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Everybody talks about the glow of pregnancy, and I'm sure some women do feel radiant. The rest of us, however, find ourselves dealing with the many and varied side effects of impending motherhood, not least of which is chloasma, or facial-skin discoloration -- the so-called mask of pregnancy.
A cream that gently exfoliates the skin can be a real help. Try this pumpkin-and-papaya mixture that works like a scrub without being abrasive to your skin. Remember, the sun can aggravate skin discoloration, so be sure to apply facial sunblock every day, especially after using this cream.
1/2 fresh papaya
1 egg white
15 ounce can of pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon honey
Remove the seeds from the papaya, scoop out the fruit and mash it in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg white until frothy. Mix the egg white and mashed papaya together, and add the pumpkin and the honey to this mixture. Combine all ingredients thoroughly and apply to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse off. Apply sunblock before going outdoors.
Stacy Denney is the author of Spa Mama (Chronicle Books) and the owner of Barefoot & Pregnant, a maternity day spa in Marin County, California.
