During your pregnancy, you may feel at a loss when it comes to conventional medicine, which doesn’t always offer solutions to relieve everyday aches and pains. As a result, some of you turn to natural medicine, particularly aromatherapy. But be careful: even though essential oils are natural, they come with risks you should be aware of.
Here’s a quick overview of what you can and cannot do. This guide will answer all your questions about using essential oils during pregnancy and provide beauty tips, as well as a list of recommended cosmetic ingredients.
By The Aroma-Zone editorial team
Although pregnancy is a joyful time, it often comes with minor, perfectly normal discomforts that can wear down the expectant mother.
Here is a short guide to Aroma-Zone ingredients and examples of synergies that can help you relieve minor ailments during pregnancy (either on their own or as a supplement to your usual treatment).
From the start of pregnancy until around the fourth month, pregnancy is sometimes accompanied by nausea. This is caused by an increase in certain hormones.
These discomforts can be alleviated by a few simple habits, such as:
Adjusting your diet: drink plenty of fluids, eat smaller, more frequent meals, and keep them light (4 to 6 small meals a day). Opt for snacks with fresh fruit and nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts…
Appropriate dietary supplements : taking magnesium in marine form—one capsule per day in a glass of water during a meal—can effectively relieve nausea. Similarly, the effectiveness of probiotics has been demonstrated at a dose of one 2.5 g packet per day for 30 days.
Acupressure : This technique, based on Chinese medicine, involves applying pressure to the body’s energy centres. Thus, applying light pressure to a specific point on the wrist can help alleviate nausea. This "anti-nausea" point is located on the inner side of the wrist, three finger-widths above the wrist crease.
The use of certain essential oils and hydrosols:
During the nine months of pregnancy, hair is generally stronger and shinier; your hair is practically on a high thanks to the overproduction of certain female hormones: estrogens.
For all hair types
To care for, nourish, and preserve their shine, you can combine these ingredients in your homemade cosmetics:
Plant Oils: Baobab, Coconut, Jojoba, Monoï, Brazil Nut, Shea Oleate, Castor, Yangu...
Plant butters: Mango, Murumuru, Shea
Other ingredients : BTMS, Ceramides, Emulsifying Conditioner, Phytokeratin, Silk Proteins, Rice Proteins, Provitamin B5, Plant-based Silicone
For oily hair
Some women who are used to having oily hair may find that this tendency is amplified by hormones. In this case, don’t panic—a few carefully chosen cosmetic ingredients and appropriate beauty tips can help you feel truly well:
Feel free to use a gentle shampoo as often as needed.
Rinse your hair with cold water.
Gently squeeze out the excess water.
Once a week, use a regulating mask made with Rhassoul clay or neutral henna.
For sensitive skin
As beautiful as it is, a pregnant woman’s skin is also more delicate. Some skin types get irritated easily and may even become intolerant to complex formulas.
For your cosmetics, opt for simple formulas with soothing active ingredients such as:
Plant oils and oil macerates: Baobab, Calendula, Cotton, Jojoba
Essential oils: German chamomile, Roman chamomile
CO2 extracts: Organic calendula, organic German chamomile, organic pomegranate, kiwi
Hydrosols: Cornflower, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Orange Blossom
Clays: Rose, Red
Active Ingredients: Allantoin, Bisabolol, Organic freeze-dried mare’s milk, Organic mallow extract, Powdered honey, Provitamin B5, Plant-based squalane, Plant-based lanolin substitute
For oily, acne-prone skin
Sometimes pregnancy can cause oily skin accompanied by a few pimples and blackheads. These comedones (blackheads) result from the oxidation of excess sebum on the surface of our enlarged pores. Therefore, opt for non-oxidising, penetrating plant oils as well as purifying, mattifying, and sebum-regulating active ingredients.
For your skincare routine, cleanse your skin daily, morning and night, with a mild soap to prevent the buildup of impurities that can lead to infections.
Don’t hesitate to exfoliate followed by a facial steam once a week to rid the skin of toxins and dead cells while purifying it.
Plant oils: Jojoba, Macadamia, Hazelnut, Sesame
Essential oils : Lemon (be careful with sun exposure), True lavender, Tea tree
CO2 extracts: Jupiter's beard
Hydrosols: Witch hazel (astringent), Lavender (healing), Rosemary (sebum-regulating), Tea tree (purifying)
Clays : Fine yellow clay
Purifying active ingredients: Algo'zinc, Bacti-pur, propolis extract, burdock root powder
Mattifying active ingredients: Arrowroot, Bamboo sap, Alum powder
Health and Diet Tips
A high-fat diet can contribute to breakouts and excess sebum. So cut back on butter, cream, deli meats, pastries, and other treats high in saturated fats. Opt for foods rich in zinc, such as dried beans, nuts, red meat, and poultry.
