As an expectant mother, your body will undergo changes, which is natural.
If you were hoping for that healthy pregnancy glow, you may be disappointed to discover that you are plagued by dry skin and lips.
To meet the needs of your developing baby, extra body fluids and blood are produced during this period…
As the skin stretches, the skin barrier may get compromised, letting more moisture to escape.
At times, the peak [blood] volume can exceed up to 50 per cent higher than that of non-pregnant women.
The rise in blood sugar level may cause kidneys to overwork too, resulting in frequent urination and dehydration, which may lead to dry lips and skin. It may sound contradictory, but water retention can also cause dry skin.
During pregnancy, high levels of vasopressin hormone may cause your body to retain water, leading to swelling and bloating.
Too much swelling can stretch the skin, making it dry and cracked. This is known as edema, which occurs during the third trimester, and women often get itchy red spots with it.
1. Use safe ingredients only
The fewer the ingredients, the safer your lip balm, but you must avoid some ingredients during your pregnancy. Stick to the hypoallergenic ones (without allergic chemicals) and fragrance-free lip chaps and balms. To help you restore your dry lips during pregnancy, here are some safe and natural ingredients that you should look out for on your lip balm’s label.
2. Coconut oil
This is a natural moisturizer and an emollient that traps moisture within your thin lip skin. It can also be used as a pain reliever and has anti-inflammatory properties that are extremely useful for chapped lips.
3. Beeswax
Beeswax obtained from honeycombs creates a wall to lock in the moisture and protect the delicate skin
on your lips from dry air.
4. Petroleum jelly
You can use petroleum jelly to make a thick waterproof barrier to prevent loss of moisture. It also heals dry and irritated skin and keeps your lips moist for a longer time.
5. Cocoa butter
Natural cocoa butter made from cocoa beans is a safe moisturizer for your lips. It is an emollient with antioxidants. It helps to hold in the moisture and heals dry and chapped lips and the antioxidants slow down the cell-damaging process.
6. Shea butter
Often used together with cocoa butter, this butter is a natural fat that traps moisture in your lips to keep them soft and moist.
7. Jojoba oil
Using jojoba oil extracted from jojoba plant seeds can be very good for soothing dry lips and holding in moisture to keep your lips moist and supple. It also contains vitamins B and E that helps nourish and rejuvenate your lips. Jojoba oil also has healing properties and can be used as a natural sunscreen to protect your skin from harsh UV rays.
8. Argan oil
This is vegetable oil with fatty acids and vitamins E and A. It is perfect for healing chapped lips. It helps lock in moisture and smoothens dry skin, giving your lips a gorgeous glow. Mixing it with coconut oil can give you a perfect result.
