Katrina Kaif has found herself under increased public scrutiny over her appearance since becoming a mother. The actress, who welcomed her son Vihaan with husband Vicky Kaushal, has faced online commentary around her post-pregnancy appearance, adding to the familiar scrutiny that women in the public eye often encounter after childbirth.While Katrina has not directly addressed the trolling or body-shaming, she has opened up about the physical changes she experienced during and after pregnancy. In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actress revealed that motherhood had a noticeable impact on her skin and prompted her to reassess her approach to beauty and skincare.
Katrina Kaif reveals how pregnancy changed her skin
“Post-pregnancy, my skin became even more sensitive, so it was a really tricky time because I had to understand what products were working for me,” Katrina said.The actress explained that she began gravitating towards products that felt “soothing, calming and restorative” and became more conscious of hydration and supporting her skin barrier.For Katrina, the experience also reinforced the importance of responding to what her skin needs at a particular point rather than following a rigid routine.“I’ve learnt to be adaptable and responsive to what my skin needs at a particular phase or time,” she said, pointing to stress, inflammation and environmental factors as some of the elements that can affect sensitive skin.
Katrina Kaif’s post-pregnancy appearance becomes a subject of online scrutiny
Katrina’s comments come amid online discussions about her appearance following pregnancy. Like several actresses who have gone through motherhood in the public eye, she has faced commentary about physical changes, with some of the discourse turning into body-shaming.The actress has largely stayed away from publicly engaging with such criticism. However, celebrities including Khushbu Sundar, Shivaleeka Oberoi and Hrithik Roshan have spoken up in her support amid the scrutiny.Rather than responding to individual comments, Katrina has used the conversation around beauty to explain how her own perspective has changed over the years.
‘There were a lot of stereotypes about what the beauty standards were’
Reflecting on the early years of her modelling and acting career, Katrina acknowledged that she entered an industry where appearance often came with a set of expectations.“When I started out early through my modelling and acting career, there were a lot of stereotypes about what the beauty standards were,” she said.Her understanding of what it means to “look good”, however, has evolved.“Now for me, looking my best is really about feeling my best, and that comes from taking care of myself as a whole,” Katrina said.She linked that feeling to factors beyond skincare, including maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, meditation, getting natural light in the morning and making time to disconnect from her phone.
Katrina Kaif says her skincare routine has become more considered
The actress also revealed that her skincare routine has become more deliberate with experience.“I think my routine has actually become more considered over the years,” she said.Rather than adhering to the same routine every day, Katrina said she adjusts her approach depending on how her skin is behaving. She pointed to stress, travel, long shooting schedules and harsh lights as factors that can contribute to skin flare-ups.Sunscreen, she added, has become a non-negotiable for her, something she admits she was more relaxed about earlier in her career.
Katrina Kaif moves away from ‘overnight’ beauty promises
The actress also spoke against the expectation that skincare should produce dramatic results overnight. While she said she enjoys sheet masks and lighter, essence-like serums, she prefers a more consistent and gentle approach overall.“If there’s one thing I’d like to see less of, it’s the idea that skincare needs to deliver an overnight dramatic transformation,” Katrina said. “I think gentle formulas and consistency are far more beneficial in the long term.”Her own three skincare essentials have now been distilled into a simple philosophy – “Cleansing, repair and protection.”
