Your Skin in Pregnancy and Postpartum: What Is Happening (and What Might Actually Help)

This is a guest blog written by Julia Yule, Co founder of Bloom and Blossom

Let us just be honest. Your skin can do some fairly unexpected things during pregnancy and postpartum. One minute you are glowing, the next you are flaky, blotchy, itchy, spotty... or somehow all four at once. So whether it is your first baby or your third, skin changes can feel surprising, and at times even unsettling. But what is good to know is they are also really common and usually completely normal. The key is knowing what is going on and finding a simple, safe routine that works for you.

So why does your skin feel like it is on a roller-coaster?

Hormones. That is the main culprit. Pregnancy brings huge shifts in oestrogen and progesterone, and those shifts can show up in your skin in lots of different ways. I vividly remember after each of my three children, my skin for at least a week postpartum was unforgivably itchy. No marks, no redness, nothing to see – but I could not stop itching. I always thought that was so helpful when trying to navigate those first few days of motherhood… (note an enormous dollop of sarcasm here).

Other symptoms you might notice include:

• Dryness or tightness (especially on your bump, boobs or legs)
• Breakouts (sometimes worse than in your teenage years)
• Dark patches or pigmentation (melasma is common)
• Stretch marks (a natural part of the journey for many)
• More sensitivity (things you used to love may now irritate)

And once baby arrives? Your skin does not just bounce back. Postpartum brings its own set of changes, often dryness, dullness, itchiness or increased sensitivity, particularly if you are breastfeeding or not sleeping much, which, let us face it, is most of us.

So what can you do about it?

You do not need to overhaul your whole bathroom shelf or spend a fortune. The best thing you can do for your skin right now is keep things simple, consistent, and kind.

1. Keep skin hydrated — especially as your bump grows

A good body cream or body oil can make a huge difference, especially as your skin stretches. Hydration helps with comfort, and regular massage can support elasticity too. This is why our And Stretch and Smooth Moves are so popular in our pregnancy range.

Plus our Wonder Worker, found in our best selling You Have Got This Mama kit, is a gentle balm formula that we made with this in mind. One hundred percent naturally derived, fragrance free and designed for sensitive, pregnancy prone skin. You can use it all over: bump, boobs, hips, hands… wherever needs some love.

2. Choose products with simple, safe ingredients

Pregnancy is not the time for high level actives or complicated routines. Keep an eye out for ingredients like retinol or strong acids — these are not advised during pregnancy — and lean into nourishing, calming, natural formulas.

Our Skin to Skin Massage Oil is lightweight, soothing, and filled with plant oils that support stretching skin without any fuss or fragrance — perfect for massage and calming routines for both your bump and baby.

3. Look after your legs, too

It is not just your bump feeling the pressure. Your legs carry so much of the load (literally), and swelling or heaviness is all too real, especially towards the end of pregnancy or after long days on your feet.

Our Leg Therapy Cooling Leg Serum is like air conditioning in a bottle for tired, puffy legs. With peppermint to refresh, aloe to soothe, and algin to hydrate, it is ideal for daily use when your legs need a little extra love.

4. Be gentle with your face and yourself

If your skin feels more unpredictable than usual, do not panic. For hormonal breakouts, a gentle cleanser and light moisturiser are often enough. And if your face is feeling dry, a light facial oil or serum can help top things up.

Our Daily Lift Neck and Chest Serum was designed to help tired, stretched skin feel a bit more radiant and it is especially lovely in the postpartum weeks when you are running on love and very little sleep.

5. Keep a refresh within arm’s reach

If you are experiencing hot flushes, hormonal sweats, or just need a wake up moment, our One Hot Mama Face and Body Mist is your go to. It is a refreshing four in one mist packed with aloe, gotu kola and horsetail to hydrate, soothe and support skin firmness — ideal for those sweaty, restless, or just plain exhausted moments.

Spritz it whenever you need a cool down, glow up or mental reset — whether you are post shower, up feeding at three in the morning, or heading out for a walk.

6. Remember: skincare is also self care

You do not need a ten step routine. But taking five quiet minutes for yourself — applying something that feels good, taking a deep breath, and making a cup of tea (preferably one of HotTea Mama’s delicious blends) — can make a world of difference. You are nourishing more than just your skin.

Final thoughts

Pregnancy and postpartum can be full of change — physically, emotionally, and hormonally. Your skin is simply responding to that. The best thing you can do is support it with a few gentle, safe products, a whole lot of hydration, and a little bit of kindness.

Bloom and Blossom was founded by Julia Yule and Christina Moss, sisters-in-law and mothers to five children between them. As a true family business, they have established themselves as experts in pregnancy, menopause, active body care, and wellness.

Bloom and Blossom is a female-founded, independent British brand dedicated to skincare for every stage of life. Their range includes pregnancy-safe, effective formulations designed for every stage of pregnancy and new motherhood, as well as a specialised baby range developed for delicate infant skin.

Additionally, Bloom and Blossom offers science-backed body care products that aim to brighten, tone, and strengthen the skin, along with a menopause-focused collection crafted to help keep the body and mind cool, hydrated, and well rested.