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What ingredients are not safe to use during pregnancy?

post #1 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 
A friend of mine is trying for a baby but would like to try out some DIY serums.

Obviously Vitamin A is out of the question, but what about other ingredients? I've read that alpha-hydroxy acids and salicylic acid are fine to use as long as they are not left on the skin overnight. Does anyone have any other info?
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post #2 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:17pm
I have heard AHAs are ok, but SA isn't.......... I know for sure no RA.

-Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us-

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-Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us-

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post #3 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dempeaux View Post

A friend of mine is trying for a baby but would like to try out some DIY serums.

Obviously Vitamin A is out of the question, but what about other ingredients? I've read that alpha-hydroxy acids and salicylic acid are fine to use as long as they are not left on the skin overnight. Does anyone have any other info?

Each OB practice has different guidelines so she should check with her Dr but generally:

Beauty Product Safety When You?re Pregnant: Makeup, Sunscreen, Hair Dye, and More

Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are not safe but glycolic acid is safe.
Tooth whiteners, hairspray, nail polish, chemical sunscreens and tanners are out.
Hair dye, Botox (goes without saying!) and makeup with lead or fragrance is out.

Why not a honey and yogurt mask and an almond meal scrub?
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post #4 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:43pm
If salicylic acid isn't safe it must mean some expert are worried it enters the bloodstream; which is odd, because the info on hydroxys is that salicylic doesn't have the ability to penetrate that deep at all, and glycolic having smaller molecular size penetrates further ? Only a few essential oils are considered safe.
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post #5 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:50pm
Good point 2blue! does this list look complete?

"If you are pregnant avoid: Basil, Cedarwood,Clary, Coriander, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper,Marjoram. Oregano, Myrrh,Peppermint (which should also be avoided while nursing), Rockrose, Rosemary,Sage and Thyme."
Read more: Essential Oil safety, warnings and hazards for safe use in Aromatherapy
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post #6 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your info ladies! Do you think it's a matter of using no actives at all apart from, say, a basic vitamin C serum? Is that playing it safe? I suppose data might be limited on this subject, and as Fawnie says, each doctor would have his or her own guidlines on the subject.

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post #7 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:53pm
I would avoid anything except that which I would eat anyway, just to be safe.
But thats just me. Instead of L-ascorbic acid I would use a mask made of papaya or strawberry (providing no allergy). You could make her a nice soothing zinc sunscreen!
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post #8 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:58pm
Thread Starter 
I shall have to find out how to make scrubs and masks! This is an area of DIY formulation I've never ventured in to.

I actually just suggested the ZnO sunscreen to her! Probably a good idea for keeping melasma at bay
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post #9 of 22
1/18/12 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fawnie View Post

Good point 2blue! does this list look complete?

"If you are pregnant avoid: Basil, Cedarwood,Clary, Coriander, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper,Marjoram. Oregano, Myrrh,Peppermint (which should also be avoided while nursing), Rockrose, Rosemary,Sage and Thyme."
Read more: Essential Oil safety, warnings and hazards for safe use in Aromatherapy

I would not dare consider it complete, but rather investigate each oil you wanted to use.
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post #10 of 22
1/18/12 at 9:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dempeaux View Post

I shall have to find out how to make scrubs and masks! This is an area of DIY formulation I've never ventured in to.

I actually just suggested the ZnO sunscreen to her! Probably a good idea for keeping melasma at bay

LUSH cosmetics has some good ideas for "natural" products recipes if we just leave out the extraneous fillers and preservatives and colorings.

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics | USA
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post #11 of 22
1/18/12 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 
Good idea! Thanks!
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post #12 of 22
1/20/12 at 4:35pm
this is a good thread, i was using trentinoin up until last week, my husband and i want to start trying next month. should I wait a few months or does it matter that i used trentinoin a month before conception.
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post #13 of 22
1/20/12 at 4:43pm
Retin-A Cream Facts and Comparisons at Drugs.com
Congrats agame! I would def check with my OB rather than take some stranger's word for it on the interwebs. I would say "the sooner the better" tho.
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post #14 of 22
1/23/12 at 1:41pm
Awesome that you asked this -- I was wondering myself!

