Did you know that there are dangerous skincare products to avoid when pregnant?
That face wash that you’re using might contain salicylic acid, which can be extremely harmful if used every day. Even deodorant containing aluminum is unsafe for our fetus as well (This doesn’t mean you can’t wear deodorant ladies). I will recommend a nice all-natural deodorant later on in my post.
There are so many things we need to do and learn to ensure a safe pregnancy.
Making sure you are knowledgeable of the hazards that are in your skincare products is extremely important.
Although your skin acts as a barrier to harmful ingredients, they can still seep through your skin and reach your bloodstream, which means they can reach your placenta (we don’t want this for baby).
This post is going to list dangerous skincare products to avoid when pregnant, as well as a list of alternative products that are safe to use.
**By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. I only list products that I love and have used myself. Thank you!**
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Retinoids/Accutane/Vitamin A
Retinoids are extremely powerful and are found in many antiaging creams, wrinkle creams, creams for acne and pigment disorders etc…
These are a big no-no during pregnancy. Retinoid is a type of vitamin A that speeds up cell division, and prevents collagen from breaking down.
Retinoid contains Accutane, which is known to cause birth defects. This is one of the top dangerous skincare products to avoid while pregnant.
Experts recommend that all pregnant women should stay away from retinoid, although a small amount won’t do any harm, it’s best just to not use it at all.
If you have issues with redness and dullness, I would recommend using rosehip oil It acts as a brightening formula that targets uneven tone, dullness, and textural irregularities.
This is a staple beauty product that I use every day and it has helped me calm down the redness, during and after pregnancy.
After about a week of using this, the redness on my face calmed down a lot, and it has also given me more of a smooth texture.
I still use this as a stable in my skincare regime today.
Rosehip Oil
Cliganic Organic Rosehip Oil is 100% pure & natural, cold pressed and unrefined.
Naturally rich with antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamin A & C that are known to hydrate the skin, making it the ultimate multi-purpose oil for face, hair and body.
It is fast absorbing & gentle enough to be used on even the most sensitive skin.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Pure and natural ingredients.
- No fragrance.
- Multipurpose: you can use on your face, body, and hair.
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Sunscreen
Another dangerous skincare product to avoid when pregnant is sunscreen.
Wearing sunscreen every day, even when it’s not sunny, is very important but you need to know which ones are safe and unsafe.
Believe it or not, sunscreens have ingredients that are harmful for your baby so it is advised to stay away from certain ones.
There are two types of sunscreens which are chemical and physical (mineral)
You want to avoid chemical sunscreens because they contain harmful compounds like oxybenzone, that can be absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream.
These compounds are so bad that it has been known that they have caused significant damage to coral reefs (I don’t know why anyone would want to put this on their skin, YIKES!)
If you’re pregnant and breastfeeding you want to avoid chemical sunscreens.
Physical sunscreens are what you want to look for. Instead of harmful compounds, they contain minerals that act as a sun blocker, and do not cause damage to your skin or get into your blood.
Physical sunscreens contain Zinc Oxide, and if it does get into your blood, it isn’t harmful.
I personally love Thinkbaby safe sunscreen. It’s not only safe for mamas but babies as well (win-win).
Thinkbaby is free of harmful chemicals and absorbs easily without getting that oily feeling (I absolutely HATE sunscreen that is too thick or too oily, this one is perfect).
My son has sensitive skin (just like his mama), and he didn’t react to this sunscreen at all.
Thinkbaby Sunscreen
ThinkBaby Mineral Sunscreen has held the highest rating in EWG’s database since 2010. Formulated with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide this physical sunscreen is a water-resistant lotion that instantly starts working to provide you effective broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
The non-greasy formula quickly absorbs, giving you soft skin with a dry, matte finish. Free of biologically harmful chemicals like avobenzone, oxybenzone, parabens, phthalates, and PABA.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Water resistant.
- Safe for babies.
- UVA and UVB broad spectrum
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Hydroxy Acid
Many body washes and facewashes contain hydroxy acid.
