When you find out you are pregnant it can be the most exciting, not to mention overwhelming time in your life. Just as you start to adapt to a change in lifestyle, from cutting out sushi to making an early bedtime your top priority, you then discover that your entire skincare routine requires an overhaul too.
Many pregnant women struggle with hormonal acne during this time, but those ingredients you may have reached for before to calm down inflammation, now become a no-go zone. While the placenta does filter out most toxins in the bloodstream, there are certain chemicals and synthetics inside your beauty products that may penetrate the placenta barrier; putting your developing baby at risk.
There are a number of very commonly used acne skincare ingredients that are considered Pregnancy Category C. This means that these ingredients have been shown to have adverse reactions on fetuses in animal studies. These ingredients should not be used at all or used in very small concentrations.
The good news is that most acne flare-ups occur in the first trimester. As your pregnancy progresses and estrogen levels naturally rise, you may notice your pimples fading away.
You have a baby shower coming up and a nursery to get ready so in this article, I’d like to help clear things up for you so your skincare routine is one less thing you have to worry about.
Top Ingredients and Essential Oils To Avoid While Pregnant
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is an often used over-the-counter acne-fighting ingredient. However, It is not recommended when pregnant.
Retinol
Retinol and retinoids are a vitamin A derivative and can help with all sorts of skincare woes, from minimizing fine lines and boosting collagen to reducing acne breakouts. Retinol does fall into category C though, and since it is such a high concentration of Vitamin A, it can put your fetus at risk of birth defects.
Essential oils to avoid
Many people assume that because essential oils provide so many benefits that they are all completely safe. Essential oils need to be treated properly in order to be safe, they can be very dangerous if you don’t know how to use them.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy states that essential oils are extremely concentrated and can pose a risk to anyone, pregnant or not. It’s absolutely essential that you don’t ingest any essential oil unless under the guidance of a naturopath or aromatherapist who is qualified in this.
I also can’t stress enough the importance of diluting an oil before applying it to your skin to avoid toxicity in your system. Most essential oils, even in massage oils, are fine when diluted before use.
Because of the lack of clear information regarding the toxicity of essential oils during pregnancy, it is best to avoid these oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding:
- Birch
- Camphor
- Hyssop
- Mugwort
- Parsley seed or leaf
- Pennyroyal
- Sage
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thuja
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
The following oils may be used when properly diluted:
- Benzoin
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Cypress,
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Mandarin
- Marjoram (sweet),
- Neroli, Petitgrain
- Rose
- sandalwood
- Orange (sweet)
- Tea Tree
- Ylang Ylang
Not all prenatal vitamins are made the same
Prenatal vitamins help a woman to ensure she is getting more than enough nutritional support for her and her developing fetus. What many women don’t know though, is that not all prenatal supplements are created equal. Most of them contain biotin and iodine; both of which can irritate the hair follicle and contribute to acne breakouts.
One prenatal that I do highly recommend that doesn’t contain biotin or iodine is this natural alternative from Mama’s Select. Another word of caution, please do not purchase supplements on amazon! There are simply too many knockoffs and expired products. You and your developing baby’s health is not worth the risk!
A Few Pregnancy-safe Skincare Ingredients and Skincare Products Your Skin Will Love During Pregnancy
Charcoal
Charcoal is excellent for absorbing toxins, in fact, it can absorb thousands of times its own weight in toxins and it’s also great for controlling sebum in the skin. Try our Charcoal Clay Cleanser by Skin Script as your first cleanse to beautifully clean and purify the skin before going in with your second cleanser.
Mandelic Acid
This is one ingredient that is considered safe during pregnancy and I couldn’t be happier for you! Mandelic acid helps to effectively yet gently exfoliate the skin by increasing cell turnover so you can rock that pregnancy glow, who cares if you needed a little help to get there!
Follow up your charcoal cleanse with this Mandelic Toner that will provide the type of acne support you need throughout your pregnancy.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, dubbed the “beauty vitamin,” is safe during pregnancy and it’s just what your skin ordered! Vitamin C will help with everything from reducing skin inflammation to boosting collagen for more youthful skin to providing a luminous glow that will have everyone telling you that you are radiant. Accept their compliments graciously!
Pomegranate Antioxidant Serum is a 20% vitamin C serum that contains powerful antioxidants, brightening and hydrating ingredients to rejuvenate tired skin and minimize signs of stress ad fatigue. This serum is an excellent moisturizer for those with normal and combination skin types. Dry skin types love this serum under a moisturizer.
Experience dry skin? This Blueberry Milk Moisturizer is as lush as it sounds and it provides vitamin C, firming peptides, and moisturizing in one!
Azelaic acid
This special acid does double duty, helping to kill acne-causing bacteria, as well as keeping the pores clean, according to Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. It will help to prevent hyperpigmentation and melasma as well. Azelaic acid is a safe alternative to hydroquinone, another ingredient that should be avoided when pregnant.
Try this Lemon Lightening Serum by Sorella Apothecary for a real skin treat that brightens the skin!
Mineral Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate are absorbed into the bloodstream at significant levels. Though there is not enough information available to determine safety, studies suggest that these chemical filters interact with human sex and thyroid hormones. In 2016 the CDC cautioned that boys with higher oxybenzone measurements had significantly lower total testosterone levels.
Choosing a chemical-free mineral sunscreen may be the safest option for your self and your little ones.
Glycolic acid
This is an ingredient that is considered safe during pregnancy. Glycolic acid helps to effectively exfoliate the skin by increasing cell turnover so you can treat and prevent stretch marks! Once or twice per week give your belly a gentle rub with this lotion and while you are at it ask for a little help applying it to dry heals. Beautiful feet are important too!
Other lifestyle factors that will help to make your pregnancy journey that much easier.
While your skincare is essential for ensuring the health of your baby and the health of your skin, eating clean foods and drinking lots of water plays a major role too.
Now that you are aware that pesticides and other harmful ingredients (including parabens and phthalates) can actually penetrate the placental layer (which is the baby’s only defense at the end of the day) it becomes a primary motivating factor to take proper care of yourself.
Eating clean foods will also help you to feel good by combating those all too common pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings. Exercise is also wonderful during pregnancy to help ease back and pelvic pain, to help with any pregnancy insomnia you may be struggling with, and it will also help to lift your spirits. In fact, you may have less risk of unplanned c-sections and gestational diabetes if you participate in a regular exercise routine, according to this 2017 study.
Try walking, swimming or a gentle yoga flow to get those endorphins flowing so you can enjoy every moment!
Here’s to a healthy and happy pregnancy for you and your little one!
