You may have given a lot of thought to what you eat during pregnancy (cravings are real), but what do you put in them? he your body can be just as important as what you put in it.

While most commonly used skin care products are completely safe, there are a few ingredients that experts say are best avoided during pregnancy.

Skin care ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

Retinol

Retinoids (also known as tretinoins) are a type of vitamin A that accelerates cell division (rapid renewal of your skin) and prevents the breakdown of skin collagen. These powerful substances are found in some antiaging moisturizers and treatments for acne, pigmentation disorders, and plaque psoriasis.

But retinoids are one of the skincare ingredients that experts recommend pregnant women stay away from. Some studies have shown that taking high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn child. Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin (a prescription acne treatment formerly sold under the brand name Accutane), are known to cause birth defects.

“With the exception of the known correlation between vitamin A derivatives such as retinoids, most topical skin care products are low risk,” says Layan Alrahmani, MD, OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and member of BabyCenter Medical. Advisory Board.”If you are ever unsure about certain medications or ingredients, it is best to consult with your obstetrician.”

If you’ve been using a skin cream that contains a retinoid, don’t panic. Retinoids that you put on your skin have no it has been shown to cause problems in pregnant women. Doctors are only extremely cautious in recommending that you avoid them.

Avoid products with these ingredients:

• Avage, Fabior, Tazorac (tazarotene)
• Avita (tretinoin)
• Differin (adapen)
• Panretin (alitretinoin)
• Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin)
• Retinoic acid
• Retinol
• Retinyl linoleate
• Retinyl palmitate
• Targretin gel (bexarotene)

Conclusion: Do not take oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin, during pregnancy. To be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid topical retinoids (the ingredients listed above) as well.

Acids

Hydroxy acids such as beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) are found in products to treat certain skin disorders, including acne, skin inflammation, and redness. They are also found in many cleansers, toners and scrubs that are advertised to reduce the signs of aging.

Salicylic acid is the most common BHA you will find listed as an ingredient and the only BHA that has been studied in pregnancy. High doses of acid in it oral form – it’s an ingredient in aspirin – has been shown in studies to cause birth defects and various pregnancy complications. Other BHAs have not been studied in pregnancy.

Very little BHA would be absorbed into the skin when applied topically. But because oral salicylic acid is not safe during pregnancy, doctors also recommend avoiding excessive or frequent use of BHA-containing skin products.

Small amounts applied to the skin—such as a salicylic acid toner used once or twice a day—are considered safe.

You can use a face wash that does not contain more than 2% salicylic acid (look for the percentage on the product label). This small amount is considered safe. If you want to be doubly sure, ask your doctor exactly how much would be safe to use.

The concern is greater with face and body scrubs that contain salicylic acid. Always consult your doctor before peeling treatment. Better yet, if you must exfoliate, get it professionally done at your dermatologist’s office. A dermatologist will know how to do this safely during pregnancy.

If you use a BHA product, use it with sun protection, as BHA can cause sensitivity to sunlight.

The two most common alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in beauty products are glycolic acid and lactic acid. AHAs have not been studied in pregnancy, but because only small amounts are absorbed into the skin, they are considered low risk when used in skin treatments. However, to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to use them only in small amounts.

Products containing these ingredients are safe to use in small amounts:

• Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
• Azelaic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)
• Beta hydroxybutanoic acid
• Betaine salicylate
• Citric acid
• Dicarbonic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Hydroacetic acid
• Hydroxyacetic acid
• Hydroxycaproic acid
• Lactic acid
• Salicylic acid
• Tretocanic acid
• Tropical acid
• 2-hydroxyethanoic acid

Conclusion: Do not take BHA orally, and it is best to limit their use topically.

Phthalates

It is impossible to completely avoid phthalates. A type of chemical used in everything from plastic food containers to garden hoses, phthalates are truly everywhere—including skin care.

They’re commonly used in fragranced products, which is why experts recommend using skin care and makeup products that are clearly labeled “fragrance-free.” This is different from “unscented”, which can mean that chemicals are used to mask the smell. (Hard, right?)

Studies have shownOpens a new window that children born to mothers exposed to certain phthalates during pregnancy are more likely to experience motor skill deficiencies and speech delays.

