Welcome to Belli, where the love of pregnancy and babies guides everything we do. 

We encourage you to read about the many changes your skin goes through on your journey to motherhood.  Hear what's normal and what's not. 

Learn about teratology screening-- a higher standard of prenatal safety for topical ingredients. 

Find out which common pregnancy skin care concerns are avoidable, and how to best comfort and soothe the rest. 

Because that's what Belli's all about-- pampered protection, and peace of mind..

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pregnancy Skin Care
Safety, Stretchmark Protection, Acne, Chloasma, Swelling, Upset Stomach, Dry/Itchy Skin, Darker Skin, Hair, Nails, Teeth, Varicose Veins, Calf Cramps

Motherhood Skin Care
Nursing Discomfort, Dark Circles, Slackened Skin, Scar Reduction, Stretchmark Repair, Hand Hygiene

Baby Skin Care
Bath Time, Dry Skin, Diaper Rash

PREGNANCY SKIN CARE

Welcome to your pregnancy!!  Let's start with the basics.

Safety

A mother's skin blocks many skin care ingredients from entering her body, but small amounts of some ingredients are still absorbed into the bloodstream. Once there, they can cross the placenta and reach the growing fetus.  That's because the "placental barrier" is actually more of a widely spaced filter.  It blocks things the size of bacteria, but allows most chemicals to pass easy through.

While many topical ingredients are thought to be safe during pregnancy, a large number are linked to harmful effects in clinical studies with repeated or high exposures.  Some examples include Vitamin A, salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide, certain sunscreens, and even aloe vera.

The Belli Pregnancy line has set a higher standard for prenatal safety in the cosmetic industry. We search through millions of published medical research articles to see if an ingredient has ever been linked to birth defects. If it has, we replace it with a safer ingredient instead. Our medical director, Jason P. Rubin, M.D., oversees Belli's exclusive teratology screening process. 


Stretchmark Protection

During the second and third trimesters your uterus will grow rapidly, stretching the skin over the abdomen and tearing the connective tissues in the dermis. The torn tissue heals with irregular scars known as stretchmarks (striae gravidarum). Growth of fat deposits in the breasts, hips, thighs, and buttocks can cause stretchmarks in these areas as well.

Stretchmarks affect up to 90% of all women. They occur more often in first pregnancies, the fair-skinned, and the overweight. There is definitely a genetic component so you may not be able to avoid them, but there are things you can do to minimize your risk.

Generations of mothers have used cocoa butter to try and prevent stretchmarks, but while it is a good moisturizer, there is no research showing a benefit from this ingredient.

The only published research on stretchmark prevention showed that a combination of Gotu Kola extract, Vitamin E, and Collagen Hydrolysates decreased the risk of getting stretchmarks by about 39%, and decreased the severity of any stretchmarks that did form. 

(International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1991).  All of these ingredients can be found in Belli Pregnancy's Elasticity Belly Oil, along with the relaxing aromatherapy of lavender. 

Another step you can take is to keep your weight gain within the guidelines recommended by your obstetrician, to minimize the amount of stretching your skin has to do.


Acne

Sebaceous glands inside the skin pores produce sebum-- an oily substance that helps the epidermis function as an effective barrier. When the skin pores are blocked, either with too much sebum or with skin cells that would normally slough off, they allow bacteria to grow underneath. Inflammation related to the infections results in red, tender pimples known as common acne (or acne vulgaris). This condition tends to affect the areas of the body with the most sebaceous glands-- the face, upper chest, and upper back.

During pregnancy, fluctuating hormone levels cause increased acne in one out of three women. Daily facial cleansing and exfoliation with a lactic acid (AHA) product such as Belli Pregnancy's Acne Clearing Facial Wash will help keep bacteria and clogged pores to a minimum. The aesthetician at your favorite spa will be able to teach you more acne management techniques.

Lactic acid is one of the safest acne ingredients during pregnancy because it is found naturally within your body, and passes teratology screening cleanly. You should avoid acne products containing other ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid which research shows may be linked to birth defects.

Worsened acne during pregnancy will usually calm down after the first trimester. If it continues to increase, consult with a dermatologist.


Chloasma

The pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone are thought to make the pigment-producing skin cells (the melanocytes) react more strongly to sunlight. This causes dark brown splotchy areas on the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead known as chloasma, melasma or "the mask of pregnancy".

