This is a two-part series. In Part I, we dealt with the following ingredients:
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) / Salicylic acid
Chemical Sunscreens
Essential oils / Aromatherapy
Hydroquinone
Click here to read Part I
To sum up the last post:
- It is difficult to say what percentage of a said chemical is being absorbed from the skin into the bloodstream and reaching the baby.
- We will never have complete data on pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients in the human population. No one would experiment on pregnant women, and no pregnant woman would volunteer to be a test subject.
- You will come across conflicting information while researching safe products.
- Always consult with your treating doctor.
- ALWAYS do your research before you deem any product safe.
- This is not an exhaustive list.
All chemicals listed in this post, except retinoids, negatively impact fertility. If you are trying to get pregnant and starting or are already on infertility treatment, it is important to be aware of the harm your personal products can do.
I also have a post about skincare ingredients to avoid when you are on IVF treatment:
IVF Success Tips: Avoiding Harmful Skincare Chemicals to Enhance Fertility.
NOTE: This blog does not include parabens in the list. Parabens are so controversial that they deserve their own blog post: Are Parabens In Cosmetics Safe To Use?
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PHTHALATES & ‘ADDED FRAGRANCE’
Note: ‘Added’ fragrances in cosmetics, unless specified otherwise, probably have phthalates, and thus, I have clubbed them together.
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and pass through the placenta.
They are associated with reduced fertility, genital and reproductive defects in the developing fetus, pregnancy loss, autism spectrum disorders, disturbances in puberty onset, and lowered sperm count in men.
The USA Congress in 2008 banned three of them (BBP, DBP, and DEHP ) from toys and products intended to help children under three sleep, eat, teethe, or suck.
It is not known how much phthalate exposure is too much.
But we do know that it is ubiquitous– in your cosmetics (as a fragrance, a lubricant, gelling agent, absorption enhancer, etc.), in your beach sandals (makes the plastic more flexible), on your vinyl flooring (reduces rigidity and makes it pliable), in the plastic bag your organic groceries got packed in (makes the bag more durable), in the hospital I.V. lines (make it flexible and reduces brittleness), in children’s toy (to soften them). The list is endless.
You cannot possibly eliminate phthalates; what you can do is reduce exposure. Removing it from your cosmetics is one step forward.
One of the biggest sources of phthalates in our cosmetics?
i) Perfumes! Yes, whether you paid $100$ or $10$ for a bottle, the chances are, unless clearly specified, that it has phthalates as they play an important role in fragrances by enhancing the longevity of the scent.
And yes, you can find phthalate-free perfumes.
Best Pregnancy Safe Perfumes.
ii) Fragrance! Unless the manufacturer has specified the source of the fragrance in the products (E.g., extract of vanilla or rose, etc.) and just says ‘fragrance’ or ‘added fragrance,’ you can be sure it is a phthalate. You do not need a fragrance in your face cream. It adds nothing to the therapeutic value.
It is practically impossible to eliminate phthalates completely from your life—what you can do is minimize your exposure by avoiding them in cosmetics. Ripping the vinyl flooring from your home and refusing IV line placement at the hospital may not be practical or even within your control, but choosing the right personal care product is.
The label will read:
Anything with ‘phthalate’ in the ingredient list. Many labels will only have acronyms like DHEP or DBP.
RETINOIDS
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives used in skincare.
Retinyl ester, retinol, retinal, granactive retinoid, and retinoic acid are all its various topical forms in increasing potency.
Except for retinoic acid, which is prescription only, the rest are now commonly found in skin creams marketed for acne and anti-aging.
It is the most potent form, retinoic acid, that studies have shown is associated with congenital malformations in the fetus (retinoid embryopathy).
However, since all the types of retinoids are part of a single family, they should be avoided in pregnancy as the risk-benefit ratio is unfavorable.
(The oral form of retinoid is Isotretinoin- this is also not to be used during pregnancy)
Retinoids are a powerhouse for acne treatment. I have used both oral and topical retinoids for myself and my patients and love the results they give.
If you are suffering from acne and are pregnant, retinoids are not an option for you.. However, there is no reason to fret, as many other pregnancy-safe acne treatments exist:
Pregnancy Safe Acne Treatment
When to stop retinoids before pregnancy?
The standard recommendation is one month for both oral and topical retinoids.
However, how any drug is eliminated from your body varies from person to person, and one month may not suffice for complete clearance in some cases. There is a published report of isotretinoin (an oral form of retinoid)- related fetal malformations despite stopping treatment for the recommended one month, and a 3-month window is stated to be more appropriate for oral forms. In the case of topical retinoids, due to less absorption from the skin, one month should be appropriate, but the sooner you stop, the better.
The label will read:
Retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl ester, retinaldehyde, granactive retinoid, adapalene, tazarotene.
A note on Bakuchiol: A plant derivative, it is being touted as a retinol without its traditional side effects. However, we do not have any studies or observations yet if it is safe to use during pregnancy or lactation. What we do know is that Bakuchiol takes the same pathway that retinol does on the skin. Considering this, I would not recommend it during pregnancy until further information is available.
