Skin Care During Pregnancy



Box of Goodies

Another thing that you learn while you are pregnant... your skin doesn't always want to cooperate with you.  Plus, you can't necessarily continue to use your same skin care products.  Above is my box of pre-natal goodies that I ordered.  Belli skin products, tummy butter, and my pre-natal vitamins.

Salicylic Acid is Best to Avoid.
Many women have breakouts in the first trimester because of changing estrogen levels, even if they've always had clear skin.  However, most acne control and cleaning facial wash have salicylic acid in the ingredient list and doctors advise that it is best to avoid salicylic acid.  Salicylic acid can penetrate facial oils to get deep into pores and clean out dead skin cells.  It is in the aspirin family, so it can also help reduce inflammation or redness. 

High doses of the acid in its oral form have been shown in studies to cause birth defects and various pregnancy complications.  Again, doctors are being cautious by recommending that pregnant women avoid the topical use of salicylic acid. Small amounts applied to the skin — such as a salicylic acid-containing toner used once or twice a day — are considered safe.  Face and Body peels, however, are not recommended because it is stronger and can potential soak into the skin which is similar to taking one or more aspirin while pregnant.

So what does a girl do?

I found Belli skin care products that are safe during pregnancy.  In fact this is the only skin-care product that I found that advertises specifically to pregnant women.  There may be more but this is the product that I found, used, and really like.  I'm not even sure if I am going to go back to my old facial wash after pregnancy.  Their products are a little pricey but if you order online at www.drugstore.com  they come at a discounted rate, plus free shipping if you spend $25.00.

Belli is a physician-formulated collection of skin care products for new moms and their babies.  The Belli Pregnancy line advertises that it has set a higher standard for prenatal safety, as the only skin care line in the world that is teratology screened.  They search through over 16 million medical research articles in over 5000 international journals, and use this information to exclude ingredients with even remote links to birth defects or other problems with pregnancy.  

The big difference that I found is that they do not use salicylic acid in their facial products and instead uses lactic acid which is considered safe to use during pregnancy.  Lactic acid does not treat acne but it does effectively clean out clogged skin pores which can lead to acne.  This ingredient is already naturally present in your bloodstream, so it makes sense that it passes teratology screening cleanly. The lactic acid in Belli's Anti-Blemish Facial Wash will help cleanse the skin no matter what form of acne you have. It works by cleaning out the dead skin cells and oil (sebum) that clog the facial pores and can result in bacterial overgrowth. With unclogged pores the bacteria are less likely to flourish.  

Look at all of the different Belli Products:  I have only used the facial wash and lotion and I would highly recommend both of these products...especially the facial wash. 
 






Other Ingredients to Avoid:  (I don't use products with these ingredients so I haven't had to make any changes.)

• Retinoids: These powerful substances, found in some anti aging moisturizers, are lauded for helping reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone. Retinoids are a type of vitamin A that speeds up cell division (quickening your skin's renewal) and prevent skin collagen from breaking down.  Some studies have shown that high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can be harmful to an unborn child. And oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin, are known to cause birth defects.
• Soy: While soy-based lotions and facial products are generally safe to use,  soy can make dark splotches on facial skin worse, as can oil of bergamot, which is in many organic products. 

Now I know that 20 years ago or less doctors did not know that salicylic acid could be harmful during pregnancy and it is just an extra precaution to take but I'm willing to switch products to give myself a peace of mind.  The Internet is great but sometimes being too knowledgeable is stressful and worrisome.  I don't think that my mom ever worried about what skin care products she was using while pregnant, or about eating lunch meat (another no-no while pregnant), or sleeping on your side, etc...  The list of things that doctors and books and the Internet say to do or not to do is endless.  When it comes to switching a facial product or avoiding a certain food I usually listen.  However, when it comes to exercise that is where I push the limit a little because every body is different and there are a million and one opinions about everything. 

Bottom Line:  Try to be the healthiest I can be for Baby Woos and follow most pregnancy do's or don't within reason.  I am not going to stress myself out if I eat a sandwich or use my powder with .5% salicylic acid in it.