HealthPullsPlain guides to pregnancy, conditions A-Z and everyday health

Pregnancy Safe Skincare Routine & Skin Issues

Pregnancy Safe Skincare
Contents

Being pregnant is God’s blessing and nothing can be better than this. When you are pregnant, your whole body, its hormones, and skin changes. At this time, it is necessary to know about pregnancy safe skincare routine.

Most skin care products are not expected to harm a developing baby, but a few ingredients are best avoided or used sparingly. Knowing which ones helps you keep your glow without worry. When in doubt, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

How Does Skin Change During Pregnancy?

Skin changes are very common in pregnancy, and most are caused by hormones. Some women have few problems, and some notice a healthy "pregnancy glow."

The issues women usually face are:

  • Dark patches on the skin
  • Dry skin
  • Acne

Women who already have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea may find it gets better or worse during pregnancy.

Changes are not limited to the face. Stretch marks, spider veins, extra hair growth and acne on the body are also common.

Ingredients To Avoid In Pregnancy:

Here are skin care ingredients that are best avoided or limited during pregnancy. For ethical reasons, few have been tested directly in pregnant women, so advice is based on how much of each ingredient gets into the body, animal studies and case reports.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires cosmetics to be safe when used as labeled, but most cosmetics do not need FDA approval before they are sold.

So how do you know whether a product is safe to use in pregnancy? Checking the ingredient list against the guidance below is a good start.

Retinoids

Retinoids are forms of vitamin A, such as retinol, tretinoin and adapalene. They are popular for acne, fine lines and wrinkles because they speed up skin cell turnover and boost collagen.

Over-the-counter products contain lower levels of retinoids, while prescription drugs such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and isotretinoin (formerly sold as Accutane) are stronger. Only a little of a topical retinoid is absorbed, but there are case reports of birth defects. A review in Canadian Family Physician advises that women should not be encouraged to use topical retinoids during pregnancy.

Isotretinoin pills are far more dangerous. They carry a high risk of miscarriage and serious birth defects, and they must never be taken during pregnancy. In the U.S., anyone who can become pregnant must enroll in the iPLEDGE program, use two forms of birth control and have negative pregnancy tests to get the drug.

If you take isotretinoin and want to become pregnant, talk to your doctor first. Stop the medicine and wait at least one month before trying to conceive, as your doctor advises.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is used to treat acne and is related to aspirin. High-strength peels and oral forms should be avoided in pregnancy. Low-strength products used on the skin are absorbed in small amounts and are unlikely to pose a risk to the baby.

Hydroquinone

It is used to lighten the skin and reduce the pigmentation of the skin which occurs due to melasma and chloasma, which can be occurred in pregnancy.

It has not been shown to cause birth defects, but a large share (about 35% to 45%) is absorbed through the skin. For that reason, experts advise using it very sparingly, if at all, during pregnancy.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals found in some fragrances and personal care products. High exposure has been linked to reproductive and hormone effects in research. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a common example, so choosing fragrance-free products is a simple way to lower exposure.

Aluminum Chloride

This chemical is found in antiperspirants. Despite online claims, the National Cancer Institute says there is no clear evidence that aluminum-containing antiperspirants raise breast cancer risk. Using a regular antiperspirant during pregnancy is not considered a concern.

Grapeseed Oil

It is present in face serums and body oils. Grapeseed oil applied to the skin is not considered a concern during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid grapeseed extract supplements unless your doctor approves them.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is rarely used as a preservative in beauty products, though it can be found in some hair-smoothing treatments. It is a known irritant and is best avoided during pregnancy.

But there are formaldehyde-releasing chemicals commonly found in cosmetics that also have some side effects as formaldehyde.

  • bronopol
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • hydroxymethyl glycinate
  • imidazolidinyl urea
  • quaternium-15
  • 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone and some other chemical sunscreen filters (such as avobenzone and octisalate) are absorbed in small amounts, and some researchers have raised concerns about hormone effects. The review cited above found very limited absorption and no expected risk to the baby. If you prefer to be cautious, mineral sunscreens are a simple alternative. Using some sunscreen is far better than none.

Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Ingredients:

There are many other ingredients that you can use during pregnancy. For example, for acne and pigmentation, you can use glycolic acid in replacement of retinoid. But avoid the excessive quantity of it. It is also found in beauty products. Azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide are also widely considered safe options for acne in pregnancy, and azelaic acid can help with pigmentation.

For anti-aging and wrinkles, topical vitamin C is a popular pregnancy-safe option.

Other pregnancy safe skincare antioxidants products include:

For dry skin, moisturizers with ingredients such as cocoa butter, peptides and hyaluronic acid can help, and moisturizing can ease itchy, stretching skin. No cream has been proven to prevent stretch marks.

For Sun Protection, Mineral-based sunscreen ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And don’t forget that wide-brimmed hat to add some fashionable shade.

Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Brands

Here are some brands that market pregnancy-friendly products. Always check the ingredient list yourself.

  • Belli Skincare
  • Earth Mama® Organics
  • Erbavia Organic Skincare
  • The Spoiled Mama
  • BeautyCounter

Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Routine

  • Wash your face with lukewarm water
  • do cleansing
  • apply toner
  • apply mask
  • use sunscreen
  • use a moisturizer to your face and stretch marks area
  • plenty of water
  • apply the serum before moisturizer at night

HP Thoughts: Pregnant women have to ensure that their health is excellent, from within and from without! However, there are instances that health inconveniences come their way, like itchy eyes or watery eyes, and provide discomfort. These ailments should be treated immediately before it gets worse. One example of this is blocked vision: Scintillating Scotoma.

Conclusion

Some chemicals in skin care products are absorbed through the skin, though for most ingredients the amount is very small. Avoid retinoids and isotretinoin, and use hydroquinone sparingly if at all.

For most other products, normal use is not expected to harm your baby. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new prescription or treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Sources

More in Home Beauty Tips