Maintaining beauty is significant, and if you prioritized self-care before pregnancy, there’s no reason to halt those efforts just because you’re expecting. However, determining how to care for your body and skin during pregnancy can pose a challenge. With concerns ranging from morning sickness and cravings to general discomfort, the last thing you need is to worry about beauty products potentially harming your unborn child. We empathize with your apprehensions. Continue reading to discover which ingredients are safe and unsafe during pregnancy as we guide your beauty routine to ensure you look and feel as good, if not better, than before pregnancy.
During pregnancy, your hormones change. Your body uses fat for energy and grows new muscle. Your facial hair grows and sometimes disappears. Your skin looks flushed and moist. Your voice changes slightly as well. While all these changes are perfectly normal, some people have more difficulty accepting or liking them. These hormone changes can make some people feel less like themselves while others fight to get rid of them.
What Ingredients to Avoid
Cosmetics include a variety of chemical compounds that may be carcinogens or endocrine disruptors (1). Several ingredients in cosmetic products are harmful to pregnant women or newborn babies. Some of these chemicals are found in high concentrations in some products and may be present at levels undetected by consumers (2). For this reason, pregnant women and new moms need to be aware of the potential hazards presented by cosmetic products. Look at some ingredients you must avoid during this time (3)(4).
1. Sunscreens
Examine your sunscreen labels and carefully examine oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, menthyl anthranilate, and octocrylene.
2. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is found in hair treatment products, nail polishes, body wash, color cosmetics, and eyelash glue.
3. Retinoids
Primarily found in anti-aging products and used to treat acne, psoriasis, skin aging, and cancers.
4. Toluene
Toluene, a chemical used in nail polish and hair colors, is also referred to as benzene, methylbenzene, phenylmethane, and toluol.
5. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is widely used to treat acne, dandruff, seborrhea, and psoriasis. Salicylic Acid can be used topically to remove corns, calluses, and warts. Oral usage of Salicylic Acid should be strictly avoided during this time. Although toners and washes with less than 2% salicylic acid are typically considered harmless (5), be extra careful to prevent their usage throughout pregnancy.
Also Read – Hair Loss After Pregnancy – Causes and Prevention
6. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, a chemical used to treat skin conditions related to hyperpigmentation, is mainly found in skin lighteners, facial products, and nail coating products.
7. Phthalates
Phthalates, also referred to as DEP, DBP, and DEHP (6), are commonly found in nail polishes, synthetic fragrances, and fragranced personal care products.
8. Dihydroxyacetone(DHA)
DHA, known as glycerone, is primarily used as a color additive in tanning products.
9. Parabens
Parabens are widely used as preservatives in many cosmetic products. Ensure your cosmetics don’t contain isobutyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or methyl parabens.
While there is currently not enough evidence to support the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy, basic facials without the use of harsh chemicals are considered safe. However, it’s best to stay away from cosmetic procedures such as skin peels, botox, fillers, and laser treatments. It is crucial to assess the potential risks before engaging in any cosmetic procedures. Always consult your health care professional before engaging in any cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic Treatments During Pregnancy – What to Use Instead
1. Stay Sun Safe
Sun protection is important year-round, not just in summer. If you are pregnant or nursing, stick to protective clothing and sunscreens. It is essential to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Pregnant women need a product that gives them the best chance at avoiding skin cancer and its many early complications.
For this reason, the FDA recommends that women avoid using sunscreens containing oxybenzone, oxybenzone, or tanning materials until at least 20 weeks into their pregnancy. Instead, always use non-chemical-based sunscreens that do not penetrate the skin deeply. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium oxide are ideal for this purpose since they protect against harmful UV radiation without entering the skin.
2. Advice Your Hair Stylist
There is no proof that hair colors are harmful to pregnant women. However, it is still advised not to apply them straight to your scalp. Even if you haven’t informed anybody, always tell your stylist you’re pregnant. That way, she will be able to choose products that are free of any harsh chemicals.
If you are pregnant, it is important to consider alternatives to hair dyes and colorants that contain ammonia. This is because the chemicals can potentially trigger severe allergies. Instead, look for natural options such as natural hair masks that will be safe for you and your baby and leave your hair looking beautiful.
