Pregnancy Skin Care Tips - What is safe and what to avoid
I know first hand (twice ☺️) the toll that pregnancy can take on your skin, among other things. Just as you need to be mindful about what you put into your body during pregnancy, you also need to be aware of what you put on your skin. While many over-the-counter skincare products are safe to use during pregnancy, there are a few products and ingredients to look out for. Below is a list of some common products that I get frequent questions about.
Don’t use:
Retinoids: Prescription oral retinoids like Accutane may cause congenital defects. While topical retinoids likely do not pose the same risk it is recommended to avoid all retinoids during pregnancy.
Hydroquinone: While there is not a proven link between hydroquinone and side effects, because the body absorbs more hydroquinone compared to other ingredients it is best to limit exposure during pregnancy.
Minoxidil: Because there are no conclusive studies, minoxidil is not recommended in pregnancy.
Botulinum toxin A: In general cosmetic therapies like Botox should be avoided, even though there is data to suggest that the risk to the fetus is low. There are also reports of mothers with systemic botulism in pregnancy and none of the infants were affected, which suggests that botox does not cross the placenta.
Caution:
Beta hydroxy acids: Lower dose salicylic acid is generally considered safe but there is some evidence that higher doses may cause problems and as such it is best to avoid.
Benzoyl peroxide: Studies have shown benzoyl peroxide is converted to benzoic acid, a food additive. Exposure to benzoic acid in the diet is likely greater than exposure from topical application. However, some believe that benzoyl peroxide should be used in limited amounts or avoided.
Safe:
Topical antibiotics (clindamycin & erythromycin): These are felt to be safe during pregnancy
Azelaic acid: This can help with acne, rosacea and pigmentation and is thought to be safe to use during pregnancy
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is safe in pregnancy and helps exfoliate the skin and unclog pores.
Of course if you have any questions about what is safe be sure to ask your doctor.