It's not easy to give up a cosmetic skincare routine, but we know that every mother-to-be will do anything to protect her little one. This includes avoiding products that can be harmful during pregnancy, but what are they?
But not everything will be bad. Fortunately, there are other skin care cosmetics that are safe during pregnancy. It is recommended to speak with an OB/GYN or dermatologist for further guidance.
Skin changes during pregnancy
Pregnancy-related skin changes happen to many people. Hormones may be to blame, or it may as well be attributed to another of those normal quirks that come with the mom-to-be job. While some lucky women experience nine months of sheer complexion perfection, others experience at least one less favorable new or worsening skin problem at some point.
The most common symptoms are dry skin, darkening of the skin (a condition called melasma), and acne. People with pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, may also experience a change in their symptoms (for better or worse).
And because the body is fully involved in pregnancy, bothersome skin changes can affect other places as well. For example, it is common to have stretch marks, spider veins, hair growth and even hair loss.
Ingredients not recommended
It should be noted that evidence on the safety of cosmetic products during pregnancy is limited. In almost all cases, clinical trials on pregnant women could even begin to prove that certain ingredients are unethical. All of that raises big questions about which cosmetics are actually safe during pregnancy. The following are recommended ingredients that are best avoided.
Retinoids
Retinol, retinoic acid or any of the family. It is recommended to avoid them from the beginning of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. May contain teratogenic effects on the fetus. Regarding lactation, there are no conclusive data, although probably due to the minimal absorption that occurs, it is not associated with risks for the infant. In conclusion, they should be avoided throughout pregnancy and their use moderated during lactation.
Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient required for optimal skin, immune, reproductive, and eye health. Once consumed or absorbed through the skin, it is converted into retinol by the body.
Some anti-aging skin care products use a type of retinol, which has become the holy grail because it can help reverse acne and reduce fine lines. Retinoids do this by helping surface-level skin cells exfoliate faster and increasing collagen production to rejuvenate the skin.
The amount of retinoids absorbed by topical products is likely to be low, but they have been linked birth defects in higher doses. Prescription retinoids have been widely shown to present a 20 to 35 percent risk of major birth defects, with up to 60 percent of children showing neurocognitive problems with exposure in utero.
Salicylic acid
It is included in this section because its application in large areas of the body for a long time has been related to fetal pathology. So it is advisable to use it for short periods and in small areas. It can be used with the same precautions during lactation.
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient to treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory abilities, similar to those of an aspirin. However, lower-dose topical over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid have been reported by some OB/GYNs to be safe.
hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a prescription product to lighten the skin or reduce skin pigmentation caused by melasma and chloasma, which can be caused by pregnancy. This depigmenting agent has a high rate of systemic absorption when applied topically, and although the data indicates low risk, it is contraindicated in pregnancy. The risk in lactation is unlikely, but the use of a small amount and in small areas is advised.
There is no proven link between major birth defects or side effects and hydroquinone. But because the body can absorb a significant amount of hydroquinone compared to other ingredients, it's best to limit exposure (if any) during pregnancy.
Phthalates
Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many beauty and personal products. In animal studies, severe reproductive and hormonal dysfunction have been linked to phthalate exposure.
There are few human studies to support this, but endocrine disruptors are increasingly being studied for their potential role in negatively affecting congenital reproductive health. Cosmetics are the number one source of phthalate exposure, and the most common phthalate you'll find in beauty products is diethylphthalate.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is rarely used as a preservative and disinfectant in beauty products because it is a known carcinogen and can increase the risk of infertility and abortion spontaneous.
But there are formaldehyde-releasing chemicals commonly found in cosmetics with a similar potentially dangerous effect. These include: bronopol, hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, hydroxymethylglycinate, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, and 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane.
Chemical sunscreens
Oxybenzone and its derivatives are the most widely used ultraviolet (UV) filter in sunscreens. It has been shown to be effective for skin protection, but oxybenzone's potentially adverse health and environmental effects are putting it in a more unfavorable light.
Because oxybenzone is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical, the concern with its use during pregnancy is that it could disrupt hormones and cause permanent harm to mother and baby.
safe alternatives
Not all cosmetics should be prohibited during pregnancy. There are some safe options for the most common (and frustrating) skin problems of pregnancy.
acne and hyperpigmentation
If we are prone to breakouts, there are some safer alternatives to using retinoid-based products while you wait. One of the most effective is Glycolic Acid.
Glycolic acid in large amounts is not recommended during pregnancy, but is probably safe in small amounts commonly found in over-the-counter beauty cosmetics. Glycolic acid and others like it, such as azelaic acid, they can also help reduce fine lines, brighten the skin, and reduce skin pigmentation.
Anti-aging and wrinkles
Topical antioxidants such as Vitamin C They can safely enhance the vitality of your skin by protecting it from damage and maintaining collagen. Other pregnancy-safe antioxidants to try in your skin care products include:
- Vitamin E
- Green Tea
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B3
dry skin and stretch marks
There is no doubt that pregnancy affects the body a lot, so if the future baby needs more water at any time, it will draw it out of the body. That, in addition to hormonal changes, can cause dry skin.
In addition to drinking plenty of water, moisturizing products that contain coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides and hyaluronic acid (HA) can improve hydration. And when it comes to stretch marks, one strategy to prevent them is to frequently moisturize prone areas to help skin naturally stretch as your belly grows.
Solar protection
Sun protection is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against wrinkles and skin cancer in the long run. But the big question is how to safely protect the skin during pregnancy.
It is recommended to try sunscreens at mineral base that protect the skin by forcing UV rays to bounce off the skin completely. Mineral-based sunscreen ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.