8 Ways to Treat Melasma During Pregnancy + a GIVEAWAY!!!

Even Matt know what "the pregnancy mask" is now because I've mentioned it a time or two (understatement) over the past 9 months.

I hate to come across as being overly concerned about appearance, but having brown splotches spread across your face for no good reason other than "hormones" and then not being able to do anything about it besides avoiding the sun (and computer screens, and heat- i.e. exercising-, and any type of light in general) out of risk of potentially harming the growing baby inside my belly is, I'm convinced, worse than teenage acne.

At least with that dreaded teenage acne you could visit the dermatologist and get a prescription for all sorts of medicines and creams that would burn (literally) those babies right off your face.

Melasma during pregnancy, however? No chemicals or burning allowed. Drats.

I've never wanted a chemical peel so badly in my life. Call me superficial, I'm just ready to have my face back.

SO, during these past 9 months, I've made it a personal goal to figure out a way to minimize the damage, if you will, and treat this brown splotchiness as carefully and diligently as possible.

So take notes preggo and nursing friends. Unless of course you're one of the lucky ones who have that beautiful pregnancy glow... in which case just count your blessings and move on to other, less superficial matters in your day.

1. Pretty Mommies Skin Care Line

Pretty Mommies is an all-natural skincare line that makes safe and effective products for pregnant and nursing moms. You can read all about the research and ingredients in their products here and see before & after pictures here.

The three-part system feels light and clean on my face and is definitely affordable compared to other all-natural lines.

And for one lucky reader, it's going to be REALLY affordable because this week Pretty Mommies is giving away one complete set for FREE! You'll receive the Let's Be Clear facial cleanser, Truth Be Told skin brightener, and Protect & Reflect SPF 30 moisturizer.

I've used this set for the past 4-5 months and just ordered a new set to use for the remainder of pregnancy and nursing. I love the way it feels and love knowing that it is completely safe to use.

2. Sunscreen

I always wore sunscreen on my face, but now I make sure to reapply it throughout the day if I know I"m going to be in the sun for extended periods of time. Pretty much everything I put on my face from moisturizing to foundation to mineral peptide powder (see below) contains sunscreen, but I also love this Coppertone Sport Stick with SPF 55 for reapplication throughout the day.

3. CC Cream

I love Mary Kay's CC (or complexion correction) cream. It is light-weight and gives my skin a nice glow while evening out skin tone. It also has an SPF 15 which is a nice bonus. Plus it's only $20 and lasts for a long time. If you'd like to try it, email me- I can get you 10% off and free shipping!

4. Mineral Peptides Powder

After applying the CC cream, I go over my face with Rodan + Field's Mineral Peptides Powder. Again, it is light-weight, contains an SPF 20, and gives my face a bright and even look. If you would like to try this powder or any of R+F's products, contact my friend Mel- she is super sweet and helpful and will get you just what you need!

5. Concealer

Typically in the summer I love to use a bronzer, but adding brown to brown just makes more brown. So once I've applied my CC cream and Mineral Peptides Powder, I go over stubborn spots with Mary Kay's beige 2 concealer. I also love using this under my eyes, above my lip (one of the most common places for melasma to appear), and on either side of my nose as a highlighter. I love, love, love this concealer. And it's only $10!

6. Cream Blush

I like using a cream blush over a powder because it gives a natural glow and seems to blend better while still hiding brown spots (the powder seems to accent the brown). I use this cream blush in shade Sheet Bliss by Mary Kay. It's a perfect summer color!

And again, email me if you want to try any of the MK products so I can get you the 10% off discount and free shipping!

7. Hats

Hats have been my go-to accessory this summer. Thank goodness or Target and Gap for selling cute and affordable hats! The one I wear the most is this one from Target. Especially on the beach or at the pool, a good hat helps a ton with blocked the sun and preventing more brown spots from forming. And they're just fun to wear to spice up a plain tee and shorts... which I have been living in lately. ;)

8. Self Tanning Face Pads

I know, based on what I just said about adding brown to brown, this probably sounds contradictory, but all I can say is that it has worked for me. Since I wear so much sunscreen and try to minimize sun exposure to my face, it ends up being a whole lot lighter than the rest of my body. I've found that using a tanner on my face gives the appearance of even skin tone and helps match my face with the rest of my body. The one I like the most for my face right now is Kate Somerville's 360 Face Pads. You can find them at Sephora, Nordstrom, or on Amazon. I like the way it goes on and the subtle color it adds to give my face an even, tanned look.

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a complete set of Pretty Mommies Three Step Skin Care line valued at $119! The giveaway will run through June 30th, and the winner will be announced on July 1st. And by the way, you don't have to be pregnant or nursing to use these products- they are great for anyone looking for natural products to help even out skin tone and clear complexion. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway