Pregnancy is a rollercoaster, with a whole host of exciting, sometimes terrifying, and often unexpected changes, especially for your skin. The shift in your hormones can make your skin more sensitive, change its appearance, and give you that coveted pregnancy glow.
During this time, it’s more important than ever to practice good, mindful self-care, which includes looking after your skin. However, with so many guidelines about what not to eat, drink, and do when you’re expecting, what does this mean for beauty products? In this article, we’ll provide answers to the questions about what’s safe or not when it comes to skincare, starting with the most popular cosmetic procedure out there: Botox.
Is Botox Safe During Pregnancy?
The safety of Botox during pregnancy is a hot topic since it’s a part of so many women’s regular beauty routines. Unfortunately, there’s still no clear-cut answer. The truth is, there isn’t enough research to say definitively whether it’s safe or not, so most doctors recommend avoiding it.
If you’re treating a condition like migraine or excessive sweating using Botox, the recommendation is generally the same: avoid it until after you’ve given birth or stopped breastfeeding. The only exclusion would be if the benefits of the medical Botox injections outweigh the risks.
Skincare to Embrace
While the jury is out on Botox, there are plenty of other safe and proven ways to take great care of your skin while pregnant. The main idea is to focus on gentle and nourishing ingredients that keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Here are some of the best pregnancy-safe skincare choices.
- Hydrating Ingredients
Pregnancy glow is a thing, but so is pregnancy dry skin! When you’re expecting, your skin can appear drier than usual, so look for moisturizing ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic acid, which keeps skin plump completely safely.
- Vegetable glycerin, which draws moisture into your skin.
- Shea butter, which helps soothe and soften dry skin.
These ingredients are gentle and safe so you can feel pampered with peace of mind!
- Sun Protection
Did you know that your skin is more prone to sun damage during pregnancy? You’re especially at risk of developing dark spots, known as melasma. In an ideal world (and for the best skin) you should be wearing sunscreen daily under normal circumstances, but when you’re pregnant it’s even more crucial.
Look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and natural options that are fragrance and paraben-free. Avoid chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone as this could be harmful to your baby.
- Gentle Exfoliation
Dull skin or breakouts might have you reaching for an exfoliant, but steer clear of anything too harsh. Instead, stick to natural exfoliants like fruit enzymes. Papaya and pineapple are a couple of great options. They dissolve dry skin cells, while pumpkin (packed full of vitamins A and C) helps repair it. Lactic acid is another great option to brighten the skin. On the other hand, avoid anything with “microbeads”. These microplastics aren’t good for you or the environment your little one will be growing up in.
- Natural Remedies
When you encounter skin concerns, a lot of the time, you don’t need to reach for a manufactured or heavily processed product. Natural options work just as well, if not even better. For example:
- Aloe vera soothes irritation and redness, with phenomenal cooling effects. Grow this miracle plant at home and keep a leaf in the fridge for moments when you need instant relief.
- Coconut oil is a beauty-lover’s best friend. It’s a natural moisturizer for dry skin and speeds up the healing of stretch marks. Plus, it smells amazing and you can use it on your hair and cook with it, too!
- Oatmeal baths are a cheap, FDA-approved home remedy to calm itchy skin and reduce inflammation.
Skincare to Avoid While Pregnant
When you’re pregnant, what you put on your skin can be carried through your blood and passed onto the fetus. As a result, it’s vital to take care that the ingredients you’re using won’t negatively affect the baby’s development. Here are some things to stay well away from while you’re expecting.
- Retinoids
Retinol is a go-to for anti-aging, but during pregnancy, it’s best to skip it. The same goes for retinoids and strong actives like Retin-A and high-dose vitamin A. This is because high levels of vitamin A have been linked to birth defects. While the amount absorbed through your skin is minimal compared to oral retinoids, doctors still recommend avoiding these substances in any form until after pregnancy. If you’re looking for a safe replacement, try bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative.
- Chemical Peels
Many skincare products are simply too strong for pregnancy-sensitive skin. Avoid things like:
- Salicylic acid: While it may be safe in lower doses, using it too much or too often can be harmful, so in this case it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- BHAs: Other BHAs include tropic acid, beta hydroxybutyric acid, and trethocanic acid.
- Strong chemical peels: Avoid these due to the risk of chemical absorption.
- High-strength AHAs: There’s not enough research, so it’s best to leave ingredients like hydroxycaproic acid off of your skin.
Instead, opt for more gentle exfoliators (like fruit enzymes) that are kind to your skin.
- Some Oils and Fragrances
Not all essential oils are safe for pregnancy, with some known to affect hormones or even cause contractions. The main ones to watch out for are:
- Rosemary: As a uterine stimulant, this could be dangerous for your baby, especially in the first trimester.
- Clary sage: This can cause serious complications, especially when used early in your pregnancy.
- Jasmine: With an estrogenic effect, it’s best to avoid Jasmine while you’re expecting.
- Other oils: Avoid oils like basil, sage, camphor, aniseed, wormwood, tarragon, and mugwort.
Pregnancy-safe oils include lavender, rose, geranium, and chamomile, so stick to these as part of a relaxing skincare routine.
Endnote
You and your skin go through a lot during pregnancy, so choosing the right nourishing ingredients and treatments is important to keep it radiant and healthy. The main takeaway is to stick to hydrating, gentle, and natural ingredients, and skip strong chemicals, retinoids, and injectables like Botox until after your baby arrives. If you’re in doubt, always practice caution and check with your doctor before applying a product to your skin.