Expecting a baby brings about many physical changes, but an increased chance of prickly heat is one that is very common but rarely discussed. As your body temperature naturally rises to support your growing baby, you might find yourself struggling with skin that feels sensitive, reactive and more prone to heat rash.
Understanding why prickly heat becomes more common in pregnancy is the first step towards finding relief. We can also help you find skin care that supports your changing needs. At Green People, we have spent over 25 years formulating gentle, organic solutions that respect the skin's natural balance, ensuring you can navigate pregnancy skin care with complete confidence.
If you are concerned about any rashes during pregnancy, it is always best to consult your midwife or GP.
At a glance
- Hormonal changes and increased blood flow make your body run hotter during pregnancy
- Prickly heat occurs when sweat becomes trapped beneath the skin's surface
- Avoiding pore-clogging ingredients like silicones and mineral oils is essential for prevention
- Best pregnancy-friendly SPF for prickly heat: Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30
- Support your skin more generally with a fragrance-free body care routine
- Always discuss any health concerns with your midwife or GP
Why is prickly heat so common during pregnancy?
Scientifically known as miliaria, prickly heat isn't just a summer inconvenience; for many pregnant women, it becomes a recurring frustration. The primary reason is that your metabolic rate increases and your sweat glands become more active as your body works harder.
When you are pregnant, you are more likely to feel warm and up to 35% of women experience hot flashes. It is completely normal to sweat more easily, and if that sweat cannot escape the skin - often due to tight clothing or heavy, synthetic skin care products - it can become trapped in the sweat ducts. The result is those signature tiny, itchy red bumps that usually appear on the chest, arms or in the folds of the skin.
The importance of breathable skin care
Many conventional sunscreens and body lotions are formulated with silicones, petroleum-derived waxes or mineral oils. While these ingredients create a smooth finish on the skin, they can act like cling film, clogging the pores and preventing sweat from evaporating. For someone prone to prickly heat, this is a recipe for irritation.
Switching to a natural sunscreen that allows the skin to breathe is a practical way to protect your skin whilst also being kind to prickly heat. Our dermatologically tested, petrochemical-free sun care uses plant-derived ingredients that provide broad-spectrum protection without the heavy, suffocating feel of synthetic alternatives. When you apply it, the texture feels light and moisturising, sinking in without leaving a sticky residue.
Our Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 is a favourite for those with sensitive skin precisely because it lacks the pore-clogging ingredients often found in high-street brands. It offers high protection while remaining exceptionally kind to skin that feels sensitive due to pregnancy hormones.
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream£33.50
Browse all pregnancy-friendly sunscreens.
"When I founded Green People, one of my main goals was to ensure that even the most sensitive skin - such as during pregnancy - could find comfort in truly natural, breathable formulas."
- Charlotte Vøhtz, Founder of Green People
Cleansing without disruption
How you wash your skin is just as important as how you protect it. During a prickly heat flare-up, the skin barrier is often compromised and inflamed. Many standard shower gels contain harsh foaming agents like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) and intense synthetic fragrances that can further sting or irritate a heat rash.
A fragrance-free ritual is often the most soothing approach. Using a shower gel that is COSMOS Organic certified ensures you are avoiding potential irritants. This type of formula cleanses using gentle, plant-based surfactants that lift away salt and sweat without stripping away the protective oils your skin needs to remain resilient.
The Scent Free Shower Gel is a versatile essential for your bathroom. It creates a soft, gentle lather that leaves the skin feeling clean and calm. Because it is completely unscented, it is particularly well-suited to the first trimester when scent sensitivities can make fragranced products difficult to tolerate.
Scent Free Shower Gel 200ml
A hypoallergenic shower gel for gently cleansing ultra-sensitive skin£18.50
Managing perspiration under the arms
The underarm area is a common hotspot for prickly heat because it is a site of high friction and concentrated sweat production. Choosing a deodorant during pregnancy can be a challenge; you want something that works, but you may want to avoid the aluminium salts and strong perfumes found in traditional antiperspirants, which can block the pores entirely.
A natural, scent-free roll-on allows the body to perform its natural function of sweating - which is vital for temperature regulation - but uses minerals and plant extracts to neutralise the bacteria that cause odour. This keeps you feeling fresh without the risk of the "sting" that often accompanies fragranced deodorants on sensitive, rash-prone skin.
Our Scent Free Deodorant is an ideal companion for a pregnancy hospital bag or daily use. It is clinically proven to be kind to skin and dries quickly, meaning you can get dressed immediately without worrying about sticky marks or residue.
Scent Free Deodorant 75ml
Keep ultra-sensitive skin feeling fresh with our fragrance-free deodorant£14.00
Browse more scent-free skin care or scent-free body care.
If you are concerned about any rashes during pregnancy, it is always best to consult your midwife or GP. The NHS provides helpful guidance on managing the cooling of the skin during these episodes.
We hope you have found the best skin care for prickly heat in pregnancy. If you need any more help or advice, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible 'Naturally Gorgeous'. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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