Safe skincare options during pregnancy: suitable products and tips for expecting mothers
Expecting mothers face a unique challenge when it comes to skincare. With hormonal changes and the growth of a new life, it's essential to choose products that are safe for both mother and baby. Here's a breakdown of the recommended and avoided skincare ingredients during pregnancy.
Recommended Ingredients
- Niacinamide: Known for its ability to help with acne, dullness, and skin barrier repair, niacinamide is considered safe during pregnancy.
- Vitamin C: This ingredient can brighten skin and help fade hyperpigmentation when used in pregnancy-safe formulas.
- Squalane and vitamin C oils: These offer hydration and antioxidant benefits, making them suitable for use during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy-safe skincare kits: Products like the Dang! Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Set and Mama Glow Set, certified MADE SAFE®, are formulated to address pregnancy-related skin changes safely.
- Certain essential oils: Lavender and chamomile may be used cautiously for relaxation benefits.
Ingredients to Avoid
- Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene): These are linked to miscarriages, premature births, and birth defects and should be avoided during pregnancy.
- High-dose Salicylic acid: While it may help with acne, the potential risks to the unborn baby make it advisable to consult a physician before using.
- Hydroquinone: This ingredient has high systemic absorption with uncertain but potentially harmful effects, making it best to avoid during pregnancy.
- Benzoyl peroxide: Although controversial, it's generally advised to avoid unless prescribed and at low concentration (<5%).
- Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene): These may be endocrine disruptors and should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Certain essential oils: Some essential oils can induce uterine contractions, so it's best to avoid unless known safe ones like lavender or chamomile are used.
- Parabens, benzene derivatives, and aldehydes: These may cause skin irritation and hormonal imbalances, making them best to avoid during pregnancy.
Potential Skin Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnant individuals may experience various skin changes such as stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, acne, linea nigra, spider veins, and varicose veins. It's essential to manage these changes with safe skincare practices.
Managing Acne During Pregnancy
- Wash the face twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Shampoo oily hair every day if it is straight.
- Keep the hair off the face.
- Avoid picking or squeezing pimples.
- Use oil-free cosmetics.
Sunscreen and Mineral-Based Sunscreens
Mineral-based sunscreens, which sit on the skin's surface and deflect harmful UV rays, are typically safer for pregnant people.
Consulting Healthcare Professionals
When in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your skincare routine during pregnancy. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends speaking with a healthcare professional before applying products to stretch marks. The Environmental Working Group's database also offers safety ratings for over 87,000 hygiene products.
By following these guidelines, pregnant individuals can ensure they are using safe, gentle, and non-toxic skincare products that support their skin health without posing risks to mother or baby.
- Despite the recommended use of certain essential oils like lavender and chamomile for relaxation, it's important to note that other essential oils can induce uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Among the ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, retinoids such as retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene have been linked to miscarriages, premature births, and birth defects.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, some pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer may produce skincare products, but it's essential to remember that certain ingredients, such as retinol, can pose risks to the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy.
