There comes a time in a woman's life when all her friends start having babies. For the sake of argument, let's call this time 30, and let's say that while we are very happy for said friends, we are also a mite weary of the assumption that we suddenly give two hoots about how hard it is to find decent childcare/maternity clothes/three-wheeler prams. Pregnant skin, however, I can do.

Stretchmarks, itchy skin (due to tightening) and varicose veins (the body compensating for the extra blood flow) tend to be the most obvious skin concerns for newly pregnant women, all of which are a wee bit medical for me. But having had three pregnant friends confide that their skin has suddenly gone "haywire" - (one dry and flaky, two excessively oily and acned), I thought I'd call pregnancy skin care expert Zita West.

"Use creams that include extracts of borage, rose and calendula to soothe the itching and nourish the dryness, and drink plenty of water," is West's advice for those with dry, flaky skin. "And if your skin becomes too oily, use an oil-free cleanser," she adds. "It's also a good idea to use fragrance-free products to avoid nausea. Cleanse your face regularly, but don't overdo it, as this will cause your skin to become dry. Stay away from any acne medicated astringents; they might contain acne medicine that may not be recommended for pregnant women."

If oily skin is giving you acne, diluted tea-tree oil or lavender (both are antiseptic) may help to reduce inflammation, but if there is no improvement after a couple of treatments, "it's best to stop", says West. Either sit it out (it tends to clear up later in pregnancy) or see your GP.

So what are her top tips? "The condition of your skin represents your state of health. Eating well helps to prevent skin problems - avoid sugary foods, junk food and caffeine, and remember, alcohol is an absolute no-no during pregnancy. Drink plenty of water to ensure your skin is properly hydrated and also to flush out toxins."