During pregnancy, you have to be extra careful with what you eat as well as what you put on your skin. There are various chemicals in the cosmetics that you use every day on your skin that normally are not harmful.
However, they can be pretty dangerous when you are pregnant. Some of the chemicals contained in these skin care products are toxic and can lead to complications in your pregnancy.
Skin Care During Pregnancy
A few cosmetics, skincare, and personal products have compounds that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Some of their ingredients may be harmful to an unborn child.
Other skincare ingredients have been linked to possible dangers, but more research is needed to determine whether they are dangerous.
Some expectant mothers opt to avoid products containing these ingredients. On the other hand, others may choose to use them after consulting with their doctor. Particularly if they have a serious skin disease or another medical condition that would benefit from using the product.
Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
Unborn children are thought to be harmed by these chemicals.
1. Isotretinoin, retinol, and other retinoids
Isotretinoin, tretinoin, adapalene, and tazarotene, which are used to treat acne and have been linked to serious birth defects, are completely off-limits until you deliver and wean. To be safe, avoid retinol serums and other anti-ageing products that include retinol over-the-counter.
2. Salicylic Acid in high doses
Avoid using anti-inflammatory medicines or peels that contain a lot of salicylic acids (a type of beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA), as these can be detrimental to your baby.
Salicylic acid is present in cleansers, body washes, serums, lotions, and acne spot treatments, among other over-the-counter skin care products.
OTC salicylic acid drugs typically include modest quantities of salicylic acid that are considered safe for pregnant women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). However, you should always consult your doctor before using any product.
3. Hydroquinone
Anti-dark-spot and anti-hyperpigmentation creams contain this skin-lightening component. Because of the high rate of absorption via the skin, many specialists advise against taking hydroquinone during pregnancy.
4. Tazorac and Accutane
Both are vitamin A molecules but are only available through prescription. The FDA has classified both as dangerous since they have been linked to birth defects and pregnant women should avoid them. Although you’re unlikely to come across either of these substances while pregnant, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
5. Benzoyl peroxide
This ingredient is found in several over-the-counter acne remedies. Although there is some debate on the safety of benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy, many experts, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), agree that lower doses are probably safe.
6. Botox and fillers
This wrinkle remover is also a category C chemical, meaning we don’t know enough about its safety during pregnancy. Botox is sometimes given for medical disorders such as incontinence, overactive bladder, and chronic headaches, and you and your doctor may determine that the benefits exceed the risks.
Many specialists, however, advise against using Botox or other cosmetic fillers during pregnancy.
7. Chemical Sunscreens
Sunscreens may contain hormone disruptors like oxybenzone or avobenzone, which could interfere with your baby’s nervous system development. If you need to protect yourself from the sun, opt for physical or natural sun protection rather than chemical sunscreens.
8. Dihydroxyacetone
Many spray self-tanners include the ingredient dihydroxyacetone. The chemical reacts with your body’s dead skin layers, making it a safer alternative to solar tanning.
Although it is not absorbed by the body, it can be inhaled during the application, which is harmful to both you and your baby.
Pregnancy Safe Products
Just because some of your favourite products are temporarily off-limits, your skin doesn’t have to suffer. There are pregnancy-safe products or alternatives that are both safe for your infant and effective during your pregnancy.
1. Anti-ageing
Physical exfoliants like salt or sugar, as well as light chemical exfoliants like lactic or glycolic acid, can aid in the removal of dead, dull skin cells. Vitamin C is also considered safe because it promotes the development of the skin-plumping protein collagen and aids in the lightening of hyperpigmentation.
Some of the anti-ageing moisturisers are especially dangerous to use during pregnancy. Though these can help you reduce wrinkles and smooth fine lines, they contain harmful chemicals like retinoids, which can be harmful to the growing fetus.
Excessive vitamin A taken either orally or applied to the skin can cause birth defects in the unborn baby. Some creams, especially those used to treat acne, contain salicylic acid, which can cause various complications during pregnancy.
Some of the other cosmetic products like exfoliants may also contain salicylic acid in the form of beta hydroxy acid.
If you have used a product that contains one of the potentially harmful ingredients noted above, keep calm and stop using it. Consult your doctor for safer skincare alternatives.
2. Anti-acne
According to ACOG, topical azelaic acid or glycolic acid acne treatments are safe. Oral erythromycin or cephalexin, as well as topical erythromycin or clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide, may be used to treat severe acne.
