WHAT COSMETICS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY
What cosmetics should not be used during pregnancy, and which ones should be avoided.
INNA CODRU , MARCH 19, 2021
Pregnancy is a magical time. The time when you enjoy the growing child within you. While there are some inconveniences and side effects, you know it's worth it when your little one starts to stir inside.
You have to give up something, and follow something on the contrary. This is especially true for skin care. You need to keep your skin hydrated and enriched with essential minerals and vitamins. Otherwise, the risk of stretch marks is much higher. Some women, due to hormonal changes, may suffer from dry skin or acne during pregnancy.
Before embarking on the usual methods of maintaining skin health, you need to make sure that your cosmetics do not contain ingredients that are harmful to your developing baby. Here are 10 skin care ingredients to completely avoid during pregnancy. Some of them are obvious, but others may surprise you.
retinol
Retinoids are supposed to be good for us, right? They are derivatives of vitamin A that the body needs. Yes, the baby needs vitamin A too. However, there are studies that show that retinoids are not good for you and the baby during pregnancy.
This is not to say that retinol should be completely avoided. Just control the amount of retinoids you use. Since problems with the development of the brain, heart, spinal cord of a child can be associated precisely with excessive consumption of retinol. Minimal consumption of retinol ointments and creams is generally acceptable, but most doctors recommend avoiding them whenever possible.
To get a similar effect on the skin, look for oleic or glycolic acid. Both are good for fighting acne. And for an anti-aging effect, just choose the right sunscreen (more on that below) and use olive or coconut oil for good hydration.
ELIMINATE OXYBENZONE and AVOBENZONE
The two ingredients found in sunscreen are oxybenzone and avobenzone. Both of these should be avoided at all costs. It is worth paying attention to a natural sunscreen to eliminate these components completely.
These two ingredients are chemical filters. They affect the hormonal background, which is extremely important for your child. Not only will they harm your mental state and negatively affect your skin, but they will also have a negative impact on your baby's heart health.
Many natural ingredients have some degree of UV protection. Look out for coconut oil, olive oil, and other similar ingredients. You will be surprised at what you can get from them!
STAY OUT OF BENZOYL PEROXIDE
During pregnancy, your body will be subject to increased androgen production and hormonal fluctuations. It is these that sometimes cause physical side effects such as acne. There are many medications that help fight acne, but they cannot be used during pregnancy.
So, how about some of the common acne treatments you find in most salons and beauty stores? Most importantly, what about benzoyl peroxide? Yes, it is effective, but studies have shown some negative side effects in pregnancy, especially when used in large amounts.
Most studies have been done with the ingredient taken orally. There are mixed opinions and studies show no definite result. However, doctors tend not to recommend the use of such drugs. If you feel you need it, choose a lower dose for your treatment.
FORGET ABOUT SALICYLIC ACID FOR A TIME
Salicylic acid is usually also recommended for acne. It is found in many natural and not-so-natural products, but this does not make it safe to use during pregnancy.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Any BHA should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. They are oil soluble, which means they enter both the pores and the bloodstream. Side effects can affect the child directly.
Studies have shown that children may suffer from birth defects due to oral use of salicylic acid and other BHAs. As with benzoyl peroxide, there are controversial opinions about topical use, but it's often better to be safe than sorry. There are many natural cleansers, toners, and acne treatments that do not contain salicylic acid.
USE ESSENTIAL OILS WITH CAUTION
Essential oils are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy, especially if you are not used to them. But, if you are going to use something new, wait until the third trimester and be sure to let your doctor know which essential oil you plan to use. Each essential oil affects the body differently.
Clary sage and jasmine are known for their trigger side effects. This can be extremely dangerous for your child. Meanwhile, rosemary oil, along with sage, caused an increase in blood pressure. And blood pressure should not rise during pregnancy, as it harms the fetus.
If you want to use some essential oils, be sure to dilute them with water. For example, you can add a few drops of essential oil to your bath. Do not apply them directly to the skin.
AVOID HYDROQUINONE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA
Melasma is also called the "pregnancy mask". This is a change in skin pigmentation that usually disappears after childbirth. However, melasma can be very annoying, especially if it appears on visible areas of the skin. The most common treatment option for her involves hydroquinone, which is not intended for use during pregnancy.
Right now there is no direct evidence between hydroquinone and birth defects, but there are certain side effects for sure. The ingredient is extremely easily absorbed into the body. Research continues to be done to understand more.
This is another case where it's better to be safe than sorry. After all, there are many other ingredients that will help with melasma. For example, look to soy-based alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic and lactic acid, for effective treatment of melasma.
DO NOT USE PARABENS
Parabens are known for destroying hormones as well. They are absorbed into the skin at high speed and are easily passed on to your baby. This is just the first problem.
