Skincare Ingredients to just say “No” to while Pregnant

There is no doubt that nowadays we are much more aware of what we put in and on the outside of our bodies, especially when it comes to skincare during pregnancy. I, myself have never had a little one growing inside of me, but with the recent news that my sister-in-law was pregnant, I wanted to make sure she and was informed.
Here are a few common skincare ingredients that you should be looking out for when pregnant:
Salicylic Acid
This ingredient is so common and easy to overlook, which is why, when you’re shopping for skincare during pregnancy, it’s important to look over the active ingredients as well as non-active. Oral forms of salicylic acid in high dosages have been shown to cause birth defects, a reason doctors remain cautious prescribing or recommending topical treatments containing salicylic acid during pregnancy.
Low doses of salicylic acid while pregnant in skincare are considered safe, it’s the body and face peels that are more reason for alarm.  Doctors have noted that these intensive peels are similar to taking one or more aspirin.
It should also be noted that salicylic acid is sometimes listed by another name: willow bark.
Retinol
A form of vitamin A, retinol is often used to help diminish the signs of aging, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines. It is highly revered as an anti-aging ingredient for its ability to speed up your skin’s regenerating process. Retinol is able to penetrate your skin—but some studies have suggested that, in large dosages, it can be harmful to a baby growing inside you.
Retinol is the main ingredient in powerful oral medications, like accutane, which is highly dangerous for an unborn child. However, topical retinol treatments have not been recorded as damaging an unborn child during pregnancy. In the end, it is probably wise to avoid these treatments, a minor precaution and alteration to your daily skincare routine.
Parabens
Parabens are used in topical skincare as a preservative, for an extended shelf-life. They can be found in major skincare products, cosmetics and hair products, which make navigating around them even more difficult.
Known to be potentially toxic, they can also lead to dermatitis, which causes dry, itchy areas of the skin and may only increase the application of products. Furthermore, studies show that parabens may lead to stimulating the growth of human breast-cancer cells.
In Conclusion:
It’s always good to be safe rather than sorry and stick to gentle formulations with natural ingredients, like Burt’s Bees who offers all-natural products for both the mom and baby. With the high demand for all-natural products, you won’t have any trouble altering your skincare routine to better fit you and your baby.