Harmful Skincare Ingredients in Pregnancy

By Van Le | Many pregnant women radiate that natural special “glow”, however, hormonal changes can also influence new reactions to certain chemicals. Knowing what, and more importantly, what not to put into your body during those nine months can affect the well-being of you and your baby. What to put on your body is no different. Since some skincare products can seep into the bloodstream, pregnant women should avoid the following ingredients.

Retinoids

Due to the ability to accelerate cell growth and renewal, retinoids (a type of Vitamin A) are commonly found in many anti-aging products. While Vitamin A is vital for growth and development of the fetus, excessive amounts can lead to birth defects. A study conducted in 1995 suggests that women who consume more than the recommended amount of Vitamin A in the first two months of their pregnancy doubled the risk of having a child with birth defects, according to the March of Dimes website. Topical application of retinoids has not been proven to be harmful, but as a precaution, many doctors and the National Institute of Health advise pregnant patients to stay away from skincare products containing this ingredient.

Salicylic Acid

Acne can wreak havoc anytime, but can be especially frustrating during pregnancy. Salicylic acid is a powerful and common remedy to help sooth inflammations and reduce redness caused by acne pimples, however, it can be harmful for the developing fetus. Medical experts have yet to pinpoint the exact amount of salicylic acid to deem as harmful, but believe that it can lead to respiratory problems for both the mother and baby.

Oxybenzone and Avobenzone

Just because you’re pregnant does not mean you can’t have some fun in the sun. As always, sun protection is pivotal, especially during hours of 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s UVA and UVB rays are most harmful. During the 1970s the Food and Drug Administration approved oxybenzone and avobenzone as safe UVA absorbers, however, a study done at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York states that oxybenzone may cause lower birth weight in baby girls and has also been linked to cell damage and allergies. Avobenzone is capable of absorbing UVA lights, making it effective in sunscreen products, however, it can be absorbed into the skin, therefore, some healthcare professionals encourage expecting mothers to stay away from products containing oxybenzone and avobenzone. A safe sunscreen alternative is zinc oxide, which is made of organic ingredients that siton top of the skin as a protective barrier. Physical sun protection such as clothing as hats are also effective and highly recommended by doctors.

An expecting mother may not have total control over her cravings or hormones, but can dictate which products and ingredients go in and on her body. Most pregnant women abstain from products that have been proven as dangerous and unsafe, such as alcohol and cigarettes. A commitment to stay away from potentially harmful ingredients can also have long-lasting positive effects for both the mother and unborn child.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU paper the Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare link to http://naturalantiagingproducts.net

Easy Skincare & Beauty During Pregnancy

As you’re battling morning sickness or skin annoyances such as adolescent-like acne, you want products that are effortless and effective. Fortunately, you can create a gentle, winning routine that’s safe during pregnancy. Here’s how to do it.
Easy Skincare & Beauty During Pregnancy

1. Simplify your routine

Instead of driving yourself crazy reading ingredient lists, pare down your routine to the basics: a gentle cleanser, calming moisturizer and sunscreen.

* Cleanser. Use a mild daily cleanser that’s either glycerin-based, soapless or doesn’t leave a residue, dermatologist Amy Newburger, M.D., tells American Baby. Wash your face no more than two times a day to ward off dryness. To lather up without drying out your skin, use Philosophy Purity Made Simple, a gentle glycerin-based cleanser.

* Moisturizer. Dryness can become a common problem during pregnancy, so a moisturizer to hydrate skin is a definite must. According to dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., use moisturizers with antioxidants like grapeseed or green tea extract to defend against environmental damage. Also, don’t forget to moisturize your entire body. Try Mustela Ultimate Hydration, which contains glycerin and wheat germ oil to nourish dry skin during pregnancy.

