2 laser is best to improve their appearance,” she says.
Treat any stretch marks immediately
A topical treatment can help when genetics start to get in the way in the later trimesters. It’s best to start treatment right away. Do this with a silicone gel formulation designed to prevent and heal stretch marks. “Serica Skin Care offers a gel treatment formulated with a proprietary blend of silicone, sodium hyaluronate, essential fatty acids, and Amazonian Pracaxi oil,” Dr. Engelman explains. “It has been proven successful in nourishing the skin, promoting even skin tone and thus, aiding the skin to recover from the growth of our bodies.” Serica is available over the counter. Apply it to affected areas twice daily for at least 12 weeks. However, if you’d rather try other options, consider these stretch mark remedies you can make at home.
Get some support during pregnancy
Comfortable, supportive clothing can go a long way toward avoiding stretch marks in pregnancy. Dr. Engelman wore Spanx during her pregnancy to provide “extra support for the bump.” She adds that the high-waisted styles are fine to wear up until delivery. In fact, she did this while pregnant with her son Gadsden, who was almost 8 pounds and healthy. “The pregnancy tights are developed to provide abdominal support without restricting growth or blood flow,” she says. “Just make sure they are the correct size and comfortable. I live in mine currently. Honestly, I feel better in them than out of them.” If you’re considering this, you’ll want to know more about the best shapewear for every kind of dress. And since she’s busy with patients all day, Dr. Engleman says shapewear helped her avoid lower back pain and supported her abdominal skin as her baby grew.
Consider support for after pregnancy
One of the most common myths about delivery by C-section is that those mothers require the same recovery time as women who had vaginal births. In reality, they need at least an additional two weeks. Post-surgery corsets can aid in a faster childbirth recovery. This is especially the case with a Caesarian section, which Dr. Engelman had. “I wore a corset by Bellefit that helped support the abdominal muscles and skin that were cut during the Caesarian section,” she says. “I started wearing it three days after surgery for about 4-6 weeks. It minimized post-op pain and had me back to life much more quickly than my patients, friends, and colleagues.”
Sources
- Dendy Engelman, MD, celebrity dermatologist, Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Manhattan, NY.
- American Academy of Dermatology: "Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?"
- The Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. "Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae)."
Originally Published: October 08, 2019