Pregnancy and Products

So, I'm in my sixth month of pregnancy and it's about time I do a post on skin care and pregnancy.
First off, I want you to know that you shouldn't use just anything.  Some chemicals and ingredients in your favorite cleansers and creams can cause birth defects like retinoids and retinols which are used to diminish lines and wrinkles, and salicylic acid which is found in many acne fighting products.  Please remember that everything you put on your skin is soaked in and ingested into your blood stream and ultimately into your newly forming baby.  These are the ingredients to avoid in your products.

RETINOIDS - A type of Vitamin A that speeds up cell division and turn-over.  High doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can cause harm to your unborn baby.  Ingredients to Avoid:

Differin (adapelene)
Retin-A,
Renova (tretinoin)
Retinoic acid
Retinol
Retinyl linoleate
Retinyl palmitate
Tazorac and
avage (Tazarotene)

SALICYLIC ACIDS - In the asprin family, so it can be used to reduce inflammation and redness.  High doses of this acid has been known to cause birth defects and other various pregnancy complications.  Ingredients to Avoid:

Salicylic acid
Beta hydroxy acid
BHA

SOY - Can mimic the same effects of estrogen which can make melasma and chloasma (dark spots on the skin) much worse.  Ingredients to Avoid:

Lethicin
Phosphatidylcholine
Soy
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)

*THESE ARE THE THINGS I'M USING RIGHT NOW*

The whole M2 Skin Care Line.

It's formulated with mandelic and malic acids that are naturally derived, and completely safe during pregnancy.  Not only are they safe to use, but they are amazing with all the crazy skin care problems that come up with pregnancy.  The two acids are antibacterial which is great for acne, extremely exfoliating which is great for acne and fighting fine lines and wrinkles, lightening and brightening and great for keeping away chloasma and pregnancy mask, super moisturizing, and it just feels great!

DermaQuest Skin TherapyDermaQuest Skin Therapy C-Lipoic Cleanser.

This line is a great balance of nature and science.  This vitamin C cleanser contains a lipid soluble vitamin C and tons of other nutrients to help prepare your skin for any treatments and moisturizer you will use.  It's suitable for all skin types.  My skin feels softer and hydrated when I use it and the vitamin C creates more of a glow to my skin.

DermaQuest Skin TherapyDermaQuest Skin Therapy Solar Moisturizer SPF 30.

This product has powerful free radical scavengers and anti-aging ingredients that stimulate the dermal matrix and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, as well as a broad spectrum SPF 30. It's great for keeping that chloasma at bay.  It's great for sensitive skin and smells  like kiwi.

DermalogicaDermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm.

This product is great for fine lines and wrinkles in the lip and eye area.  It's supercharged with vitamins and extracts to repair damage from free radicals.  It has silicone to fill in the fine lines and wrinkles and create a barrier to protect from future damage.

These are the actual products I am currently using every single day.  Yep, all of them!  :)  If you are currently using something, are pregnant, and want to know if it's approved, please check with me.  I'll let you know for sure, and if it's not approved, I'll give you a recommendation for a different product for the skin care concern you have.

Thanks for checking in, and I hope to hear from you soon.  Leave a comment!!