* Sunscreen. Pregnancy is no time to skimp on sun protection, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., tells BabyCenter. Most ingredients found in sunscreen are safe, including physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. However, always check with your doctor if you’re unsure about your sunscreen’s safety (or any product for that matter). Try Belli Anti Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 to guard against both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Address problems safely

You probably rely on certain go-to products when you spy a pimple or a new brown spot. However, you’ll need to adjust your routine, because your products might not be safe during pregnancy.

* Stretch marks. Unfortunately, stretch marks are largely hereditary and hard to prevent. But you do have two effective options, dermatologist Ken Beer, M.D., tells WebMD: post-pregnancy laser treatments and topical treatments. After giving birth, you can consult with a dermatologist about laser treatments. In the meantime, look for creams with glycolic acid or green tea.

* Itchiness. Scratching miserably at your stomach, breasts, arms or legs? You’re not alone. The Mayo Clinic reports that pregnant women often have this problem. Also, ongoing skin irritations like dermatitis can worsen during pregnancy. To relieve itchiness, which tends to be worse in the third trimester, dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D., tells WebMD:

o Use milk. Ease itching by soaking a washcloth in milk and placing it on your belly.

o Try oatmeal. Add a handful of oatmeal to a warm bath.

o Soothe with moisturizer. Look for a moisturizing body lotion to hydrate and calm the skin, such as ATOPALM MLE Body Lotion.

o Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe steroid creams to alleviate itching. Importantly, keep the physician informed of any skin changes. Speak up right away if itchiness is accompanied by a rash or blisters. It could “be an autoimmune reaction known as pemphigoid gestationis or herpesgestationis,” according to WebMD. These reactions can increase the likelihood of premature birth and harm the baby’s health.

* Chloasma or melasma. Also known as the mask of pregnancy, these dark spots can appear on your face and body because of hormones. While no prescription treatment has been proven safe, topical treatments that use ingredients such as vitamin C or azelaic acid are worth a try, says Dr. Marmur.

Stay away from soy-based skincare products, which can exacerbate melasma or chloasma, Dr. Baumann tells BabyCenter. In addition, stay out of the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen liberally. And don’t forget to wear a hat.

* Acne. Due to surging hormones, acne is quite common during pregnancy. But, before trying an acne-fighting product, talk it over with your doctor to make sure it’s safe.

Avoid the following active ingredients, because they might harm your developing baby:

o Retinoids. Because Accutane causes birth defects, it isn’t safe for use during pregnancy. Also, dermatologists suggest patients stop taking Accutane a month before trying to conceive, according to Fit Pregnancy. It’s also important to skip topical retinoids, such as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A and Tazorac.

o Salicylic acid. When topically applied, this beta hydroxy acid hasn’t been associated with adverse effects. But, when taken in its oral form (i.e., aspirin) in high doses, it can cause birth defects and complications during pregnancy. Also, avoid salicylic acid face and body peels, suggests BabyCenter.

o Benzoyl peroxide. To be on the safe side, dermatologist Jody Levine, M.D., tells Fit Pregnancy to skip benzoyl peroxide, because some of it might get absorbed.

So, what ingredients are safe? Dermatologist Sumayah Jamal, M.D., Ph.D., tells WebMD, that the following is safe to combat acne:

o Over-the-counter topical treatments containing sulfur, glycolic acid or other alpha hydroxy acids and at-home microdermabrasion.

o Prescription medication such as erythromycin cream and azelaic acid.

3. Enhance your beautiful glow

The best way to enhance your natural glow is to choose a few basic products to highlight your features. To maintain a beautiful, natural look, American Baby and WebMD suggest the following tips:

* Banish blemishes and dark circles with concealer.

* Ease your acne symptoms with foundation formulated for oily skin and mineral-based loose powder. Try Philosophy Air-Brushed Canvas SPF 15, which combines concealer, sun protection and powder in one for perfect coverage and a soft finish.

* Define lashes with mascara. Check out a waterproof version for those teary-eyed moments.

* Look for multi-purpose products that you can use on your eyes, lips and cheeks.

* Swipe on a lipstick that features SPF protection — your lips need defense against the sun, too.