Sunscreen during pregnancy – good to know

Pregnancy in summer is wonderful – and exhausting at the same time. While you enjoy the warming sun rays and good weather, it's also important to take special care of yourself, your skin, and your baby bump.

Find out here why sun protection is especially important during pregnancy and which sunscreen is best suited for pregnant women.

Why is sun protection so important during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your hormones often go on a roller coaster ride and bring about some physical changes – and your skin is not always spared.

Due to hormonal changes, your skin generally becomes more sensitive to sunlight. The high estrogen levels also cause your skin to produce more melanin, which can lead to pigment spots. Spending time in the sun can further exacerbate this phenomenon.

In addition, the skin over your baby bump is now as thin as that of a newborn, and therefore only one-third as strong and resistant as before pregnancy. Even ingredients that previously caused you no problems can suddenly cause skin irritation. Fragrances or certain chemical substances can irritate your skin more than usual.

Which sunscreen is suitable for pregnant women?

The best strategy: avoid direct sun! Especially intense midday sun can strain your circulation and unnecessarily stress your skin. But of course, sun cannot always be completely avoided – therefore, the right sunscreen is essential during pregnancy.

Recommendations for pregnant women:

• Use sunscreens with hypoallergenic formulations and high UV protection (at least SPF 30, preferably SPF 50)
• Opt for sunscreens with mineral filters like zinc oxide instead of chemical UV filters that act deeply on skin cells
• Consider your individual inherent protection time depending on skin type (pregnant women should only use half of their skin's inherent protection time as a precaution)

Why mineral filters are more sensible during pregnancy

Mineral filters are, in my opinion, the better choice for pregnant women because they act like a physical barrier on the skin and reflect UV rays. Chemical filters, on the other hand, penetrate the skin to convert the rays into heat. In doing so, they can also act individually on the hormone receptors of the skin cells and thus trigger hormone-like reactions.

If you don't have mineral sunscreen on hand, make sure to avoid the following ingredients:

Our boep sunscreens, as certified natural cosmetics, do not contain any of these ingredients and thus reliably and gently protect your sensitive skin. For the face, we recommend our rich med Sun Balm with SPF 50, and for the body, our light med Sun Milk with SPF 50. Thanks to their hypoallergenic formulation, they are also ideal for pregnant and breastfeeding women, working immediately without waiting time with a purely mineral UV filter.

How do I protect my baby bump from UV rays?

Even if it takes a while for the baby in the womb to get too warm thanks to the insulating effect of the amniotic sac and abdominal muscles, you should particularly protect your baby bump from the sun and not lie in direct sun for longer than 15 minutes (or ideally not at all ;)). Cover your belly with a thin cloth or wear a light t-shirt.

Further tips for summer pregnancies

Especially during the summer months, make sure to drink enough fluids – ideally at least 2 liters daily. Besides water, unsweetened tea and diluted juice spritzers are also a good choice. Avoid overheated rooms and direct sunlight during midday, as your circulation is more strained during pregnancy, especially in summer, and dizziness can occur more easily.