During pregnancy, skin care products containing sunscreen should be used to prevent melasma.

Pregnancy skin care for pregnant women is really essential; skin care and pregnancy go hand-in-hand. In order to maintain a pregnancy skin care routine, you'll need to focus on the basics of skin care. Experts give tips to help treat pregnancy skin problems -- from acne to 'pregnancy mask.'

It isn't just an old wives' tale -- it's really true. A woman can look most ravishing during pregnancy. Well ... make that some women.

Cleansing your skin during pregnancy is essential if you want to keep hormone-related outbreaks to a minimum. Since your skin may be more sensitive than normal, it may be beneficial to use a soap designed for sensitive skin. A glycerine based soap is perfect for this purpose. Avoid harsh astringents, even if you feel that your skin is very oily. Instead, try a gentle scrub of raw quick oats to remove excess grease. You should also not wash more than a couple times per day or your skin could end up very dry.

One of the best things you can do, both for your baby and your skin, is drink a lot of water. This helps flush the toxins out of your body and not only leaves your skin fresh and glowing, but can prevent hypertension during the final trimester, which can stretch your skin and damage it. So, up your water intake and keep that healthy shine.

Pregnancy can make you more susceptible to sun damage and you may find that you now tan unevenly or develop unsightly splotches. To prevent this from happening, try to stay out of the sun when it is at its strongest (usually 11 am to 3 pm) and use a good product with SPF of at least 15, if not higher. Also, to prevent discoloration problems, make sure you use a sunblock whether or not it is sunny out, since harmful rays can make it through clouds as well.

Should you experience a major breakout during pregnancy, be careful what you use to treat it. Certain acne treatments may be dangerous for your baby, especially during the first three months which is when most pregnant women find themselves battling pregnancy acne. Avoid using over the counter remedies until you have talked to your doctor about their safety. You can use a natural remedy such as witch hazel, though, without harmful effects.

If you use makeup, try to use a light layer to let your skin breathe. Most women will want to use a foundation or concealer to even out the natural variations in coloring that occur during pregnancy, but if you go this route, be sure to wash it off every night before going to bed. Leaving makeup on can block up pores and cause more outbreaks. Combined with the hormones of pregnancy, you could be in for some major trouble if you don´t clean off your makeup and cleanse your skin regularly.

Pregnancy skin care tips

# Rest and relax. Get plenty of sleep and select suitable methods of relaxation.

# Use a suitable moisturizer. Apply generously on required areas of skin. There is accelerated sloughing of cells during pregnancy and consequently the skin is in need of better hydration.

# Clean your face and neck frequently using a mild soap to prevent clogged sores.

# Select comfortable and suitable clothing to avoid rashes.

According to Miriam Stoppard, skin cells are constantly dyeing and forming; make sure to nourish and moisturize the skin even more than normal to keep skin looking healthy. Your skin changes when pregnant, some women find that their skin becomes oilier during pregnancy. Use a facial cleanser and toner that are safe for pregnancy. Do not ignore your feet or ankles either. Your body retains water and causes for your feet and ankles to swell. Soak your feet in Epsom salt and then apply a refreshing foot get with menthol to alleviate some of the pain.