Ingredients that are safe to use during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a delicate time for women, so it is understandable that most would be cautious of what they put on their skin. Although some might also be particular about maintaining skin health, it is also accepted that some would opt to look for a skin care regimen that suits their needs and is safe. Fortunately, there are many ingredients found in moisturizers that are effective in maintaining skin health and are considered safe during pregnancy. Below are some of these ingredients.

 

Hyaluronic acid is generally safe as a moisturizer for pregnant women. Hyaluronic acid is known to improve skin hydration and maintain flexibility and elasticity of epithelial tissue. To date, no studies have shown that hyaluronic acid can cause any risk in pregnant women.

 

Salicylic acid, in small doses (less than 2%) is generally considered safe to use for a limited time. Although there are no specific studies conducted on the safety of topical use of salicylic acid in pregnant women, data from large-scale studies where pregnant women had taken low-dose acetylsalicylic acid and found no increase in the baseline risk of adverse events, suggests that topical salicylic acid is unlikely        to pose any risk to the unborn child.

 

Glycolic acid and azelaic acid may also be used in pregnant women. Women who are looking into clearing their acne problems using salicylic acid during pregnancy should consult their doctor before using it.

 

With its recent popularity, niacinamide is another mainstay ingredient in moisturizers today. Although there have been no controlled human studies assessing the safety of niacinamide during pregnancy, the US FDA classifies its use as acceptable. This means that it can be used in reasonable amounts without posing any risks.

 

Topical vitamin C is another popular ingredient in moisturizers and serums due to its many skin benefits. It is generally safe to use, whether oral or topical vitamin C, but be mindful of the dosage and concentration. Too much of anything can cause adverse effects.

 

Zinc oxide is the safest bet for sunscreen for pregnant women. This works by scattering the rays of the sun to protect the skin from its harmful effects, thus reducing the risk of developing melasma and hyperpigmentation.

 

Moisturizing oils are also considered a safe choice especially for pregnant women. Many products aimed at reducing stretch marks are oil-based, but they can also be beneficial as a facial moisturizer. One particular product that should be considered is the NNO Nourishing Night Oil. It contains vitamin E in oil form and Jojoba oil, both known to help with strengthening the skin barrier, maintaining skin moisture levels, and improving skin texture. Vitamin E also helps protect the skin from free radical damage. The ingredients inside every capsule are unlike synthetic oils, so it ensures safety for pregnant women to use. It is best applied at night before going to bed.

 

Although all of the ingredients above are found to be generally safe to use during pregnancy, it is still best to consult your physician prior to using any of those.

Ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

While many over-the-counter remedies can be used to treat the common skin disorders that come with pregnancy, women should still take note that some ingredients and formulations may be harmful or unsafe. Some topical solutions can be absorbed into the skin, and these are the ingredients that should be avoided at any point in the pregnancy.

Topical and oral retinoids are synthetic forms of vitamin A and are used to treat various skin disorders. It is still unclear how much retinoid the body can tolerate during pregnancy and for that reason it is not advised by medical experts for pregnant women to use, since this can cause abnormalities in the fetus called Fetal Retinoid Syndrome or FRS. Other forms of retinoids can also be found in over-the-counter formulations so you should be on the lookout for those.

Hydroquinone is used for its depigmentation and skin-lightening properties. Available data suggests that hydroquinone use is not associated with increased risk of major malformations or other adverse effects. Although there have not been any published or known cases of reported malformations or abnormalities caused by the use of hydroquinone, the skin can systemically absorb an estimated 35 to 45 percent, so it is still best to minimize exposure to it until further studies can confirm its safety.

Oxybenzone and its derivatives are mostly found in sunscreens, and while they are mostly effective at filtering the harmful UV rays of the sun, it can potentially have adverse health effects for both pregnant women and babies. One study found a direct association of oxybenzone exposure during pregnancy and Hirschsprung’s disease in neonates. Due to the lack of data available about other sunscreens, particularly non-nanoparticle size mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and their endocrine disrupting activity, it is safer for pregnant women to minimize exposure to such ingredients.

Oral tetracyclines are also used in moderate to severe acne treatment but are contraindicated in pregnant women. Oral tetracyclines are found to cause permanent discoloration of teeth in the fetus as well as impaired fetal long bone growth. Other antibiotics used in acne treatment such as clindamycin and erythromycin are found to not be associated with teratogenicity and adverse effects in pregnancy. However, like mentioned, it is still best to consult your doctor prior to use of any oral medications.

Hormonal therapy is an effective therapy for hormone-imbalance related acne however it is not advised for pregnant women to use due to risk of birth-defects.

Pregnancy is a fragile stage for all women, and it requires caution to approach the usual things that most women do. The above ingredients and the article in general do not serve as a replacement for medical advice provided by medical experts. Granted that the mentioned ingredients are safe during pregnancy, you should still follow the treatment plan given by your physician.