Chloasma affects up to 70% of all pregnant women. It can show up with any skin type, but olive and darker complexions are especially at risk. The good news is that chloasma is preventable in all women by sun avoidance and daily use of a facial sunscreen SPF 25 or higher. Remember to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days and indoors, because UV rays can penetrate both. Reapply sunscreen frequently. If you're planning to be outside in the sun for a long time, you may want to also wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Chloasma will fade in most women after delivery but can persist in up to 30% of cases. Your dermatologist can recommend several topical treatments after you've delivered and are no longer nursing such as hydroquinone, tretinoids, and chemical peels, but prevention with daily sunscreen use is still your best bet.

When choosing a sunscreen, the ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are preferred. They have higher SPF, need to be applied less often, and have no links to birth defects in medical research studies.  Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are featured in Belli Pregnancy's Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25-- a lightweight, oil-free, tinted sunscreen that blends naturally into skin, and can be worn underneath makeup.


Swelling

Women retain 30% more water in the bloodstream during pregnancy to help with fetal development. Gravity forces some of this water out of the blood vessels and into the tissues of the legs and feet, where it causes painful swelling known as peripheral edema.

This condition tends to be worse after a long day of standing or walking. It is also worse in the third trimester, when the growing uterus pushes on the largest vein in the body (the vena cava), which further raises the pressure of the water being pushed out into the tissues.

Mild swelling is best relieved by taking short breaks during the day where you elevate your legs above the level of your heart. Light massage of the swollen areas helps relieve swelling, and feels great too. Belli Pregnancy's Foot Relief Cream is an aroma-therapeutic peppermint and menthol massage treatment that leaves skin feeling cool, tingly, and refreshed.

Swelling that is persistent, severe, or involves the face and hands may be an early sign of pre-eclampsia—a potentially dangerous condition. See your physician immediately if this happens.


Upset Stomach

Pregnancy hormones can over-stimulate the emesis centers of the brainstem resulting in frequent nausea and upset stomach. Known as "morning sickness", this uncomfortable problem tends to be worse when you first wake up, but can happen any time of the day. It usually starts early in the first trimester and improves by the beginning of the second.

Try eating crackers or smaller, more frequent meals. Be very careful with scents and aromatherapy—what may have been pleasing to you before pregnancy might be intolerable now.

Many women find the scent of lemon and peppermint to be especially soothing to the stomach during pregnancy. The uplifting aromatherapy of lemon is featured in Belli Pregnancy's All Day Moisture Body Lotion. The invigorating aromatherapy of peppermint is featured in Belli Pregnancy's Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator, and Belli Pregnancy's Foot Relief Cream.

Health tip: Persistant vomiting or dizzyness may be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum – a potentially dangerous condition if not treated promptly. See your physician promptly if this occurs.


Dry, Itchy Skin

Many women will experience dry, itchy skin at some point during their pregnancies. Itching caused by dry skin (xerosis) tends to be worse in the winter months. The itching is more common over tightly stretched areas of skin, such as the abdomen, in the later trimesters.

Another cause of itching is cholestasis, where slower liver function makes the skin become loaded with bile salts. Some women even develop jaundice and gallstones.

Other causes of itching include drug reaction, atopic dermatitis, contact allergies, and many other rare rashes of pregnancy. Consult with a dermatologist for itching that is persistent, severe, or associated with red bumps or blisters on the skin.

Typical dryness and itching can be minimized with the correct skin care routine. Twice weekly, use Belli Pregnancy's Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator to remove the dry, dead skin cells and expose the fresh skin beneath. Each time you shower, use Belli Pregnancy's Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash which gently cleans and hydrates without stripping your skin of its natural oils. After getting out of the shower, be sure to apply Belli Pregnancy's All Day Moisture Body Lotion which helps lock in your skin's natural moisture.


Pigment Changes

Some parts of the skin become hyperpigmented during pregnancy.

Early in pregnancy, a dark line called the linea nigra can be seen extending from the pubic area up to the belly button. The delicate skin around the nipple (the areola) becomes larger and darker. Freckles and recent scars can also become darker. These are all normal hormone-related changes of pregnancy that cannot be prevented, but will gradually fade after delivery.

