skincare do’s & don’t’s for you & your baby
Have you ever wondered which skincare products are safe for you and your baby during and after pregnancy?
I often get clients ask me this question as they begin to experience various changes in their body and skin due to hormonal changes while pregnant and/or postpartum.
Some of the most common changes women experience on their skin during and after pregnancy are:
Hormonal Acne
Stretchmarks
Darkening skin on the face, belly or other areas of the body, known as chloasma/melasma
Irritation and dryness of the nipples
As you experience these changes in your body and skin the last thing you want is to add unhealthy chemicals that can affect your baby or your hormones even more.
Up to 88% of what we put on our skin ends up directly in our bloodstream. So if you think about all the personal care products you use in any given day, from facial products, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, deodorant; all of those have the potential to really add to that chemical load in the body.
Unfortunately in the United States, our most common over the counter skin care products contain thousands of unsafe chemicals/unnatural ingredients that can either worsen the issue or lead to longer lasting health issues.
I’m sure you’re thinking, “Well, how do I know what products are safe and which ones should I stay away from?”
The best place to start is always educating yourself. The more you know about the different ingredients found in your product and how they affect you, the better choices you can make for you and your family. Another good rule of thumb, if you cannot pronounce the ingredients or recognize them they probably do not belong on your skin.
To help make these choices, my good friend, and holistic esthetician, Leanne Hill, and I sat down for a quick discussion on some of the main ingredients you should avoid, and alternative products and companies you can use and trust.
You can watch the full episode on the Rebel Roots Nutrition podcast here (insert link to podcast)
Some of the most common chemical compounds we discussed on the podcast that are major “No-no’s” pre, post, and during pregnancy are:
Parabens
Phthalates
endocrine disruptors
Formaldehyde
Skin fillers such as silicones (a.k.a. dimethicone)
artificial fragrances
salicylic acid
retinoid or retinol - cause birth defects
Hydroquinone - avoid for melanin, impacts immune health
Essential oils are contraindicated and one should always consult skilled herbal practitioner or is physician before using these
There are some natural equivalents we mentioned you can substitute these chemicals with, such as:
Zinc SPF formula to protect from sun damage, nourishes skin, serves as a skin primer, and could reduce breakouts,
Cocoa butter, shea butter, and coco oil for hydration and vibrancy. Great for stretch marks!
Willow bark or birch bark-both forms of salicylic acid that are used topically. Great for clearing blemishes, though they should not be used during pregnancy in any formula over a 2% strength.
Plant based retinols
High dose topical Vitamin C potent antioxidant
Collagen - firms and brightens skin and improves pigmentation
Rosehip serum
Below is a list of cleaner, greener, and safer products and brands.
RMS Beauty https://www.rmsbeauty.com/pages/about-us
Erth Minerals https://www.erthminerals.com/pages/worry-free-ingredients
Beauty Counter https://www.beautycounter.com/products/makeup
Qet Botnaicals https://qetbotanicals.com/
Green Envee https://www.greenenvee.com/
Suntegrity https://www.suntegrityskincare.com/
Remember that this is only one step in addressing our toxic load and supporting our body’s natural detox pathways with the right nutrients is equally important.
Find Carla at rebelrootsnutrition@gmail.com or www.rebelrootsnutrition.com.
You can also access more resources on the toxins to avoid and alternative products to use by joining the Rebel Roots Nutrition Freebie Library HERE https://www.rebelrootsnutrition.com/freebie-library
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to substitute medical advice or provide treatment or diagnosis. Always consult your physician for your healthcare needs.