What assets present in cosmetics can you use and which ones should you avoid during pregnancy?

Pregnancy

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The months of gestation are a stage of changes and adaptation that go beyond the purely physical or hormonal. The future mother must make important changes in her lifestyle and in her habits to adapt to the special conditions of this period and that the baby's development is optimal. The first adjustments usually come from the hand of the diet: the doctor prescribes a list of foods to avoid. Then certain prenatal vitamins are evaluated and appropriate exercise guidelines are given. However, many times professionals ignore the possible use of cosmetic products and treatments that the pregnant mother applies to counteract the effects of pregnancy on the skin, and whose ingredients may be contraindicated for pregnancy.

There are certain ingredients present in many creams and skin treatments that you should not use if you are pregnant as they can cross the placenta and reach the fetus causing birth defects. Therefore, you have to be very careful when using some cosmetics that, although basic and safe in a daily skin care routine, are not when you are pregnant. That does not mean that during this stage you forget to take care of yourself and follow a beauty routine, but you should know which cosmetics are appropriate and safe. Below we indicate which ones do and which ones you should put on the blacklist until the baby arrives.

1. RETINOL AND DERIVATIVES (retinoic acid, retinaldehyde, tretinoin...)

Retinol and its derivatives, is a very common active ingredient in many anti-aging creams, its function is to act against wrinkles, blemishes, dull skin and acne-prone skin, which is why you can find it in many anti-aging and anti-acne creams on the market. However, high-dose retinol is teratogenic and can cause malformations in the fetus, so be careful and stop using creams containing this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinoic acid, retinol, tretinoin, present in topical anti-acne treatments, are also contraindicated during pregnancy. Nor can we forget that oral retinoids are also prohibited in pregnancy.

2. CAFFEINE PRESENT IN ANTI-CELLULITE

¿Qué activos presentes en los cosméticos puedes usar y cuáles debes evitar durante el embarazo?

Although using anti-cellulite creams can be tempting during pregnancy, their caffeine content, which is key to lipolytic action when it comes to burning fat, and the penetrating power of their ingredients make them inadvisable products during pregnancy. They would be in the first category of prohibited cosmetics. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the ease of this substance to cross the placenta in pregnancy and pass into breast milk during lactation.

Also avoid anti-cellulite in the form of transdermal patches, since their penetration is greater, they can pass into the blood and there is a greater risk that the active ingredients pass into the placenta.

3. ESSENTIAL OILS IN COSMETICS

Skin care based on essential oils is very fashionable but they should not be used during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, as essential oils can pass into the bloodstream and cross the placenta damaging the fetus and can also pass into breast milk. The advice is to avoid them completely throughout pregnancy and even while breastfeeding.

Remember that essential oils are not the same as vegetable oils. During pregnancy, a wide variety of vegetable oils can be used, such as rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, argan oil, calendula oil, etc. These oils are excellent for skin regeneration, provide nutrition and elasticity, making them ideal for preventing and treating stretch marks and nipple cracks.

4. COSMETICS AGAINST ACNE

Although acne is one of the frequent hormonal changes in pregnancy, the use of specific products to combat it is contraindicated, whether they are more or less aggressive. They are especially used for their regenerative and antibacterial power.

These cosmetics and treatments often contain benzoyl peroxide (toxic to the embryo); salicylic acid, found in common cleansing creams, wipes, and gels; hydrocortisone, in an intermediate risk category, and, of course, the famous treatments for severe acne based on isotretinoin, totally contraindicated in case of pregnancy.

5. MINOXIDIL IN HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS

Topical minoxidil, used as an anti-hair loss treatment, although it has minimal percutaneous absorption, should be avoided during pregnancy and during lactation. The dermatologist should assess its use in selected patients when the benefit is greater than the risk.

6. SALICYLIC ACID IN SKIN TREATMENTS

Topical salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent that is found in many products for the treatment of scaling diseases such as psoriasis or dandruff, acne and blemished skin treatments, wart treatments, corns and calluses, etc. So be careful if you have to treat any of these alterations because salicylic acid can be absorbed systemically, so it should not be used during pregnancy or during lactation, since its safety has not been established.

7.ALUMINUM SALTS IN DEODORANTS

Deodorants do not get rid of the sieve either. Heavy metals, such as aluminum salts (widely used in anti-odour products), can affect the baby's nervous system or even cause malformations.

1.Vitamin C

It has a depigmenting effect to soften the chloasmas of pregnancy, and also reinforces sun protection. It also unifies the skin tone and protects us against free radicals. It is an active antioxidant, so it visibly reduces the signs of aging.

2.Hyaluronic acid

For skin imbalances, dehydration, sensitivity and even acne caused by hormonal changes, hyaluronic acid becomes an essential asset

3.Glycolic Acid:

This alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) is practically not absorbed through the skin when applied as a cream or gel, which is why it is considered a safe product during pregnancy. In addition, it is an exfoliant that is more compatible with pregnancy than salicylic, which, by removing dead cells and decongesting pores, helps acne-prone skin.

4.Azelaic acid

It is an active ingredient used in dermatology to treat acne, rosacea and even as a depigmenting agent. Since most of the product remains in the epidermis and absorption is minimal, it is classified as safe during pregnancy.