If you are like me: pregnant, recently had a baby, or thinking about having a baby – this post is for you! When it comes to pregnancy, you’re already making so many adjustments in your life to make yourself healthier and stronger for your baby. Your skin care for pregnancy routine is one of those adjustments, but it’s so confusing to know which ingredients are safe and which ones aren’t. That’s where I come in! I know from experience what ingredients are beneficial for your skin, which ones are a big NO, and the different products and brands to help make your pregnancy a little less stressful!

The Expecting Mother’s Beauty Checklist:

• Make a list of your beauty and skin care products and review them with your OB-GYN and dermatologist.
• Read ALL of the ingredients labels for all of your products. If you aren’t sure about a certain ingredient, ask your doctor, myself, or do some research!
• My number one rule is: if you’re doubtful about a product or ingredient, it is best not to use it. There are many alternative pregnancy safe skin care products that are 100% fine to use while pregnant.

Pampering Yourself Safely:

• Getting a facial or microdermabrasion treatment can be safe during pregnancy, as long as the ingredients being used are safe. For example, an Image Skincare Vitamin C peel is safe, nourishing, and relaxing!
• I often inform my clients that if they want to get a facial while pregnant make sure the esthetician is well aware, ask what products they are going to use, and when in doubt, bring your own pregnancy-safe products and ask your esthetician to use those instead.

   Alana Mitchell Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer

Keep Things Simple:

• Doctors recommend keeping your pregnancy skin care routine simple. I know can be a struggle, especially if you are experiencing breakouts, oily skin, melasma, or more. Remember it’s temporary and there are a lot of natural choices to get your skin back in balance.
• Watch your sugar intake! Believe me, I know it's hard. Lately, all I want to do is stuff my face with See's candy and chocolate cake! The key is moderation; you’ll be able to help control break outs caused by an increase in sugar. My favorite trick is making a cup of hot cocoa with milk and adding a little whip cream on top, or a dark chocolate minty treat, to satisfy my craving without binging. Bottom line: keep things simple and use clean ingredients!

Red Flag to Avoid:

• Retinoids: Anti-aging & Acne – commonly found in moisturizers to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pimples, and improve the skin tone. Retinoids are a type of vitamin A that speeds up cell division and prevent collagen from breaking down. Creams that contain a high percentage have the potential to cause birth defects, so it’s best to avoid all together!
  • On the label they are commonly named:
    • Differin (adapelene)
    • Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin)
    • Retinoic acid
    • Retinol
    • Retinyl linoleate
    • Retinyl palmitate
    • Tazorac and avage (Tazarotene)

• Salicylic acid: Acne – commonly found in cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Its primary action is to penetrate and dry out facial oil, but it also does some mild exfoliation of the skin. Beta hydroxyl acid (BHA) is a form of salicylic. It’s best to avoid this ingredient because it can cause pregnancy complications.
  • On the label they are commonly named:
    • Salicylic acid
    • Beta hydroxy acid
    • BHA

• Retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, betahydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and kojic acid have been known to be harmful during pregnancy.
• Product descriptions that say “anti-aging”, “skin lightening”, “wrinkle creams”, and “acne creams” often contain these ingredients and should be avoided.

While many ingredients have controversial results, it’s better to be safe and always consult with your doctors when you are unsure. But do not worry, there are many pregnancy safe skin care brands more now than ever!

Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients:

• For acne-prone skin, use rosehip seed, lactic acid, or azelaic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids. Epicuren Acidophilus Probiotic Facial Cream, Epicuren Brazilan Propolis Mist, and Eminence Organics Cornflower Recovery Serum are wonderful for combatting acne during pregnancy.
• For melasma and hyperpigmentation of the skin, use azelaic acid or topical vitamin C. Eminence Citrus and Kale Potent C +E Serum and Image skincare Iluma Intense Lightening Serum are both great, and safe, for getting rid of these issues.
• For fine lines and wrinkles, use hyaluronic acid or vitamin C. My favorite pregnancy safe face moisturizers are my Alana Mitchell Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum, my Alana Mitchell Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer,  Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck, Epicuren Pro Collagen Serum+.
• For free-radical damage, use topical vitamin C or E. Image Skincare Vital C-Hydrating Serum and EmerginC Scientific Organics PhytoCell Detox Mask.