Starting in the fourth month of pregnancy, small brown spots may appear on the face. This hyperpigmentation, caused by an excess of melanin, is the result of hormonal factors. Women with darker skin tones are more prone to this than those with fair skin.
Very often, these spots disappear after the baby is born, but this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s better to “prevent than cure”!
Plant oils and oil macerates : Macadamia, White Lily
Essential oils: Celery and Carrot
Brightening active ingredient: Vitamin C
Sciatica is caused by the pinching of the sciatic nerve. During pregnancy, the baby grows in the uterus and the pelvis widens. This can put pressure on the nerve, leading to pain and sometimes even immobility.
Sciatica should not be confused with lower back pain, which is caused by excess weight in the lower abdomen, leading to tension in the ligaments and back muscles.
Some osteopaths specialise in massage for pregnant women. Don’t hesitate to consult such a specialist if you experience sciatica during pregnancy.
In the meantime, you can relieve this pain by massaging the affected areas with essential and vegetable oils and other appropriate ingredients that promote muscle relaxation:
Oil macerates: Arnica
Essential oils: Lemon eucalyptus
Salts : Epsom salt, Dead Sea salts
1. What causes the sensation of heavy legs
The sensation of heavy legs is caused by poor blood circulation. When everything is working properly, small valves (located in the veins of the legs) ensure that blood flows back up to the heart.
Sometimes these valves become worn out and no longer function properly. This is what happens when you are in a standing position for long periods of time. Genetics also play a role; thus, it is not uncommon to see mothers and daughters suffering from this discomfort.
Pregnancy amplifies this phenomenon because during this period, a hormone called progesterone, secreted in greater quantities, promotes water retention and increases blood volume.
Under normal circumstances, excess fluid is drained by the lymphatic system. But during pregnancy, the volume of fluid in the bloodstream can become so high that the lymphatic system can no longer perform its balancing function. It becomes overwhelmed. This results in lymphatic edema, characterised by swelling of the toes and the appearance of skin folds.
2. Steps to Take to Prevent Heavy Legs
But don’t worry—there are natural and effective solutions:
First, start by avoiding prolonged standing.
Walk regularly for about half an hour a day.
Avoid overly hot baths or overheated environments.
Elevate your feet at night.
Don’t hesitate to wear compression stockings (when the weather permits) and regularly massage your legs with firm strokes starting from the bottom of the ankle and moving up toward the top of the thigh.
3. Natural products that promote blood circulation
Certain cosmetic active ingredients tone blood vessels and stimulate lymphatic circulation, helping to reduce the sensation of heavy legs and swelling.
Concentrated extracts: Red Vine, Butcher's Broom
Essential oils: Virginia Cedar, Lemon, Lime, Mastic
Vegetable oils: Macadamia, Rice Bran
Hydrosols: Peppermint, Provence Cypress, Witch Hazel, Juniper
Macadamia nut oil softens the pelvic floor muscles and makes them more elastic. You can therefore massage this area several times a day starting in the 8th month of pregnancy with macadamia nut oil to prepare it for childbirth.
The arrival of a baby and the changes to her body can cause anxiety for the expectant mother. Here are some essential oils and hydrosols that can help soothe stress.
Essential Oils: German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Clementine, Fine Lavender, Mandarin, Shell Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Ylang-Ylang
Hydrosols: Roman chamomile, German chamomile, Orange blossom, Fine lavender
Today, more and more midwives are turning to aromatherapy to support expectant mothers during childbirth. Don’t hesitate to bring this up during your prenatal classes, as certain essential oils can help promote a smooth delivery.
Managing Labour
One of the biggest fears for an expectant mother is the pain of childbirth. This pain can lead to tension and make the pain worse. It is therefore important to relax and unwind. Not easy given the circumstances… But a few breathing techniques combined with carefully chosen essential oils can help you do just that.
Essential oils: Lavender, Neroli, Petitgrain, Sweet Orange, Roman Chamomile, Shell Marjoram, Bay Laurel.
Strengthening contractions
Sometimes, the baby’s arrival is long-awaited, and labour isn’t progressing. This happens when the cervix is slow to dilate or when contractions are irregular or too infrequent. Essential oils are there to help you and stimulate contractions.
Of course, given their effects, these essential oils should not be used at any other time during pregnancy.
Quick Tip: Clove
Its Latin name, Eugenia caryophyllus, refers to Eugenia, the patron saint of midwives… Isn’t that a lovely hint of its virtues… This essential oil, which pregnant women should avoid during pregnancy, is one that wonderfully supports childbirth. In fact, in addition to relieving pain, this essential oil promotes uterine contractions and facilitates the baby’s delivery during childbirth. Combined with palmarosa essential oil, they form an indispensable duo in delivery rooms.
