Pregnant Jesinta Franklin embraces weight gain and stretch marks
Olay ambassador and newly announced mum-to-be Jesinta Franklin reveals how she’s coping with the changes brought on by pregnancy and the beauty secrets she’s swearing by this spring.
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She’s a celebrated model, television personality, author, app founder and wife, but soon Jesinta Franklin will add yet another title to her impressive list of accolades: mum. And it’s a role she cannot wait to start.
Announcing last week that she’s expecting her first child with AFL star husband Buddy Franklin, Jesinta confessed it’s been a physically and emotionally challenging journey but a moment the couple, who married in 2016, have dreamt of for over two years.
body+soul caught up with Jesinta in the first few weeks of her pregnancy to chat about how her lifestyle has changed, her priorities have shifted and how she’s embracing everything this exciting time is throwing her way.
From fluctuating hormones to her changing figure, Jesinta is ready for it all.
“Everything is expanding at the moment! I’m embracing the weight gain, stretch marks and cellulite,” she says.
“It’s all a part of the journey and I’m just thankful I get to carry this little life inside of me.”
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Known for her hardcore commitment to staying in shape with brutal HIIT and boxing workouts, the mum-to-be confesses that her focus has now shifted from pushing her body to listening to it — and coping with the accompanying all-day nausea as best she can.
“My only priority has been to get lots of rest. I’m sleeping in a lot more which has been a nice change. I’ve never been one to lounge around the house but I’ve had no choice but to slow down — I’ve learnt to listen to my body,” she says.
“I’ve spent months feeling awful so I’m looking forward to getting back to my daily walks and going to the gym.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is Jesinta’s dedication to taking care of her skin — even if it has meant switching up her routine a little, especially heading into warmer weather.
“I’ve always been diligent with my skincare and I’ve been really lucky and haven’t had any hormonal breakouts,” she says.
“I have noticed how the texture of my skin has changed, though, and how dry it has been, so I’m having to change up the products I’m using.”
A big fan of body therapies with skin-boosting benefits, Jesinta reveals that treatments remain a key part of her routine.
“I had my first massage last week which was bliss and I’ve been keeping up my weekly acupuncture sessions.”
So, with spring well and truly here, who better to divulge the secrets of gorgeous skin than Jesinta? Over the next two pages her exclusive beauty masterclass will help guarantee you look and feel your best all season.
“The trick to any good skincare regimen is to actually stick to it no matter the season,” she says.
“When it comes to beautiful skin, consistency really is key.”
Here are the processes and products this bona fide beauty guru swears by...
JESINTA’S 3-STEP SPRING SKIN MASTERCLASS
STEP 1: DETOX YOUR SYSTEM
Prep and prime your body and mind
Cut out sugar
Sugar breaks down collagen, resulting in poor skin elasticity. Try to replace sugary cravings with a collagen supplement to reduce sweet-induced inflammation and increase skin plumpness.
Edible Beauty Native Collagen Powder ($37, ediblebeauty australia.com)
Get your lymphatic system moving
Not only does your lymphatic system assist with your body’s natural detoxification processes, it also increases blood circulation, which means more nourishment to your skin cells and a natural radiance boost.
Swift, upward strokes towards your heart daily will make a big difference to the look and feel of your skin.
“I use a body brush from Venustus and I put some essential oils on the bristles before brushing, the scent infuses into your skin and your senses,” Jesinta says.
Stass & Co The Body Brush ($53, venustus.com.au)
Soak in salt
A hot soak in Epsom salts works to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles while relieving stress.
It’s also a cheap and effective way to draw toxins from your skin and work up a sweat at home.
Choose a pH-neutral and alkaline-free salt blend to prevent your skin from drying out.
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Detoxify & Energize ($17.99, drteals.com.au)
STEP 2: BLITZ YOUR BODY
Follow these tricks to nourish and tone
Embrace oils
Taking time to properly massage your skin with oil can promote the growth of new mitochondria (the energy producers in your cells responsible for skin function).
Work from your feet upwards in long, slow strokes, pressing on your lymph nodes as you go.
“I always keep some oil or moisturiser next to my bed and apply before I go sleep to keep my skin hydrated and glowing,” says Jesinta.
Try Mukti Organics Bioactive Bath & Body Elixir ($154.95, muktiorganics.com)
This potion is already the creme de la creme of body oils, and when applied with a firm massage, it gives similar results to an in-salon experience.
Suck it up
Used in combination with a body oil, suction cups promote circulation, boost drainage and can improve the appearance of dimples and cellulite. Use around your hips, bum and thighs working in long strokes from the knees upwards to help contour, firm and tone.
Legology Circu-Lite Squeeze Therapy for Legs ($26.02, revolveclothing.com.au)
Glisten and gleam
Hydrated, gleaming limbs are the best way to camouflage dry spots, pigmentation and signs of ageing.
Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Balm ($44.95, adorebeauty.com.au) is a nourishing formula that’s easy to apply and feeds skin with nutritious ingredients like coconut oil and cupuacu butter.
“This is the only product I wear on my body for red carpet appearances,” reveals Jesinta.
“I apply it down my shins and over my collarbones. It seems to pick up the pigment in my skin — people always ask if I’ve been on holiday.”
STEP 3: PERFECT YOUR PROFILE
Treat your face with these treatments and tools
Pay attention to pigmentation
Correcting patchy pigmentation can transform the overall look of your skin. Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum ($127, sephora.com.au) does all the hard work while you sleep as a blend of mandelic, lactic and salicylic acids work to tone, refresh and decongest your complexion.
Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment ($52.99, priceline.com.au) is another affordable and effective pigmentation reducer which Jesinta uses daily.
Make time for a mask
“Once or twice a week I love to use a sheet mask as a self-care ritual,” says Jesinta.
Olay Skinfusion Deep Sea Algae Healthy Aura Sheet Mask ($9.99, priceline.com.au) is a new product combining science with natural ingredients, including deep-sea algae sourced from the volcanic waters off Hokkaido, Japan, to brighten and restore radiance to winter-ravaged skin.
Apply for 20 minutes to allow the blend of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to properly penetrate.
Turn to technology
Smart, sophisticated and affordable tools are transforming the skincare landscape. Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light++ (around $440, sephora.com.au) combines NASA-inspired LED chromotherapy and low-frequency stimulation to boost circulation and help with product absorption.
But that’s not all — the V-Sculpt technology is also ideal for any winter-induced facial bloat, working to lift and contour by reducing fluid retention for a more sculpted face shape.