Pregnancy can bring a lot of changes in your daily life, especially when it comes to your beauty routine. Unfortunately, not all skin care, personal hygiene and cosmetic products are safe for pregnant women. However, don't worry - we're here to answer your most frequently asked questions, so you can make informed decisions for your health and that of your baby.
Steps
Method 1 of 8: How can I shop safely?
Step 1. Always read the product label
The houses that make cosmetics put many different ingredients in their products and it is difficult to know what exactly you apply to your skin. For this, take a minute or two to read the label before deciding on a purchase.
To be safe, look for options that contain few chemicals and few ingredients
Step 2. Pay attention to "natural" and "organic" products
Labels of this type are very misleading and are not a guarantee of safety. In fact, some "natural" ingredients can be easily produced in the laboratory or recovered from unregulated areas.
Method 2 of 8: Which Skin Care Ingredients Are Unsafe During Pregnancy?
Step 1. Avoid hydroquinone
This substance penetrates very easily through the skin. While there are no direct links to birth defects or other problems during pregnancy, experts suggest avoiding it in order to be safe.
Hydroquinone helps make the skin clearer and can be found in whitening creams
Step 2. Avoid topical retinoids
Most people don't absorb a high amount of retinoids through the skin. Unfortunately, however, there is still a small chance that your baby will develop problems at birth if you use these products. If you apply a lot of anti-aging treatments to your skin, replace them with creams and cosmetics based on soy, kojic acid, vitamin C or glycolic acid.
If you were using a retinoid acne treatment before getting pregnant, ask your gynecologist or dermatologist what alternatives are available to you. You can replace it with azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid
Step 3. Avoid products that contain parabens
These substances allow makeup to last longer, and also prevent mold and germs from ruining the cosmetics. However, they have a tendency to mimic the action of estrogen in the body and are linked to the risk of cancer. To be safe, stay away from products that indicate the presence of propyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, butyl paraben, methyl paraben, or ethyl paraben on the label.
Method 3 of 8: Is sunscreen safe?
Step 1. Natural ones yes, chemical ones no
The second category includes products based on avobenzone, octocrilene, oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate and methyl anthranilate. So, choose sunscreens that physically block the sun's rays, with ingredients such as zinc or titanium oxide.
Step 2. Liquid sunscreens are much safer than spray products
Even with great care, a gust of wind is enough to directly inhale a splash of chemicals. To be on the safe side, buy sunscreen in the form of cream or wipes.
The same rule also applies to insecticides. In general, lotions and wipes are much better than sprays
Method 4 of 8: What other ingredients should I avoid?
Step 1. Stay away from phthalates and fragrances
The former are a common ingredient in nail polishes and perfumed cosmetics. Unfortunately, they can interfere with hormones and fetal development, causing serious problems for your future baby. To be safe, buy only "fragrance-free" or "phthalate-free" cosmetics.
Not all products list "phthalates" as an ingredient. Instead, they use vague terms, such as "fragrance" or "perfume"
Step 2. Avoid using products with triclosan
Although not usually found in cosmetics, this ingredient is present in soaps, hygiene products and antiseptics. Unfortunately, it can interfere with your hormone levels and its use is illegal in many soaps.
Although triclosan is more difficult to find today, it is still used in first aid antiseptics, some hand sanitizers and food-grade soaps. When buying these products, always check the list of ingredients carefully
Step 3. Stay away from formaldehyde
This substance is used in many different cosmetics and beauty products, such as hair straightening treatments, false eyelash glue and nail polishes. Specifically, look for ingredients such as quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM), imidazolidinyl urea, hydantoin, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and bronopol on labels.
Method 5 of 8: Are there other dangerous ingredients?
Step 1. Yes, they exist
Some elements contained in deodorants that block sweating (aluminum chloride hexahydrate), in products for skin care (beta hydroxy acids), body and hair (diethanolamine / DEA), in self-tanning creams (dihydroxyacetone / DHA), in products for chemical hair removal (thioglycolic acid) and nail polishes (toluene, methylbenzene, toluene, antisal 1a) can be harmful when you are pregnant. While you don't have to avoid all the beauty products on the market, read the ingredients list thoroughly before making any purchases.
Method 6 of 8: Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe During Pregnancy?
Step 1. Yes, topical hyaluronic acid is safe
Our body produces this substance in the eyes, on the skin and in the joints, so you do not run any risk by applying it to the skin. You can use products that contain it even while breastfeeding.
Method 7 of 8: What are the Safe Brands of Skin Care Products During Pregnancy?
Step 1. Look for products verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
The EWG researches and monitors a range of skin care and cosmetic products if they contain harmful chemicals and ingredients. If a product is "verified", you can be sure that it does not contain toxic elements.
- You can consult the list of products verified by the EWG at this address:
- Remember to avoid products that contain retinol and hydroquinone, even if they are verified by the EWG. Unfortunately, those ingredients aren't safe for pregnant women.
Method 8 of 8: Should I Avoid Cleansing Products When I'm Pregnant?
Step 1. Not necessarily, but you should be especially careful when using them
Put on a pair of rubber gloves so that no chemicals come into contact with your skin. Also, open a window in the room you plan to clean so you don't breathe in any steam.
Step 2. Make a cleanser yourself if you really want to be very careful
Make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing 500ml of white wine vinegar with 500ml of water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can get laundry detergent with 38g of soap flakes, 57g of baking soda and 600g of soda ash. You can also make a toilet cleaner by pouring a splash of vinegar and a handful of baking soda down the toilet.
