Congratulations, you are pregnant! The next nine months of your life are going to be life-changing! You will go through many changes, and skincare is here to help you relax and feel pretty while your body is changing. However, are they skincare products to avoid when pregnant?
Here is everything you need to know to keep you and your baby safe!
What are the skincare products to avoid when pregnant?
Many skincare ingredients are perfectly safe, but they become dangerous for your unborn child. Some of those ingredients should be avoided even when not pregnant because they are linked with cancer development.
To learn more, check our article about skincare and cancer.
Here are the skincare products to avoid when pregnant.
- Retinol
Look for Retin-A, retinol, or retinyl palmitate in the ingredient list.
This skincare ingredient is a vitamin A derivative and is believed to cause birth defects if used when pregnant. This molecule is available over the counter, so ensure your skin care products do not contain it.
- Accutane and Tazorac
Those ingredients are also vitamin A derivatives but in higher concentrations. They are found in prescription medicine only. You are most likely not to be prescripted medication containing those ingredients while pregnant, but make sure not to use any past prescription medicines that may contain those ingredients, as they are unsafe for your unborn child.
- Essential oils
This one is tricky. While all essential oils are not dangerous for pregnant women, those products are not well regulated, so we cannot know about the variety and concentration in the products we buy. Some are known to be dangerous when pregnant, so it is better to avoid them overall or ask your medical practitioner what essential oil you can use when pregnant.
As a general rule, keep in mind that natural does not mean safe to use during pregnancy. There are many toxic plants out there.
- Hydroquinone
This skincare ingredient is a skin lightener. Many women are tempted to use this kind of product during pregnancy as melasma (skin pigmentation) is a common problem during those nine months. Just don’t! This ingredient is known for entering the bloodstream in large amounts, which is unsafe for your unborn baby.
- Aluminum chloride
You most likely know the name of this skincare ingredient as there is a debate about its safety. This ingredient is primarily used in deodorants. As a general rule, aluminum chloride is safe to use in low concentrations, but pregnant women should avoid skincare products containing it in high concentrations.
- Formaldehyde
This ingredient is mainly found in nail polish and some hair products. Pregnant women should avoid it because it brings a risk of miscarriage. Only use nail polishes labeled « 3-free » or « 5-free » during pregnancy. If you go to a nail or hair salon, ensure they do not use any product containing formaldehyde.
- EDCs
During pregnancy, avoid endocrine disruptor chemicals, also known as EDCs. The most common ones are oxybenzone and avobenzone, typically found in sunscreens. They can mess with your baby’s nervous system development.
EDC should be avoided overall, as they are suspected to cause hormonal cancers.
- Tetracycline
Look for tetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline in the ingredient list.
This antibiotic is used in many skincare products to treat various skin conditions. However, they have nasty effects on pregnant women and unborn babies.
- Dihydroxyacetone
This chemical is mainly used in self-tanners. It creates a chemical reaction with the outer layer of the skin. Even if safe tanners are safer than sun tanning, this chemical can be inhaled when applied and is harmful to pregnant women and unborn babies.
It is crucial to ask your doctor about the products you usually use, as some may be unsafe for pregnant women. Your medical practitioner will tell you what skincare products to avoid when pregnant to keep you and your baby safe!
Source: https://www.womenscare.com/cosmetic-and-beauty-ingredients-to-avoid-while-pregnant/
