Natural skincare and why it matters for mamas

The incredibly magical and tricky business of growing a new human from scratch sends many women into a spin of worries.

It’s easy to get obsessive about what you’re eating, how you’re exercising and how much sleep you need. On top of all this, you’ve probably heard that certain hair and beauty products are a no-go for expectant and breastfeeding mums.

The answer to just about all of these concerns is ‘go natural’. If you eat natural, unprocessed foods (apart from any that come with a listeria risk), you’re on the right path to optimal nutrition. If you do a simple breathing relaxation drill after you’ve turned out the lights, you’ll sleep better. And if you choose beauty products that are 100% natural, you won’t have to worry about the ill-effects of parabens, phthalates, triclosan and a host of other risky substances that are routinely added to makeup and skincare products.

New Zealand’s very own natural skincare company

Switching to a natural skincare regime is easy for you, because lucky ol’ New Zealand has Okana. Founded by Kiwi mum Vibs Amin, because she couldn’t find any products to suit her super-sensitive skin, Okana products are 100% natural, free of artificial fragrance, alcohol-free, cruelty-free, vegetarian and self-preserving. They are literally good enough to eat.

“I’ve always had problematic skin. It was oily, very hormonal and I suffered from persistent breakouts. After my pregnancy, probably due to hormonal change, my skin issues grew threefold. It had become unbearable and I was desperate to find a solution,”says Vibs.

“It turns out that the answer to all my skin problems was creating a skincare range with my own hands. The moisturiser and scrubs I developed at home contained the bare minimum of raw food ingredients, but in much higher concentrations to provide beneficial nourishment for the skin.”

Five years after Vibs first started making products in her kitchen, the Okana skincare range was born. Okana’s promise to the market is: ‘If you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, we won’t put it in our products’.

The best skincare regime for mums-to-be

If you love the products you’re currently using, it’s quite possible you can stick with them, but you need to do an ingredients audit first. Here are the risky substances to look for:

• - Parabens: If you see methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben or butylparaben in the ingredients list, the product you’re considering contains parabens. They are known to disrupt hormone function by mimicking how oestrogen works. [1]
• - Triclosan: You might see triclosan in aftershave lotions, bath products, foot sprays, hair conditioners, toothpaste, soap, makeup products, shampoo and sun products. It was first used in hospital cleaners as an antimicrobial agent. It’s another hormone disruptor. [2]
• - Sodium lauryl sulphate/sodium lauryl sulfate: SLS is used to make products foam or lather up. Its purpose is to make bubbles, which cut through oil and dirt to get your skin (or hair) clean. It’s one of the most sensitising of all skincare ingredients, probably because it moves skin pH away from its ‘happy place’ of 5.5, which is slightly acid.[3]
• - Oxybenzone: Used as a UV absorber in sunscreens, oxybenzone is known to accumulate in the body and affect the hormone system. [4]
• - Phthalates: Fragrances used in skincare products nearly always contain phthalates, a group of chemicals that help scents to last longer. They show up as DEP, BBzP, DBP and DEHP on ingredients lists. Phthalates have been linked to asthma, obesity, ADHD, type 2 diabetes, reduced sperm count, breast cancer, reproductive malformation, infertility, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioural issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues. [5]
• - Petroleum products. Mineral oil (petrolatum, paraffin) is often found in lip balms and face creams. A 2011 study found mineral oil to be the largest contaminant present in the human body, probably due to ongoing use of certain beauty care products. [6]

Moving to an Okana natural face care regime could cost you as little as $74 – that’s cleanser, toner, exfoliator and moisturiser. And if you can find another $25 dollars, you can get their Radiant Skin gift box. It’s $99.00 and includes six products for face and body. Is there a best friend, mum, mum-in-law or doting dad who wants to buy you a treat?

Pregnancy skin problems and how to deal with them

Your body’s largest organ, your skin, goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. It has to deal with surging hormones, increasing surface area and other indignities, like chafing. In all cases, a natural approach to skincare will help you through.

• - Stretch marks. Whether you develop stretch marks or not is decided mostly by genetics, however you can minimise their appearance by paying attention to what you eat and how you care for your skin. Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin C, preferably from fruit and veges rather than supplements, and good oils, like avocado, olive and nut oils. Also, find a body moisturiser that nourishes and helps to heal stretch marks. Okana Avocado Smash Body Butter is ideal for looking after ever-expanding skin.
• - Varicose veins. The added weight of pregnancy puts pressure on the blood vessels in your pelvis. This means blood doesn’t flow as freely into the veins of your legs, resulting in enlarged vessels. You can’t really treat varicose veins until after pregnancy, but you can help to minimise them by getting daily exercise and eating a healthy diet.
• - Pregnancy acne. Some people get the best skin of their lives during pregnancy; others turn into spotty teenagers. To avoid breakouts, concentrate on effective cleansing with a natural oil-based cleanser. It really is the ultimate way to keep your skin clean. Follow with toner and moisturiser.
• - Melasma. Patches of darker pigment on your face are easier to avoid that treat, so apply a mineral sunscreen daily. Any dark patches you do acquire will clear up in the months following birth.
• - Dry skin. Some women get oilier skin during pregnancy, some get drier skin. If you notice dry, scaly patches of skin anywhere on your body, exfoliate gently and apply a gentle moisturiser made with natural oils, like macadamia and apricot kernel. 
• - Rosy cheeks. Increased blood volume can really make you glow. If you don’t like the pink-cheeked look, a green-tinted mineral foundation can help to neutralise redness.

 References 

[1] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-people-be-concerned-about-parabens-in-beauty-products/

[2] https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/83962617/nz-scientists-call-for-ban-on-triclosan-after-us-rules-its-harmful-to-health#:~:text=Triclosan%20has%20been%20found%20in,must%20comply%20with%20these%20limits.

[3] http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/ethoxylated-ingredients/

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18930325/

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis

[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21970597/