Any BHA should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Send us an email! There is a lot of misinformation Before you try your usual go-to beauty products to resolve those common pregnancy skin problems, read the label: Not all skin care products are deemed safe when you’re expecting, says Carl Thornfeldt, MD, dermatologist and founder of the skin care line Epionce. Here’s the scoop. Concerns in pregnancy: Can damage a pregnant woman's liver and discolor her growing baby's teeth. Concerns in pregnancy: Too high amounts of vitamin A can cause problems with fetal development, including birth defects. Hydroquinone. Download The Appto explore more tools like Planner+ and Food Safety. 9 Beauty Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy By Bee Shapir o March 10, 2016 Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, August 2006 Pregnancy … Concerns in pregnancy: The product is a known carcinogen and may increase the chances of fertility problems or miscarriage. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide. Ingredients listed as: Acetyl mercaptan, mercaptoacetate, mercaptoacetic acid and thiovanic acid, Included in: Hair removal creams or depilatories. The number one ingredient that pregnant women need to avoid in their skincare is retinol. Although it may be tempting to use it, it is best avoided as your body absorbs it more easily than other topical chemicals. Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. By … We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers. “Retinols, hydroquinone, and acne medications that are over-the-counter like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid should all be avoided in pregnant and nursing moms,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board certified dermatologist and co-found of LM Medical in New York City. You also shouldn’t use products with this ingredient if you’re nursing, since it’s excreted into breast milk. It’s a good time to be pregnant right now. Concerns in pregnancy: There could be possible risks to the fetus, so it’s best to avoid usage during pregnancy. If you have oily hair, shampoo every day and try to keep your hair off your face. It can be tiring and exhausting because of the various dos and don’t that come with pregnancy. Although very little of the drug gets absorbed into the skin, a handful of studies do, in fact, suggest a birth-defect link. Your skinny jeans and that glass of wine may not be the only things you have to ditch for the next nine months—a few beauty standbys could end up on hold too. Skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy Topping the list of ingredients to avoid when you're expecting: retinol, retin-A, retinoic acid, and tazaratene. Stretch marks, pregnancy acne, melasma and itchy skin may have you searching for something to provide relief. Knowing which ingredients to avoid will help you choose safer products for both you and your baby. Comments about the blog? But retinoids are one of the skin-care ingredients that experts recommend that pregnant women stay away from. While most commonly used skincare products are completely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there are ingredients you want to avoid. Here's a list of what you should avoid during pregnancy… The oral kind is typically prescribed for severe acne and can cause birth defects of the brain and heart as well as bone abnormalities. Included in: Antibiotics doxycycline and minocycline, which treat conditions such as acne and Lyme disease. Isotretinoin, a vitamin A derivative, comes in both oral and topical forms. Some ingredients are unsuitable to use while pregnant. Learn more about women's services at Ochsner. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies ingredients into five main categories (A, B, C, D, and X), which align with the safety concerns and risks of using each. Getting acne during pregnancy is quite common, but you should choose your acne creams carefully. As for topical retinoids, you’re best off avoiding them too. Pregnancy Skin Care Safety: Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy I think it’s best to start with pregnancy skin care safety tips – after all, your and your baby’s safety are the most important things. Below is a list of some of the most common ingredients to avoid: Concerns in pregnancy: Tests have not been conducted on the effects of this ingredient on a growing baby, so it would be safest to avoid, if possible. Ingredients listed as: Retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene and isotretinoin. There's a proven link between the use of retinoids and an increased risk of birth defects for developing babies. “Camphor, peppermint extract, and mint oil are also not recommended during pregnancy, especially for those late in pregnancy or those with an increased risk of miscarriage,” says Dr. Meder. However, it is very difficult to find out exactly which skin care ingredients you should avoid during pregnancy or … Working out when you’re expecting isn’t just OK - it’s encouraged. This beta hydroxy acid is often used in products for acne-prone skin. Still, that safety hasn’t been clearly established: There haven’t been any animal or human studies to date on the use of benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy, but scientists do know that when benzoyl peroxide is applied topically, about 5 percent is absorbed through the skin, at which point it’s quickly metabolized into benzoic acid (found naturally in foods) and excreted through urine. During your nine months of pregnancy you’ve probably been made aware of foods to avoid eating, but what about which skin care products to avoid as well? Here’s another one to avoid. Concerns in pregnancy: Essential oils are not assessed by the FDA, but they can be harmful is not used correctly, as they are very strong and concentrated. And to new moms, if you are breastfeeding your baby, the same guidance applies to the usage of these ingredients as well. Doctors even recommend waiting at least 30 days after stopping these drugs before you try to conceive, and avoiding them while breastfeeding. Many of the commonly used acne creams contain combinations of these acids to manage acne. 12 Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy Keep your baby safe—without sacrificing beautiful skin By Alessandra Foresto Problem is, “high concentrations can inflame the skin, shifting blood flow away from baby,” Thornfeldt explains—so it’s best to talk to your doctor before trying a treatment containing benzoyl peroxide. Seven skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy A dermatologist tells Katie Wright about the make-up ingredients to watch out for when you're expecting EVEN if … Hydroquinone is a popular skin-lightening ingredient, used to tackle dark spots and melasma (also called the mask of pregnancy) due to its melanin inhibiting potentials. Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid picking or squeezing acne sores to lessen possible scarring. Topical vitamin A may be considered safe during pregnancy and lactation. Editor's note: This blog was originally published on March 2, 2018 and has since been updated. These are sold as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A, retinols, retinyl palmitate and Tazorac. Included in: Acne treatment products and exfoliating products, particularly cleansers. But the truth is, when it comes to your complexion, pregnancy may produce a mixed bag of conditions, thanks to shifting hormones. Certain oils can have side effects that could be dangerous to women during their pregnancy, such as raising blood pressure or causing contractions. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are ingredients best to avoid during pregnancy. classifies ingredients into five main categories, Learn more about women's services at Ochsner, Exercising While Pregnant: Do’s and Don’ts, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy. 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