Merit's Pregnancy Safety

Merit is a clean, luxury beauty brand inspired by minimalism. It was founded by Katherine Power in 2021, who, while pregnant with her son, wanted to use cleaner formulas than those offered by legacy luxury brands. Merit's products are formulated to EU standards, and the brand has an internal list of ingredients that they eliminate, including any ingredients that may trigger inflammation, like artificial fragrance and occlusive ingredients. Merit has partnered with Biba de Sousa, a longtime Hollywood aesthetician, to eliminate another 73 clean but potentially acne-triggering ingredients. The brand's products are also vegan and cruelty-free.

Pregnancy-safe products from Merit

Merit is a clean, luxury beauty brand inspired by minimalism. Founded by Katherine Power in 2021, Merit offers products that are safe for the body, skin, and planet. The brand is committed to creating formulas that are EU-compliant, vegan, and cruelty-free.

• Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer
• Day Glow Highlighting Balm
• Flush Balm Cream Blush
• Great Skin Instant Glow Serum
• Shade Slick Gelée Sheer Tinted Lip Oil
• Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil
• Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
• The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

All of the products listed above are deemed safe for pregnancy and nursing, according to a doctor's review on 15minutebeauty.com.

In addition to the above products, Merit offers a range of other cosmetics, including:

• Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
• Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade
• Brush No. 1 Blending Brush

While these additional products may be suitable for use during pregnancy, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding specific products and ingredients.

Ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

When it comes to skincare and beauty products, pregnancy can be a confusing time. While most over-the-counter body care products are safe, there are certain ingredients best avoided to protect the health of your baby.

• Retin-A, retinol, and retinyl palmitate: These are vitamin A derivatives that can lead to dangerous birth defects. While vitamin A is important for your baby's development, these derivatives can negatively affect their development.
• Tazorac and Accutane: These are also vitamin A derivatives found in prescription medicines. They are known to cause birth defects and should be avoided.
• Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acids: These ingredients are best avoided during pregnancy, especially in combination. While topical formulations are considered safe, large oral quantities can have negative consequences.
• Hydroquinone: This skin lightener has a high absorption rate, so it's best to avoid it during pregnancy.
• Formaldehyde: Found in some nail polishes and hair products, formaldehyde has been linked to fertility problems and miscarriage. Stick to nail polishes labelled "3-Free" or "5-Free".
• Oxybenzone and avobenzone: These are possible hormone disruptors found in chemical sunscreens. They have been linked to childhood obesity, ADHD, and developmental effects on the nervous system. Opt for physical or natural sun protection instead.
• Tetracycline: This common antibiotic and its derivatives (doxycycline and minocycline) should be avoided as they can negatively affect both pregnant mothers and their babies.
• Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): This chemical is used in many spray self-tanners. While it isn't absorbed into the body, it can be inhaled during application and is unhealthy for both mother and baby.
• Parabens: This common preservative in cosmetics is a known hormone disruptor and is easily absorbed into the skin. Prenatal exposure has been linked to miscarriage, low birth weight, obesity, impaired fetal growth, and behavioural problems.

It is always best to consult with your doctor or dermatologist about any products you are considering using during pregnancy.

Clean beauty standards

Clean beauty is a term created in response to the limited regulation of the beauty industry. It refers to products made without ingredients that are known or suspected to harm human health. While there is no regulated definition of "clean beauty", it generally involves using non-toxic, safe, and effective ingredients, whether natural or synthetic.

MERIT, a clean luxury beauty brand, takes a three-fold commitment to clean beauty standards: clean for the body, clean for the skin, and clean for the planet. Their products are formulated to meet EU standards and an internal list of eliminated ingredients. They are free of parabens, sulfates, and over 1300 other ingredients, including artificial fragrances and occlusive ingredients.

• Body: MERIT's products are EU-compliant, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. They eliminate ingredients that may trigger inflammation, such as artificial fragrances and occlusives.
• Skin: The brand prioritises sensitive skin safety and has partnered with Biba de Sousa, a Hollywood aesthetician, to eliminate 73 clean but potentially acne-triggering ingredients.
• Planet: MERIT's products are vegan and cruelty-free, certified by Leaping Bunny. They aim to reduce virgin material in their packaging and use reusable, recyclable, or compostable materials.

In addition to MERIT, other brands like Credo and Goop have also developed their own clean beauty standards and product lines. Credo's standards include sustainable packaging guidelines and a restricted substance list, while Goop focuses on luxurious, high-performance products free of ingredients linked to harmful health effects.

