When I was pregnant, I prepared myself for the whole no-alcohol, don’t-eat-sushi thing, and it was surprisingly easy to forego my glass of rosé and a yellowtail roll. Here’s what I totally was not expecting: scaling back on my beauty products!
Turns out, in addition to making sure your cheese is pasteurized, pregnant women have to be a lot more diligent about checking labels on their favorite shampoos or beloved lipsticks. I mean, I’m not big into Brazilian blowouts, but I do use nail polish, and I was shocked to find out that both of those things could possibly contain formaldehyde which is known to cause cancer and may be linked to fertility problems and miscarriage. There were other surprises, too. Growing up, I was warned against using bug spray containing Deet, however, now that Zika virus is such a threat to pregnant women, the CDC says it’s actually recommended — even for pregnant women and children.
Check out this slideshow and see if there are any tweaks that need to be made to your beauty routine, and definitely consult your doctor or midwife if you’re concerned about any of the products or services you currently use.
More Pregnancy Beauty Tips:
- Pregnancy Proofing Your Skin Care Routine
- Foods To Avoid While Pregnant: What’s Really Off-Limits?
- 31 Pregnancy Essentials for Every Trimester
- 5 Stretch Mark Oils to Try on Your Pregnant Belly ASAP
15 Beauty Products, Ingredients, and Services to Avoid During Pregnancy
Here are beauty products, ingredients, and services you should consider eliminating during pregnancy.
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Beauty Products With Formaldehyde
Why it's bad: Formaldehyde, an organic chemical, is known to cause cancer and may be linked with fertility problems and miscarriage. In extremely high doses (like you work at a morgue), formaldehyde could enter your breast milk.
How to avoid: According to the CDC, it is unknown how much formaldehyde can affect your pregnancy. Avoid certain eyelash glues, nail polishes, and hair straightening treatments (like Brazilian blowouts) that contain formaldehyde, and wear mask and gloves if you work regularly with formaldehyde. Read the ingredients and stay away from formaldehyde, quaternium-15, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM), hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol).
Source: CDC
Image: Getty/Runphoto
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Chemical Sunscreens
Why it’s bad: Sunscreens containing potentially hazardous chemicals can enter the bloodstream, and studies have shown that these chemicals can cause allergic reactions and hormone disruption, as well as low birth weight in babies.
How to avoid it: Choose a "physical" or "chemical-free" sunscreen that sits on top of the skin rather than seeping into it, and make sure it does not include oxybenzone or avobenzone as an active ingredient.
Sources: CDC via the Environmental Working Group
Image: Getty
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Dying Hair During The First Trimester
Why it’s bad: Although there has only been limited research, and most ob-gyns agree that dying hair during pregnancy is safe, studies show that some of the chemicals used in hair dying and perming products may be carcinogenic if they enter the bloodstream.
How to avoid it: To be on the safe side, skip dying or perming your hair in the first trimester. After that, if you are concerned, try an alternative like a vegetable-based dye (like henna) or opt for highlights that won't go near the root (or, more importantly, the bloodstream).
Sources: American Pregnancy Association & National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Image: Getty
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Hot Tubs
Why it’s bad: Raising your body temperature above of 101º F during your first trimester could cause stress by reducing blood flow to the baby, and could possibly lead to an increased risk of birth defects. Additionally, a long bath could invite bacteria and increase your chance of vaginal infection.
How to avoid: Keep cool by skipping the sauna, and not hot tubbing in the first trimester. After that, keep your soak to ten minutes. Alternately, skip the hot tub altogether by taking a relaxing bath at home, keeping the temp at or below 98º F and, again, keeping soak time brief.
Sources: American Pregnancy Association & University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Image: Getty/Razyph
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Herbal Supplements
Why they’re bad: Although research is very limited, herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and could cause harm at various stages of pregnancy.
How to avoid it: If you are interested in taking herbal supplements, discuss it with your healthcare provider who will know which supplements (and at what doses) are safe to consume.
Source: FDA & American Pregnancy Association
Image: Getty/photoaddict1
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Acne Medicine
Why it’s bad: Babies exposed to prescription acne medication in utero during the first trimester may experience birth defects ranging from craniofacial and heart defects, to inhibition of bone growth, teeth discoloration, and problems with the central nervous system. Additionally, there can be an increased risk of miscarriage and infant death.
