I caution everybody to read labels and be careful of what products and ingredients they’re putting on their skin, but when it comes to women who are pregnant, wanting to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, the warning goes up into the red zone. Why?
Studies have shown that newborns may be born with several chemicals already in their blood, including fragrances and bisphenol-A (BPA). At least some of these chemicals are believed to come from daily personal care products. As your doctor has probably already told you, when you’re pregnant, what you eat as well as what you apply to your skin and hair could end up in your bloodstream, where it can affect your unborn child. Since babies are so tiny and vulnerable, even small amounts of chemicals are more dangerous to them.
To protect yourself and your unborn or breastfeeding child, avoid any products with the following ingredients.
- Read my ingredients to avoid. I’ve already put up a list of 24 ingredients to avoid for anyone who’s concerned about reducing their toxic exposure and their risk of health problems. This list is even more important for women of childbearing age, and includes key toxins to avoid during pregnancy like formaldehyde, parabens, petroleum products, lead, 1,4-dioxane, phthalates, and aluminum.
- Vitamin A and retinoids. Derivatives of vitamin A have long been used in skin care products because of their ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. High doses of vitamin A taken orally, however, have been shown to be potentially harmful to a fetus. According to the March of Dimes, women who consume more than the recommended amount of vitamin A in early pregnancy doubled their risk of having a child born with birth defects. Anti-acne medication isotretinoin is also known to increase the risk of birth defects. So far, however, studies have not shown that topical retinoids cause any harm to an unborn baby. Doctors advise women, however, to be on the cautious side, and avoid ingredients like retin-A, retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl linoleate, retinyl palmitate, Renova, Differin (adapelene), and Tazorac and avage (tazarotene). Watch out for these ingredients in your sunscreens as well!
- Salicylic acid. It’s great for reducing acne outbreaks, but the chemical can bore deep into the skin, and high doses of the oral form have shown to lead to pregnancy complications. The strongest concern is related to face and body peels that contain the ingredient, as these treatments increase absorption. Most doctors will advise caution, suggest you avoid these types of peels, and reduce or avoid salicylic acid in toners and moisturizers. (Also watch for beta hydroxy acid and BHA.) If you struggle with acne, ask your obstetrician how to safely treat it, and make sure your skin care products are non-clogging.
- Chemical sunscreens. I’ve highlighted the potential dangers of chemical sunscreens in a former post. A study performed at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that one such sunscreen-oxybenzone-was linked to low birth weight in baby girls who mothers were exposed during pregnancy. Avobenzone can also be absorbed into the skin where it may cause free radical damage. Choose a safe sunblock like zinc oxide during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Acids and benzoyl peroxide. Scientists haven’t yet studied some ingredients to determine whether or not they may be harmful to an unborn child. These include many exfoliating acids, like glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and even topical vitamin C, as well as acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide. Some doctors feel these are safe, and some are extra cautious. If you’re suffering from a difficult skin condition, talk to your doctor about your best approach to treatment.
Above all, don’t panic! If you’ve been using one of these ingredients and didn’t realize the potential health hazards, it’s okay. Just stop using it. Problems are typically rare and rely on repeated exposure. The best approach to protect the health of your baby is to try to reduce your toxic exposure to chemicals in every way that you can, through your food, personal care items, and environment.
Are you a pregnant woman concerned about her toxic exposure? Share your tips for safe skin care.
Sources:
“CDC: Americans Carry ‘Body Burden’ of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical: Separate Study Links Sunscreen Chemical to Low Birth Weight in Baby Girls,” Environmental Working Group press release, March 25, 2008, http://www.ewg.org/release/cdc-americans-carry-body-burden-toxic-sunscreen-chemical.
Photo courtesy ChristineLouiseFerguson via Flickr.com.
