Pregnancy-safe skincare and the ingredients to look out for
Pregnancy and post-partum is an incredibly vulnerable time for any female. Your body is going through so many changes, that it’s hard to keep up with what’s meant to happen week after week. One of the changes I noticed while I was pregnant and after giving birth, was the change to my skin. My skin, which is normally very dry, got the odd breakout so I had to change up my routine slightly by cleansing three times a day and using my Charcoal Me face mask as an overnight spot treatment.
I’m not alone – those crazy hormones surging through your body can cause acne, hyperpigmenation, dry and dull skin, rosacea… the list goes on. When you’re already having to focus on all the other changes in your lifestyle due to pregnancy, skincare tends to be forgotten and it shouldn’t, as what we put on our skin as just as important as what we put into our bodies.
Many mainstream skincare products contain toxic ingredients that are even more harmful during pregnancy, as your baby’s system isn’t quite ready yet to manage all these ingredients. This has been an important part of my product development, especially since becoming a mother, I’m very conscious of making my skincare products suitable for women through all stages of life.
SAFE INGREDIENT ALTERNATIVES
Just because you can no longer use your favourite products, doesn’t mean you can find good skincare. There are many natural alternatives to the popular ingredients which are just as effective, and far safer for you and baby. Here are some alternatives to consider and which earth4me products can address your concerns:
Vitamin C instead of AHA/BHA
AHA/BHAs (alpha hydroxy acid/beta hydroxy acid) are popular ingredients to brighten and exfoliate the skin, however during pregnancy these are a big no-no. Instead, go for Vitamin C which not only brightens the skin but helps reduce and prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Find it in our Activate Me Vitamin C Serum and Brighten Me face mask (vitamin C and marine collagen).
Activated Charcoal instead of retinols, vitamin A, salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide
Acne is a common occurrence during pregnancy (hello hormones!) and retinols, vitamin A, salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide should not be part of your skincare routine in any way. They have been proven to pose a huge risk to the baby and in some ingredients, cause birth defects. If controlling your acne is your priority, use activated charcoal instead which can clear the toxins and bacteria aggravating your acne. Treat acne with our Charcoal Me detoxing toner and Charcoal Me face mask.
Lactic acid instead of AHA/BHA and retinols
While there’s no denying the effect of AHA/BHAs and retinol in exfoliating the skin, during pregnancy you’ll want a safer option. Lactic acid, derived from milk, is a fantastic alternative that is also gentle and suitable for all skin types. It is used in our Clarify Me cleansing minerals, and can also be used as a face mask for that extra exfoliation and oil control.
Zinc instead of chemical based sunscreen
Unlike chemical based sunscreens, which absorb into your skin, zinc sits on the skin making it safe for you and baby. Zinc is also an effective form of sun protection, which is incredibly important in Australia. If you want something that doesn’t leave a film on your skin, try a sunscreen with titanium dioxide instead, which can also be found in mineral make-up. Try our Zinc Mineral Balm for a safe, sun-protecting cream.
Magnesium instead of aluminium
Aluminium was long the favourite ingredient for anti-antiperspirants, until science and technology improved and natural deodorants became the norm. But still, there are some that are fantastic and some that aren’t. So what should you look for? I recommend looking for a deodorant that contains magnesium. Sweat isn’t the culprit of odour, bacteria is, and what magnesium does is kill the bacteria on your skin, so you can still sweat but without the smell. My new Refresh Me deodorant stick contains magnesium, as well as shea butter to keep your underarms soft, and lemon myrtle and essentials oil for a natural fragrance release.
Aloe vera instead of retinol, AHA and formaldehyde
Yikes, yes, you can still find formaldehyde in moisturising creams, masked as other names [quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM), hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol)]. Retinol and AHA are also ingredients in moisturisers you need to be aware of. Instead, try aloe vera, a classic and enduring moisturising ingredient (read all about the benefits of aloe vera pulp in our previous blog). Find aloe vera pulp in our Hydrate Me organic facial milk and Repair Me whipped serum balm, which can also be used on stretch marks and other dry patches on your body.
Essential oils instead of fragrance
I should preface this by advising you should seek the advice of a GP or health professional before using essential oils, and I’m happy to provide you the list of essential oils I use in each product so you can double check if it is safe for you to use.
A lot of fragrances contain harmful ingredients, including parabens which you should avoid during pregnancy (and in general),and none of my products contain fragrances, instead relying on essential oils to provide a pleasant fragrance whilst delivering benefits at the same time. Try my Nourish Me cleansing oil, which contains rosehip oil, calendula and hemp seed oil to deeply cleanse skin while providing a natural, sensory experience.
There are plenty of online resources out there on what ingredients and products are safe during pregnancy, so take the time to carefully research what’s available. If you want to create a pregnancy and post-partum safe skincare routine with earth4me, get in touch with me via my Facebook page and I’d be more than happy to chat with you about your needs.
Natasha Brock is a trained beauty therapist and skincare specialist with over 15 years experience in New Zealand and Australia. In addition to offering customised skin care products, she runs a clinic in Port Hedland, Western Australia.
