During pregnancy, you might read labels more carefully, pay closer attention to your body's signals, and reorganize your priorities. So, when warmer weather arrives, the topic of sun protection naturally arises. Essential for everyone, it's especially crucial for pregnant women whose skin is more sensitive. Speaking of which, have you ever heard of melasma (the "mask of pregnancy")? These are brown spots, sometimes quite pronounced, that can appear on the faces of expectant mothers during the second trimester. With the right precautions, it's possible to prevent them.
SUMMARY
Pregnancy mask: a cocktail of hormones and sun exposure to be taken with caution
Throughout pregnancy, the skin changes . Thinner, drier, and more reactive, it also reacts differently to the effects of the sun. Why? Because under the influence of hormones, its pigment cells become more active. As a result, areas of hyperpigmentation can appear, even without prolonged sun exposure.
Note: On average, the pregnancy mask affects 35 to 75% of pregnant women , 30% of whom see it persist after the birth of their child, sometimes up to 10 years.
Cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose, lip contour … Hyperpigmentation develops where the skin is most exposed. Hence the importance of early protection, even on cloudy days or when the light seems softer than under a summer sun.
Different types of hyperpigmentation
- Chloasma is the true mask of pregnancy. It appears on the cheeks, forehead and/or upper lip, before fading naturally within a year of giving birth.
- Epidermal melasma remains on the surface and causes brown spots that are more or less diffuse. The good news is that it is often easier to treat.
- Deeper dermal melasma gives rise to spots with more persistent bluish reflections.
- Mixed melasma , finally, combines both with brown to grey hues and irregular borders. It is the most difficult form to get rid of.
🩷 Elhée's tip: wait until the end of your pregnancy to see how your pregnancy mask develops. While some disappear on their own, others warrant a medical consultation. In the meantime, protect your skin.
Sunscreen and pregnancy: what you really need to pay attention to
Not all sunscreens are created equal , especially during pregnancy. And it's not just a matter of SPF or texture: it's a question of safety, tolerance, and respect for the body we inhabit… and the life growing within it.
Throughout life, the skin is a site of exchange that absorbs , even in small quantities, what is deposited on its surface. During pregnancy, what the mother's skin receives can sometimes be inherited by the baby , directly or indirectly. This is why choosing your sunscreen should not be left to chance and should include:
- very high SPF50+ protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- Non-nano mineral filters , which remain on the surface of the skin and act like a protective mirror.
- A formula free of perfume, alcohol, and endocrine disruptors .
- A fluid, non-comedogenic and easy-to-apply texture.
- A tolerance tested on sensitive skin , with no white or sticky effect.
It is based on these principles that the Élhée SPF50+ baby & pregnant woman sunscreen was formulated. A protective treatment designed to care for the skin of babies and expectant mothers, with the same exacting standards applied to the creation of the iconic Bib Ronds .
Élhée sunscreen: fluid, safe, and designed for you
At Élhée, every product is born from a conviction . Just as healthy medical silicone baby bottles protect babies from ingesting microplastics , the SPF50+ sunscreen has been formulated to protect the delicate skin of expectant mothers and their children from damage caused by UV rays.
- Its 100% mineral base consists of non-nano filters that remain on the surface of the skin, without ever penetrating it.
- Its dual anti-UVA/UVB action prevents both sunburn and pregnancy mask.
- Its ultra-clean formula contains no perfume, no alcohol, and no controversial filters such as oxybenzone or octocrylene, which have a potential endocrine-disrupting effect.
- Made in France, it boasts no less than 74% naturally derived ingredients , including 40% organic ingredients, for a vegan formula, not tested on animals and rated 100/100 by the Yuka app.
Invisible and ultra-comfortable , Élhée sunscreen protects and supports all skin types. This not only prevents sunburn and irritation, but also reduces the risk of developing melasma, a condition that can sometimes be difficult to manage.
How can you expose yourself to the sun safely when you are expecting a baby?
Have you ever heard of a sun protection routine ? No? If you want to know everything about it, it's quite simple: on vacation, apply SPF 50+ sunscreen to your face and body every two hours , and after each swim . An essential step to which it's advisable to add:
- seek shade whenever possible , especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (take advantage of this time to capture ultra-feminine pregnancy photos, playing with light and shadow).
- A wide-brimmed hat , so elegant, long and loose-fitting clothes (linen is so pleasant in summer), or a UV-protective t-shirt,
- Water, water, and more mineral water .
- and no perfumes , which are often photosensitizing.
Preventing melasma (pregnancy mask) over time
What if, to avoid the appearance of melasma (the "pregnancy mask"), you applied your sunscreen the same way you apply your day cream every morning? Because, even if it's cooler outside, it's often in the early hours of the day that the sun's rays really take hold. A quick trip to the market, a break on a bench, a sunny window… It's between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. that UV rays are strongest . Hence the importance of choosing a sunscreen that you enjoy applying, that you forget about once it's on, and that you have complete confidence in.
Élhée sunscreen offers you this simplicity. One pump for reliable protection, face and body, and care that goes the extra mile. Enriched with soothing organic aloe vera and jojoba, raspberry, and sunflower oils, its nourishing formula supports the needs of stressed skin, often drier or thinner during pregnancy.
And if he appears anyway?
Once hyperpigmentation has already developed, several options can be considered, but always with caution and on the advice of your doctor . Treatment for melasma (the "mask of pregnancy") generally focuses on three main areas:
- The daily application of sunscreen, continued even after the appearance of the mask, to prevent the spots from darkening or becoming more permanent.
- the use of depigmenting skincare products adapted to your skin,
- In some cases, gentle peels, laser therapies, or pulsed light, at a dermatologist's office.
But, for you, the essential step remains to anticipate by protecting your skin every day throughout your pregnancy , and by choosing, in addition, gentle, non-aggressive cosmetics that are compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding .
In case of extensive or pronounced marks, or simply if the pregnancy mask makes you uncomfortable, do not hesitate to consult a dermatologist for personalized follow-up.
Protecting yourself during pregnancy also means protecting your unborn child.
During pregnancy, every skincare routine becomes an act of self-care, but also a first step towards passing on knowledge and skills. By taking care of your skin, you are already learning to protect, observe, and anticipate—practices that will serve you well beyond the birth of your child.
Using a sunscreen specifically formulated for pregnancy helps prevent unnecessary stress on your skin at a time when it is naturally more sensitive. It also reduces the risk of developing melasma (the "mask of pregnancy").
What if, beyond the occasional action, the application became a sensory reflex ? Your child will also associate this ritual with a form of protection very early on.
By choosing a high-tolerance sunscreen, you are laying the first foundations of what you want to pass on to your baby: the simplicity of the action, the importance of quality, and the art of taking care without overloading.
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