Pregnancy Skincare: What Ingredients To Avoid?

Pregnancy is one of the most special times of your life, but managing the myriad changes your body undergoes can also feel overwhelming – especially when it comes to skincare and the long list of ingredients and chemicals that can potentially harm your baby. While some products in your skincare arsenal may seem harmless, they might contain one or more chemicals to avoid during pregnancy.

Plus, there are fake tan rules when pregnant, plus ingredients in skincare to avoid when pregnant.

Ingredients in skincare to avoid when pregnant

Whether you’re looking for pregnancy skincare products to alleviate hormonal acne or dark patches on your face, or a pregnancy moisturiser to nourish dry skin, look out for these ingredients so that you know what to avoid when doing skincare during pregnancy:

Retinoids

The skincare and anti-ageing benefits of retinol are well-documented, but can you use retinol when pregnant? The answer is no. It's one of the main chemicals to avoid during pregnancy. Studies have shown that using retinoids during pregnancy can lead to a condition called “fetal retinoid syndrome,” which is a pattern of physical and mental birth defects.

High-dose salicylic acid

Avoid using salicylic acid while pregnant. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient to treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities. However, high-dose applications, such as face peels, have been found to increase the risks of intracranial bleeding.

Phthalates

Your pregnancy skincare regime should not include phthalates, as exposure to these are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can cause serious reproductive and hormone dysfunction. Check your product labels for diethylphthalate, commonly found in moisturisers and shampoo, and avoid using these skin products during pregnancy.

Skincare ingredients that are great during pregnancy

It is possible to make safe pregnancy skincare choices and keep your expectant mum glow! These ingredients are safe to use when you’re expecting:

Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid shares many of the same benefits as retinol but is safe to use during pregnancy. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in many skincare products, such as this Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub, to gently exfoliate the outermost skin cells, revealing a brighter, more glowing complexion.

Vitamin C

When it comes to brightening and smoothing skin tone during pregnancy, vitamin C is an effective skincare ingredient. Vitamin C also boosts collagen production and protects against environmental skin damage. If you don’t know, you’ll find that the benefits of vitamin C go more than skin deep.

Clarins has created Beauty Flash Fresh Ampoule - Vitamin C Shot, a 7-day facial radiance treatment, with 15% concentrated vitamin C to help revive the skin's radiance and even out the complexion. Skincare during the pregnancy period will be easier with Clarins’ natural extracted ingredients.

Niacinamide

You can use niacinamide during pregnancy. Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide benefits by soothing the skin, helping to improve the appearance of acne and pores, and protects against sun damage and environmental aggressors by maintaining your skin’s barrier.

If you are looking for a face skincare that is safe during pregnancy, Clarins has the Multi-active range from emulsion to face cream that contains Niacinamide. Multi-Active Day Cream SPF 15 has an innovative formula that not only shields your skin with sun protection but also harnesses the power of niacinamide for anti-ageing benefits, promoting a smoother, more youthful complexion.

For emulsion, the Multi-Active Day Emulsion, made from 93% natural ingredients, strengthens the skin’s barrier, boosts its radiance and helps to preserve a youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic acid

Do you know about Hyaluronic acid? It helps keep our skin well-moisturised and hydrated from the inside. Because it’s found naturally in our tissue, it’s safe to use hyaluronic acid during pregnancy. You’ll typically find it in cleansers, face mists, serums, oils, and moisturisers.

Clarins has a collection of skincare products with hyaluronic acid, from serum to emulsion, and face cream to mask. For pregnancy-safe serum, Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Bi-Phase Serum contains [HYALURONIC POWER COMPLEX +], a duo of hyaluronic acids with organic leaf of life extract, which provides continuous, multi-level and long-lasting hydration. The face serum is also enriched with saffron flower polyphenols to help balance the microbiota and organic strawberry tree extract to regulate sebum. If you want to refine skin texture and tighten pores, this is a perfect product.

For intense and immediately hydration, you can consider using Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Mask, with Acetylated hyaluronic acid - the formula’s standout ingredient. This mask has a velvety creamy texture, enriched with ceramides, essential lipids in the skin barrier, which help reinforce the skin's barrier to counter dehydration.

Ceramides

You can safely include products with ceramides in your pregnancy skincare regime to help combat the signs of ageing and thinning skin. Similar to hyaluronic acid, ceramides are naturally produced by the body and help maintain hydration.

A safe pregnancy skincare routine

Spruce up your skincare and beauty routine with pregnancy-friendly options that will keep you glowing while keeping your baby safe:

1. Cleanse

Cleanse your skin both morning and evening with a Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser to neutralise the drying effect of hard water and cleanse the skin whilst respecting its pH balance.) It also leaves the face feeling fresh, soft and clean.

2. Tone

Rinse your skin and follow up with Clarins Toning Lotion to refresh and tone your skin whilst preparing it for your next skincare products. Alcohol-free, it softens the skin, for a wonderfully refreshing sensation you will really appreciate during and even after pregnancy.

3. Exfoliate

Once or twice a week, exfoliate the face. Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream will eliminate dead surface skin cells and impurities, leaving your skin feeling very soft. The result is a clearer, smoother and more even complexion.

4. Protect

Your face needs particular protection in the morning. Despite daylight encouraging vitamin D synthesis, it can also accelerate signs of ageing. Use Clarins Multi-Active Emulsion which has been specially designed to smooth out early wrinkles and protect from the harmful effects of a stressful lifestyle, promoting a youthful-looking face for longer. At night, nourish your skin with Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream.

5. Stretch marks

To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, apply moisturiser on your belly, hips, and thighs. Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, which has been the go-to product for pregnant women since 1965, is made from 100% pure plant extracts to tone the skin and improve elasticity, ideal for removing stretch marks.