When my husband and I decided that we would start trying for a baby, I knew I had to take a long hard look at my skincare and the products that I am using. I am used to using strong ingredients that get a super result on my skin but they can not be used in pregnancy.
Recently, I have had many conversations with various skincare brands and it is frightening to know that most brands I have spoken to are unsure whether their products are safe to use during pregnancy even at Head Office level. The standard response is speak to your doctor however it is impossible for a doctor to decide when s/he is not aware of how much of each ingredient has been used. Skincare brands will not share this information because they do not want their products copied which I completely understand but there is no excuse for any skincare brand not to know whether their products are safe to be used during pregnancy.
Why is it important to check our skincare?
It is very important to check that our skincare is safe. The products that we use and put on our bodies can affect the baby’s health as much as and if not more so than the food that we eat.
What skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy?
Vitamin A / Retinol
Retinoids are excellent anti-aging skincare ingredients however they are not suitable for use during pregnancy. There is a proven link between the use of retinoids and an increased risk in birth defects. Many doctors even advise to allow a certain amount of time after using retinoids before trying for a baby. Check the list of ingredients for any of the following: retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene and isotretinoin. These are all various forms of Vitamin A.
Great alternatives to retinol are soy, vitamin C, kojic acid and glycolic acid.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is an antibiotic and should be avoided during pregnancy. Studies have shown that Tetracycline can damage a pregnant woman’s liver and will permanently stain and discolour the growing baby’s teeth. If you need an antibiotic during pregnancy, your Doctor will most probably prescribe a safer alternative such as amoxicillin or erythromycin. If you can, it is better to avoid altogether any form of antibiotics.
Steroid Creams
Over the counter (without prescription) steroid creams are often used for minor skin irritations like bites, inflammation, itchy skin, skin rash or mild eczema. In mild doses there is no evidence to show that this will cause any harm to the baby however for more serious skin afflictions, you must consult your Doctor. There are certain steroid cream key ingredients which are deemed safe during pregnancy, these being Alclometasone, Desonide, Fluocinolone, Hydrocortisone and Triamcinolone.
Skin Bleaching / Hydroquinone
Skin bleaching products are commonly used to lighten hair and skin and to treat skin conditions like Melasma. Melasma also known as chloasma or skin pigmentation can frequently occur due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. It is often referred to as the ‘The Mask’ of pregnancy which can suddenly appear on the forehead, on the cheeks, chin and above the top lip.
Prevention is better and safer than cure. It is so important to wear strong sun protection daily during pregnancy; even day light can create skin pigmentation. Now that I am pregnant, I would not even consider wearing anything less that factor 30 during the colder months and factor 50 once the weather starts getting warmer. Look for products that offer UVA and UVB protection. My favourite brand here is Ultrasun. It is a once a day formula offering 100% UVB protection and 90 to 95% UVA protection depending on the UV strength. Protect yourself in the sun and remember to wear a hat.
Phthalates/ Formaldehyde/ Toluene
These chemicals are often found in perfumes, nail polishes, hair straightening treatments and even in eyelash glue. These chemicals are toxic and should be avoided especially during pregnancy.
Ammonia and Hair Dyes
The verdict is still out on ammonia and dying our hair during pregnancy. If I did not have grey hair, I would avoid altogether but unfortunately, this can not happen. Instead for the first three months, I used ammonia-free hair dyes but the performance was not as good as a traditional hair dye. Now that I am 16 weeks along, I will go back to the traditional hair dye in order to get the right coverage for my hair.
Botox
No studies have been done on the effects of Botox during pregnancy but remember that the botulinum toxin paralyzes the muscle around the wrinkle so they become less visible. I would not advise this during pregnancy and it certainly is not worth the risk.
Don’t Panic
If you have used a product that contains a potentially harmful ingredient, don’t panic. Simply stop using the product now and pick one with safer ingredients. If you are unsure, please ask me or speak to your Doctor.
If you have any specific pregnancy related questions, please send me a message.
Have a fabulous week!
