How our Skin Changes During Pregnancy

The skin is our largest organ and protects us from the sun and pollution, as well as harmful bacteria. Yet, the skin is home to many healthy microorganisms that form the microbiome. The skin and body send signals to one another to help our skin adapt to what we need. Keeping a balanced microbiome is important not only for skin health, but also overall well-being. Disruptions in our microbiome can lead to skin disease and infection. Changes in our internal and external life directly impact the skin's microbiome. Our environment has a great influence on the microbiome through exposure to sunlight, humidity, and other external factors. Internally, our biome is controlled beneath the surface by the products we apply, the stress we face in everyday life, and other changes to our metabolic health. 

Until now, there has been limited research on the possible association of skin function and the microbiome in mothers and newborns. An ongoing study by Dermatology and Research Practice hopes to find more information regarding the interrelationship between skin structure and microbiome in pregnant females. This investigation is looking for information from a larger demographic, as well as investigating the skin microbiome and structure over an extended period. Even though research on this topic is new, the change in our skin barrier during pregnancy calls for greater attention to our skin during this time!

Pregnancy is a catalyst for one of the most influential changes to our skin. As hormones begin to shift, the skin follows suit. Our body continually changes throughout pregnancy, with increases in blood flow, oil production, and fluctuating hormones. According to Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 90% of women will experience some form of skin change during pregnancy. Physiological changes include increased pigmentation, superficial vessels, and dryness as well as worsening of pre-existing skin conditions. 

Melasma, also known as chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy,” is a common skin disease that appears as pigmented (or darkened) areas of the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin, in addition to the forearms. The placenta secretes melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) as well as estrogen and progesterone which cause our melanocytes or cells that make the pigment in our skin to work overtime. This is why 50-70% of pregnant women develop melasma! These hormones can also make your nipples, skin folds, and genital area darker, and have been known to create a line on the tummy called linea nigra.

Along with metabolic changes, pregnant women have a significant decrease in their skin surface lipids. In a recent study from Scientific Reports, skin lipids were shown to decrease significantly in mid-pregnancy. These skin lipids are responsible for maintaining the protective barrier and relaying signals to keep the skin microflora healthy. This decrease in the secretion of skin surface lipids results in a weakened skin barrier since healthy skin relies on a strong lipid profile.

Lady Polpo uses thoughtful pregnancy safe ingredients to help decrease pigmentation while increasing the moisture needed within the epidermis during this time and beyond for glowing, radiant skin. 

References:

Boyer, G., Lachmann, N., Bellemère, G., De Belilovsky, C., & Baudouin, C. (2018). Effects of pregnancy on skin properties: A biomechanical approach. Skin Research and Technology, 24(4), 551–556.

Doris Wilborn, Jan Kottner, Kathrin Hillmann, Sa Xu, Frank Konietschke, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi (2021). "Interrelationships between Skin Structure, Function, and Microbiome of Pregnant Females and Their Newborns: Study Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study", Dermatology Research and Practice, vol. 2021. 

Grice, E. A., & Segre, J. A. (2011). The skin microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 9(4), 244–253. 

HPC Today. (2022). Balancing the skin microbiome: fact or fiction [web log].

Tyler, K. H. (2015). Physiological skin changes during pregnancy. Clinical Obstetrics & Amp; Gynecology, 58(1), 119–124. 

Yang, M., Zhou, M., Li, Y. et al. (2021) Lipidomic analysis of facial skin surface lipid reveals the causes of pregnancy-related skin barrier weakness. Sci Rep 11, 3229 (2021).