4 natural beauty routines for mums-to-be

Motherhood is often said to be one of the most life-changing experiences a woman can have. If it is in your life plan, what a ride you’re in for – or so I’ve been told. I am well into my second trimester and a few weeks away from the home stretch with my first child. While pregnancy has been a relatively breezy and enjoyable journey so far; hold the applause, I was reacquainted with a familiar foe. My acne days returned, thanks to raging hormones. This time around, my go-to regime of laser facials and chemical laden products were off limits.

The happy coincidence, however, led me to explore and discover new, natural remedies and products that actually work (no offence, tea tree oil). Expecting or not, we can all benefit from adding more Mother Nature into our wellness routines. The following items are essential to my skin care routine at this stage of life, but as with all else, to each his own – find what works for you.

Lemon juice

Lemons are potent in vitamin C and a natural bleaching agent. I apply freshly squeezed lemon juice every evening after cleansing to spot treat scars, pigmentation, and areas on my face where acne is prone. I’ve seen a significant change in skin clarity and frequency of outbreaks after just two weeks of consistent use. Full disclosure – it does sting, and it can dry those with less oily skin. If you find it too strong, dilute it with some filtered water or mix it with a small amount of honey, which also has antibacterial properties. The best part is that you can find it right in your pantry.

Olive oil

We’ve all cooked with olive oil, but it turns out this kitchen staple also happens to be the perfect make-up remover. Contrary to the popular belief about shying away from oil-based cleansers when you suffer from acne, which in itself is caused by an overproduction of sebum oil, you should consider incorporating natural oils into your cleansing routine if you want a good clean. Water and gels do not remove oil, whether from your body’s own production or cosmetics, nearly as effectively as oil-based products. The key is to double it with a gentle cleaner such as the Rose Water Cleanser from The Organic Pharmacy afterwards to restore the balance.