Listen up, ladies! Steer clear of these 6 skincare ingredients during your pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most memorable milestones in a woman’s life; a time when she nourishes another life in her womb. And as we know, with great power comes great responsibility. So when you’re expecting a baby, you need to be even more cautious about everything you do, eat and use! 

You must have heard a ton of advice about what to eat, and what not to do during your pregnancy. But has anyone told you about some skincare ingredients that could cause harm to you and your baby?

So, before you buy your next skincare product, check the label for the following ingredients:

1. Retinol

Vitamin A derivatives such as retinol are considered essential for the growth of your baby, but high doses can prove to be dangerous. Research has shown a link between excess vitamin A and birth defects. Therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry.

2. Chemicals in your sunscreen

Sunscreens are often loaded with chemicals, some like avobenzone and oxybenzone that aren’t pregnancy-friendly. These chemicals affect the growth of your fetus, and in some cases, disrupts your hormonal balance.

3. Added fragrance

When a product is high on fragrance, it is clear that it is loaded with chemicals.

Generally, fragrances contain harmful components like aldehydes and parabens, which can pose serious health risks. So, try opting for fragrance-free products to be on the safer side.

4. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid

These ingredients are largely used in anti-acne products. While the external application causes no harm, if consumed orally during pregnancy, it can have complications during the birth of your baby.

5. De-pigmentation chemicals

Many women experience skin pigmentation, and use products that contain a chemical called ‘hydroquinone’. But ladies, if this chemical is present in any product, it’s best to stay away from it, as it can cause severe allergies, and can react to sensitive skin.

Moreover, about 40-45% of the chemicals are absorbed in your bloodstream, which is not very healthy, both for you and your baby.

6. Parabens

Parabens are one of the most common ingredients present in cosmetic products. They not only get easily absorbed in the skin, but also disrupt hormones.

A study published in the Journal of Chemistry found that prenatal exposure of BPA, which is also a form of paraben, is linked to many serious complications including miscarriages, and impaired fetal growth.

So ladies, be extremely careful when you buy skincare products during pregnancy!