Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant
Navigating skincare ingredients to avoid while pregnant can feel like solving a complex puzzle. For expectant mothers, ensuring the safety of beauty products is paramount, particularly when addressing concerns such as dry skin, stretch marks, hormonal acne, and dark spots.
In this guide, we’ll explore the complexities of skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, addressing the challenges posed by limited research and ethical considerations. Our examination investigates the dynamics between industry practices, consumer advocacy, and the role of animal studies in determining safety, forming the core of our exploration.
The Challenge of Researching Skincare Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant
The limitations in skincare research pose significant challenges in ensuring the safety of beauty products during pregnancy. Conducting randomized controlled trials on pregnant individuals is generally considered unethical, making it difficult to test the effects of certain ingredients on pregnant women directly. As a result, researchers rely on animal studies, correlational analyses, and case studies to understand the potential impacts of these ingredients on in-vitro development.
Due to reputational and liability concerns, companies often avoid researching skincare ingredients during pregnancy. However, rising consumer demand for ingredient transparency is prompting more companies to evaluate product safety.
The interaction between industry practices and consumer advocacy is key to achieving transparency. Pregnant women advocating for safer products drive a shift, urging companies to prioritize research and caution on ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a dynamic journey that challenges researchers to pinpoint specific factors affecting developmental outcomes. Significant changes in female anatomy and physiology during pregnancy make designing studies identifying harmful skincare chemicals difficult.
As noted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rogers, MD, during pregnancy, the dilation of blood vessels increases the absorption of topically applied products. To understand how these products may affect humans, researchers often turn to animal studies, particularly those involving mice, which share biological similarities with humans. While mice are convenient subjects due to their shorter gestational periods, differences in physiology and genetics can still present limitations in translating findings to human scenarios.
However, physiological and genetic differences between humans and animals can influence the applicability of these findings. At Little Bean, we consider animal-based research when evaluating each ingredient’s potential harm for inclusion in our app’s database. This approach is crucial for assessing the safety of beauty products during pregnancy.
What Skincare Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant?
In a field where research remains incomplete, staying informed is essential. Choosing products with ingredients that haven’t raised concerns in any studies, whether incidental or involving animals, is a proactive step in pregnancy skincare. However, further research is necessary to fully grasp the risks and benefits of using skincare and personal care products during pregnancy.
To ensure a thorough understanding, let’s explore specific ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, shedding light on their potential effects and considerations. Here are the main groups that you might want to exclude from your beauty routine:
1. Retinoids
Using retinoids, such as retinol and retinyl palmitate, during pregnancy raises concerns due to its potential to cause birth defects. Retinols are often used in skin care products to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Retinoids, such as isotretinoin and tretinoin, have been linked to an increased risk of developmental abnormalities when used orally or topically in high doses during pregnancy. While topical application generally results in minimal systemic effects, published case reports by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) have associated topical tretinoin use with birth defects, indicating retinoid embryopathy. Due to these findings, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises against the use of retinoids during pregnancy.
Despite ongoing debate about the role of topical retinoids in these instances, the AAD recommends caution until more extensive data from larger cohorts are collected. Therefore, we opted to classify this as a highly cautious ingredient to avoid during pregnancy.
Here are a few other Vitamin A derivatives that may be listed on your beauty product: adapalene, alitretinoin, bexarotene, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retin A, retinoic acid, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, tazarotene, and tretinoin.
2. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, commonly utilized in skin-lightening products and melasma treatment, should be avoided during pregnancy due to its potential impact on fetal development. Research indicates that the skin absorbs approximately 35–45% of hydroquinone from these products. While this absorption level is unlikely to cause adverse effects, healthcare professionals advise against its use during pregnancy and lactation.
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to target dark spots, consider using vitamin C instead, which is known for its brightening properties.
3. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid found in many skincare products, is known for its exfoliating properties. While high doses of the acid in oral form (aspirin) have been linked to birth defects and pregnancy complications in studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers topical use of salicylic acid generally safe. However, doctors commonly advise limiting the use of salicylic acid products to concentrations no higher than 2%.
Other ingredients that contain salicylic acid include beta hydroxy acid (BHA), betaine salicylate, and butyloctyl salicylate (often found in sunscreen). However, there is some reassurance that in the US, companies are required to list salicylic acid on the ingredient list if it exceeds 2%.
4. Triclosan
Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent, is frequently present in numerous commercially available soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics. Its capacity to imitate hormones raises concerns about potential disruptions to fetal and newborn reproductive system development.
5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, commonly used as a preservative in beauty products, poses risks during pregnancy. Medical research indicates that exposure to formaldehyde may adversely affect fetal development. Studies published in the National Library of Medicine have associated formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy with increasesd risk of birth defects and other complications. Additionally, according to the CDC, formaldehyde is classified as a known carcinogen. Therefore, it’s important for pregnant women to recognize formaldehyde as an ingredient to avoid during pregnancy.
Although formaldehyde itself is rarely used in beauty products today, you might find various formaldehyde-releasing chemicals such as bronopol, diazolidinyl urea, glyoxal, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, methanediol, methylene glycol, quaternium-15, glyoxal, polymethylene urea and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.
