8 Skincare Ingredients You Should Not Use During Your Pregnancy

Being pregnant and waiting for a bundle of joy can be an exciting and magical experience. But it does also come with a down side, from nausea and fatigue to dermatological conditions such as acne or hyperpigmentation. However, when it comes to skincare, certain skincare ingredients you should definitely avoid during pregnancy.

Products applied can be absorbed through the skin and will be drawn into the bloodstream. This can indirectly affect the baby. Therefore to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy period, pregnant women should take note of the skincare ingredients they use. 

Dr Roni Munk the director of MunkMD in Montreal tells us that there is no way of telling how much topical solutions will be absorbed and drawn into the bloodstream, but the thinner the skin, the more it will be absorbed.

For example, more will be absorbed from what you put on your eyelids compared to what you put on your back. Regardless, we all absorb around 2 to 5% of the drugs we use on our skin. 

Extra Care for Skincare Products during Pregnancy

While being pregnant, it is advised to discuss with your doctor about the existing beauty routine and products used on skin. Especially if you are about to use any new products, even if it is a natural product.

Even essential oils, although being natural can contain risks for pregnant women. Bodily changes in a pregnant mother increases the chances of reaction towards certain chemicals and ingredients. 

Although individual factors such as skin type and sensitivity play a role in different skincare responses, there are general rules on what to avoid during pregnancy.

Here we would like to share some of these 8 skincare ingredients that you definitely want to avoid while being pregnant: 

Skincare Ingredients You Want to Avoid in Pregnancy

Retinol

This compound is a form of vitamin A and is related to Accutane. Accutane is a potent acne medication used for acne treatment. Excessive amounts of intake will lead to birth defects such as the malformation of a baby’s heart, head, brain and spinal cord. 

Although the absorption rate for Retinol on skin is minimal but it is best to eliminate all risks. Dr. Munk suggests that his patients use glycolic or oleic acid as a substitute instead if they wanted to combat acne. If they use it for anti-aging benefits, it is best to stop during the pregnancy period and wait until the baby is born before continuing to use it. 

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid

If you have been battling acne for a while now you may find these ingredients familiar to you. Yes, these are indeed the common acne fighting ingredients. Acne can be frequent for pregnant women as the hormonal fluctuations and increased androgen in the body may trigger the formation of more acne. 

When it is consumed in large quantities orally, it may lead to negative consequences. However when it comes to topical formulation, it is more safe but care must be taken when applying them too. It is absolutely important to apply it with the right quantities. Minimizing applications to only small areas to avoid too much of an absorption into the skin. Best if you can avoid using it all together.

Hydroquinone

Pregnancy is one of the triggers of melasma, a pigmentation of the skin that happens primarily on the face, and our next ingredient is associated with pigmentation treatment. This ingredient can be found in most over-the-counter topical treatment for pigmentation. 

While there have been no solid studies that indicate the negative effects of hydroquinone, its high absorption rate is quite alarming, it is as high as 35 to 45%. Therefore it is not recommended for pregnant women to take their chances with this product, it would be better to stick to glycolic or linoleic acids. 

Parabens

This is another compound which most of us might find familiar. Parabens are a common preservatives in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. They are known firstly as a hormone disruptor, more troubling is that it is also easily absorbed by the skin. 

A study from the Journal of Chemistry has shown that prenatal exposure to paraben ( in this case it is BPA) has led to pregnancy and childhood issues such as miscarriage, obesity, low birth weight, behavioural problems and impaired fetal growth. 

Essential oils

The type of essential oil that we would want to avoid here are the pure essential oils. Generally essential oils that are added into natural products are diluted and therefore safer. However it is good to take note that not all essential oils are good for pregnancy.

For example, the Jasmine and clary sage can trigger contractions, rosemary oil and sage can cause bleeding, the rosemary oil has also been proven to increase blood pressure. For safety concern, it is recommended to avoid these essential oils as part of your skincare ingredients during your pregnancy.

When it comes to using essential oils during a pregnancy it is always better to consult your doctor first. Just be mindful of the ingredients used in your existing beauty routine and switch them out if they are harmful. To be on the safe side, when it comes to the third trimester it is best not to introduce anything new without a doctor’s consent.

Oxybenzone and Avobenzone

When it comes to using sunscreen during the pregnancy period try to opt for physical and natural sunscreen instead of the chemical sunscreens. Oxybenzone and avobenzone are the components that can be found in chemical sunscreens and lotions.

They are known also as possible hormone disruptors. Although right now this is a controversial issue, there are studies that show that these disruptors can affect fetal health. With this knowledge at hand, it is best to avoid it entirely during pregnancy.

Finally, our skin plays an important role in the human body therefore we must take good care of it. Skincare routines can still continue even when motherhood comes into the picture, we just need to be more aware of the products we use on our skin. With just a little more effort and care, it is possible to obtain both a glowing skin and a healthy mother and child in the end.

Get All Natural Skincare That is Safe for You and Your Baby

The good news is Herbbies products are designed with initial thought to provide safe skincare to everyone with sensitive skin problems, as well as people with special medical needs. Hence, we are proud to inform you that our Herbbies products are safe for you and for your baby.

Forget about Accutane and other skincare products with harsh derivative, Herbbies products consist only of organic herbs and top quality plant-based oil. We use only traditional infusion method to make these wonderful products, no other chemical additive is added.

You can continue your acne or eczema healing journey even during pregnancy. This time, with this all natural, organic method, together with Herbbies.

Isn’t it perfect for you and your little one?

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