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) are the most common products to help treat skin disorders.
Hydroxy Acid is a dangerous skin care product to avoid when pregnant. Most if not all of my body washes and face washes contain salicylic acid (which is a BHA), and I only buy ones that do just because it helps with my skin issues.
If you use it by accident a few times, it shouldn’t do any harm. But doctors do recommend to stay away, just to be on the safe side. The most common AHA’s is glycolic acid, which is found in a lot of toners.
I had to stop using my toner when I found out I was pregnant because it contained AHA. Again, if you use it a few times it’s okay, just try not to make it a habit.
Don’t worry, you can still use similar products that can take the place of hydroxy acid when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
When I was pregnant I used hyaluronic acid instead. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that’s found in our body’s tissues, so of course it’s okay to use while you’re pregnant.
It acts as a great moisturizer and helps plump the skin too.
When I was pregnant I used the entire Neutrogena Hydroboost line. I loved it and it made my skin feeling extra soft and plump.
I barely had any blemishes during pregnancy and I owe it all to the Hydro Boost line. I used the face serum, body gel-cream, moisturizer cream. I loved these products and still use them today (also doesn’t put a dent in your wallet).
You want to put products on your face and body that even if it does seep into your skin and your blood, it doesn’t do any damage to you.
Neutrogena Hyrdo Boost Serum
This unique serum formula helps you achieve a fully hydrated complexion that stays smooth and supple and glows from within.
This formula contains hyaluronic acid, a hydrator found naturally in the skin, which attracts moisture and locks it in. Pair this serum with other Neutrogena Hydro Boost products for extra skin hydration.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Cleanse your skin of makeup, dirt and oil.
- Protects your skin from the sun.
- Oil-free, non-comedogenic formula
Neutrogena Hyrdo Boost Gel Cream
Use NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Gel-Cream to provide long-lasting moisture relief for your extra-dry skin. This gel-cream moisturizer helps quench extra-dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple, and hydrated day after day.
The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly like a gel, but has the intense moisturizing power of a cream.
It is formulated with hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Non-Comedogenic formula that is oil-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free
- Rapid hydration to skin
- Inexpensive
Neutrogena Hyrdo Boost Body Gel Cream
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Body Gel Cream with Hyaluronic Acid instantly quenches thirsty skin and is from the #1 best-selling facial moisturizer brand
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Fast-absorbing and paraben-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin.
- Non-Greasy & Paraben-Free
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Essential Oils
Who loves essential oils just as much as I do? I use lavender before I go to bed, peppermint to alleviate headaches, lemon to promote healthy circulation, and the list goes on.
Essential oils are natural and can be used in so many different ways. I love them so when I found out I couldn’t use them while I was pregnant, I was pretty bummed.
I’m glad a friend told me that I should watch out which ones I’m using while I was pregnant, or else I would never had known.
Not all essential oils are safe to use while you’re pregnant. It’s a known fact that sage oil can cause bleeding and even early contractions. Also, rosemary is known to increase blood pressure.
If you are a fan of essential oils then it is recommended to educate yourself on what is safe and unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Read this article here, which lists all essential oils that are unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Body Soap/Handsoap
I had no idea body soaps and hand soaps were a no-no during pregnancy.
Before pregnancy, my go-to soap was Dove sensitive skin. I later found out that it has Laureth sulfate in it, so I stopped using it.
Laureth sulfate was found to contain traces of ingredients that are known to cause birth defects and cancer (this is why I stopped using soaps that contain this all together).
When looking for a soap, you want something with natural ingredients because you’re using this every day in the shower.
I used the O Naturals Coconut and Shea Butter soap (it’s the best bang for your buck). I loved it so much that I’m still using it now after pregnancy, and I don’t think I would ever go back to Dove. Just knowing that I am putting natural ingredients on my skin makes me happy.
O Naturals Coconut and Shea Butter Soap
Our Moisturizing Coconut & Shea Butter soap bars are filled with high quality natural oils ensuring that your skin will be treated to a luxurious and chemical free in-home spa experience.
