Zo Daily Power Defense: Safe Haven Or Caution During Pregnancy?

ZO Skin Health's Daily Power Defense is a popular skincare product, but is it safe to use during pregnancy? The short answer is no. While this product can provide numerous benefits for the skin, it contains certain ingredients that are not recommended for use during pregnancy. These include retinol, ultrasomes, and roxisomes, which are enzymes that activate and speed up the repair of DNA damage. Although these ingredients can be beneficial for the skin, they may not be safe for pregnant women.

During pregnancy, it is crucial to be cautious about the ingredients in skincare products as they can potentially reach the baby through the placenta. Some ingredients have been linked to birth defects and interference with fetal development. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with a physician to discuss the safety of specific products and ingredients during pregnancy.

ZO Daily Power Defense contains retinol, which is unsafe during pregnancy

ZO Daily Power Defense is not safe to use during pregnancy as it contains retinol, a type of retinoid. While retinoids are known to work wonders on the skin, they can interfere with fetal development and lead to birth defects.

Retinoids are a group of vitamin A derivatives that are commonly used in skincare products to help improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of ageing. However, during pregnancy, it is important to avoid products that contain retinoids, as they can be harmful to the developing fetus.

Retinoids can interfere with the normal development of the baby's organs, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy. This can lead to an increased risk of birth defects, including problems with the baby's brain, heart, and other organs. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women avoid using any products that contain retinoids, including ZO Daily Power Defense.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before using any new product, including skincare products. They can provide personalized advice and recommendations based on your individual health and needs. Additionally, there are alternative skincare products available that are safe to use during pregnancy and can help address specific skin concerns.

Retinoids can interfere with fetal development and lead to birth defects

Retinoids, including isotretinoin, are synthetic forms of vitamin A used to treat skin conditions and blood cancers. They are also used to treat severe cystic acne when other treatments have been unsuccessful.

Retinoids are known to cause fetal retinoid syndrome, a pattern of mental and physical birth defects that can result from a mother taking retinoids during pregnancy. The risk of congenital malformations following oral isotretinoin therapy is currently unclear, but overall malformation rates in live-born infants from prospectively reported pregnancies range from 5% to 20%.

Fetal retinoid syndrome can cause a wide range of birth defects, including:

• Growth delay
• Excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Abnormally small head size (microcephaly)
• Intellectual and learning disabilities
• Ear and eye abnormalities
• A split in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate) and other facial differences
• Heart defects
• Renal, thymus gland, and parathyroid gland abnormalities
• Miscarriage
• Preterm birth

It is thought that 20-35% of fetuses exposed to retinoids during pregnancy will develop some of these birth defects.

Retinoids can cause these birth defects in the early weeks of pregnancy, even before a woman knows that she is pregnant. Some of the birth defects associated with fetal retinoid syndrome may be diagnosed by ultrasound during pregnancy.

Due to the risk of birth defects, the use of oral retinoids is strictly prohibited during pregnancy. Women should be carefully counselled regarding the risks of isotretinoin treatment and should be screened and monitored for pregnancy while on the medication. It is recommended that women use two forms of contraception one month before starting isotretinoin therapy and continue for three months after stopping.

ZO Skin Health products are considered medical-grade as they penetrate the skin

ZO Skin Health's Daily Power Defense is a powerful antioxidant-rich serum that provides the skin with hydration and strength. It is a lightweight serum that supports the skin's health and function. The product contains active ingredients such as ceramide 6, retinol, enzymes, matrixyl 3000, and vitamins A and E, which provide a range of benefits for the skin.

ZO Skin Health's products are considered medical-grade as they penetrate the skin and are absorbed into the bloodstream. This is one of the two types of products, the other being products that sit on the surface of the skin. During pregnancy, the body lets in more ingredients than when it is creating breast milk. Hence, it is important to be cautious about the ingredients in the products used during pregnancy as they can reach the placenta and the baby.

Ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy include retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, and benzoyl peroxide. While vitamin A works well on the skin, retinoids can interfere with fetal development and lead to birth defects. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid in large doses are unsafe and can cause birth defects. Hydroquinone can have adverse side effects on the fetus. Although only 5% of benzoyl peroxide is absorbed into the skin, multiple healthcare professionals do not recommend it due to the lack of data.

ZO Skin Health's Daily Power Defense contains retinol, which is not safe for use during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid this product during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

ZO Daily Power Defense is a lightweight serum with active ingredients

The key active ingredients in ZO Daily Power Defense include:

• Ceramide 6: Supports and protects the skin's barrier function.
• Retinol: Boosts collagen, helps with cell renewal, and evens out skin tone.
• Ultrasomes and Roxisomes: Enzymes that activate and speed up the repair of DNA damage.
• Matrixyl 3000: An anti-ageing ingredient that stimulates collagen production and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Vitamins A and E: Provide antioxidant protection against free radicals and pollutants.

The serum also contains other ingredients such as glycerin, pentylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, steareth-20, and safflower oil/palm oil aminopropanediol esters.

Overall, ZO Daily Power Defense is a powerful antioxidant-rich serum that provides the skin with hydration, strength, and protection against environmental damage. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used twice a day, in the morning and evening, for optimal results.

The product is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women

ZO Skin Health's Daily Power Defense is a powerful antioxidant-rich serum that provides the skin with hydration and strength while also building up tolerance to further active ingredient products. The product contains ceramide 6, retinol, ultrasomes, roxisomes, matrixyl 3000, and vitamins A and E. However, it is important to note that this product is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

During pregnancy, the body does not treat ingredients the same way as when nursing. The placenta blocks certain ingredients, but it also allows more substances to reach the baby. As the baby is still developing, there are crucial points for organ development, and some ingredients have been linked to birth defects. Retinoids, for example, can interfere with fetal development and lead to birth defects. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid ZO Skin Health products during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as they are considered medical-grade and can penetrate the skin, reaching the placenta and the baby.

While Daily Power Defense offers many benefits for the skin, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it due to the presence of retinol, which is not safe for pregnant women. Instead, they can explore alternative products that are specifically designed for pregnant and nursing mothers, such as those offered by iS Clinical. It is always recommended to discuss skincare choices with a physician during pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

In summary, while ZO Skin Health's Daily Power Defense serum can be a great addition to a skincare routine, it is crucial for pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid it due to the presence of retinol, which can interfere with fetal development. Alternative products designed for pregnant and nursing mothers can be explored, and consulting with a physician is always recommended to ensure the safest choices for this delicate period.

Frequently asked questions