Pregnancy Safe Skin Care

The perpetual question:  Where is my pregnancy glow?

Pregnancy hormones can wreak havoc on one’s usual skin balance causing some complexions to become oily and acne prone.   With the increasing number of beauty products and regimes out there, it is hard to discern which are safe to use with pregnancy.  Products marketed at “natural” might appear to be harmless, however, the opposite might be true.  While some essential oils are perfectly safe to use with pregnancy, there are others that have potential risky side effects.

Below is a cheat sheet of beauty products, ingredients, and services to avoid or use sparingly while pregnant:

Retin-A, Retinol, and Retinyl Palmitate

Retinoids are found in all types of skin care products from anti-aging moisturizers to acne creams to hyperpigmentation treatments.  They are a type of vitamin A that speeds up cell division (quickening your skin’s renewal) and prevents skin collagen from breaking down.  While vitamin A is necessary for proper fetal development, too much of it can cause birth defects and liver toxicity.  Retinoids are universally not recommended to use in pregnancy.  They can be found both in prescription medications and over-the-counter formulations.  Please carefully read the ingredients on all beauty products.  If they contain vitamin A derivatives such as rentinol and retinyl palmitate, do not use while pregnant

Benzoyl Peroxide

Though pregnancy can cause hormonal acne, unfortunately, the typical zit-zapper, benzoyl peroxide, is a category C medication, which technically mean that the risks to the fetus cannot be ruled out.  Using it sparingly with pregnancy should probably be okay.  For example, a pea-sized amount on a blemish every once a while should not cause problems.  However, if you feel like you are breaking out all them time, there are antibiotic gels that we can prescribe that might better serve you.  Talk to your provider.

Hydroxy Acid such as Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Salicylic Acid, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

Hydroxy Acids are found in a number of beauty products.  Originally used to for acne, now found in cleansers, exfoliants, peels, and toners to treat aging, pigmentation, and skin inflammation.  

Salicylic Acid is the most common Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) and the only BHA studied in pregnancy.  Salicylic Acid is a derivative of aspirin, and aspirin, given in high doses has been shown to be harmful to the developing fetus.  Since Salicylic Acid is absorbed through the skin, it is not recommended to use products that contain it and other BHA daily and/or frequently.

The three most common alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) found in beauty products are glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid.  Also, AHA are known as “fruit” peels.  AHA are only absorbed in small amounts and are considered to be safe with pregnancy and are a good option for a pregnant woman who wants some skin sloughing, lightening, and exfoliation.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a power skin lightener and is a definite no-no with pregnancy.  Pregnancy can change skin pigmentation causing dark spots and/or melisma.  It is tempting to use hydroquinone on your dark spots, but please do not.  It is best to use a good daily sunscreen, no soy based beauty products, and AHA and/or “fruit” peels to lessen hyperpigmentation with pregnancy.  

Formaldehyde

Although formaldehyde is not list under the FDA categories, it is found in many beauty products.   Formaldehyde can increase the changes of fertility problems and miscarriage.  It is recommended to limit your exposure to it during pregnancy.  It is often found in nail polishes.  If you like getting manicures and pedicures, use nail polishes that are labeled “3-Free” or “5-Free.”  Gel nail polishes are higher in formaldehyde than traditional nail polishes.  Please go to a well-ventilated nail salon as well.

Also, it is not recommended to get a Japanese and Brazilian hair straightening while pregnant.  Both hair-straightening treatments use formaldehyde during the processing.  

Hair Dye

It is safe to dye hair with pregnancy, but because hair dye change formulations so frequently it is difficult to assess the potential risks.  This being the case, it is recommended to steer clear of hair coloring in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the period of body and organ development.  After those first 12 weeks, it is safe to color hair every 8 to 12 weeks.   

Chemical Sunscreens

As we learn more and more about the effects of chemical sunscreens on the body and environment, it is recommended to use mineral based ones with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Mineral based sunscreen need to be applied more often and do not rub into the skin as well, leaving a whitish film oftentimes, however, they are gentler on the skin and they are consider ocean/coral reef safe.