Many women experience skin changes during pregnancy and it can depend on your skin type and whether or not you have sensitive skin! Some women experience darkening of the skin in areas like the nipples, neck or inner thighs. A line of darkened skin from your belly button to your pubic bone (kinda like a lollipop seam on your bump) is also common. Don’t worry mama, these tend to fade in the weeks + months after you give birth.

Acne on your face + body is also something to watch out for, thanks to hormonal changes or excess oil.

But it’s not all bad—a lotta expecting mamas experience that coveted pregnancy glow.

You should always consult your doctor before starting use of any new product during pregnancy or breastfeeding. While there is some debate in the scientific community, many experts agree that you should proceed with caution for products containing retinoids, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde releasing ingredients, fragrance, and hydroquinone to name a few.

Both alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are used for the same purpose: exfoliation. The main difference between these two key ingredients is that AHAs are water-soluble and made from sugary fruits while BHAs are oil soluble. BHAs tend to be a bit harsher on the skin as they can get deeper into the pores and remove dead skin cells and excess sebum.