Many products get a bad reputation for being harmful during pregnancy, but luckily for you, this isn’t always the case. A lot of what should be a regular part of your beauty routine can stay throughout your pregnancy. You don’t need to be afraid of the crazy sounding ingredients listed on your skincare products, just take some time to learn what they do and how they’ll continue to benefit you.
Vitamin C
Vitamin CUnlike Vitamin A or Retinol, Vitamin C is safe for pregnant women to use. Vitamin C is best suited for reducing wrinkles, producing collagen, protecting against sun damage and evening skin tone. If you didn’t have Vitamin C in your skincare routine, this is a great time to start!
Acne Medication
Acne flare-ups are a common pregnancy problem and strong antibacterial medications are still available to you even while pregnant. Clindamycin and erythromycin have been proven to be safe ingredients to use during pregnancy that treat many types of infections throughout the body and to treat acne.
Sunscreen
There’s a myth that chemical sunscreens are harmful to pregnant women, but studies have shown that there is little absorption or toxicity in animals. Remember to wear sunscreen every day, especially if you want to prevent melasma, a common skin condition women get during pregnancy.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is another safe acne treatment for during pregnancy. Topically, not a lot of the ingredient is absorbed into the skin and after it is metabolized, it’s excreted, so you don’t have anything to worry about with this one.
DHA
This is the main ingredient in fake tans and such a small amount of it is absorbed into the skin, it poses no threat to a developing baby. You don’t have to rely entirely on your pregnancy to give you that glow.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This is usually found in hair-bleaching or skin-lightening creams. These creams contain low amounts of this hydrogen peroxide and is quickly metabolized, so in moderation there isn’t a high level of risk in continuing use.
Glycolic Acid
This alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) is a great exfoliator and can also reduce your breakouts. This acid goes well with Vitamin C by prepping your skin to absorb the Vitamin C better. There have only been negative effects shown in large amounts beyond what is used in daily skincare, and only small amounts are absorbed into your body.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a great acne treatment, but is demonized because of its relation to aspirin which isn’t advised to be used during pregnancy. Fortunately, through the skin, this acid affects your body minimally, so you can safely use it, if needed.
Azelaic Acid
This acid is perfect for rosacea and skin pigmentation issues including while you’re pregnant. It has antibacterial properties, so it will also fight your acne, too. No birth defects were found in animal studies when using this ingredient, so you’re good to go!
While you still have many options to treat your acne and brighten your skin, keep in mind to remove retinoids and hydroquinone from your skincare. These two ingredients have been proven to cause problems for unborn babies, and this can be entirely avoided. Protect your skin with sunscreen, exfoliate and clear up your breakouts with any of those acids listed above and you’ll achieve a perfect glow all nine months long.