Clean beauty aims to provide safer, effective, and environmentally conscious alternatives to conventional beauty products, giving consumers greater peace of mind and a more sustainable future.

Safe makeup brands

When you're pregnant, it's important to be cautious about what you put on your skin, as it can be absorbed into your body and affect your baby's development. Many chemicals can pass through the placental barrier, so it's crucial to avoid toxic substances. Here are some safe makeup brands that you can trust during pregnancy:

100% Pure: This brand offers a range of natural and organic cosmetics, free from synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and colours. They have a strict commitment to purity, using pigments derived from fruits, vegetables, tea, and cocoa. The brand also has sustainable and ethical practices, aiming for petrochemical-free packaging by 2024.

RMS Beauty: RMS Beauty's line of cosmetics is free of soy, silicone, GMOs, and parabens. They use natural and non-toxic ingredients, including ethically sourced mica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. While some products contain beeswax, there are vegan options available. The brand also has sustainable packaging and is a proud donor to environmental and social causes.

Dab Herb: Dab Herb is a zero-waste beauty brand with a range of natural, mostly food-grade, certified organic ingredients. Their products are safe, vegan, palm oil-free, and cruelty-free. The brand also supports initiatives to combat human trafficking.

Axiology: Axiology offers a unique range of lip-to-lid Balmies, providing eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick in one compact crayon. Their products are made with just ten vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, including fruit extracts and natural oils. Axiology is also committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable packaging.

Elate Cosmetics: Elate Cosmetics provides a 100% vegan and cruelty-free range, with 90% organic ingredients. They use minerals like mica and titanium dioxide, but only non-nano-sized particles. The brand offers sustainable packaging and refills, and is committed to ethical sourcing and giving back to the community.

HAN Skincare Cosmetics: HAN Skincare Cosmetics says no to over 2,700 harmful chemicals, opting for natural preservatives like vitamin E and grapefruit seed extract. They offer a range of pregnancy-safe makeup products, including bronzer, blush, concealer, and more. The brand is PETA-approved, Leaping Bunny certified, and committed to sustainability and charitable initiatives.

Eco Minerals: Eco Minerals offers a range of pregnancy-safe makeup, including mascara, lipstick, eyeshadow, and face products. Their formulas are free from chemical fillers, preservatives, talc, parabens, and other potentially harmful ingredients. The brand uses non-nano minerals, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and provides eco-friendly packaging and refills.

These brands offer a range of options for safe makeup during pregnancy, so you can feel confident and beautiful while also taking care of your health and the environment.

Safe skincare products

When it comes to skincare during pregnancy, it's important to opt for gentle, nourishing products that are safe for both you and your baby. Here are some tips and product recommendations for safe skincare during pregnancy:

How to Choose Safe Skincare Products During Pregnancy:

• Opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers to minimise the risk of irritation.
• Look for products containing glycolic acid, which can help tackle acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma while brightening dull skin.
• Vitamin C is a safe and effective antioxidant that brightens the skin and provides protection from environmental damage.
• Alpha arbutin, derived from plants, is a safe alternative to hydroquinone for brightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation.
• Shea butter is a rich moisturiser that can help alleviate dry skin and reduce the severity of stretch marks.
• Choose mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead of chemical sunscreens to avoid potentially harmful ingredients.
• Cleansers: Opt for gentle, fragrance-free options such as the Honest Gentle Gel Cleanser, which is vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested.
• Moisturisers: Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Gel Cream is a fragrance-free, oil-free, and dye-free option that provides long-lasting hydration.
• Toners: Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner is an affordable, effective option for controlling shine and eliminating excess oil.
• Serums: The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a great affordable option to boost hydration and is compatible with most skin types.
• Eye Creams: Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment is an eco-conscious option that brightens and hydrates the delicate eye area.
• Body Wash: Mama Mio's Megamama Shower Milk is a vegan, citrus-scented body wash that targets dry skin with omega-rich oils and vitamin E.
• Body Lotion: Pipette's Relaxing Body Lotion is hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free, providing lightweight hydration without greasiness.
• Body Exfoliant: Biossance's Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub is a vegan, cruelty-free option that effectively exfoliates and nourishes the skin.
• Acne Treatment: The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a safe alternative to salicylic acid, helping to brighten the skin and improve texture.
• Sunscreen: EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a mineral sunscreen that calms and protects sensitive skin while offering broad-spectrum protection.

Frequently asked questions