The Complete Guide To Safe Skincare During Pregnancy

Avoid Toxins

Some skincare and cleaning products contain ethoxylated ingredients, which are carcinogens for you and baby. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or reach our internal organs when airborne after we clean floors or wash windows. They are also environmental toxins that are leaking into soil and water sources every time these ingredients are washed down the drain. These harmful ingredients often end in -eth (sodium Laureth sulfate), have numbers in the name (polysorbate-20) or may contain the letter PEG (PEG 40). If any of your beauty or cleaning products contain these chemicals, avoid them.

Avoid Synthetic Colors And Petrochemicals

The jury may be out on whether synthetic colors are linked to harmful side effects as there has yet to be solid research proving this. However, most women tend to put their hair coloring habits and chemical treatments on hold during pregnancy. There is sufficient evidence however to avoid certain petrochemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are cancer-causing chemicals found in crude oil. Petroleum jelly and mineral oil are not considered harmful petrochemicals, however, some women avoid them due to possible contamination from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which is a known risk.

Go au naturel! When possible, stick to the less is more approach and limit your use of products altogether. Pregnancy may not be the ideal time to begin experimenting with new products or changing up your beauty routine as your body is already undergoing so many changes. But do swap out all chemical-laden beauty products and simplify your routine.