Pregnancy and Skin Care: Which Products are Safe?

So you’ve got a baby coming, and you don’t want to lose ground with your skin care routine.

While some women can look fabulous through pregnancy, others are more affected by the hormonal changes. They notice dark spots, acne or varicose veins appearing. These are common concerns that you should discuss with your dermatologist, midwife, obstetrician or family physician.

When it comes to skin care products and treatments, many physicians recommend that you simply postpone their use until pregnancy and breastfeeding are over. In addition to safety concerns about products, skin issues may resolve on their own when your life is back to normal.

Topical moisturizers, antioxidants and sulphur-based products are safe during pregnancy. You could also safely undergo microdermabrasion, which exfoliates the skin with tiny crystals.

Products to Avoid

Unsafe products include but are not limited to:

• Retinoids (tretinoin) are a standard part of the anti-aging regimen. But they are not recommended for use during pregnancy. The FDA also recommends that pregnant women limit their Vitamin A intake.
• Beta hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment.
• Accutane is known to cause serious birth defects when used during pregnancy.

The clinical research done on this topic is limited – because no physician is likely to perform studies of pregnant women and different skin care products. If you’re in doubt about any skin care product or treatment, consider your options carefully and talk to a physician before using it.

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