One day, a product you've used for years suddenly starts to sting. Your growing belly feels a little tighter every week. And some nights, your mind just won't slow down. These are the changes one mom-to-be went through during her pregnancy.
In October, the month Korea celebrates Pregnant Women's Day, we sat down with Lisa Matsui from AROMATICA's Global Marketing team, who was 38 weeks pregnant at the time, to talk about self-care during pregnancy. The biggest change she noticed was how she chose her products. She started reading ingredient lists closely. For products that touch her whole body every day, like shampoo and body care, she chose ones made without synthetic fragrance.
AROMATICA is an aromatherapy brand built on a clear philosophy: leave out synthetic fragrance and choose safe, effective natural and organic ingredients. After narrowing things down, the five products Lisa kept close were all AROMATICA products made with essential oils. "I liked that I could be careful about ingredients and still feel calmer through scent," she says. Here are the five products Lisa used every day as her body changed, and how she uses each one.
The 5 AROMATICA Products a Mom-to-Be Kept Close at 38 Weeks
① When Your Belly Starts to Feel Tight: Organic Golden Jojoba Oil + Mandarin & Roman Chamomile Essential Oils
The first change Lisa noticed was in her skin. Products she had used without a problem before pregnancy now sometimes stung or left her skin red. As her belly grew, her skin also started to feel dry and tight, so she began paying closer attention to moisture.
From week 12, Lisa applied jojoba oil to her belly and hips every day after her shower, while her skin was still slightly damp. On days when dryness bothered her, she applied another layer before bed.
Since it was something she did every single day, texture mattered, and that's what Lisa liked most about the jojoba oil. A little goes a long way, and it doesn't leave a sticky feel, so she can slip into her pajamas right away. Organic Golden Jojoba Oil is made from 100% organic jojoba seed oil grown in Israel's Negev Desert, with just one ingredient. Being able to see exactly what's inside at a glance is another reason she chose it.
Lisa also added scent. She pours a generous amount of jojoba oil into her palm and mixes in just 1–2 drops of Mandarin and Roman Chamomile essential oils. The bright, sweet citrus of mandarin and the soft scent of Roman chamomile helped settle her mind during a busy first pregnancy. With a little scent added to her daily oil, moisturizing became a moment to reset.
▶ Shop Organic Golden Jojoba Oil
② For Nights When You Want to Wind Down: Aromatherapy Roll-On Deep Sleep
Nighttime brought another change. Between her changing body and the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with a first pregnancy, her mind often stayed busy even at the end of the day.
On those nights, Lisa reached for the Deep Sleep roll-on. She keeps it on her nightstand and uses it every night. It blends warm, floral-woody Ho Wood with rich Patchouli and sweet Benzoin. She rolls it lightly onto her wrists or the back of her neck, takes a deep breath, and lets the soft scent help her feel calm.
Launched in April, AROMATICA's roll-ons blend essential oils with plant oils like sunflower seed oil and jojoba seed oil. Deep Sleep is a relaxing blend made to turn the end of your day into a calm moment of rest. Essential oils are usually diluted before they go on skin, but a roll-on is ready to use, with no measuring or diluting. Lisa especially loves that she can simply roll it onto her wrist and easily control how much she uses, even on busy days.
▶ Shop Aromatherapy Roll-On Deep Sleep
③ When You Need a Clean, Fresh Scent: Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil
On days when both her body and mind felt heavy, Lisa turned to eucalyptus for a refresh. In the shower, she adds a few drops to the shower floor and breathes in the scent as the steam rises. Before bed, she puts a drop on a handkerchief and keeps it near her pillow. Light, clear, and airy, Eucalyptus Radiata fills the bathroom and bedroom with a fresh feel.
④ Worried About Postpartum Shedding? Rosemary Scalp Scrub & Scalp Scaling Shampoo
It's common to notice more hair shedding than usual in the months after giving birth. That's why Lisa started caring for her scalp during pregnancy. Wanting to stay ahead of postpartum shedding, she has been using AROMATICA's Rosemary hair care line every day.
Her favorite is the Rosemary Scalp Scrub. Andes lake salt, sourced 3,700 meters (about 12,100 feet) above sea level, helps clear dead skin cells and buildup from the scalp, and the pointed tip makes it easy to apply along your part. "It feels so clean, and the rosemary scent is really relaxing," Lisa says.
For shampoo, she uses the Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo. Rosemary helps soften buildup so it rinses away easily, probiotics and caffeine help keep the scalp balanced, and biotin and panthenol nourish the roots. Lisa was especially careful about ingredients in products she uses in the shower every day, and one reason she chose this shampoo is that it's made without synthetic fragrance.
▶ Shop Rosemary Scalp Scrub
▶ Shop Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo
⑤ When Sweat and Odor Are on Your Mind: Bergamot & Petitgrain Deodorant
During pregnancy, it's easy to feel warmer than usual and sweat more. In the third trimester, the extra weight can make the heat even harder to handle. The deodorant Lisa uses every day is the Bergamot & Petitgrain Deodorant, another product she chose with ingredients in mind.
Its aluminum-free formula is gentle on skin, and Hinoki Cypress Oil helps reduce body odor for up to 24 hours. Niacinamide helps keep underarm skin looking clear and even. The clean, soft citrus scent, with fresh bergamot and green petitgrain, adds a subtle lift to your day.
▶ Shop Bergamot & Petitgrain Deodorant
Essential Oils During Pregnancy: When and How to Start
If you'd like to use essential oils for self-care like Lisa, there are a few things to know first. You don't have to avoid essential oils entirely during pregnancy, but it's important to do your research before using them. The same oil can call for different precautions depending on your stage of pregnancy, how you use it, and your own health.
The first trimester is a critical time for your baby's development, so essential oils call for extra caution. Applying undiluted essential oils directly to skin, in particular, requires care. Lisa avoided essential oils until around week 12, and even after that, she used them carefully based on how she felt. Every oil is different, so talk to your doctor or another health professional before trying a new one.
When applying to skin, dilute essential oils in a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a plant oil that gently delivers highly concentrated essential oils to the skin and helps reduce irritation, like the jojoba oil Lisa uses. Start small: about a quarter-sized amount of carrier oil with 1 drop of essential oil. The right amount can vary depending on the oil, where you apply it, and how often you use it. If you'd rather not apply oil to your skin, add a few drops of diluted oil to a handkerchief or tissue and keep it nearby. No carrier oil on hand? Add a drop of essential oil to a mug of warm water, close your eyes, and breathe slowly.
It also helps to keep Lisa's own rules in mind. She patch-tested every new oil on the inside of her arm first. Before trying a new oil, she looked it up and checked with her doctor. Even with an oil you know well, if the scent feels like too much on a given day, it's fine to use less or take a break. The best guide is whether your body feels comfortable with it right now.
▶ Read More: Can Essential Oils Be Used During Pregnancy? : Aromatherapy for Beginners Ep.02
Looking back on Lisa's day, self-care during pregnancy is simpler than you might think. A few minutes applying oil to her belly after a shower. A quick moment rolling scent onto her wrists and taking a deep breath. The time spent washing her hair with the scent of rosemary. That's all. But for Lisa, these small moments became a chance to calm her mind and pause.
Over nine months, your body changes a little every day, and your self-care can change with it. You don't have to do every step. Just choose the one thing you need most today. We hope this time of waiting for your baby can also be a time to take care of yourself.
This content is based on personal experience. Everyone responds differently during pregnancy, so please consult your doctor or a health professional before use.
