Life
9 Beauty Products You MUST Avoid When Pregnant
Pregnancy can truly be a beautiful thing. From the excitement of welcoming a new member of the family to fulfilling your dreams of becoming an awesome mom, pregnancy can give you a feeling like no other. That being said, there are many things that you have to be cautious during your pregnancy, and that includes what beauty products you use. That's why knowing what chemicals in beauty products to avoid when pregnant is essential to ensuring that you have the safest pregnancy possible.
Many of my friends and family members have gone through pregnancy, and had to alter their daily living because of it. But I didn't realize that beauty products were a part of that alteration. It wasn't until my sister became pregnant with my niece in 2013, that I began researching all of the things that she should be eliminating from of her regimen. Though she was the one to figure out what foods she should take out, after I told her about certain things she shouldn't be using for her hair or skin, she was able to knock down the risks of her pregnancy even more.
So, if you or someone you know is a beauty maven with a baby on the way, here are 11 chemicals to steer clear of throughout the pregnancy.
1Retinoids
According to Baby Center, you should be avoiding retinoids during your pregnancy. The chemical — which is usually found in anti-aging and other skincare products — can be harmful to an unborn child due to the high amount of vitamin A found in it.
2Formaldehyde
The National Center for Biotechnology Information noted that being exposed to formaldehyde is not good during pregnancy because of it being linked to spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and premature birth.
3Toluene
According to Natural Living for Women, those who are pregnant should remove the use of toluene chemicals throughout their pregnancy. Used in fingernail polishes, this chemical can cause developmental damage to the fetus if inhaled. Try finding a natural polish instead.
4Hydroquinone
According to Vogue, hydroquinone is another chemical that should also be removed during pregnancy. Though the chemical is known for removing dark spots and melasma, it can be very harmful to use during your pregnancy.
5Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
Vogue noted that aluminum chloride hexahydrate should be removed from your beauty regimen during pregnancy. The chemical is found in antiperspirants and is what affects the cells that produce sweat. Instead of using antiperspirants, try a simple deodorant or natural alternative.
6Phthalates
According to Mother Nature Network, phthalates is another chemical that you should be steering clear of. Known as chemicals added to plastics to make them more flexible, phthalates have been linked to the increase of blood pressure, ADHD, diabetes, and abnormal fetal development.
7Ammonia
Mother Nature Network noted that removing the use of ammonia in your beauty routine is important when pregnant. This chemical can be found in many hair dyes and can irritate the skin and lungs.
8Salicylic Acid
Baby Center also noted that salicylic acid is another chemical you should be staying away from throughout your pregnancy. The chemical is used to treat acne and other skin disorders, but high doses of it in oral form can cause birth defects and pregnancy complications.
9Essential Oils
Natural Living for Women also noted that while not all essential oils should be removed, certain oils should be removed during pregnancy. Some oils that are safe for pregnancy include moroccan chamomile, sandalwood, rosewood, and bergamot.
