WWW Moms is where you'll find our current favorite shopping picks for parents and kids, all curated by editors, staffers, and friends of Who What Wear who have little ones in their lives.
Although I'm fully feeling the symptoms of my third trimester—brain fog, nauseating heartburn, the inability to stay awake—the one thing I won't let myself skip is the skincare routine I've perfected over the last eight months. But first, let's rewind to November 2021, before I found out I was pregnant. I had Botox appointments lined up like my life depended on them, I'd just finished my tube of prescription Tretinoin cream, and I was getting ready to do some things to my face that weren't very pregnancy-friendly. Once I found out I was pregnant, though, I quickly shifted gears, put my retinol prescription on hold, and paused my Botox appointments.
I'll be the first to say that I'm by no means an expert in skincare. My expertise is in fashion, so I frequently hit up my friend and Who What Wear Beauty Director Caitie Schlisserman for advice before I plunge into new products, and I always consult my doctor if I'm feeling iffy about something. So when I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to give my skin a minute to react to the pregnancy before starting anything new. My skin is usually oily, but hormonal changes during pregnancy quickly made my skin dry, and I realized that I needed some pregnancy-friendly, clean (but not super-clean—I'm okay with some chemicals) moisturizing products that would provide my skin with some preventative care. After stalking a few accounts (ahem, Jenna Rennert's pregnancy routine) and getting the green light from some professionals and experts, I was finally able to customize a routine that fit my needs.
The MVPs
La Mer The New Treatment Lotion
While I use a slew of products, there are a few that truly stand out, starting with La Mer's The Treatment Lotion. I use this stuff morning and night right after I've cleansed my face and before I put anything else on my skin. It's liquid gold.
I know the price is pretty steep, but I promise it's worth it. Just a few drops of this lotion plump and hydrate my skin without making it feel oily. The consistency is also divine. It's not slimy or sticky—it has a thicker, watery texture that's easy to apply and doesn't feel tacky. And this product isn't just for pregnant women. I'll definitely keep using it after the baby comes.
Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen Face Oil
A face oil that delivers results and doesn't leave me greasy? Yes, please. This product has over 28 thousand hearts on the Sephora site, and for a good reason. I use a few drops after I apply my La Mer lotion, and it has the silkiest effect. Sometimes, I feel like I don't even need to moisturize afterward.
At night, I'll apply a few drops and use a gua sha sculpting tool to work out the kinks in my masseter muscle (hello, pregnancy-induced clenched jaw syndrome), and I honestly feel like I don't have any product on my face. I've always had a hard time finding a face oil that isn't too greasy, which is why I enjoy this one so much. Packed with 16 different vegan oils, this gets a major A+ from me.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
If you haven't already noticed, Summer Fridays has basically taken over my skincare routine. I'm typically a die-hard Aquaphor-and-some-lip-gloss kind of girl, but as my belly has grown, so have my lips. I love that this lip oil has all the benefits of a traditional lip moisturizer, but it's also something I can put on before a meeting to look pulled together.
I love this product so much that I have two—one for my home-office desk and one for my purse. It's my final step in the morning and evening. And for under $30, you honestly can't beat it.
More Important Products in My Routine
Summer Fridays' Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum is another important product in my routine. I typically use this after my face oil and gua sha, and right away, I notice that my skin feels plumper (thanks to the hyaluronic acid). Sometimes, I skip this at night and use it during the day for a glowy look.
I know, I know. This has a splash of retinol. But when you have a toddler running around, work full-time, and can't sleep because you're pregnant, you need something that will work wonders. Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Eye Rescue Cream is a cult favorite for a reason. I notice the puffiness in my face subside the more I use it. I wouldn't say my dark circles have gone away, but this definitely continues to help with the puffiness.
In addition to Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, which I am thoroughly obsessed with, I've been cleansing with the TikTok-famous CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser every evening. I really love that it doesn't give me that dry, squeaky-clean feeling, and I can feel the ceramides working. It's another plumping and hydrating product for my otherwise dry pregnancy skin. Stay tuned to see if this is a winner when my skin returns back to its oily state.
Contrary to popular belief, I've actually been losing hair during this pregnancy rather than having luscious locks. My eyebrows, in particular, have drastically started to thin out, likely because I've had to sleep on my side. Caitie recommended this castor oil, and I'm shocked by the results. I don't use it every day, but when I do, I notice the hair growth immediately. If, like me, you need to stay away from hair-growth chemicals but don't want those thin Y2K eyebrows, add this to your cart stat.
This makeup artist–favored moisturizer has been my go-to since the day I found out I was pregnant. During the day, I've been relying on this French-girl staple because it seriously moisturizes and helps battle any dryness. I'll be keeping this in my rotation post-pregnancy, too.
For extra moisture in the evening, the Jet Lag Mask from Summer Fridays is the best out there. It doesn't feel tacky, but when I apply it, I can feel my skin drinking it up.
My final step is combining this belly balm with Bio-Oil's Skincare Oil for extra protection against stretch marks. The more my belly grows, the itchier my skin gets, and after suffering from diastasis recti (a condition in which your abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy) during my first pregnancy, I'm taking all the precautions this time around to make sure my skin stays extra moisturized.
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