3. Safe Acne Care
Severe hormonal changes cause pregnancy pimples. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that you speak with your doctor before using over-the-counter acne treatments.
There are several safer options for acne care, and glycolic Acid is one of the most effective. However, Glycolic Acid in significant amounts is not advised during pregnancy. Glycolic Acid and azelaic Acid can also aid with fine line reduction, skin brightening, and hyperpigmentation issues.
4. Goodbye, Stretch Marks
If you’re pregnant, you’ll likely experience some form of stretch mark formation. Your body will notice an increase in the size and density of your body tissues as you grow. This increase in body mass will lead to some pretty obvious changes in your skin. As you can imagine, this can become quite a bothersome and time-consuming process, especially if left untreated. Moisturizers are great at soothing and improving the appearance of these hard-to-reach areas on your body.
To keep skin looking great during pregnancy, it is best to use natural oils that are safe to apply daily. For example, using argan oil, rosehip oil, or coconut oil will keep your skin moisturized while decreasing the appearance of stretch marks.
5. Anti-Aging Done Right
Retinol is well-known as one of the most common ingredients in anti-aging treatments, particularly anti-wrinkle creams. However, scientists have discovered that this chemical is linked to severe birth abnormalities.
Fortunately, there are plenty of topical antioxidants out there. Always go for products containing vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and Vitamin B3, as these support collagen growth. Applying antioxidant-rich products will significantly improve the quality of your skin.
6. Non-Toxic Makeup
When buying cosmetics, we often ignore the label’s information. However, before purchasing cosmetics during pregnancy, it’s advised to look for phrases such as ‘BPA free,’ ‘fragrance-free,’ ‘no DEA,’ ‘paraben-free,’ and ‘no phthalates.’
Instead of conventional cosmetics, try organic products. Organic products are considered better for the environment and are thought to be better for your health.
Remember that your skin tone may vary throughout pregnancy, so you may need to choose a shade darker or lighter.
7. Beautiful Nails Without The Damage
Some chemicals used in nail polishes are harmful to the body. If they enter the skin of pregnant women while being applied to their nails, the health of their babies might be affected.
It is recommended to use phthalate-free nail polishes. Examine the labels of nail polish and look for products that are water-based and non-toxic. You may also select a well-ventilated area for polishing your nails, which speeds up the drying process and dramatically reduces exposure to such hazardous chemicals.
8. Consider going all-natural
Nothing beats natural ingredients, and using natural skincare throughout pregnancy is the best option since you can significantly reduce the number of chemicals your skin is exposed to. In addition, homemade skincare recipes take the guesswork out of determining what works best for you. Making your products allows you to focus more on the products you’re using instead of figuring out which ones are good. Everything from body butter to exfoliants to all-natural face masks is endless, with recipes to care for your skin.
Summary:
Pregnant women are at higher risk for skin problems and infections, so it’s important to know which products can harm them or their developing baby. Too often, we choose skincare products based on the claims made by companies, instead of testing them. Most cosmetic and personal care products contain harmful chemicals such as retinoids, phthalates, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), parabens, etc. For this reason, it’s important to look at the ingredients in products before using them. For those who are brave and ready to eliminate harmful ingredients from their skincare routine, using products containing organic and natural ingredients is a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it OK to use beauty products while pregnant?
Always opt for organic beauty products to minimize the exposure of harsh chemicals to your skin.
Is the laser safe when pregnant?
It is advised to avoid laser procedures during pregnancy, as no studies have been conducted to prove their safety for mothers and babies.
How can I remove hair during pregnancy?
Threading, tweezing, shaving, and waxing are safe hair removal methods during pregnancy.
Can I use Vitamin C serum while breastfeeding?
Yes, you can. It’s an excellent antioxidant used as a treatment for dry skin, fine lines, and wrinkle formation.
References:
- “Changes in Cosmetics Use during Pregnancy and Risk Perception by Women” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Maternal cosmetics use during pregnancy and risks of adverse outcomes” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Cosmetic ingredients to avoid during pregnancy” – parents.com
- “Skincare Ingredients to avoid in pregnancy” – healthline.com
- “Is Salicylic Acid safe to use during pregnancy?” -medicalnewstoday.com
- “Effects of early exposure to phthalates and bisphenols on cardiometabolic outcomes in pregnancy and childhood” – sciencedirect.com
