Caution: dangerous cosmetics! We understand which components in cosmetics are undesirable for pregnant women.

Pregnancy is an amazing time! During this period, there are many changes in the body, sometimes not visible to the naked eye. What is only one change in hormones and a total restructuring of the body! The skin may get better or worse, but the fact that it will change is certain. In addition, the expectant mother has many questions about whether all cosmetics and procedures are safe for the baby.

With the onset of pregnancy, it is worth reviewing the entire self-care system and getting rid of unwanted cosmetics and those that cause any suspicion. Why should this be done as early as possible, without delaying until the middle of the term? Not all components of cosmetics are safe for the baby, you should play it safe and refuse to use cosmetics with them. In addition, during pregnancy, increased skin sensitivity and a tendency to allergies are often observed. Therefore, expectant mothers need to avoid the presence of certain components in cosmetics.

In this article, we will analyze which components of cosmetics cannot be used during pregnancy and why, and talk about how the expectant mother should choose safe cosmetics..

Components banned

We strongly recommend that you always read labels carefully. No matter how absurd it may seem, unwanted components can also be found in products that are sold in pharmacies in the sections for pregnant women and even in products that the manufacturer directly indicates that they are designed specifically for expectant mothers.

1. Vitamin A — retinol (retinol) и its derivatives (retinoids) — have a teratogenic property (this terrible word means that the substance can lead to abnormal development of the fetus and congenital deformities). The ban applies not only to pharmaceutical preparations such as retinoic ointment, Differin, Klenzit, but also to cosmetics with vitamin A. Especially dangerous is the use in the first trimester. Most often found in the following abbreviations: retinyl palmitate (retinyl palmitate)retinaldehyde (retinaldehyde/retinyl)tretinoin (tretinoin)adapalene (adapalene)tazarotene (tazarotene)isotretinoin (isotretinoin)retinyl acetate (retinyl acetate).
2. Salicylic acid (salicylic acid) — also has teratogenic property. Traditionally used to treat acne skin problems, it is included in the formulas of many cleansing products that exfoliate the skin, in particular in gel cleansers. Alas, salicylic acid is contraindicated during pregnancy, and experts advise replacing it with some of the AHAs: glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids are alternatives that are considered safe exfoliant options for pregnant women.
3. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde preservatives — toxic and banned in a number of countries components. The composition is written as: (formaldehyde, quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol).
4. Chemical sun filters — one way or another they cause a chemical reaction in the skin, the effect of which on the baby, if in principle, has been studied, then very little. Described as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, octinoxate, benzofenon and others. Medical professionals recommend favoring mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — these physical UV filters are not only safer, but also more reliable in protecting the skin from solar radiation.
5. Phytoestrogens — they are phyto- or plant hormones. They contain the following plants: red clover, alfalfa, flax, licorice, red grapes, hops, wild yam, wheat and barley germ, ginseng root, sage, soy, garlic, marigold, arnica.
6. Kojic acid (kojic acid), arbutin (arbutin) and especially hydroquinone (hydroquinone) — aggressive whitening ingredients. hydroquinone toxic and banned in many countries.
7. Camphor (camphora) — can provoke uterine tone. Found in anti-acne products.
8. Mineral oil (liquid paraffin, mineral oil) — petrochemical product, forms a non-breathable film on the skin. This can disrupt the body’s important processes for removing toxins and breathing through the skin.
9. Essential oils — despite their naturalness, esters can have a very strong effect on our body. In addition, many of them are quite allergic. Therefore, during pregnancy with all esters you need to be very careful. Essential oils containing ketones (eg sage, dill, rosemary, verbena, hyssop) are potentially neurotoxic and may cause miscarriage. In addition, some esters, like phytohormones, are able to influence the hormonal system (for example, geranium, clary sage, sacred vitex). It is especially recommended to avoid these esters during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Controversial Components

1. Seaweed (Algae) raise concerns about high biological activity and the ability to influence the amount of iodine in the body. Therefore, expectant mothers should also use algae and cosmetics based on them with caution.
2. Enzymes papain (papain)bromelain (bromelain) — with deep penetration, they can affect metabolic processes in cells. Therefore, before using cosmetics with enzymes during pregnancy, it is worth weighing the pros and cons and only then make your decision.
3. Controversial is hair dye: Frequent changes in the composition of the product turns it into a potentially unsafe substance, because in this case it is very difficult to assess the health risks. In order to protect themselves and their baby as much as possible, pregnant women are advised to refrain from dyeing their hair during the first 12 weeks after conception — at this time, the most important parts of the body and organ systems are formed in the fetus. After that, the potential risk of the hair coloring procedure is reduced, as only small amounts of chemicals are absorbed through the scalp. However, expectant mothers should not dye their hair often.

What cosmetics can be used by pregnant women

During pregnancy, you should choose hypoallergenic options from pharmacy, bio or organic brands. They usually have quality ingredients and neutral formulations. The mass market often sins with cheap and dubious preservatives, and professional products are saturated with active ingredients, which is absolutely useless for expectant mothers. Be sure to read the ingredients carefully before buying.

Can I wear makeup during pregnancy? This is a question that interests many expectant mothers. It is worth remembering that during this period the skin is prone to allergies, dermatitis, acne and age spots. If there is no individual reaction, then you can use cosmetics for pregnant women, but make sure that there is a corresponding mark on the package — “Hypoallergenic”. Instead of lipstick, you should use a light lip gloss, pay attention to the composition and use only high-quality components. It is not recommended to use foundation creams, as they clog pores and the skin does not breathe.

Cosmetic procedures and their impact

Salon cosmetology during pregnancy requires a special approach. If these are, for example, procedures associated with changes in temperature, pain, chemical exposure or exposure to the stomach, then they must be excluded. When signing up for procedures, it is imperative to clarify that you are in a position and how long you have.

When undergoing cosmetic procedures, in particular acid peels, it is worth remembering that all acids are different, they have a different molecule in size and their penetration depth also varies greatly. For example, glycolic and pyruvic — the owners of the smallest molecule — are very active and penetrate deeply. And mandelic and lactic acids with their large molecules work gently in the upper layer. So if you still decide to do peeling during pregnancy, it is better to opt for milk and almond. And, of course, use only products with a minimum concentration of 5-15%. There can be no talk of any median peels.

Procedures that use formaldehyde, like hair straightening, can increase the risk of miscarriage and cause fertility problems in general. This is why you should think a hundred times before resorting to them.

Also, doctors do not welcome aromatherapy sessions, laser resurfacing and wraps using especially active components. Hardware massage and procedures are contraindicated. It is worth consulting with a doctor when massaging the legs, cleansing the face, or applying special masks on the chest.

Gentle wraps and massages of a relaxing, decongestant, nourishing and moisturizing nature will be useful during pregnancy.

If you suddenly find these components in the tools you are already using, do not panic too much. Just stop using this tool and pick up a new one. Choose the most gentle cosmetics with natural ingredients. Be beautiful, and we, in turn, sincerely wish health to you and your baby!