PoreWise Skin concern
Skincare during pregnancy
Primary sourceSkincare during pregnancy: the skin changes and care considerations during pregnancy, when hormonal, mechanical and immune shifts drive changes such as hyperpigmentation (including melasma) and stretching. The practical question is what topical care has actually been studied in pregnant women. The strongest evidence comes from a 2017 human trial: In a double-blind randomized trial of 180 pregnant women with melasma in their second trimester or later, 5 weeks of liposome-encapsulated Aloe vera leaf gel extract improved MASI scores by 32% versus 10% with the non-liposomal Aloe vera gel control, with a significant between-group difference in mean MASI after treatment. 1 ingredient has evidence for Skincare during pregnancy: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.
Both studies tested melasma care (sunscreen prevention, liposomal aloe) in pregnant women, what has been studied is topical care for pigment changes in pregnancy. Diagnosis and prescription decisions stay with a clinician.
Where the definition comes from
Source wording
“Pregnancy induces various physiological changes that significantly impact the skin … physiological changes such as hyperpigmentation, striae gravidarum, and vascular alterations are discussed.” — Gupta et al., Cureus 2024 (PMID 39445254).
Cutaneous Changes During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus (Gupta SN)
Ingredients at a glance
2017 · 180 people · pregnant women with melasma in the second trimester or later (90 per group) · PMID 28139161
| Ingredient | Measured outcome | Based on | Certainty | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract | Skin effect | Human trial | Moderate | 2017 |
| — | Skin effect | Human trial | Moderate | 1987 |
Studies and results
- Clinical efficacy of liposome-encapsulated Aloe vera on melasma treatment during pregnancy
In a double-blind randomized trial of 180 pregnant women with melasma in their second trimester or later, 5 weeks of liposome-encapsulated Aloe vera leaf gel extract improved MASI scores by 32% versus 10% with the non-liposomal Aloe vera gel control, with a significant between-group difference in mean MASI after treatment.
Human trial · 2017 · 180 people · pregnant women with melasma in the second trimester or later (90 per group) · Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) over 5 weeks in pregnant women. · The comparator is an active Aloe vera gel.
Study limits
Study conditions and measured outcomes.
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Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Human trial · 2017
The comparator is an active Aloe vera gel.
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ev-pregnancy-sunscreen-melasma-rct Human trial · 1987
30 adherent participants were analysed; SPF 10 is far below current broad-spectrum recommendations; published in 1987 in a Spanish-language journal; the effect is on preventing new melasma.
Products with a basis for this
1 products · Eye Repair Cream · 2017 · 180 people · pregnant women with melasma in the second trimester or later (90 per group) · PMID 28139161
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CeraVe
Eye Repair Cream
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract 1 finding
Research-backed approaches
These studies measured finished products and whole routines.
- 1 Skin effectMelasma in pregnancy: reduction of its appearance with the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen
In a placebo-controlled trial in pregnant women, daily application of a broad-spectrum SPF 10 sunscreen to the face from the second trimester through summer significantly reduced the appearance of melasma compared with placebo among the 30 women with good adherence (14 sunscreen, 16 placebo).
Human trial · 1987 · 30 people · pregnant women with good adherence (14 sunscreen / 16 placebo), analysed from a larger enrolled cohort · Appearance of melasma during pregnancy with daily facial sunscreen use. · 30 adherent participants were analysed; SPF 10 is far below current broad-spectrum recommendations; published in 1987 in a Spanish-language journal; the effect is on preventing new melasma.
Common questions
- Which ingredients have been studied for Skincare during pregnancy?
- Ingredients with evidence for Skincare during pregnancy: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.
- How many people were studied?
- 2 findings · 2017 · 180 people · pregnant women with melasma in the second trimester or later (90 per group) · PMID 28139161
- What can I use for Skincare during pregnancy?
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract · 2017 · 180 people · pregnant women with melasma in the second trimester or later (90 per group) · PMID 28139161
- Can I use these every day for Skincare during pregnancy?
- Appearance of melasma during pregnancy with daily facial sunscreen use（1987 · 30 participants · 30 pregnant women with good adherence (14 sunscreen / 16 placebo), analysed from a larger enrolled cohort · PMID 3312862）