Pregnancy can be a stressful time since there are a lot of adjustments that need to be made such as food and skin care. There’s a variety of foods that need to be avoided that can be harmful to a baby’s development. When it comes to skin care, most over the counter products are safe to use; however, there are some ingredients you want to steer clear from. There are a lot of changes that can occur to your skin during pregnancy due to all the hormones. You are likely to experience at least one of the following: stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, acne, linea nigra (a dark line that runs from the naval to the pubic area), and spider and varicose veins. It is important to read the ingredients in the products you are applying to reduce the appearance of stretch marks because some of those products contain retinol which can be harmful to a fetus.
In general, you want to stay away from retinoids, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Retinoids are a synthetic form of Vitamin A and are often used to treat cystic acne. Oral medications that contain retinoids can lead to fetal retinoid syndrome. Fetal retinoid syndrome is when there is a pattern of mental and physical birth defects. Malformations can occur due to the consumption of the retinoids. It is important to note that this disease is rare and doesn’t easily develop. There are also topical creams and lotions that contain retinol. Although, it is unlikely for a fetus to be affected from a product placed topically, it is best to resume applying retinoid products until after the pregnancy.
Another product that is common in prescription products is hydroquinone. This ingredient exists in products that people use to lighten their skin. There was research done that suggests that the skin absorbs up to 45% of hydroquinone that exists in a product. Healthcare professionals generally advise to avoid using this ingredient as its adverse effects haven’t been thoroughly studied. Formaldehyde isn’t a common ingredient in cosmetics as it is known to increase the risk of cancer and pregnancy loss. Despite this, there are still cosmetics that contain formaldehyde releasers which can turn into molecules of formaldehyde over time.
Lastly, you want to stay away from phthalates because they interfere with hormones. They can affect thyroid and sex hormones and can lead to preterm birth, preeclampsia, maternal glucose disorders, infant cryptorchidism (when the testicles are not in the correct position), infant hypospadias, which is when the urethra is not in the right position in the penis, a shortened distance between the anus and genitals in newborns, and growth restrictions. To avoid a plethora or irregularities and abnormalities, avoid all of the ingredients listed above. Products that contain azelaic acid, glycolic acid, topical benzoyl peroxide, and topical salicylic acid are all safe to use. You can also opt to use products with more natural ingredients such as cocoa butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, and vitamin E.
*The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
