Which skincare ingredients to avoid when pregnant?

Safe skincare routine for pregnancy is a topic I cover daily with my patients. Although it may not be the first thing that you will look into when you get pregnant, but there are certain ingredients in common skincare ingredients that you should avoid during pregnancy.

First let’s be honest! Your skin changes during pregnancy thanks to hormonal changes. And while some lucky ladies will enjoy 9 months of glowing skin, some ( including myself) will experience either dry skin, acne breakouts or discolouration.

To help you maintain a pregnancy safe skincare I have listed the ingredients that you should avoid during this specific period.

Skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

Retonil, Retin-A and Retinyl Palmitate
Tazorac and Accutance
Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acids
Essential oils
Hyroquinone
Aluminum Chloride
Formaldehyde
Chemical sunscreens
Tetracycline
Dihydroxyacetone

Many of these ingredients have been proven to cause dangerous health defects or pose a health risk to you and your baby. Therefore you should avoid these until after giving birth/ or after breastfeeding.

Maternity facial skincare

Don’t despair! There are still a number of products and a limited treatments (Medical microdermabrasion , Led light therapy , Dermaplaning ) that are safe to use. And they will help to maintain your glow in preparation for the biggest event of your life.

Disclaimer – Please always consult with your medical practitioner or GP first and check for possible allergies!

Best skincare for pregnancy recommendations by Skin Perfection;

Acne and hyperpigmentation – Glycolic acid and Azelaic acid in small amounts(!) will help you reduce fine lines and skin pigmentation.
Anti-ageing/Wrinkles – Antioxidants as well as boosting your immune system they will safely enhance your skin’s vitality. Safe antioxidants during pregnancy are – Vitamin C, E, K, B3 and green tea.
Dry skin and stretch marks – In addition to drinking plenty of water, hydration can be improved by daily use of moisturisers (that contain coconut oil, cocoa butter, peptides and hyaluronic acid). And of course maternity skincare also includes the body that goes through changes that have a direct effect on your skin. One way to prevent stretch marks is frequently moisturising prone zones. This will help the skin to stretch naturally as your bump (and baby) grows.
Sun protection is without a doubt the most important skin product for long term cancer and wrinkle protection. During pregnancy the only safe option recommended are mineral based sunscreens. They protect your skin by creating a shield that forces the UV rays of the sun to bounce back off the skin completely.

To learn more about best skincare for pregnancy and how to maintain a healthy, balanced skin during the next 9 months, please come along and let our Expert team look after you.

How to book an appointment?

As the first step of your skin journey at Skin Perfection, you will be invited to attend a no obligations consultation. This will give you the opportunity to get a good understanding of your skin.

Following your assessment your practitioner will recommend you a personalised treatment plan. During your first meeting you will receive all the information and knowledge you will need to keep your skin healthy.

Contact our team today to book an appointment.