Don't confuse these with chloasma-- dark splotchy areas of the face caused by overstimulated pigment cells, pregnancy hormones, and sunlight. This condition is completely preventable by daily use of a broad-spectrum facial sunblock such as Belli Pregnancy's Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25.

Hair

It has long been rumored that pregnancy causes your hair to fall out. That's not exactly true. Normally, hair cells are evenly staggered across one of three phases – anagen (growth), catagen (resting), and telogen (shedding). During pregnancy, the majority of hair cells switch into the growth phase, making the hair on your head appear thicker and fuller.

Within 3 months of delivery, the hair cells all switch into the shedding phase resulting in a period of rapid hair loss called telogen effluvium. The hair loss is usually mild and lasts several months at most, but it still may take up to several years for the complete length to grow out, if it's very long.

Taking iron supplements from six months before the pregnancy to six months after may help to minimize the hair loss. Ferrosequels contains medication that helps prevent the constipating effect of iron.

You might also notice the appearance of small, fine lanugo hairs on the face, arms, legs, back, and pubic areas during your pregnancy, but these will gradually return to normal after you deliver.


Nails

Pregnancy causes fingernails and toenails to grow more quickly, become brittle, and sometimes develop wavy lines or indentations. These problems are usually worse after minor trauma, so try to avoid damaging the nails and be sure to keep them short and trim.

If the nails have problems despite these precautions, you should avoid the use of nail polish or other chemicals until after you deliver, when the nails usually return to normal.

Teeth

Pregnancy often causes an increase in gingivitis, a condition where bacteria and food particles lodged between the teeth leads to inflammation of the gums. This results in pain, swelling, and sometimes bleeding. The increased gingivitis of pregnancy begins in the first trimester and can take several months after delivery to resolve.

The treatment of gingivitis during pregnancy is the same as throughout your life—regular brushing, flossing, and the use of an antibacterial mouthwash.

Rarely, a growth called a pyogenic granuloma will appear on your gums or lips. It bleeds easily but is not dangerous, and can be quickly treated by a dermatologist.


Varicose Veins

The pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone are thought to decrease the strength of the superficial vein walls, making them more likely to swell and dilate. Varicose veins appear on the legs as thick, squiggly lines, green or blue in color, and often slightly raised above the level of the skin. They can happen at any time during your life but are especially common during pregnancy, and can range from completely painless to mildly uncomfortable. Another related lesion is the "spider vein"-- which is thinner, shorter, sometimes reddish in color, and often found in a starburst pattern.

A good prevention strategy includes regular exercise to increase circulation, leg massage (which also increases circulation), elevation of the legs, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. Constipation and straining can also increase pressure in the veins, so be sure to eat enough fiber in your diet, and consider taking six capsules of Metamucil each day with a glass of water.

Once the varicose vein has formed, you can try wearing supportive stockings to keep it from getting worse. After you've delivered, a dermatologist or a vascular surgeon will be able to offer several treatment methods. Spider veins and small varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy, where a chemical is injected directly into the vein that causes it to shrivel and disappear. Larger veins can be surgically removed. Laser and ultrasound treatments are another good option.

Health Tip: Never massage directly over the varicose vein, because there may be a clot which you could dislodge.


Calf Cramps

During the second and third trimesters you may notice occasional cramping of the calf muscles. This often painful condition can be relieved by gently pulling the front of your foot towards you until the cramp releases. Light massage of the calf muscles is also helpful.

Belli Pregnancy's Foot Relief Cream is an aroma-therapeutic peppermint and menthol massage cream that is perfect for the calves, and also leaves skin feeling cool, tingly, and refreshed.

Health tip: It is normal to occasionally have brief calf cramps during pregnancy. Pain in the calf or legs that is persistent or associated with redness or swelling may be a sign of a blood clot in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) which is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs more often during pregnancy. See your physician immediately if this happens.

MOTHERHOOD SKIN CARE

Nursing Discomfort

Frequent breastfeeding makes the nipple area go from wet to dry, over and over. This results in a continual loss of moisture through evaporation that leaves delicate skin dry, cracked, sore, and sometimes bleeding.

