Picking out pregnancy-safe skincare can seem complicated. I have an entire page on pregnancy beauty, dedicated to which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or IVF.
Today focuses on anti-aging skin care ingredients during pregnancy that are effective for you and also safe for your baby.
The terms ‘pregnancy’ and ‘antiaging’ might sound mutually incompatible to some, but as someone who carried what is medically termed a ‘geriatric pregnancy’, it is a lived experience that merits discussion.
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Retinoids and pregnancy
Topical retinoids, as many of us know, are among the best antiaging compounds and the active ingredient in many antiaging creams on the market.
However, retinoids cannot be a part of your antiaging skin care during pregnancy. It is contraindicated due to reports of fetal malformation and should be stopped at least a month before planning a pregnancy.
That said, this study deduced that the use of topical retinoids has not been found to cause a significant increase in the rates of fetal malformation, but to quote the same study, ‘the statistical power is not adequate to justify the use of topical retinoids during pregnancy.’ However, this study gives hope to women who inadvertently used topical retinoids during their pregnancy.
We have effective, safe substitutes that can be used while pregnant, negating the need for retinoids in this special life stage.
For more information: Is it Safe to Use Retinol or Vitamin A Creams During Pregnancy?
Bakuchiol- a Retinoid Alternative
There is no blanket ‘yes’ or ‘no’ about the safety of using bakuchiol during pregnancy. It is a newer chemical about which we do not have enough information.
Due to being a functional analog of retinoids (which are contraindicated in pregnancy), caution is advised.
Personally, I would not use it if I were pregnant.
If you are interested in more information, I have a post on the safety profile of bakuchiol during pregnancy and lactation that I will link here:
Safety Profile of Bakuchiol During Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Safe Antiaging Skincare Ingredients
The good news is that most cosmetic ingredients are pregnancy-safe, and many have anti-aging benefits.
These are:
- Moisturizers (specifically pregnancy-safe moisturizers)
- Sunscreen
- Alpha hydroxy acid, low dose
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Peptides
- Vitamin C
I have moisturizers and sunscreens on top, as these are commonly underestimated but essential.
These are also the minimum everyone should do in their basic skincare routine.
Moisturizers & Sunscreens
These two are so crucial that the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) recommends “all adults use a moisturizer and sunscreen every day — two important anti-aging products that help to protect the skin from UV rays and keep it smooth and supple.”
How do moisturizers slow down aging?
Moisturizers repair the skin barrier and restore skin integrity, prevent water loss, replace and restore skin lipids, resulting in soft, smooth skin and a reduction in fine lines.
Just be sure to read the ingredient list to ensure your moisturizer does not contain any ingredients that are not safe to use while pregnant.
I have entire posts dedicated to pregnancy-safe moisturizers for many skin types that I will link here:
- Pregnancy Safe Steroid-Free Moisturizers for Eczema
- Pregnancy Safe Moisturizers for Dry to Very Dry Skin
- Pregnancy Safe Moisturizers for Oily or Acne Prone Skin
How do sunscreens slow down aging?
UV rays from the sun break down collagen and elastin in the skin, proteins that maintain its firmness and elasticity. Using sunscreens and physical protection, such as hats, reduces the development of wrinkles and skin sagging.
They also prevent age spots or sun spots from developing and help keep an even skin tone.
There are two types of sunscreens:
- Physical or mineral-based (Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide)
- Chemical-based ( Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Homosalate in the USA)
Physical or mineral-based sunscreens are safe to use during pregnancy. I have a previous post on this that I will link here
Pregnancy & Lactation Safe Sunscreens for Melasma & Hyperpigmentation.
The best part of using sunscreens?
They are also effective in the prevention and treatment of melasma- the pesky and hard to get rid of hyperpigmentation that develops during pregnancy and often persists once the baby is born.
And don’t forget to use physical sun protection measures like hats to boost your sun protection.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a pregnancy safe water loving molecules that retains moisture. It is naturally present in our skin, and levels decrease with age, a process that is intensified by factors such as smoking and pollution.
Hyaluronic acid in your skin care is a safe and effective way to moisturize your skin and comes with the added benefit of anti-aging properties.
Here are some recommendations for pregnancy-safe hyaluronic acid products:
Pregnancy & Lactation Safe Hylauronic Serums & Creams.
Niacinamide
Topical Vitamin B3 or niacinamide is pregnancy safe and comes with multiple anti-aging benefits:
- Improvement in fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production.
- Reduction in the appearance of pigmented sun spots by its action on pigment-producing cells of the skin.
- Reduction of pore size and improvement in the overall skin texture.
- It also enhances the skin barrier, a problem that is commonly seen as skin ages. An improved barrier function translates into better moisture retention and protection against environmental insults, such as pollutants.
Available in various concentrations, 2-5% is a typical sweet spot. Higher percentages can result in skin irritation, especially if you are new to it or have sensitive, reactive skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, a pregnancy and nursing-safe chemical, has a dual benefit- it not only is an anti-aging ingredient but also is highly effective in the management of pregnancy induced hypertension or melasma.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and a free-radical scavenger that can help protect cells from stress.
It is also an essential component in the production of collagen by the skin. It reduces wrinkles, improves skin firmness and elasticity by forming new collagen and maintaining existing stores, and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
This is one of my favorite pregnancy-safe skincare chemical and I have written about it in detail previously. I will link those blogs here:
- Is Vitamin C Serum Safe During Pregnancy?
- Best Pregnancy Safe Vitamin C Serums for Healthy & Glowing Skin
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
AHAs in low concentration, typically less than 10%, are pregnancy-safe.
AHAs in skincare have multiple benefits:
- Reduction in acne and hyperpigmentation, a commonly faced problem in pregnancy.
- Topical AHAs stimulate fibroblast cells in the skin. These cells produce collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
- AHAs also break down the ‘glue’ between the old dead cells, helping them to shed off and improving the appearance of the skin- pigmentation is reduced, and the skin looks even-toned.
- They are hydrophilic (water-loving) and attract moisture to the skin, keeping it supple and hydrated
AHAs in skincare are available in various forms, such as creams, serums, and face washes, and can be used safely as long as they are at a concentration of less than 10%.
AHAs are also commonly used as an ingredient in chemical peels, the safety and application of which during pregnancy I have written about:
Are Chemical Peels Safe During Pregnancy?
*AHAs make the skin more sensitive to sun rays and thus, to sun damage. Should you incorporate AHAs into your skincare regimen, make sure you use a pregnancy-safe sunscreen and take other sun protection measures, such as wearing a hat.
Peptides
Peptides are the building blocks of collagen, which provides structure and strength to the skin.
As the peptide production reduces with age, wrinkles appear and skin sags.
One of the most noteworthy effects of peptides is their capacity to stimulate collagen production.
They have also been found to reduce dark spots and skin inflammation and to improve skin barrier function.
The use of peptides can help reduce wrinkles, smooth the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and calm redness and irritation.
This is a relatively newer ingredient, and it is important to note that we do not have any studies about its effects on pregnancy. The limited data available suggest that peptides are generally safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing.
Trivia
Did your mom ever scare you from making faces, grimacing, or scowling as a kid by saying if you make that face, you will end up like that on a permanent basis?
Well, she was right!
Frequent squinting, frowning, or other such habitual facial expressions result in repeated contraction of those muscles and overlying skin creases. As the skin ages, it loses collagen and elastin, and thus its elasticity, so it is unable to rebound or bounce back easily, making these creases prominent and, over time, deeper and permanent.
