Lakshmi, congratulations on your pregnancy! And well done for starting to take better care of your skin – it’s never too late.

I’d love to help you create the perfect skincare routine for you. This is a service I charge for. You can book your consultation here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skincare-consultation/

I am 39 yrs of age, Indian skin, 5months pregnant and have just started taking care of my skin (the last 2 weeks). I have not really taken care of my skin ever but for sunscreen everyday. My skin has not really ever given me a problem but occasional breakouts (almost every week). However, lately, my skin feels it needs some love and attention and I have been looking up websites and came across a number of options that might be good. I have been reading your blog and would appreciate your help. My routine as of now is:
AM:
Cleanse
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid
The Inkey list Eye creme
Suncros Suncreen (wanting to change it to mineral suncreen- EltaMD UV 47)

Wanting to add: The ordinary Azelaic acid suspension 10% + The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% + The ordinary Buffet

PM:
Cleanse (double)
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid
The Inkey list Eye creme

Wanting to add: The ordinary Azelaic acid suspension 10% + The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% + The ordinary Buffet
And maybe 2 times a week – Mario Badescu Glycolic Gel (minus lactic acid) or some form of glycolic acid into the routine.

Please suggest if this layering is too much. Thank you.

Susie, no, unless you’re allergic to one of the ingredients in these sunscreens.

Chris, I personally think that OTC retinoids are ok during pregnancy and I’d use it if I were expecting – in moderation. I wouldn’t cover my whole body with it, but a small area, yes.

But because we have no study confirming it’s 100% safe for pregnancy (for obvious reasons, you can’t do those studies!), some experts believe it’s best to stop using them completely. It’s up to you to weight all the evidence and make an informed choice.