Skin care during pregnancy: which one is allowed, which one is prohibited? & bull; hello healthy

Pregnant women should always be careful in choosing food and drinks, because what the mother consumes will be consumed by the baby as well. However, sometimes we are not careful in choosing skin care and beauty products that are used every day. Products that we apply on the surface of the skin can be absorbed into the skin and spread throughout the body, including the fetus, through the blood vessels.

The following are skin care products that need to be considered safe or not to use during pregnancy.

Products to avoid while pregnant

1. Retinoids

Retinoids are found in many anti aging skin care products. Retinoids, which are a type of vitamin A, work by speeding up the skin regeneration process and slowing down collagen breakdown. Retinoids can help reduce wrinkles and brighten skin tone. Retinoids should not be used during pregnancy because the consumption of high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can harm the fetus. Retinoids in the form of oral drugs such as isotretinoin have been shown to cause fetal defects.

2.Salicylic acid (salicylic acid)

Salicylic acid is found in many skin care products such as cleansers, toners, and acne medications. Salicylic acid is able to enter the skin pores, remove dead skin cells, and reduce inflammation in the skin. Studies show that taking high doses of salicylic acid in the oral form (by drinking) causes birth defects and various pregnancy complications.

Although there is no adequate data on the effects of using topical salicylic acid (topical), for safety, pregnant women are still advised to avoid using salicylic acid products. Care peeling (exfoliation) of the face / body with salicylic acid in pregnant women should also be avoided.

Please note, BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) is one of the salicylic acid groups that pregnant women should not use. BHA is often found in exfoliating (exfoliating) products. Whereas AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) is a Glycolic Acid / Lactic Acid group, not a Salicylic Acid group, so AHA is safe to use during pregnancy.

3. Certain acne medications

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body, one of which is an increase in androgen hormones which can trigger acne. Pregnant women should not use acne medications containing retinoid / salicylic acid. For pregnant patients, the doctor will give acne medication in the form of benzoyl peroxide ointment, if necessary, add an antibiotic ointment. Antibiotic ointments that are safe for use by pregnant women are antibiotic ointments of the cephalosporin, erythromycin, or azytromycin class. Antibiotic ointment should only be used for a short time to prevent bacterial resistance. Avoid using tetracycline antibiotics because they can cause fetal defects.

Products that can be used during pregnancy

1. Sunscreen

Avoiding UV rays by reducing activities outside the home between 12.00-16.00 hours or wearing a hat / umbrella when traveling during the day, pregnant women should still use sunscreen. Especially in pregnant conditions, the skin becomes more sensitive than usual. There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and non-chemical. Both are safe to use during pregnancy. The content of chemical sunscreens absorbs into the skin, while non-chemical sunscreens only provide a protective layer of UV rays on the outer layer of the skin / do not absorb into the skin. Examples of non-chemical sunscreens are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.

2. Makeup

When pregnant, the choice of makeup products to use must be considered carefully. Avoid makeup products that contain retinoids or salicylic acid. The safest makeup to use during pregnancy is mineral makeup, because it does not penetrate the skin and rarely causes irritation.

3. Nail polish

The data from the study concluded that there was no link between the use of phthalates (an ingredient commonly found in nail polish) and health problems in humans. But animal studies have shown a link between phthalates and impaired male sexual development, so caution is needed in their use. To be safer, pregnant women should use nail polish products that do not contain phthalates, or use nail polish in a room with good ventilation so that phthalates in nail polish are not inhaled.