A protective barrier, such as lanolin, applied between feeds will lock in moisture, speed healing, and prevent outside irritants from causing further discomfort. Low grade lanolin, from sheep's wool, can cause skin allergies in a few women. Belli Motherhood's Pure Comfort Nursing Cream uses the highest medical grade ultra-purified lanolin available. It is odorless, and is safe for nursing babies.

For the most severe cases, try using over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone ointment up to 4 times daily on one breast while nursing from the other breast. The next day, alternate the breast being treated and the breast being used for nursing. Continue alternating for 4-5 days.


Dark Undereye Circles

The thin skin underneath your eyes has many small veins and capillaries. When you are tired or dehydrated, these blood vessels can dilate and become engorged with blood, resulting in dark circles and a swollen, puffy appearance under the eyes. Some extra melanin pigment may also be released. Dark circles can happen anytime during your life but are very common after childbirth, when you are waking every few hours to feed or care for your new baby. Allergies and illnesses can cause dark circles too.

The best way to prevent dark circles is to drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep, if possible. Topical Vitamin K (phytonadione) has been shown in several published research articles to help improve dark under-eye circles. Clinical studies also support the Vitamin PP's ability (derived from the Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast) to increase microcirculation and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Belli Motherhood's Eye Brightening Cream features both Vitamin K and Vitamin PP to keep eyes looking fresh and well-rested. It also contains rice protein, soy protein, and ginseng root extract to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.


Slackened Skin

During pregnancy, water retention and rapid growth of the uterus cause the overlying skin to stretch. Stretching is most pronounced over the abdomen, but also affects the breasts, thighs, and buttocks, where pregnancy hormones trigger the growth of fat deposits.

After baby delivers and as breastfeeding ends, the skin overlying these areas can start to appear loose and slackened. Regular exercise and control of diet can restore tone and firmness over time. For more rapid results, topical firming creams can be used to tighten the skin's appearance.

Belli Motherhood's Body Firming Serum features marine-derived proteins to strengthen connective tissues and restore firmness to breasts, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. It also contains shiitake mushroom extract to increase elasticity and tonicity, and rice protein nutrients to help maintain healthier, smoother looking skin.


Scar Reduction

The skin's dermis layer has a regular matrix of supportive collagen that keeps it looking smooth and supple. When cut or torn, it heals with fibrous scar tissue that disrupts the normal collagen matrix.

Surgical scars initially have a bright red appearance due to local inflammatory factors. After several months, the inflammation subsides and the scar begins to fade to a white color. The fully healed scar is not as strong as normal skin tissue, does not grow hair, does not sweat normally, and does not tan like normal skin.

Some people scar abnormally. A hypertrophic scar is raised above the surface of the skin, while a keloid scar can grow beyond the boundaries of the incision, much like a benign tumor. People of African and Asian descent are more likely to have these types of scars.

Nothing can make a scar disappear completely, but many studies have shown that topical silicon gel can reduce the appearance of surgical scars when applied daily for about a month. Vitamin E has also been associated with scar healing.

Belli Motherhood's Surgical Scar Reducer contains both Silicon Gel and Vitamin E to help fade the appearance of scars, both new and old. It works on scars from C-sections, other surgical incisions, and minor trauma. For difficult scars, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon may be able to offer you scar-revision surgery, laser treatments, steroid injections, or other medically supervised treatments.


Stretchmark Fading

When the skin over your abdomen stretches, the connective tissue in the dermis can tear. The torn tissue heals with irregular scars known as stretchmarks (striae gravidarum). Rapid growth of fat deposits in the breasts, hips, thighs, and buttocks can cause stretchmarks in these areas as well. Stretchmarks are usually caused by pregnancy, but they can also happen during puberty, or from certain hormonal imbalances.

Stretchmarks will fade slightly over time, but it doesn't happen quickly enough for many women. The search for a "miracle cream" has led to some irresponsible marketing claims by several companies. The truth is that no cream has ever been shown in research to make stretchmarks disappear completely. There are, however, several topical ingredients which may be helpful, according to clinical studies.

When used twice daily for one month, the botanical ingredient complex Darutoside was shown in a clinical study to decrease the appearance of a stretchmark's length and irregular surface area by about 52%. The ingredient complex Registril was shown in a different clinical study to decrease the appearance of a stretchmark's depth by 72%. Both are featured in Belli Motherhood's Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, along with avocado oil, ginseng, and shea butter for softer, smoother skin.