Moisturizing: Coconut Oil & Shea Butter softens and moisturizes dry skin keeping it looking and feeling young and rejuvenated.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Cold Pressed & Vegan
- Made with organic ingredients.
- PH level of 7.2 meaning their soaps will deeply cleanse without stripping your skin of its natural protective barrier.
Now we’re getting to handsoaps (I know I can’t believe that there are so many products to watch out for too).
A report released by the American Chemical Society (ACS), found that pregnant women and their fetuses were being exposed to antimicrobials (which are found in hand soaps).
They also detected it in almost half umbilical-cord blood samples, which means it transfers to the fetus.
Triclosan and triclocarban are antimicrobials that are harmful and found in hand soaps (it can also be found in toothpastes and certain detergents as well).
These chemicals are used to kill bacteria and if they get into your bloodstream it can reach your placenta, which is extremely harmful to your baby.
My favorite all-natural handsoap during pregnancy was Dr. Bronners – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. I liked the unscented one just because I was very sensitive to smells during my pregnancy, and I didn’t want one that would make me feel nauseous. The baby one is fantastic and you can use it on your child as well!
Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is concentrated, versatile and effective.
With 18-in-1 uses, these soaps are perfect for your face, body, and hair, but can also be used for rinsing food, cleaning dishes, mopping, and doing laundry.
WHY WE LOVE IT
- No synthetic preservatives, detergents, or foaming agents
- Cruelty-free
- Made with organic and fair trade ingredients, packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle
Skincare Products to Avoid When Pregnant: Deodorant
Using all-natural deodorant’s are not only a must for women who are pregnant, ALL women need to switch to all-natural deodorants.
Almost every deodorant contains aluminum which is used to block sweat. It has been found that aluminum in deodorants can cause cancer, especially in the breasts.
Aluminum is a heavy metal and you don’t want that getting into your skin or bloodstream. We use deodorant every day, so it’s important to choose one that has natural ingredients.
I started using all-natural deodorants even before I got pregnant. My favourite one is Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant
There are a lot of all-natural deodorants that don’t seem to do the job, but this one is amazing and you don’t need to reapply it all day long (unless you have a sweaty armpit problem). I found that other brands I used before, I had to reapply a few times a day, so Tom’s takes the cake on the all-natural deodorant.
Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant
Looking for a great aluminum-free deodorant? Try Dove 0% Aluminum Cucumber & Green Tea Deodorant, and you’ll get the underarm care you know you can trust with no aluminum and 48 hours odour protection.
With their unique ¼ moisturizers, this skin-friendly Dove cucumber deodorant cares for your underarms, leaving them beautifully soft and smooth. With 0% alcohol and 0% aluminum, it’s formulated with the same amount of Dove care
WHY WE LOVE IT
- 48 hour protection.
- No Stains on 100 Colors
- Cruelty-Free.
There are a lot of dangerous skincare products to avoid while pregnant. Pregnant or not pregnant, you should minimize the harmful chemicals that you put into your body.
Just because you can’t see it seeping into your skin, it is, and you need to watch out for that. There are so many alternative products and all-natural products to use out there, so educate yourself and stay away from these skincare products when pregnant.
Use this helpful guide when you’re purchasing skincare products when pregnant. Also, always remember to look at the ingredients in the products that you buy. You’d be surprised at what’s found in everyday items that we use.
In another post of mine, I mentioned a great stretch mark cream (that is safe to use), and a stretch mark oil, that helped me avoid getting a ton of stretch marks on my stomach.
Most if not all of the baby products I do buy is through Amazon. I have an Amazon Prime account and get all of the products I buy shipped in 1-2 days. I highly recommend starting a free 30-day trial to test it out, I know you’ll love it! Amazon Prime also includes a video streaming service, exclusive shopping deals, generous price breaks for students, and more. Click this link here to get your free 30-day trial.
What is your favorite all-natural skin care product? Comment below.
Cheers,