This post has more information on Bakuchiol: Is Bakuchiol Safe To Use In Pregnancy & While Nursing?
TRICLOSAN
An antibacterial and antifungal agent, it was originally used in hospitals and is added to consumer products to counter microbial contamination.
Like phthalates, it is an endocrine disruptor that mimics or interferes with the body’s hormones (the endocrine system).
A 2017 study from Cincinnati, OH, on 377 mother-child pairs found that the mothers’ urinary triclosan levels correlated negatively with the baby’s birth weight, length, head circumference, and duration of pregnancy.
Another 2017 study of 109 women attending the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center showed that urinary triclosan concentration reduced the ovarian reserve, thus reducing their fertility potential.
These are just some examples of what harm triclosan, which was originally used in hospital settings, can do.
In September 2016, the FDA banned it for use in soap products (bars, liquids, gel, foam) as it could not be demonstrated that it was safe to use daily or more effective than soap and water in illness prevention.
However, it is still permitted and can be found in toothpaste, hand sanitizers, mouthwashes, deodorants, skin creams, cutting boards with ‘anti-microbial’ labels, ‘anti-bacterial’ clothing, etc.
Be wary of products labeled ‘ antibacterial ‘ unless you are in a hospital setting or have been advised by your doctor to use them.
The label will read:
Triclosan, Microban, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether, and 2,4,4-trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenyl ether.
Also, be wary of any product with an ‘anti-microbial’ activity promise.
FORMALDEHYDE & METHYLENE GLYCOL
Formaldehyde, a pungent, colorless gas, is used in mortuaries, funeral homes, and anatomy labs as an excellent preservative and disinfectant.
It has the dubious distinction of being named the 2015 Allergen of the Year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.
It is also found in hair straightening and nail strengthening treatments (as Methylene glycol).
It is a known human carcinogen, which has led to OSHA (Occupational Safety & Hazard Administration) mandating that employers follow regulations to limit workers’ exposure.
Working with formaldehyde has shown a positive correlation with infertility and miscarriage.
CDC clearly states that working with formaldehyde could increase your chances of having fertility problems or miscarriage.
However, using them in hair and nail products is still permissible.
Methylene glycol forms when formaldehyde reacts with water.
It is used extensively in hair straightening chemicals and nail treatments.
Many products with methylene glycol will erroneously label themselves as ‘formaldehyde free’. So, watch out for that. Always read the ingredients list!
The use of hair products containing these chemicals also involves heat, such as hair dryers and straightening rods, which generate formaldehyde fumes that can be inhaled, contaminate skin and clothes, and cause a plethora of toxic effects, from burning sensations in the eye and skin eruptions to pneumonia.
Refrain from hair straightening treatments when pregnant or lactating. Manicures and pedicures are largely safe—take precautions like choosing a well-ventilated area to apply the polish or using a face mask. You can also forego the polish for a natural, clean, manicured look or try pregnancy-safe nail polishes.
Are Manicures & Pedicures Safe While Pregnant?
Best Pregnancy-Safe Nail Polish Brands
A note for salon workers: Here is a link to the OSHA website detailing how to protect yourself from this occupational hazard.
The label will read:
Brazilian blowouts, keratin treatments, hair straightening treatments, hair smoothing treatments, and nail strengthening treatments.
Exercise caution when a hair straightening treatment says ‘formaldehyde free’ as it could contain methylene glycol.
FORMALDEHYDE RELEASERS
These chemical compounds release formaldehyde and are used in various products, from building materials and furniture to personal care products.
In cosmetics, they are typically released slowly, maintaining a good level of preservative function and prolonging the product’s shelf life.
We have already discussed the possible harms formaldehyde can cause, and formaldehyde releasers have the potential to cause the same adverse effects.
Some of the most commonly used releasers in personal products are:
Quaternium-15
DMDM hydantoin
Imidazolidinyl urea
Diazolidinyl urea
Polyoxymethylene urea
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
Bronopol
Glyoxal.
To find out the names of other formaldehyde releasers, click here. This will take you to the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) website, which lists them.
Studies have shown that longer storage time and higher temperature correlate with more formaldehyde release.
Hence, do not use expired cosmetics and keep them away from any heat source, e.g., direct sunlight.
Formaldehyde releases are most commonly found in, although not limited to, the following types of personal care products:
Products for nails, like polishes and removers, skin glues (e.g., for eyelashes and nails), shampoo and body washes, and color cosmetics.
A note on formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers:
These are considered safe to use in cosmetics up to 0.2% as a preservative by Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments (CIR). However, since, on average, a woman uses 16 products daily, the cumulative effects may be significant, warranting caution.
Trivia
Source: The Rose of France on Instagram.
Coated thickly with animal lard and wheat flour, the expensive hairdo would have to stay for a couple of days, necessitating a ‘long scratching hair stick’ for the itchy lice-infested scalp and cages around the head to keep mice away. Mice. Mice! Mice???!! The formaldehyde now doesn’t sound so bad, eh?
