Pregnancy Self-Pampering Basics: Ingredients for Homemade Beauty Treatments for Pregnant Women

Basic Ingredients Used For Home Beauty Products

Grains, nuts and flours are often used in homemade body products. Larger grained powders generally end up in exfoliation treatments while smaller, finer flour-consistency items are used in body powders, masks or packs.

Another food group commonly seen in body products you make at home are fruits, berries and vegetables. Most fruits are high in nourishing vitamins and many have amino acids and collagen building properties. They just plain smell good too!

Liquids are usually added to homemade beauty treatments in the form of pure, distilled water. But that certainly isn't the only option. Eggs, yogurt, honey, milk, herbal teas, juices and other liquids can be used and are often available right in the refrigerator or pantry cupboard.

Using Natural Oils in Beauty Treatments

Another type of liquid I wanted to discuss in a separate category is oils. Natural, plant-based oils are generally very healthy and nourishing to the skin but there are some important tips to keep in mind.

• Oils should be plant-based and have only the purest ingredients in them. Check the labels for signs of preservatives and potential contaminants.
• Some oils last longer than others. Light oils such as Sweet Almond Oil can go rancid in just a few weeks after being exposed to oxygen so consider purchasing smaller amounts to avoid waste. Other oils like Jojoba oil are known to have naturally occurring preservative properties making it less likely to spoil.
• The process of refining the oils can destroy some of the beneficial elements. Look for cold-pressed oils when possible to attain the maximum benefits.

Storing Homemade Beauty Treatments

Most of the time you'll want to prepare just enough for one treatment, since most natural ingredients do not store long. That's because there are no preservatives in your do-it-yourself facial masks and scrubs, which means less chemicals. It also means that what you're putting on your pregnant skin, the largest organ of your body, will be as fresh and pure as possible, so it's safer and healthier for you and baby!

While some treatments may store for a day or two in the fridge, I do enjoy the ritual of assembling them as part of my beauty routine. Often I might mix, grind, mash or measure in advance to eliminate a step in the morning so I'm ready to go.

Allergies — A Word of Warning

Any time you are trying a new body product or lotion, etc. you should be aware of any unique conditions you may have that other people do not. For example, if you are allergic to nuts, you would want to avoid using ground nuts in a scrub, no matter what the recipe says. If you ever have a question about the safety of a certain item you should check with your health care provider for any personal contraindications.

Resources: The Pregnancy Herbal by Jaqulene Harper-Roth

Spa Bodywork: A Guide for Massage Therapists by Anne Williams