6. Chemical Sunscreens
Some chemical sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, may carry risks during pregnancy. For further details on the research findings, you can refer to our blog post on chemical sunscreen pregnancy. Instead, opt for a physical mineral sunscreen instead which contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Chemical sunscreen ingredients include: avobenzone, benzophenone (1,2,3&4), butyloctyl salicylate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone (one of the worst) and sulisobenzone.
7. Phthalates
These chemicals, commonly found in fragrances, are best avoided during pregnancy as they have been linked to hormonal disruptions. This is especially critical during the period from conception to birth, known as the bean-to-baby phase, for ensuring optimal fetal development. Phthalates, for instance, accumulate in our bodies over time, leading to disruptions in hormone levels that could impact fetal growth. While phthalates are prohibited in baby toys in the US, they still manage to show up in breast milk and can pass through the placenta-blood barrier. Hence, we decided to include it as a medium cautionary ingredient in our database of ingredients to avoid when pregnant.
8. Paraben
Parabens are antimicrobial agents in cosmetics to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Despite their efficacy, they possess estrogen-mimicking properties and have been detected in tumors. Additionally, parabens have the potential to harm DNA in sperm.
9. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide, a go-to for acne treatments, requires careful consideration during pregnancy. Limited studies on its impact exist, prompting experts to advise exploring alternative options. Interestingly, the FDA, although no longer using the A, B, C categorization, once classified benzoyl peroxide as Category C, indicating a lack of well-controlled studies but not necessarily indicating harm.
According to studies published in the National Library of Medicine, a maximum strength of 5% benzoyl peroxide is widely considered an acceptable acne treatment throughout pregnancy. Instead of benzoyl peroxide, you can opt for a pregnancy-safe acne treatment containing azelaic acid or lactic acid.
10. Aluminum Chloride
Studies conducted on mice and rats exposed to elevated doses of Aluminum Chloride during pregnancy revealed alarming findings. The research indicates a correlation between such exposure and the occurrence of birth defects. Aluminum Chloride was also identified as an endocrine disruptor and a potential reproductive inhibitor.
11. Essential Oils: Aromatic Caution
The enticing aroma of essential oils in skincare products brings therapeutic benefits. However, certain essential oils may carry risks during pregnancy. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences has highlighted potential adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes when used in their pure form. While diluted commercial skincare products containing essential oils are less concerning, conducting thorough research and consulting healthcare providers to ensure their safe use is essential.
Following consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers, we at Little Bean have identified clary sage, rosemary oil (typically safe for culinary use), sweet birch, and wintergreen oil as lower-risk ingredients when present in commercial cosmetic products.
It’s important to note that these recommendations are based on the presence of these oils in skincare products, not on their usage in their pure undiluted essential oil form.
How to check your product for all the ingredients to avoid during pregnancy?
Navigating through product ingredient lists to identify potentially harmful substances during pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Ingredients may have multiple names with similar cautionary advisories, adding to the complexity.
Leave-on beauty products are generally believed to absorb more into the bloodstream than rinse-off products or those like nail polishes, which act as barriers. For more information, check out our previous blog post on pregnancy-safe nail polishes.
As with many ingredient groups mentioned above, the names of potentially harmful ingredients can often be misleading. That’s why we created the Little Bean app. Our pregnancy-safe ingredient checker, available on both IOS and Android platforms, simplifies the process. With this tool, you can easily scan beauty product ingredients to ensure a pregnancy-friendly skincare routine.
Easy Swaps for Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine
In navigating pregnancy skincare, a meticulous approach considering both active and inactive ingredients ensures the well-being of both the expectant mother and the developing baby.
Here are some easy swaps you can make:
- Sun protection: Chemical sunscreen → mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Dry skin: Paraben, phthalates etc. → Hyaluronic acid
- Acne treatment: Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid → Azelaic acid and lactic acid
- Dark spots: Hydroquinone → Vitamin C
- Anti-aging: Retinoids → Bakuchiol. For more information on this anti-aging superstar (without the flaky skin), read our previous blog post on Bakuchiol During Pregnancy.
Skincare Ingredients to Avoid While Breastfeeding
For more information on this critical postpartum period, see our previous blog post on Skincare Ingredients to Avoid While Breastfeeding.
Little Bean adopts a proactive and comprehensive approach to pregnancy skincare, integrating animal-based research with a steadfast dedication to human well-being. We prioritize safety by thoroughly vetting beauty product ingredients to avoid when pregnant, ensuring transparency and reliability in our application database.
If you’re uncertain about any skincare product during pregnancy, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider. They can offer personalized recommendations tailored to your individual needs and circumstances, providing peace of mind during this special time.
Sources:
Pregnancy and Protection: The Ethics of Limiting a Pregnant Woman’s Participation in Clinical Trials – National Library of Medicine
Personal Care Products and Cosmetic Use During Pregnancy – March of Dimes
Safety of skin care products during pregnancy – The College of Family Physicians of Canada
RETINOID OR RETINOL? – American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD)
Hydroquinone – National Library of Medicine
Is salicylic acid safe to use during pregnancy? – Medical News Today
FDA Bans Triclosan & 18 Other Antibacterial Soap Ingredients – Dr. Axe
Endocrine Disruptors – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health – Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Parabens – Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
Treatment of Acne Vulgaris During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Narrative Review – Springer
Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects – Interdisciplinary Toxology
