We all know how important it is to look after your physical and mental health during pregnancy. We always try to be in good shape and have a healthy mental state throughout this journey. We focus on eating right, sleeping right, reading right, and working out right, and in this article, we will discuss the top 7 skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.
But, have you ever wondered about the correct way of taking care of your skin? I am sure a majority of you will have a ‘no’ to this answer.
But it’s very natural because skincare is not the first thing that comes to your head when you think of altering your life and adapting to healthy habits for you and your baby.
But believe it not, skincare is an essential aspect of having a healthy pregnancy.
There are few ingredients found in skincare products that prove to pose health risks to you and your baby. They might also cause health defects for the mother and the baby. So, you need to start looking at that ingredient list a little more closely.
Just as a baby’s nutritional requirements are fulfilled through the mother and whatever a mother does has an impact on the baby; similarly, the products that a mother’s skin absorbs are also absorbed by the baby.
But the good news is that the majority of beauty and skin care products are completely fine to continue using. So, you don’t have to worry much about maintaining your mama-to-be glow and protecting your baby.
Here’s a list of skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.
Before jumping into the list we should know why skin care is important for pregnant women. Let’s face the truth that pregnancy-related skin changes are bound to happen due to changes in hormone levels.
Some women go about their pregnancy having perfect skin but a majority of them don’t. They face issues like dry skin, acne, or skin darkening. Other skin conditions also include stretch marks and spider veins.
Some women might experience changes in their pre-existing skin conditions like eczema. To deal with such problems having a correct skincare routine in place is important.
Moving on to our list we discuss some of the ingredients based on the advice of experts and research that should be avoided during pregnancy.
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Retinol and Retinoids-
It is derived from Vitamin A. Though Vitamin A in small amounts is important for your pregnancy its derivatives such as retinol and retinoids should be avoided. Often used to tackle acne, they are known to cause some serious birth defects. Thus it is best to avoid anti-aging serums and creams that are most likely to have them.
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Essential Oils-
Not all essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy. They come in different concentration levels and can cause some serious health concerns for pregnant women. If you wish to continue using your favorite essential oil it is best to consult your doctor.
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Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid-
A high concentration of salicylic acid found in oral medications is not safe and can be dangerous for infants and fetuses.
Although lower concentrations are found in face washes and few serums are safe to use. Acne creams with only one of these ingredients should be used.
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Hydroquinone-
It is generally found in skin-lightening products. It is used to combat skin conditions like melasma.
Research on its side effects on pregnant women is not very extensive. It is still recommended to avoid due to its high rate of absorption through skin. Do not worry about the skin darkening as it will go away naturally with time after pregnancy.
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Formaldehyde-
It is generally found in nail paints and a range of hair care products. Doctors often advise pregnant women to limit their exposure to these products. It is best to consult your doctor before using these products.
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Chemical Sunscreen-
Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone or avobenzone which might interfere with your baby’s nervous system development. This adds this to the list of skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy. you should steer away from it and switch to natural sun-blocking alternatives.
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Parabens-
Prenatal exposure to paraben has been linked to a host of pregnancy and childhood issues including miscarriage, low birth weight, obesity, impaired fetal growth, and behavioral problems.
How to know if your skin care product is safe to use?
The easiest and most trusted way is to discuss the safety of your product with your doctor or dermatologist.
They are the experts and their guidance is the best. You can also scan the ingredient list of your product and match it with the list of skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy given above.
During pregnancy a woman gains some weight too, the real struggle is losing it. Here are some pro tips to lose pregnancy weight.
Key Takeaway
Making the right choice for you and your baby can be difficult and confusing at times. A lot of sacrifices are made be it giving up your favorite junk snack or your favorite makeup product.
But we know you will do anything to protect your little one. There’s no need to be upset about not being able to use your makeup or skincare products for a while.
You are beautiful just the way you are. You can go about your day and shine bright with confidence knowing you’re doing right by your baby by choosing healthier habits.
So, all moms-to-be and husbands, if you’ve stumbled upon this piece, save it now if you’re pregnant or are planning to have a baby as it will come in handy. Also share it with others to help them out in their journey of pregnancy.
Be Natural, Be You!
Have a happy, safe and healthy pregnancy!