How to avoid it: Speak to your healthcare provider and/or dermatologist for specific advice, but know that the use of products like Accutane (pictured), Retin-A, and Tetracycline during pregnancy is not safe.
Source: Mayo Clinic & American Pregnancy Association
Image: Accutane
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Products With Diethanolamine (DEA)
Why it’s bad: Commonly seen as the foaming agent in shampoos, studies show that the chemical diethanolamine could alter brain development and memory function in babies. Studies have also found that cocamide DEA can lead to miscarriages and can disturb fetal cell development.
How to avoid it: Read labels carefully, and avoid body washes and shampoos (like Prell, pictured) that contain the organic compounds diethanolamine, oleamide DEA, lauramide DEA, and cocamide DEA.
Source: National Center of Biotechnology Information, US National Library of Medicine
Image: Prell Shampoo
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Retinol
Why it’s bad: Also called vitamin A, this anti-aging powerhouse (especially the prescription variety) can cause malformations of the central nervous system in babies when taken in excess.
How to avoid it: Try a skin-smoothing retinol alternative like vitamin C, or soy (Aveeno Positively Radient Night Cream, pictured), to keep you and your baby safe.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Image: Aveeno
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Massages In The First Trimester
Why it’s bad: Many doctors and massage therapists discourage prenatal massage in the first trimester due to the already increased risk for miscarriage associated with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
How to avoid it: Talk to your ob-gyn about when it's safe for you to get a massage, and be sure to seek out a certified prenatal massage therapist (one who will most likely have you lay on your side).
Source: American Pregnancy Association
Image: Getty/BanksPhotos
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Lead In Beauty Products
Why it’s bad: Lead, once commonly found in most lipsticks, is extremely poisonous and can put you at risk for miscarriage, cause premature birth, and stunt the development of the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, as well as cause learning or behavior problems in children.
How to avoid it: The FDA has updated their guidelines and lipstick companies have significantly reduced the amount of lead found in their products. Check out this list to see where your fave lipstick ranks. Additionally, eating foods with plenty of calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help protect you and your baby from lead poisoning.
Source: CDC
Image: Getty/pashapixel
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Makeup With Parabens
Why it’s bad: Studies suggest that parabens -- found in makeup, moisturizers, and hair care products -- may adversely affect the fetal growth of boys.
How to avoid it: Although the FDA has not specified any danger to human health, to be on the safe side, avoid makeup products and shampoos containing the preservatives propylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben, or butylparaben.
Sources: CDC via Science Daily & Web MD
Image: Getty/RunPhoto
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Ankle Massages (*Before Your Due Date)
Why it’s bad: Reflexology and acupressure performed on a specific pressure point located near your ankle may lead to cervical ripening and/or preterm labor.
How to avoid it: Wait till you’ve reached your due date, then you can choose an ankle massage along with your pedicure if your doctor agrees that you should be trying natural ways to induce labor.
Sources: National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Image: Getty/Jupiterimages
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Antiperspirant With Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
Why it’s bad: Aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which is found in antiperspirant, can cause allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching or hives, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and can alter your chemical balance.
How to avoid it: Ask your doctor if antiperspirant is safe during your pregnancy, or opt for a chemical-free deodorant.
Source: Drugs.com
Image: Getty/timx323
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Spray Tans & Tanning Beds
Why it’s bad: Raising your core body temperature, which may happen in a tanning bed, could cause spinal malformation in your baby. Additionally, spray tans contain the chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which can be inhaled, and is best avoided in your first trimester.
How to avoid it: Skip tanning beds and fake tanners (like St. Tropez, pictured) throughout your first trimester, and be wary of too much sun (and heat) exposure. Your pregnancy glow is all you need for the next nine months!
Source: American Pregnancy Association
Image - St Tropez Self Tanner
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Dodgy Tattoo Parlors
Why it’s bad: Dirty parlors and needles can spread infections like Hepatitis B and HIV to you, and your baby. (And really, this advice is true even if you're not pregnant.)
How to avoid it: It is probably safest to skip the tattoo until after your baby is born, but if you must have a tattoo be sure the artist is registered, wearing gloves, and that the place is clean and that all materials are sterilized and disposable. Alternately, temporary henna tattoos in natural colors (not black) are a great way to go.
Source: American Pregnancy Association
Image: Getty/Solstoc
