Just like you need to use caution with what you consume when you are pregnant, the same needs to be considered for what you are putting on your skin.
It is recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding women use skincare products with known safe ingredients and avoid products that contain potentially harmful ingredients such as retinoids, salicylic acid, and certain essential oils.
During pregnancy there are many changes to your skin and body. So, what skin care products and ingredients are safe to use? Here is a number of handy tips and information to help you create a pregnancy and/ breastfeeding safe skin care routine.
Safe Ingredients
Acne
Many women are prone to breakouts when they are pregnant and want to use actives to assist with this. If you are after a safe alternative to a retinoid product, then glycolic acid is one of the most effective ingredients you can use.
You may be wondering if a 10% glycolic acid product is safe during pregnancy. While glycolic acid in large quantities is not recommended during pregnancy, it is safe in small doses.
Glycolic acid and azelaic acid are also great pro-aging ingredients as they also help with brightening skin, reducing fine lines, and reducing skin pigmentation.
Lactic acid is another sensitive skin hero ingredient and is the gentler, yet effective, exfoliator of the acids group.
Skin that is also prone to breakouts will also benefit from pregnancy safe skincare products that help to deliver deep hydration, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Plant-based oils that help regulate sebum production such as Sage are also great ingredients.
Hyperpigmentation
If you are affected by hyperpigmentation, then you may want to look into using these natural skin lighteners as they are safe to use whilst pregnant.
Kakadu Plum is believed to have one of the world’s highest natural amounts of Vitamin C making it an excellent ingredient to help diminish the appearance of dark spots.
Liquorice is a powerful brightening antioxidant high in anti-inflammatories – making it great for post-inflammatory pigmentation and redness/scarring after breakouts.
Anti-aging/wrinkles
Vitamin C is an antioxidant hero ingredient and safe to use during pregnancy. Not only does vitamin C repair environmental damage, boost collagen and elastin production but it also inhibits the overproduction of pigmentation.
Peptides are a string of amino acids that help make collagen and elastin, smooth fine lines, and minimise the appearance of pores.
Omega Fatty Acids (Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9) are unsaturated fatty acids. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation, then these could be a useful ingredient for you. They play a role in maintaining youthful, healthy-looking skin as well as helping with roughness, scaling and skin hydration.
Other pregnancy-safe antioxidants to try in your skin care products include:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B3
- Green tea
Dry skin and stretch marks
In addition to drinking plenty of water, moisturizing products that have coconut oil, cocoa butter, and hyaluronic acid (HA) can improve hydration. Hyaluronic Acid helps to bind water molecules to the skin surface, giving all day long hydration and helping maintain that pregnancy glow. And when it comes to stretch marks, one strategy to prevent them is frequently moisturizing prone zones to help the skin stretch naturally as your bump grow.
Skin Care Products and Treatments to Avoid During Pregnancy
When looking for pregnancy safe skin care products or treatments these are considered unsafe for use while pregnant and/ breastfeeding because they can either cause harm to a fetus when they enter the bloodstream and/ breastmilk or cause irritation in sensitive skin:
- Retinol
- Hydroquinone (a skin-lightening agent)
- Salicylic acid in high doses, in a chemical peel or taken orally.
- Cosmetic treatments such as Botox, fillers and lasers
- Exfoliating treatments such as microdermabrasion, peels or exfoliation masks
Avoid products with these ingredients:
Avage, Fabior, Tazorac (tazarotene) Avita (tretinoin) Differin (adapelene) Panretin (alitretinoin), Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin) Retinoic acid, Retinol, Retinyl linoleate, Retinyl palmitate, Targretin gel (bexarotene)
AVOID: Retinols, or any Vitamin A derivatives
These powerful substances are found in some anti-aging moisturizers and treatments for acne, pigment disorders, and plaque psoriasis. Retinoids are a type of vitamin A that speeds up cell division and prevents skin collagen from breaking down. This may sound great, but retinoids are one of the skin-care ingredients that experts recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women stay away from. Steer clear of the oral form of the retinoid Accutane as well.
AVOID: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a heavy hitter for treating acne. Its deep exfoliating action clears blocked pores to minimise bacteria and reduce congestion. When it comes to skincare for pregnant women though, it is not on the ‘safe’ list in high doses so it is best to skip this ingredient entirely.
Stay away from leave-on acne lotions, gels, and creams, as well as at-home peels, which can contain salicylic acid or retinoids.
AVOID: Hydroquinone (For hyperpigmentation)
A depigmenting agent, hydroquinone is used to lighten darkened areas of skin by suppressing the formation of melanin in the skin. Research has shown hydroquinone to be problematic during pregnancy, so it is one to avoid.
Limit use of products containing these ingredients:
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) Azelaic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, Beta hydroxy acids (BHA), Beta hydroxybutanoic acid, Betaine salicylate, Citric acid, Dicarbonous acid, Hydroacetic acid, Hydroxyacetic acid, Hydroxycaproic acid, Salicylic acid, Trethocanic acid, Tropic acid, 2-hydroxyethanoic acid
LIMIT: Hydroxy Acids
Hydroxy acids such as beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) are found in products to reduce signs of aging and to treat certain skin disorders, including acne, skin inflammation and redness. Because oral salicylic acid is not safe during pregnancy, doctors also recommend avoiding excessive or frequent use of skin products containing BHAs/AHAs. Small amounts applied topically to the skin are considered safe.
You can consult with your doctor or dermatologist to get the all clear with using this ingredient whilst pregnant. Please ensure you use sun protection since BHA/AHAs can cause sensitivity to sunlight.
AMPERNA® Skincare Regime
If you are looking for gentle and stress-free skincare during your pregnancy journey, here is the recommended AMPERNA products for your regime.
Step 1: The Full Range The Full Range | Sensitive Skincare Products | AMPERNA®
*Note, only use the 10% Pro+ Resurfacing Lotion once a week to not overuse during pregnancy.
Step 2: Add on the Pro+ Bio Day Mineral CC SPF15 Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 | AMPERNA®
Step 3: Add on Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol Serum Alternate Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol Serum ALT | AMPERNA®
*Note, only use once a week or as tolerated during pregnancy.
Step 4: Do not forget about the rest of your skin, include our shower-power couple Wash & Lotion Duo Wash + Lotion Duo | Cruelty Free Skincare | AMPERNA®
You can read all about the safe ingredients we use in our formulations by following the links below.
AMPERNA® Ingredients
Please note the only AMPERNA® product NOT recommended to use while pregnant or breastfeeding is the Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol RX.
AMPERNA® Pro+ Bio Resurfacing Retinol ALT serum contains azelaic acid salt, niacinamide, liquorice root extract and zinc and copper gluconates to help calm redness and improve the skin’s texture. Hero ingredient bakuchiol is a great plant-based retinol alternative for super sensitive skin. It can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, help restore firmness, refine skin texture and help even out skin tone. AMPERNA®’s unique probiotic complex delivers good bacteria to your skin gently and effectively.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-safe-skin-care#safe-alternatives
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-life/safe-skin-care-during-pregnancy_1490031
https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/pregnancy-safe-skin-care
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a26020928/pregnancy-safe-skincare/
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.mamamia.com.au/pregnancy-safe-skincare/amp/
https://www.esmi.com.au/blogs/pregnancy-safe-skincare-ingredients/
