When you’re pregnant, your baby gets his nutrition from you and his blood from you and, in some cases, he’s gets his cuteness from you too.

But along with your little bundle of joy can come a skin condition called melasma. Melasma is common during pregnancy and causes patches of brown or gray-brown skin on the cheeks, chin, nose, forehead, and upper lip.

It can also be caused by medications, sun exposure, or other factors. If you are comfortable with your new skin, kudos!  There are medical options to face the darkness, but otherwise, you can choose to cover the spots with makeup.  Whatever your choices, here is a little cursory information to start your research!

Types of Makeup

You have several options when concealing melasma. Complete coverage concealers and foundations, like those designed for scar or tattoo coverage, work to cover the discolorations of melasma. There are also color corrective concealers with a lighter coverage foundation for a more natural and less made-up look. Color corrective products neutralize the brown, gray, or reddish tones associated with melasma, allowing your traditional foundation to even your skin tone. Some companies even make specialized concealers for melasma that include skin lighteners to treat the condition.  

Complete Coverage Products

Complete coverage concealers work by hiding natural skin tone. Choose a color that matches your natural skin well. Apply moisturizer and sunscreen.  Then pat the concealer into place with a fingertip or cosmetic sponge blending the edges well. Use a full or complete coverage foundation over the concealer. A complete coverage option may look slightly less natural, but will create an even and unblemished skin tone.

Color Correctives

Color corrective concealers should be applied after sunscreen and moisturizer, but before foundation. Apply liquids and creams with your fingertip or a sponge. Use a small brush to apply mineral powders. MyMakeupMirror.com recommends a blue-violet shade for tan or light brown patches, a lavender color for gray patches or a yellow or green shade for reddish areas. Blend colors to achieve the shade you need. Follow with a full-coverage foundation, using a mineral powder foundation if you opted for mineral concealer.

Time Frame

In some cases, melasma fades on its own. Typically, chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy, lightens and disappears within a few months of delivery. If melasma coincided with hormonal contraceptives, stopping the hormones can be effective. Treatments, including lightening creams, take several months to work. You can use makeup to conceal melasma until it resolves or during treatment.

Prevention/Solution

Sun exposure is one of the most common causes of melasma. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to keep dark patches on your skin from worsening. Continue wearing sunscreen regularly during and after treatment, as well as after your melasma has faded. Sun exposure may cause melasma to return, reports the American Academy of Dermatology.

Brooke Burke opens up about her experience with melasma in the video below. Check it out!