Are you expecting? You might have been told that it’s time to ditch some of your skincare staples (ciao for now retinol), and maybe wondering where sunscreen falls.
Read our post to dispel the myths that surround wearing sunscreen whilst pregnant and our top 3 favorite sun creams for 2022.
Can You Wear Sunscreen Whilst Pregnant?
If you’ve done a google search on this topic, you’ll likely know it’s a minefield of information out there with a ton of unreputable sources spreading not-so-reliable information.
Let’s be clear- you can and should be wearing sunscreen whilst pregnant! You’re still just as at risk from the harmful and dangerous effects of UV rays whilst pregnant and need to make sure you’re taking care of your skin.
Sunscreen Whilst Breastfeeding?
The same rules apply to when you’re pregnant – short story, you absolutely do need to wear sunscreen every day!
However, there aren’t enough studies to confirm the use of chemical sunscreens and how they’re absorbed into the bloodstream.
For this reason, the safest option is to choose a physical sunscreen like a zinc oxide formula.
Why Should You Wear a Daily Facial Sunscreen During Pregnancy?
Besides the obvious reasons like preventing skin cancer, there are a number of important reasons to wear a daily facial sunscreen.
In pregnancy, a particular reason to wear a sun cream is to help prevent melasma. Melasma normally appears on the face and is a brown patch on the skin caused directly by UV rays but can be more common during pregnancy due to all the hormones flooding your body.
Wearing a daily SPF helps keep it at bay.
How to Choose a Great Sunscreen Suitable for Pregnancy?
You can read more about pregnancy-safe sunscreen from an expecting mum and founder of an Australian sunscreen brand, Ultra Violette now.
Consider these factors when choosing a sunscreen to wear whilst pregnant:
- Opt for mineral sunscreen formulas rather than chemical
- Choose fragrance free if skin is a little more sensitive than usual
- Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen
- Use an SPF30 minimum or SPF50+
- Use something mattifying if you experience breakouts whilst pregnant
Best Sunscreens in 2022
1. Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen
Try a mineral sunscreen formula like Ultra Violette Clean Screen which is great for pregnant women or new mums.
With a super lightweight gel texture and a natural finish, Clean Screen has a fragrance-free, SPF30 formula that’s perfect for acne-prone or normal to combination skin.
Features:
- Fragrance-free
- SPF30
- Titanium dioxide formula
- Alcohol free
- Ideal for acne prone skin
2. Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
For pregnant or new mums looking specifically for a zinc oxide sunscreen, meet Lean Screen from Ultra Violette.
It’s the highest protection at SPF50+, and fragrance-free, so perfect if you’re a little sensitive during pregnancy.
Forget images of cricketers with stripes of zinc on their faces – Lean will sit perfectly under makeup and never leave a white cast or a sticky texture on your skin.
We particularly recommend this formula if you’re experiencing hormonal breakouts as it has a subtle matte.
Features:
- Fragrance-free
- SPF50+
- Zinc oxide formula
- Matte finish
Inspired to shop for your new pregnancy sunscreen?
Make sure to take other sun protection methods like wearing a broad-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and staying in the shade too.
