Skincare Ingredients You Should Avoid During Pregnancy?

The moment you find out that you’re expecting, you start getting enormous advice from several people around you. While your friends and family are giving you a long list of food to eat and avoid, some of your neighbours will be telling you what beauty products to use and what to avoid.  As when it comes to beauty products, chemicals are used in most of them and you, as an expectant mummy should be careful before using them.

However, we have curated a list of beauty products you should stay away from:

Vitamin A Derivatives

Vitamin A is considered to be very essential for the baby’s development in the womb. However, Vitamin A derivatives, with Retinoids, Retin – A, and Retinyl palmitate should be strictly avoided, during pregnancy. As such chemicals can cause potential teratogen (factor which causes malformation of an embryo). In fact, due to the penetration of such Vitamin A derivatives, there are chances that the baby inside develops birth defects.

Depigmenting Agents

For instance, hydroquinone, has not been proven to cause malformation of an embryo, but it is still advised not to use such depigmenting agents as it can cause allergies and reaction in the otherwise sensitive skin of an expecting mother.

Salicylic Acid

This chemical which is found in face washes, anti-dandruff shampoos, anti-acne creams and soaps, is most commonly used for treating skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, etc. During pregnancy, if you experience skin problems – such irritation, swelling, hives or itching, using a beauty product which will have Salicylic Acid in it will only worsen the condition. Moreover, there are chances that your pregnancy might reach the high-risk pool with birth defects in the baby in utero.

Essential Oils

It is assumed that anything natural is good for the body. But this belief is far from the truth when it comes to pregnancy. Whether it is artificial or natural, particularly essential oils, before using them check with its safety. As while jasmine and clay sage essential oils are expected to give rise contraction during pregnancy, rosemary oil might increase the blood pressure during pregnancy, which ultimately might end up in vaginal bleeding. Well! There are some essential oils which are pregnancy-friendly. You need to consult your healthcare provider to get an assured list of it.

Sunscreens

Sunscreens contain chemicals like avobenzone and oxybenzone which are harmful during pregnancy. Although there is no scientific proof to prove the side-effects, studies have claimed that there are chances of hormone disruption during pregnancy, which is linked to birth defects in babies. In fact, oxybenzone has harmful effects on the immune and neurological system among others.

Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate

Is a chemical which is found to be antiperspirants, using which during pregnancy might cause bone damage, anaemia and constant tiredness.

Formaldehyde

Are preservatives used in nail polish and other cosmetics. Use of products which contain this chemical in it, might be associated with the risk of birth defects during pregnancy.

Becoming a mother involves a lot of sacrifices. And we understand that it is not easy for you to give up on your beloved skincare regime. But, we also know that you'll do anything to protect your little one.

And while you take care of yourself and your little one growing inside you, don’t forget to take the most responsible decision of your life – cord blood banking.