Lipstick And Pregnancy: Safe Choices For Mothers-To-Be

Lipsticks are generally safe to use during pregnancy, but it's important to check the ingredients list for any harmful chemicals. Some ingredients to avoid include parabens, retinol, fragrance, and phthalates. These chemicals can be harmful to your health and your baby's development. Instead, opt for natural and organic products that are free from these chemicals. Additionally, look for products with ingredients like squalane, vitamin E, and coconut oil, which are safe and nourishing for your skin.

Salicylates

During pregnancy, it is important to be cautious about the products you use, as some chemicals can be harmful to the developing baby. Salicylates are considered safe for topical use, but there are still some potential risks to be aware of.

Salicylic acid, a type of salicylate, is often used in skincare products to treat acne, inflammation, and redness. It is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy, but it is recommended to avoid excessive or frequent use. Small amounts applied to the skin, such as a toner used once or twice a day, are typically considered safe.

However, there are some concerns about the use of salicylates during pregnancy. Salicylic acid is related to aspirin, and oral ingestion of high doses of aspirin has been associated with birth defects and pregnancy complications. While topical use is generally considered safe, it is still recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any products containing salicylates during pregnancy.

Some regulatory bodies, such as the European Union, consider salicylic acid to be a reprotoxicant, meaning it can cause changes to the unborn child. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia has recommended that certain salicylates, such as butyloctyl salicylate, should not be used by pregnant women in their last term.

Overall, while salicylates in lipsticks and other cosmetics are generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure the safety of any products you use.

Retinoids

Topical retinoids, such as those put on the skin, have not been shown to cause problems in pregnant women. However, doctors recommend avoiding them as a precaution.

• Avage
• Fabior
• Tazorac (tazarotene)
• Avita (tretinoin)
• Differin (adapelene)
• Panretin (alitretinoin)
• Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin)
• Retinoic acid
• Retinol
• Retinyl linoleate
• Retinyl palmitate
• Targretin gel (bexarotene)

Pregnant women should also avoid oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin.

Fragrance

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has reported that some of the most popular drugstore and department store brands of lipstick contain trace amounts of lead. The FDA says most colour additives in lip products are very small and that incidental ingestion of up to 10 parts per million of lead cannot be measured in blood testing. But given the fact that lead ingestion causes neurotoxicity, fertility issues and hormonal changes, you may not want to risk any exposure.

It's also worth noting that the FDA doesn't always test essential oils either. These oils have a high concentration that can be dangerous to our health, even when used directly on the skin outside of pregnancy.

When it comes to pregnancy-safe makeup, it's best to opt for products with natural and organic ingredients.

Chemical Sunscreens

The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that pregnant people use mineral sunscreens, which are considered safer than chemical sunscreens.

The main ingredients in mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients are generally considered safe for use by all people, including pregnant and breastfeeding people.

Oxybenzone is a chemical sunscreen ingredient that has been linked to changes in the mammary glands in animal studies. While more research is needed, you may want to avoid this ingredient while pregnant.

• Thinksport Safe Sunscreen
• Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
• Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-On Mineral Powder Sunscreen
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
• Earth Mama Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40
• Babo Botanicals Super Shield Sport Stick SPF 50
• Supergoop! 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist
• Neutrogena SheerZinc Face Dry-Touch Sunscreen
• Skinbetter Science Sunbetter ToneSmart Sunscreen

Parabens

Some experts recommend avoiding parabens completely during pregnancy, while others say that the levels of parabens in cosmetics are too low to cause harm.

If you want to avoid parabens, look for paraben-free formulas or check the ingredient list for some of the most commonly used parabens, including methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.

Frequently asked questions