Safe Skincare During Pregnancy: Here’s What You Need to Know
We’ve compiled a list of what ingredients need to be avoided as well as safe alternatives you can use.
Being pregnant is without a doubt a beautiful journey. But along with it are a few rules from the doctor that you need to follow, such as what to eat and the types of exercises you can do. On top of that, you need to review the list of personal care products in your vanity. Which ones are safe and which ones to stop using first? Keep reading to know more about safe skincare during pregnancy.
5 Skincare Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant:
These are ingredients that may cause health defects or pose a risk to you and your baby.
1. Retinol, Retin-A, and Retinyl Palmitate
When you see any of these labels in your skincare products, be sure to stop using them right away. Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that can affect your baby’s development. While it works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen, you don’t want to risk the health of your baby.
Instead of retinol, a safe alternative is Vitamin C. It’s an effective ingredient that treats dark spots and skin tone issues and can be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. A cult-favorite Vitamin C serum is the Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum available at BeautyMnl for P1,200.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid
Though these two ingredients help prevent acne, you might want to check with your doctor first if it’s okay to use. Most acne prevention creams contain a combination of both, which can be too much for you and your baby. To be safe, look for a product that uses only one of these.
If you want to completely avoid it, a trusted alternative is niacinamide, which reduces inflammation and helps ease redness caused by acne. Try Cetaphil’s Radiance Routine Brightening Set from ZALORA (P1,155), which includes their Brightness Reveal Creamy Cleanser and Brightness Refresh Toner.
3. Hydroquinone
Also known as a skin lightener, products with this ingredient should be avoided. According to the FDA, hydroquinone has a higher absorption rate compared to other topical chemicals. This makes it more likely for larger amounts to enter the bloodstream and potentially affect your baby.
As a substitute, you can use glycolic acid provided that the concentration is less than 10%. This can speed up the turnover of cells and brighten the complexion. Moms can’t stop raving about Pixi Beauty’s Glow Tonic, which has 5% glycolic acid and is available at Glamourbox for P1,050.
4. Formaldehyde
A common ingredient in nail polishes and hair products, there have been studies that linked formaldehyde with infertility and miscarriage. Stick to nail polishes that are labeled 3-Free, 5-Free, or 10-Free—like the Sunnies Face Play Paints (P245).
5. Chemical Sunscreens
Sunscreens that contain possible hormone disruptors like oxybenzone or avobenzone can interfere with a baby’s nervous system development. To protect your skin from UV damage and blue light emitted by your phone and laptop, use a physical or natural sunscreen like MAGWAI’s Reef-Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ (P599). It’s free of oxybenzone, fragrances, and parabens. Additionally, it’s FDA certified.
We hope you learned more about safe skincare during pregnancy. For more stories on pregnancy, you might like the following articles:
8 Stylish Maternity Dresses You Can Order Online
