Pregnancy And Cosmetics: All You Need To Know – Parenthood

Pregnancy is one of the times when women choose to take better care of themselves and choose cosmetics to look even more beautiful. Although there are many cosmetic products and treatments on the market, not all are suitable for them.

Not only is the body going through great changes, but the skin is impacted in the same way. Therefore, below we tell you how to choose the best cosmetic options during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and cosmetics: a few tips

Pregnancy limits many cosmetic procedures, creams, products, or cosmetics that a woman wants to use. We talk about it in the following lines.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers are one of the most recommended options to use during pregnancy. Hydration keeps the skin in its optimal, more elastic state with less likelihood of breakage due to changes in distension it undergoes.

In addition, products containing vitamin A, vitamin E, allantoin and hyaluronic acid should be applied continuously every day.

Solar cream

Although the use of sunscreen is wise for everyone, in pregnant women this indication is even more important. The skin of pregnant women is more sensitive and tends to become hyperpigmented more easily.

The use of sunscreens with a filter greater than 50 and which do not contain PABA (4-aminobenzoic acid) is ideal. In addition, it should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and renew every 2 hours.

What cosmetic products should you avoid during pregnancy?

Cosmetic products contain various chemicals (parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, nitrosamine, dioxane, hydroquinone, organic solvents and phenol) as well as heavy metals. These are added as efficiency components to enhance the skin care effect of cosmetic products.

Since most cosmetics are used on the skin, dangerous chemicals can cross the epidermal barrier to the dermis and thus enter the systemic bloodstream, which can adversely affect women’s fertility and reproductive health.

Manicures and pedicures for pregnant women

During pregnancy, certain precautions are preferable when doing a manicure or pedicure. That is, it is worth choosing enamels that do not contain components that can be harmful. Such as dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde.

Currently, very few enamels contain them among their components. Moreover, it is preferable to opt for hypoallergenic formulas in order to avoid allergic reactions. Even when removing enamel, it is best to use nail polish removers that do not contain acetone.

Skin whitening agents

Hydroquinone is used in the medical clinic as a topical depigmenting agent for conditions such as chloasma, hyperpigmentation or residual macules. One study estimates that 35-45% is absorbed after topical use in humans.

Based on the available data, the use of hydroquinone during pregnancy does not appear to be related to an increased risk of major malformations or other side effects. However, due to the substantial absorption compared to other products, it is best to minimize exposure until its safety is confirmed by further studies.

Chemical peels

When using topical retinoids, the amount that the skin absorbs is very low. However, there are published case reports of birth defects associated with the topical use of tretinoin, which corresponds to retinoid embryopathy.

The derivatives of retinol and vitamin A, widely used in creams to prevent or treat wrinkles, should be avoided because they are teratogenic. Although there are no studies on this, alpha hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid are not recommended.

Body deodorants

Most body deodorants contain aluminum salts in their composition. In this regard, it should be noted that the armpits are one of the most permeable areas of the body. Due to the fact that the natural protective barrier is altered every time you remove hair.

Therefore, aluminum salts are toxic products and there are studies published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry which imply their use in the development of breast cancer by acting as an endocrine disruptor.

Likewise, there are deodorants, the components of which contain parabens and silicones. Two of the substances best avoided during pregnancy. Therefore, choose natural deodorants, as they will stay on your skin for a long time without damaging the body.

Pregnancy and use of cosmetics

If in doubt about which cosmetic products to use during pregnancy, you should always turn to a dermatologist or obstetrician. In fact, he will be the one who will be able to give you the best advice on the safety of the various products or components.

The ideal is to choose hypoallergenic, natural, organic products whose use is approved by reliable and recognized organizations.