A testimonial from Anne, mother of two
Inhaling fine lavender essential oil from a handkerchief during labour helped me cope better with the pain and allowed me to effectively use breathing techniques for relaxation. This enabled me to give birth to my little boy without an epidural...
Returning home from the hospital is sometimes accompanied by extreme fatigue, compounded by low spirits and the need to organise a new life. Those who are breastfeeding are even more affected, as they sometimes experience certain deficiencies (iron, calcium, etc.).
Very often, new mothers stop taking care of themselves. They eat on the go, get little sleep, and tend to forget that it is during these first few months after childbirth that healing and firming skincare is most effective.
Breastfeeding: Promoting Lactation
As a precaution, avoid applying essential oils to the breasts as much as possible while breastfeeding. But don’t demonise these essential oils either—some can be very useful, particularly for promoting healing or… stimulating milk production!
Milk secretion by the mammary glands depends on two hormones: prolactin and oxytocin.
Sometimes, some mothers do not produce enough milk to feed their baby. This insufficient milk production is generally due to a deficiency in one or the other of these hormones. However, keep in mind that true milk shortages are rare. Also note that the act of the baby suckling naturally stimulates milk production.
The Baby Blues
The first month after childbirth is an intense period when emotions can sometimes be amplified tenfold. Combined with certain self-care practices (yoga, sophrology, etc.), some essential oils and hydrosols can help you balance your emotions.
Essential Oils : German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Shell Marjoram, Neroli, Petitgrain, Damask Rose, Ylang-Ylang
Hydrosols: Rose, Ylang-Ylang
Quick tip: the rose
The rose symbolises love, passion and purity. Greek mythology tells us that the rose was born from the tears of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, who wept as Adonis lay dying. Because of its connection to spilled blood, the rose symbolises mystical rebirth or regeneration. It is also the plant most closely associated with femininity.
Rose essential oil and rose hydrosol are two essential ingredients for postpartum depression that will help you harmonise your mind, overcome your anxieties, and open yourself to love and tenderness.
Baby Blues - Olfactory and Cutaneous Routes
Rose Essential Oil
0.1 ml (3 drops)
Apricot Kernel Vegetable Oil
15 ml supplement
Apply 3 drops to the inner wrists and inhale deeply several times a day as needed, and
5 drops on the solar plexus 3 times a day for as long as needed to improve your nervous system.
Baby Blues - Sublingual Route (D. Baudoux)
Marjoram Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Hazelnut Vegetable Oil
9 ml
3 drops twice a day under the tongue until noticeable improvement.
Firming the bust and abdomen
During pregnancy, tissues become loose and muscles undergo significant stretching, which can cause some damage. The best way to regain a toned figure is to do some muscle-strengthening exercises as soon as your gynecologist gives the green light.
You can also improve your skin’s tone and vitality by choosing appropriate active ingredients such as:
Plant oils and oil macerates: Rosehip, Bellis
Hydrosols: Rockrose, Geranium
Other ingredients: Aloe vera gel
Tip of the Day: Kigelia Extract
Traditionally used as a beauty treatment by African women, kigelia contains active ingredients that tone and firm skin tissue. Renowned for stimulating breast development and shaping, it is used in many bust care products as a plumping and toning agent. This extract can be used as an active ingredient in your bust care products as soon as you stop breastfeeding.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation
During natural childbirth and even during pregnancy, the perineum—the muscular area responsible for supporting the pelvic organs (rectum, vagina, bladder)—is put to the test. The tissues become loose and sometimes struggle to regain their original tone, leading to issues such as urinary incontinence.
Perineal rehabilitation with a physical therapist or midwife is the best way to prevent future problems. A few sessions ofmuscle strengthening combined with massage using plant-based oils can ideally complement this care.
Treatment for stretch marks
The best way to prevent stretch marks is to keep your skin well-nourished during pregnancy.
If, despite your best efforts, a few stretch marks do appear during pregnancy, certain healing essential oils can be very helpful when blended with healing and nourishing plant oils.
Treatment for stretch marks outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding (D. Baudoux)
Clary Sage Essential Oil
0.3 ml (10 drops)
Niaouli Essential Oil
0.2 ml (7 drops)
Green Myrtle Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Ho Wood Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Cistus Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Egyptian Geranium Essential Oil
0.5 ml (17 drops)
Myrrh Essential Oil
0.2 ml (7 drops)
Italian Helichrysum Essential Oil
0.1 ml (4 drops)
Argan Oil
5 ml
Jojoba vegetable oil: 5 ml
Rosehip vegetable oil: 5 ml
Evening primrose oil: 5 ml
Apricot kernel oil: 7 ml
Apply once in the morning and once at night to stretch marks until noticeable improvement