The second problem is that there is already evidence that some parabens are associated with miscarriage. This paraben is known as BPA. It is commonly used in metals and plastics in the United States, although many countries have banned its use. BPA has been linked to fetal growth retardation, obesity, low birth weight, and behavioral problems.
Most parabens are listed on the packaging, but they can also be added directly to ingredients (such as fragrances). And in this case, they are also unsafe, since parabens still penetrate the product, and then into the skin.
If one paraben can do it, others can. Scientists don't know for sure yet, but they're relatively easy to avoid if you watch what skin care products you buy!
CHECK ANTIPERSPIRANTS FOR ALUMINUM CHLORIDE
One of the most common ingredients in today's antiperspirants is aluminum chloride. This is something health professionals have been fighting against for the last 40 years after research linked this ingredient to Alzheimer's. Are companies that have stopped aluminum chloride in their products allowed to use it? Of course not!
We must put our health and the health of our children first.
However, if you only use antiperspirant once or twice a day, you don't have to worry too much about the risks to your baby. The amount of aluminum chloride in your antiperspirant is small and won't reach your baby. You should be careful not to purchase antiperspirants that contain it in high amounts.
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), you should avoid frequent use of antiperspirants. It won't be easy, as pregnancy automatically raises your body temperature, but it will be worth it to put your baby's health first. The most problematic antiperspirants are those containing 15-30% aluminum chloride.
SCENTS & PERFUME
Fragrance, or fragrance, would be the name of one of the ingredients in most skin care products. However, it can include up to 500 individual ingredients! Indeed, they really replace so many substances with just one element of the list.
Why do many companies do this? Is it possible to find out what these fragrances actually contain? Unfortunately no. Companies avoid disclosing such information by creating "secret formulas". These formulas are supposed to be what makes their products so special, and so the list of ingredients doesn't need to be made public.
Unfortunately, this means a problem for you and me. We have no idea what chemicals and toxins are added to them. Some of these may include ingredients that are already on our list, while others may only be included. These can be toxins that severely damage both your organs and cause birth defects and harm your fetus.
Many of the chemicals and toxins are also used to solve skin care problems. Your hormones will go over the top and you will be at greater risk of developing skin conditions and dry skin during pregnancy.
The best thing to do is to avoid perfume or fragrance in the ingredient list altogether. Can you imagine being willing to go for 500+ ingredients at once?
You can apply natural fragrances by carefully using essential oils. Diluting the essential oil, as we wrote earlier, in a small amount of water or olive oil will not harm your child, as its concentration will be very small.
FORMALDEHYDE
It should be obvious, but you'd be surprised at the number of people who use it on a daily basis without even knowing it. This is often because formaldehyde may be listed as a different type of ingredient. Therefore, in the list of ingredients, look for:
- Quaternium-15
- dimethyl-dimethyl
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- Bronopol
- Imidazolidinil urea
- Hydantoin
Now it might be easier to see if you've missed something. I often follow the rule that if I can't recognize an ingredient, then it's not right for me.
Parents around the world are campaigning against the use of formaldehyde in children's products. Although it had some impact, it is still used in adult products. It is commonly found in nail polish, hair straightening treatments, eyelash glue, and more. Companies that don't use formaldehyde usually go to great lengths to tell you about it.
Formaldehyde is poison. Used in antifreeze and other similar products. Why put it on the skin and risk the health of the child?
A FEW WORDS ABOUT PACKAGING
All of the above ingredients are commonly found in cosmetics and skin care products. What we have overlooked are some of the ingredients that are included in the package. There are many products sold in plastic packaging to make the packaging flexible and durable and to make the product more convenient to use.
One of the most common ingredients used in packaging is phthalates. They are often referred to as DBP, DMP, BzBP, benzyl butyl phthalate, and other acronyms. This is another case if you see a strange word or just a bunch of letters and numbers, and then it's probably not right for you.
Phthalates are especially known for causing high blood pressure and diabetes. They have also been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and abnormal fetal development.
But do they have a bad effect if they are contained in the package? The answer is YES. Toxins are released into your skin care products. They then enter your pores and are absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Your child gets them next.
The companies will claim they are phthalate-free, similar to the fact that they are BPA-free. They want to reassure you that they are suitable for use and safe for your body. Sure, but look at some of the other ingredients that are being used!
NATURAL PRODUCTS - THE BEST OPTION FOR EVERYONE
Some components should only be avoided during pregnancy. For example, salicylic acid, which rightfully occupies a leading position in skin care products. But there are certainly foods that will help fight acne and hormonal problems without developing other health problems.
However, in the list we have presented, there are also components that are not just bad during pregnancy. They are always harmful to you. Companies continue to use poisonous ingredients because they tend to be cheaper. This is a way to reduce the cost of products for the consumer. You can also "produce" natural skin care products at home. There are many safe and effective recipes. There are many articles about this on our site.
It's time to make skin care products safer, especially when it comes to your child's future.