3. Moisturiser
Do you have a problem with dry skin? Your skin will keep hydrated if you use a mild, soap-free cleanser. To help lock in moisture, look for gentle lotions and creams that contain hyaluronic acid or coconut oil.
4. Sun protection
Sunscreens protect your skin from the sun in two ways: some formulas use chemical ingredients (such as oxybenzone, ensulizole, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, and avobenzone) that absorb UV rays and convert them to energy, while others use physical ingredients (such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) that physically deflect rays before they reach your skin.
Because physical blockers are hypoallergenic and do not permeate into the skin, whereas chemical sunscreens do, some expectant mothers choose to use physical sunscreens when they are pregnant. Both are, nevertheless, deemed safe to take while pregnant.
Most essential, look for broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB radiation and have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater.
Beauty Masks: Are They Safe To Use While Pregnant?
Photo by Anna Tarazevich
Face masks are safe to use while pregnant if certain ingredients are avoided. You may also visit your OB/GYN to determine skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy. This may include salicylic acid which is found in certain exfoliating face masks and acne treatment masks.
- Clay masks exfoliate and cleanse the face well. They also offer other benefits, such as removing sunburn and reducing acne. They are poor at hydrating or replacing nutrients, though.
- On the other hand, cream masks are designed to make your skin bright and hydrated while offering many of the same advantages as sheet masks. However, they are undoubtedly more expensive and take longer to apply, which can be difficult when you have a lot of duties as a mother.
- Face sheet masks, on the other hand, are thin sheets with eye, nose, and mouth holes. They are frequently infused with a combination of hydrating and medicinal ingredients and are easy to apply.
How to choose the face mask for you
Sheet masks are a terrific and effective alternative for refreshing your skin.
Our skin type is mostly defined by our genes. However, environmental factors and lifestyles can influence our skin conditions. As a consequence, select things that are appropriate for your skin type or problem regions.
Second, the skin of your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body. As a result, you should exercise caution and ensure that any items you use on your face have undergone dermatological testing and approval. This also guards against allergies!
ALSO READ:
5 Common Skin Problems During Pregnancy and How to Fix Them
The Benefits of Getting a Prenatal Massage
Stretch Marks During Pregnancy: What Causes Them and How to Minimise Their Appearance
Home Remedies for Skin Problems During Pregnancy
Here are some common pregnant skin problems and their natural solutions.
Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels
1. Itching
As blood flow to the skin rises during pregnancy, itching is common, especially on the belly. Experts recommend that using an over-the-counter product is not advisable for skin care during pregnancy, because it contains chemicals.
Instead, use organic skin care for pregnancy like aloe vera gel and coconut oil to keep your skin nourished during your entire pregnancy.
For temporary relief, apply calamine lotion or something cool to the affected areas, such as cucumber slices.
2. Stretchmarks
Many pregnant women develop stretch marks on their abdomen and breasts during their pregnancy. Stretch marks, on the other hand, can reduce with proper skin care throughout pregnancy.
You can use coconut oil to hydrate, remove make-up, and even diminish stretch marks if applied regularly.
Keep in mind that topical creams you can use on high-risk areas like your stomach during your pregnancy. To achieve the best benefits, start using an efficient natural moisturiser early in your pregnancy, such as aloe vera gel.
3. Dry Skin
Not every pregnant woman has that glowing complexion. Many women have dry skin, hair loss, chapped lips, and cracked heels during pregnancy, especially in the winter. Fortunately, you already have numerous effective dry skin cures in your home.
Milk cream, coconut oil, and wheat germ oil can help your dry skin and cracked skin during pregnancy. It is one of the natural skin care during pregnancy that you can try.
In addition, it helps to avoid your nipples from drying out, apply wheat germ oil, which is high in vitamins and fatty acids.
4. Pigmentation
Chloasma is a condition in which some women develop pigmentation on their cheeks, forehead, neck, and even armpits as a result of hormonal changes in their bodies.
To reduce the roughness, apply lemon juice mixed with cucumber juice to the affected areas several times a day. A honey oat mask followed by a turmeric and raw milk face pack might also help to reduce the spots.
Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to treat acne-prone skin. Turmeric mixed with curd can be used to lighten stretch marks in addition to ensuring clear skin.
Pregnant women should be extra careful when it comes to skincare. There are various chemicals in cosmetics and skin care products that can be harmful to an unborn child.
Isotretinoin, retinol, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, tazorac, accutane, benzoyl peroxide, and botox are some of the ingredients pregnant moms should avoid.
Don’t worry because there are pregnancy-safe products available that are both safe for your infant and effective.
This article was written by Margaux Dolores and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