FYI, it is generally considered safe to use 3-free nail polishes (which most are nowadays) during pregnancy. Of course, that depends on your level of comfort with it; I drink Diet Coke when I'm pregnant so I'm a strange case.

I was wondering, however, about the KiNiaNAG and C/Ferulic recipes that are found on SEA's site... safe or unsafe? (Those are two I currently use, hence my asking. I'm not pregnant but I want to know in case. )
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post #15 of 22
1/23/12 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alibee View Post

Awesome that you asked this -- I was wondering myself!

FYI, it is generally considered safe to use 3-free nail polishes (which most are nowadays) during pregnancy. Of course, that depends on your level of comfort with it; I drink Diet Coke when I'm pregnant so I'm a strange case.

I was wondering, however, about the KiNiaNAG and C/Ferulic recipes that are found on SEA's site... safe or unsafe? (Those are two I currently use, hence my asking. I'm not pregnant but I want to know in case. )

You would have to investigate each ingredient and check it against EWG's database or something reputable like that to know, alibee. I cant give you an answer- your OB/GYN would be the one to decide. In general, I tell people: if you wouldnt eat it, dont put it on your skin when you are pregnant and breastfeeding. Alcohol consumption and smoking are huge no-no's too.
Some medications are contraindicated, you have to be very careful: a life is a long time for mistakes to happen.
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post #16 of 22
1/23/12 at 5:13pm
Yup, I'd put up with 9m of wrinkles for a safe, healthy beeb any time.
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post #17 of 22
1/23/12 at 5:41pm
You might research what actives are used in mass-produced natural maternity or baby products and then cross reference - Weleda is one source of information. They use calendula which seems to be fine topically but not advised orally Calendula: MedlinePlus Supplements
Ditto aloe vera, on which you can find plenty of interesting research on healing/ collagen induction/ inflammation Aloe: MedlinePlus Supplements
IIRC rosehip seed oil is used to avoid stretchmarks, but it does contain a small amount of vitamin A. You may find there are things that must be avoided during the first trimester only?

 

"In the year of our Lord 1903, in the meat packing plants off the shores of the sea, Stood a young man at his slaughter post a newby by his side, He said grind it up and ship it out doesn't matter what's inside, With poison bread to kill the rats, an effective tool of trade ..." Flatfoot 56
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"In the year of our Lord 1903, in the meat packing plants off the shores of the sea, Stood a young man at his slaughter post a newby by his side, He said grind it up and ship it out doesn't matter what's inside, With poison bread to kill the rats, an effective tool of trade ..." Flatfoot 56
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post #18 of 22
1/26/12 at 6:47am

How about Kojic Acid soap or lotions

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post #19 of 22
2/5/12 at 5:27pm

Some women get a brownish color on their upper lip area or their chin due to hormone issues when they are pregnant. It is my understanding that nothing can be done until after the pregnancy...and it normally goes away. It's called "pregnancy mask". Anyone have thoughts on that?

 

Oh yes, and if you are having a massage grapeseed oil ONLY...nothing else. Insist the therapist understands this before you begin.

 

Lots of water too!

 

(of course!)

 

 

Happy skin is GREAT skin!

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Happy skin is GREAT skin!

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post #20 of 22
2/5/12 at 8:22pm

Lemon/lime juice diluted in a little bit of distilled water is fine to use at night, to hopefully help with the darkening. Limes and lemons naturally contain Citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid. Just make sure you rinse it all off in the morning before going out in the sun. I like to apply it with a natural sea sponge. I also used organic coconut oil and shea/cocoa butter all over my body to prevent stretch marks. You can also make a mask of milk (lactic acid) honey and lime juice. Add brown sugar to the same mix and create a natural gentle exfoliant. 

 

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Edited by BeautySleep - 2/5/12 at 8:42pm

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"Yoga is the fountain of youth, you're only as young as your spine is flexible"

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