Several phthalates have been linked to endocrine disruption as well as developmental and reproductive toxicity. One type in particular, DBP, has been linked to the proliferation of breast cancer cells. DBP and DEHP, which have been shown to cause liver tumors in animals, are banned in cosmetics in the European Union, but not in the United States. DBP is sometimes used in nail polish, so check those labels.

Products containing these ingredients should be avoided:

• dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Diethyl Phthalate (DEP)
• Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)

Conclusion: Make sure the products you use are labeled “unscented” to avoid harmful phthalates during pregnancy.

My esthetician stopped me on all the active ingredients, so it’s basically a gentle cleanser, gentler toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. However, always ask your doctor.

– Member of the BabyCenter Chelseatx community

Skin care ingredients that are safe during pregnancy

Makeup

You might not think about the type of makeup you use, but even cosmetics are something to consider when you’re pregnant.

Many makeup products are labeled “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic” – meaning they’re oil-free and won’t clog pores. They are safe and will not affect your baby’s health.

If you want to be very careful during pregnancy, try some of the mineral-only makeup lines. These products use ingredients that are primarily found on top of the skin and do not cause irritation in most people.

Conclusion: Most makeup is safe to use during pregnancy. If you want to be extra careful, use makeup that only contains minerals.

Sunscreens

Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t go to the beach. But don’t forget the sunscreen. Even sunscreens with ingredients that penetrate the skin are considered safe during pregnancy. However, as an extra precaution, you can opt for products that use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – physical sunscreens that don’t penetrate the skin.

(In addition to sunscreen, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing; and reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re outside. And yes, even if you have dark skin, you should use sunscreen and follow these guidelines).

It is best not to use sunscreen that contains hydroquinone to lighten the skin. There is limited data on its safety during pregnancy, and most experts agree that it is best avoided.

These topical ingredients are considered low risk during pregnancy:

• Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)
• Benzophenone
• Dioxybenzone
• Octo-winged
• octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
• Oxybenzone
• Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide

Conclusion: You can use sunscreen when you are pregnant. Check out our favorite pregnancy-safe sunscreens here.

Steroids

Steroid creams—such as over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams—are often used for minor skin irritation, inflammation, itching, and rashes caused by contact dermatitis, mild eczema, rashes, psoriasis, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, jewelry, and insect bites.

These topical steroids are considered safe for use during pregnancy. Stronger steroid products are sometimes prescribed by dermatologists or primary care physicians, and most are also safe.

But talk to your doctor about the safety of all prescription products, including topical prescriptions, before using them during pregnancy.

These ingredients are considered safe:

• alclomethasone (Aclovate)
• Desonide (Desonate, DesOwen)
• Fluocinolone (Capex, Derma-smoothe)
• Hydrocortisone (Aquanil HC)
• triamcinolone (Aristocort A, Kenalog)

Conclusion: Most topical steroids are safe, but always check with your doctor just in case.

Hair removers and minimizers

Lotions that chemically remove hair (depilatories) or that minimize hair between shaves sound like a dream come true when you can barely reach—not to mention—see your legs. The good news is that these products are considered safe as long as you use them as directed.

If you have had an allergic skin reaction to minimizers or hair removal creams in the past, you should also avoid these products during pregnancy.

Also, some women’s skin becomes especially sensitive during pregnancy, so you may have a reaction to these ingredients even if you haven’t before. Before applying to the entire leg, do a test on a small patch of skin behind the knee and wait 24 hours to see if you react.

These topical ingredients are considered low risk during pregnancy:

• Calcium thioglycolate (depilation)
• Hydrolyzed soy protein (minimizer)
• Potassium thioglycolate (depilation)
• Sanguisorba officinalis root extract (minimizer)
• Sodium hydroxide (minimizer)

Conclusion: Most hair removers and minimizers are safe to use during pregnancy.

The last word

If you have any concerns about a skin product, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your doctor. If you’ve used a product that contains a potentially harmful ingredient, don’t panic. Simply stop using the product now and choose one with safer ingredients.

“My esthetician stopped me at all the active ingredients, so it’s basically a gentle cleanser, gentler toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” she says. BabyCenter Community a member of Chelseatx. “Facials, but no exfoliation. Always ask your doctor though.”

In addition to checking the labels in your medicine cabinet, there are nonprofit organizations that will give you all the information you need before you buy anything new. The Campaign for safe cosmeticsOpens a new window has a detailed analysis of every product and chemical of importance to pregnant women.