For troublesome cases you should talk to your dermatologist, who may consider prescribing retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives) after you've delivered or using laser treatments.


Hand Hygiene

The average human hand has anywhere from 10 thousand to 10 million bacteria sitting on the surface. The number jumps even higher after touching a toilet or coming into contact with dirty diapers. Regular hand washing and scrubbing is important, but you're not always near a sink with soap and running water. For those times, hand sanitizing gels are an excellent way to keep your hands clean and hygienic.

Most hand sanitizers use ethyl alcohol as their active ingredient which is very drying to the skin. They tend to leave behind a sticky residue with a medicinal smell. Belli Motherhood's Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer features the active ingredient benzalkonium chloride-- a non-drying, powerful antibacterial that kills 99.9% of germs on contact. It leaves hands feeling soft, smooth, and comfortable, with a light lemon scent. This product is intended for use without water so it's perfect for on-the-go, and it will not stain clothing.

BABY SKIN CARE

Bath Time

A baby's skin is soft, smooth, and extremely sensitive. Regular adult soaps and shampoos can be harsh, irritating, and drying. They also sting when they get in baby's eyes.

Years of research have led to the development of newer cleansing agents which are less irritating to the skin and the eyes. Belli Baby's Calm Me Hair & Body Wash features three of the gentlest cleansing ingredients available, all derived from coconut oil. It also contains moisturizing ingredients to leave baby's skin feeling soft and comfortable. Luxurious oils and scents help create the perfect bath time routine for you and baby to enjoy together.

Your baby should only require bathing 2-3 times per week. Bathing more often can lead to itchy, dry, or chafed skin. Place baby in a shallow bath of warm water. Be sure to support their head. Pour more warm water over their chest and tummy occasionally so they don't get cold. After bathing, pat dry with a towel, and cover up with a hooded towel for warmth. Apply a moisturizer such as Belli Baby's Enriched Body Lotion to keep baby's skin smooth and hydrated throughout the day.


Dry Skin

The delicate skin of babies is much more sensitive to the cold or dry air, resulting in patches of dry and itchy skin. Another cause may be your bath time routine. Bathing too often, or for too long, can strip the skin of the natural oils which lock in moisture. Try bathing once every other day. Many soaps can be irritating to baby's skin. Try switching to a more gentle cleanser, such as Belli Baby's Calm Me Hair & Body Wash, and use it sparingly towards the end of the bath, rather than letting baby sit in the soapy water the entire time.

Whether you're treating dry skin or just want baby's skin to feel silky smooth, applying a moisturizing cream or lotion after bath time is an enjoyable bonding experience for both mother and baby. Belli Baby's Enriched Body Lotion locks moisture into the skin while also massaging baby's body. It features the natural moisture-retaining properties of glycerine and the soothing effects of chamomile.

You should see your pediatrician if dryness does not improve with these steps or you notice redness and cracking of the skin. It may be a sign of eczema or icthyosis, which could require a dermatology consult.


Diaper Rash

When dirty diapers aren't changed often enough, ammonia from the urine and feces can cause inflammation and swelling of baby's delicate skin. The result is a red rash in the diaper area which is very uncomfortable to baby.

To prevent the diaper rash, be sure to change baby's diaper as soon as possible after it is dirty. Sprinkling baby powder around the diaper area after bathing and during diaper changes helps absorb excess moisture. Talcum powder has been used for decades for this purpose, but recently studies have shown that talc can seriously harm a baby's lungs if accidentally inhaled. For that reason, most pediatricians now recommend switching to cornstarch based powders.  Belli Baby's Talc-Free Baby Powder features corn starch and silica to help keep baby's skin free of moisture but feeling still soft and smooth.

Once the initial diaper rash starts, you must take extra steps to protect the skin from further irritation. This is the time to apply a diaper rash paste or ointment. Belli Baby's Diaper Rash Ointment features 39% zinc oxide which forms a protective barrier between the skin and new irritants, while minimizing any bacterial growth.

If the diaper rash does not respond to several days of treatment with a paste or ointment, has pus or blisters, or seems to be worsening in any way, you should contact your pediatrician. Your baby may need prescription strength antibiotic or antifungal creams, with or without a steroid to calm down the inflammation, or they may have a different cause of the diaper rash not covered in this article.