Beauty Product Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant
Navigating skincare during pregnancy can feel like solving a puzzle.
For expectant mothers, ensuring the safety of beauty products becomes paramount, particularly when addressing concerns such as dry skin, stretch marks, hormonal acne, and dark spots.
In this guide, we’ll explore the intricacies 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 When Pregnant
In the context of ensuring the safety of beauty products during pregnancy, the limitations within skincare research pose significant challenges. .
Conducting randomized controlled trials on pregnant individuals is generally considered unethical, making it difficult to directly test the effects of certain ingredients on pregnant women. 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.
During pregnancy, the dilation of blood vessels increases the absorption of topically applied products, as noted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rogers, MD. 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.
Industry Dynamics and Consumer Advocacy for Ingredient Transparency
Companies often shy away from investing in research on skincare ingredients during pregnancy due to potential reputational harm and liability concerns. However, as consumers increasingly push for more ingredient transparency, more companies may feel urged to undergo measures like determining the safety of product ingredients.
The evolving dynamics between industry practices and consumer advocacy play a crucial role in achieving transparency. Pregnant women advocating for safer products contribute to a paradigm shift, urging companies to prioritize research on the safety of skincare and cautioning for the ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.
The Complex Journey of Pregnancy and the Role of Animal Studies
Pregnancy is a dynamic journey, challenging researchers to pinpoint specific variables affecting developmental outcomes. As complex organisms, our bodies, particularly the female anatomy and physiology, undergo significant changes during pregnancy. Deciphering which variables precisely contribute to certain developmental outcomes can be challenging. This makes it challenging to design and conduct studies that can determine which skincare chemicals to avoid while pregnant.
Research on animals, especially mice, is commonly conducted to gain insights into how findings might translate to humans. Mice, which share biological similarities with humans, serve as convenient subjects in laboratory settings. Studies cited in the National Library of Medicine indicate that mice have shorter gestational periods than humans, enabling researchers to study multiple generations in a relatively short span. This accelerates data collection on the effects of certain chemicals on pregnancy, as mice undergo multiple pregnancies at a faster rate than humans.
While animal-based research provides valuable insights, it’s important to acknowledge the inherent limitations. Physiological and genetic differences between humans and animals can influence how chemicals affect them and the applicability of research findings to human studies. At Little Bean, we consider animal-based research when evaluating each ingredient’s potential harm and determining which ingredients to avoid during pregnancy for inclusion in our application’s database. We believe this is crucial for assessing the safety of beauty products during pregnancy.
Beauty Product Ingredients to Avoid When Pregnant: A Comprehensive Guide
In a field where research remains incomplete, staying informed is crucial. 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. 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) havea 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.
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%.
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, often utilized 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 a heightened 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.
While formaldehyde itself isn’t commonly used anymore, beauty products may list various other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals such as bronopol, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, and glyoxal.
6. Chemical Sunscreen
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-based sunscreen instead that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
7. Phthalates
These chemicals, commonly found in fragrances, should be 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. Moreover, 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. Additionally, Aluminum Chloride was identified as both 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, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and consult healthcare providers to ensure their safe use.
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 beauty 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 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. For example, various types of retinoids like retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, or hydroxypinacolone retinoate could be listed on your product, requiring careful scrutiny.
That’s precisely 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.
Reviewing the ingredient list of personal care products becomes paramount for aligning with pregnancy-safe recommendations. Opting for products free from red-flagged ingredients provides an additional layer of assurance.
Easy Swaps for Pregnancy-Safe Skincare
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 → 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
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:
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
Hydroquinone | National Library of Medicine
Is salicylic acid safe to use during pregnancy? | Medical News Today
FDA Bans Triclosan & 18 Other Antibacterial Soap Ingredients | Draxe
Endocrine Disruptors | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Parabens | Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
