I’ve made a few lifestyle changes since learning about ye olde pregnancy. Ixnay on the high-mercury fish and the belly sleeping. (Two for two now on not thinking I’m a stomach sleeper…until I can’t be a stomach sleeper.) Upping the ol’ protein intake. Trying to prioritize rest but also productivity — two things I totally took for granted the first time around.
My Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine For Winter
The one thing I haven’t had to change up much, though, is my skincare regimen. In part because it’s already what one might call pretty…minimal. And in part because most of the products I’m more or less obsessed with are already clean and free of any non-pregnancy-friendly ingredients. Most of my usual picks from Biossance included.
Right now, Biossance is offering 30% off sitewide for Black Friday, plus 44% off their Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask, along with some really fun gifts with purchase (that make stellar stocking stuffers, if you can resist hoarding them for yourself). This is the steepest discount I’ve seen sitewide, so if you’ve been curious about Biossance or are looking to stock up on your faves, now’s the time.
I talk about Biossance pretty regularly around here — I’ve been using it for years, ever since a family friend who works for the company let me trial a few products before the brand even hit shelves. But once a year or so, I get the opportunity to wax poetic about the brand in a more formal manner (for which I am always so, so grateful!), so here we are.
Today, a peek at what my skincare regimen is looking like this season — with a couple of callouts about how it’s changed ever-so-slightly in light of pregnancy.
Biossance Squalane Is Totally Worth The Hype. This Is My Skincare Routine Right Now.
When it comes to skincare — which, let’s face it, can be an investment — I’m pretty dang selective. I’m not easily tempted by fluffy packaging, but I’m big on straightforward active ingredients and clinical efficacy, and Biossance products have always performed exactly as advertised. The customer reviews (of which there are thousands) echo my sentiments, too.
If I had to guess, all the customer loyalty probably has something to do with the ingredient that’s at the core of their whole product line: squalane. It’s bioidentical to the natural moisture found in human skin (called squalene, with an “e”), which diminishes over time, but Biossance’s is sugarcane-derived, so it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free. I mean, friends, the nerd in me loves this kinda stuff. And the picky consumer in me demands it. So combined, I’ll probably be buying Biossance products for as long as they make them. It’s really, really good stuff.
Here’s what I’m using (and stocking up on during the sale!) these days.
1. Cleanser: Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser
My go-to makeup-removing oil cleanser is the Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil — a little goes a long way, it takes off even dark or waterproof makeup like a dream, and it smells heavenly — but when my skin veers slightly problematic, sometimes I’ll start the day with a salicylic acid cleanser. Since salicylic acid is off the table at the moment, I’ve taken to using this Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser any time heavy eye makeup removal isn’t my goal, and it just feels dang good.
I love the easy lather and the light scent, and it genuinely feels like my skin is getting good and clean without any drying. I like making a bit of a ritual out of washing my face (it’s literally one of my favorite parts of the day), and this is equal parts cleansing, refreshing and soothing. Truth be told, even though I still default to the Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil most nights, the Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser does really freaking well as a makeup remover, too.
2. Eyes: Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
This Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream won beauty awards from Allure and Glamour in 2020 and 2021, and I can attest that the accolades are well deserved. I’ve been using it for years now, and it’s super creamy, hydrating and firming without ever feeling greasy. Some eye creams encourage my concealer and eye makeup to crease or slide off — not so with this one. I dot it on with the tip of my finger and lightly pat it in, and I swear the paracress extract, which claims to “instantly and visibly lift and firm skin with the first application” does just that. Little miracle cream is what this is. And I love the weighty feel of the pot in my hand, too.
3. Moisturizer: Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
Another product that has been in my rotation for a long time now, I credit the combo of this Squalane + Omega Repair Cream and the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil (more on that, below) with rescuing my skin from some serious patchy dryness that sprung up during the first trimester. After a few days of layering them both on morning and night, my skin was officially quenched and glowing.
And I’ve said it in reviews before, but this cream genuinely feels like it locks in rich moisture without ever leaving my face looking or feeling greasy. It’s plumping, hydrating and just feels good on. Not really a lot of fragrance to this one (there are zero added), so it’s great for sensitive skin and even feels a bit more clinical in nature, which I actually kind of appreciate in my high-end skincare. A perennial fave.
Note: in the summer, I’m also a big fan of the Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer, which is lighter by comparison and helped calm my skin when it was initially irritated by mask-wearing. A great option if you don’t need something quite as rich.
4. SPF: Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
I usually keep this Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen in my purse to layer on when we find ourselves at the beach or the park midday, but since getting knocked up, I’ve started using it as my primary sunscreen in the morning, too, since it’s mineral-based. It smooths on easily and goes on super light. And even though I routinely use it with a moisturizer, if you’re only in the market for light hydration, it could stand alone as an SPF moisturizer, too. Mineral based, zero white cast — and it’s light enough to reapply if you’re doing serious activity throughout the day without feeling like you’re gunking up your face. Reef safe, too!
5. Oil: Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
This Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is one of those products that just keeps getting better. I’ve used it a myriad of ways over the past couple years — a drop or two cocktailed into my moisturizer in the evening, or applied directly to freshly washed skin on days when I feel like skipping moisturizer entirely.
But right now, I’m in the habit of applying it after my moisturizer both morning and night. I put a few drops onto my fingertips (if there’s a little residual moisturizer there, so much the better — it makes a little go an even longer way), rub my hands together, take a minute to enjoy the subtle rose fragrance, and then press it into my skin. Doing this twice a day has proved to be game changing, especially when my skin was abnormally dry and patchy during the first couple months of pregnancy. I go a little lighter with it in the morning, but at night, I go full board, and I love how luminous and dewy it makes my skin. Some might say it’s that prenatal glow, but I’m here to confess that I was anything but glowing before I started using this with such dedication. Completely obsessed.
Shop All My Favorite Biossance Products
Clearly, I’m genuinely smitten with all things Biossance (at this point, I’ve tried the majority of the offerings, if you’re seeking insight on something). And the sitewide 30% discount (and 44% off the Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask) curbs the investment pretty substantially if you’re looking to shake up your whole regimen, or stock up on a few fave products. You can’t go wrong.
xo,
Em
Big thanks to Biossance for sponsoring this post and allowing me to sing their praise, yet again. I’ve yet to encounter a Biossance product that doesn’t do exactly what it claims to do — and I freaking love that. And thanks for reading along and supporting our brand partners here on The Mom Edit. We truly appreciate it!
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Photos by the lovely and entertaining Carolyn Stockman. Thank you, friend!
