Hello Mrs Alligator

I've been feeling like a tad reptilian lately. My skin has been dry and flaky. Ugly. Minus points in the self-esteem section.

I always feel that pregnant women are just plain ugly. They look fat and ugly. They walk uglily. My colleague coined all pregnant women the term "preggasaurus" - big, ugly, fortunately adorable.

WTE's Smart Strategies to Combat Dry Skin
What it is: The dry, flaky, and sometimes itchy membrane that now covers your body — especially your face (did somebody say leather?) — has taken over where your skin used to be.

What causes it: For some women, hormonal changes rob skin of oil and elasticity, which leads to that dreaded dryness.

What you can do: It may sound obvious, but too much washing with harsh soaps can dry out your skin. Switch to a nonsoap cleanser such as Cetaphil and use it no more than once a day (at night if you’re taking off makeup). Take care to keep your body well moisturized (especially in cold or windy weather) by slathering on moisturizer early and often throughout the day and before turning in at night. (How about a bedtime moisture massage from your man?)

Dry skin can also lead to stretch marks (sorry!) — you can't prevent them, but you can help minimize their appearance by moisturizing your belly (and your hips, thighs, and butt) as it expands. Lots of women swear by arnica oil, which you can get in any health food store.

What solutions are off-limits: Stay away from chemical-based treatments (e.g. peels), which can potentially be absorbed through the skin. If you’re not sure if a treatment is safe, ask your practitioner first.

What preventive steps you can take: When it comes to skin, you definitely are what you eat — and drink. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (soda and coffee don’t count) throughout the day. Also, be sure to include good fats in your diet (mono and polyunsaturated), which are found in foods such as olive and canola oils, nuts, and avocados. And although it may seem to make sense, don’t steam your skin — that can make it look and feel dehydrated. No rubbing, either; lightly pat your skin dry with a soft towel and apply moisturizer right away to seal in the water before it has a chance to escape. (Unscented products are best, since most dry skin is also sensitive skin, especially when it’s expectant.)

More smart strategies:
- Use a humidifier at night to boost the moisture content in your bedroom. (Hidden bonus: The white noise might help you sleep if you’ve been tossing and turning.)
- Don’t sizzle yourself! Bathe or shower in lukewarm, not hot, water. Hot water removes natural oil from the skin, making it dry and itchy.
- Limit showers to ten to 15 minutes. (Some water is good; too much is not.) Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp, to trap that moisture in.
- Add bath oils to your tub, but be careful with the slippery surface you’ve created. (Remember, you’re a klutz with a giant belly right now.)
- Avoid deodorant soaps, which contain ingredients that soak up moisture.
- Dab petroleum jelly or A&D ointment on problem areas (elbows, knees, heels) to seal in moisture and heal very dry skin.
- After washing your hands, immediately put on hand cream to seal in moisture.
- Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day.
- Treat skin to a hydrating facial mask once a week.