ARE OUR DAILY SKINCARE PRODUCTS SAFE TO USE IN PREGNANCY?
These days many women are erring towards natural, organic, solutions to health and beauty as more and more reports appear on the harmful affects of the chemicals found in skincare products that we use on a daily basis. And this is especially the case when you find out you are newly pregnant. You want to be reassured that what you are using on your skin is not only safe but beneficial to both you and your baby.
Add to that the fact that being pregnant comes with its long list of symptoms and side effects including headaches, nausea, upset stomach, heartburn, raging hormones, and backache to name just a few for starters. Plus your normal painrelief solution comes with its own set of risks with ibruprofen and codeine on the avoid list.
I wanted to come up with a solution using natural ingredients that could also help not only with the side effects of pregnancy but also be of benefit to you and your growing baby.
Essential oils - Mother Nature's rescue remedies!
I see essential oils as Mother Nature's rescue remedies! They are highly concentrated, volatile substances that are obtained from aromatic plans (flowers, herbs, fruits, resin etc). Some call them the life force of the plant. Research over the years has proven that they have both physical and psychological (mood enhancing) properties and the oils are easily absorbed either through inhalation or via the skin where the aromatic particles are absorbed into the blood stream.
Mother Nature is all-powerful and these essential oils are no exception due to their highly concentrated nature and even 1 or 2 drops can make all the difference. Its therefore very important to use only oils recommended for pregnancy and in the correct low dose as essential oils can cross the placental barrier and affect the foetus. However the oils are not something to be afraid of, and by using the right oils in the right quantity, you and your baby can benefit from their amazing healing properties.
Freya Natural Therapy Simply Pregnant blend
I have created a very gentle yet effective blend which is entirely suitable for pregnancy. These essential oils include Bergamot, Neroli, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Rosewood and Patchouli and the result is a gentle citrussy smell. I've chosen these oils for a number of different reasons. Bergamot, Neroli (orange blossom) and Sweet Orange all have a very positive, uplifting effect on your mood. Mandarin and Neroli are excellent for the skin and are well-known for helping to combat stretch marks, plus Sweet Orange and Bergamot are tonics for the stomach and help with digestion as well as being good for combating heartburn and nausea. Patchouli is great for circulation and fluid retention which is a common occurrence in pregnancy from the 2nd trimester onwards, and is also good for mood swings! Rosewood is another gentle yet fantastic oil that is great for energizing and is an effective immune stimulant helpful for keeping colds and sore throats at bay. In terms of muscle pain relief, Rosewood and Bergamot have analgesic properties which can help with the back pain that many pregnant women suffer from as their pregnancy progresses. All these oils are very gentle and are safe for pregnancy.
Recommended uses for Freya Natural Therapy pregnancy products
The Freya Natural Therapy Simply Pregnant range is available in Bath Oil, Bath Foam, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Massage Oil, and also in its neat 100% essential oil blend.
A lot of people these days prefer a shower to a bath. Our Freya Natural Therapy Simply Pregnant Shower Gel contains oxygenated Aloe Vera which also has healing properties and is very gentle on the skin. Being a natural product, the gel is a little runnier than some shop bought gels but it creates a good lather and smells lovely. As the Shower Gel is a wash off product, I would recommend applying some Simply Pregnant Body Lotion afterwards to help lock in the moisture and help keep the skin supple. This body lotion contains organic Cocoa Butter which is known to help treat stretch marks and also is used in the treatment of excema and dermatitis. I recommend you massage in the body lotion at least once a day.
Alternatively if you are a bath person, you have a choice of Bath Oil or Bath Foam. In my experience you will normally prefer one to the other.
The Simply Pregnant Bath oil contains Sunflower oil, Sweet Almond oil and Jojoba oil - all selected to leave your skin silky smooth and because they also contain numerous vitamins which are beneficial for your pregnancy (Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, D and E).
The Simply Pregnant Bath Foam contains gentle coconut based cleansers and no harmful sodium lauryl sulfates plus contains a little Evening Primrose oil which contains the skin strengthening fatty acid GLA.
Simply Pregnant Massage oil
Bonding with your baby is a vital part of pregnancy and there is no better way to do this than through gently massaging your bump. This is something you can involve your partner with too. Our massage oil contains our bestselling Simply Pregnant blend together with Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil and Sweet Almond oil. These oils will work well in keeping your skin smooth, and Moisturized and will work hard to minimise the effects of stretch marks. Don't forget to massage your breasts with oil before you give birth as they will continue to increase in size as the milk comes through!
100% Simply Pregnant Essential Oil blend
This is perfect for burning in a diffuser if you want to get the uplifting effects of the essential oils. Alternatively you can use it to add to olive oil to make your own massage or bath oil. To 30ml of Olive oil, you need to only add between 3 and 6 drops. This blend comes with a clear set of instructions.
Best practice says with any aromatherapy product that you should avoid the use of all essential oils in the first trimester. These products are safe to use for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy!
Freya
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