There is something so divine and feminine about beauty rituals, so naturally, skincare during pregnancy should be an elevated goddess ritual for such a divine and feminine time in a woman’s life. When we think about the skin during pregnancy, we often think of that well known “pregnancy glow”, but pregnancy can bring on many changes and leave us more vulnerable to flare ups of existing skin conditions or trigger new ones. It can be a very unpredictable time, and also a time when we become more concerned and mindful of clean beauty. Read below to discover topical solutions and ingredient swaps for common pregnancy skin concerns.

Ingredients you might want to avoid while pregnant

- Retinol and retinoids (form of vitamin A used for anti aging)
- Benzoyl peroxide and high dose salicylic acid (used in skincare for acne)
- Hydroquinone (typically used for brightening and melasma)
- Phthalates and synthetic fragrance (used to make add scent to products)
- Chemical sunscreens

If you’re someone using an anti-aging, acne, brightening or conventional skincare routine chances are you might have some or all of these ingredients sprinkled throughout your skincare lineup. But you need not worry, there are plenty of fish in the sea when it comes to skincare ingredients and some of these swaps might even be better for your skin long term. Let’s navigate them below:

Pregnancy skincare ingredient swaps:

RETINOL

Instead of retinol and retinoids look for ingredients like rosehip, fruit enzymes. and granular scrubs that are also known to soften, brighten, and smooth the skin to create similar results.

Rosehip is a wonderful ingredient for expectant and nursing mothers looking to smooth and brighten their skin. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A, mostly from beta carotene which converts to retinoic acid farther down the line, and also contains the highest bioavailable form of vitamin C available. Rosehip is a dry oil that absorbs quickly into the skin leaving behind a glow without any residue. Rosehip oil’s essential fatty acids support and protect your skin’s moisture barrier and works similarly to retinol to smooth and soften the complexion while evening out overall skin tone. Rosehip has been said to reduce signs of aging, redness, breakouts, controls acne, brightens the skin, and provides incredible antioxidant protection.

BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Instead of benzoyl peroxide look for ingredients such as honey and niacinamide that can bring a blemish down, soothe redness, and are anti-inflammatory (unlike benzoyl peroxide). Your moisture barrier will thank you long term when you make the switch to benzoyl peroxide alternatives. Honey is known for being an incredibly antibacterial and nourishing for the skin.  Raw honey repairs DNA and is extremely high in minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, chromium, molybdenum, and manganese. Applied externally, honey is great for healing small wounds and revitalizing the skin. Try it on scars where you want to speed up the healing process.

SALICYLIC ACID 

Instead of salicylic acid swap for ingredients that also help to decongest the pores like fruit enzymes, or willow bark extract – which has been shown to produce similar results to synthetic salicylic acid when it comes to skin regeneration. 

Enzyme exfoliation products can be safe and suited for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding (as long as there are no other acids or contraindicated actives blended into the formula) and replace other exfoliating routine products or professional treatments. (Of course, it is always recommended to see a medical professional and follow their advice while pregnant or breastfeeding). Enzymes used in skincare are a much better choice for sensitive and reactive skin since they work on the surface skin cells without causing any cellular death or turnover for living cells more deeply like acids do with more potential for irritation.

HYDROQUINONE

Instead of hydroquinone containing products, look for vitamin C, niacinamide, licorice root, fruit enzymes, or granular scrubs to help renew and brighten the complexion. Vitamin C is a well known melanin inhibiting ingredient and antioxidant beneficial for any brightening and lightening skincare routine.

SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE

Instead of Phthalates and synthetic fragrance choose fragrance free products or naturally occurring aromas from botanical ingredients or essential oils inside. 

 Read what Anthony William, Medical Medium teaches us about fragrance below:

“ Chemically scented, vaporized poisons hurt the lungs—their waxy, oily residue builds up in the lung sacs. The oily film also ends up in the liver when it enters the bloodstream from the lungs. Plus we swallow scents when we breathe them in through our mouth, and that brings it to the intestinal tract, from which it enters the bloodstream and heads to the liver, where it can reduce liver function. When the chemicals enter our bloodstream, our natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and other white blood cells absorb them, and that instantly weakens our immune cells and even kills some off. Our white blood cells need clean, fresh, oxygenated blood; with chemical scents, our white count becomes hindered. Exposure to a heavy dosage of air freshener or scented candle, or similar scent could mean three to four days of a weakened and lowered immune system. The synthetic scent chemicals can, at the same time, feed viruses and bacteria, allowing them to prosper and reproduce, leading to further illness. Someone who’s prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), sinus infections, or flare-ups of eczema, psoriasis may experience a new flare-up following exposure.” Read full article HERE

CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS

Instead of chemical sunscreens switch over to mineral zinc based sun protection. Chemical sunscreen ingredients include: 

Oxybenzone

Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate)

Avobenzone

Homosalate

Octisalate

Octocrylene

Mineral sunscreen is often called physical sunscreen because it works by sitting on top of the skin to physically shield and reflect the sun’s UV rays. The active ingredient to look for in mineral sunscreen products is Zinc Oxide

Can you use Osmosis MD while pregnant?

You may use all of the topical Osmosis products while pregnant – even the vitamin A! Here is a quote from Osmosis: The acceptable range of Vitamin A while pregnant is 2,500 - 10,000 IU (international units) per/day and 4,000 - 15,000 IU while breastfeeding. When using Osmosis Vitamin A serums you will not exceed 300 IU per/day even if using the strongest serum available at 2 pumps 2 times per day. Our Professional Facial Infusion Treatment is also safe to receive while pregnant or breastfeeding as it does not exceed 1,500 IU of Vitamin A. Of course it is always recommended to consult with your physician while pregnant or breastfeeding before the use of any active products or supplements. Learn more here

Explore pregnancy-friendly skincare below: 

Visit Mindful Beauty’s curated skincare shop for more CLICK HERE