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Safe skincare during pregnancy

Your skincare routine may or may not have been a priority before you became pregnant, but now is the time to really understand what you are using.

The ingredients lists on skincare products are not always easy to follow. Sometimes there are names you might not know, sometimes the details are hidden under packaging and identifying everything in your cosmetics is not as simple as it should be. It is important you know what you are looking for.

The skin goes through many changes during pregnancy and as there are some ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin, cause allergies, cause birth defects and affect breast milk, it is worth considering whether you want to use them whilst pregnant. Some of the key ingredients to watch out for are:

Petrol-based products containing ingredients such as petrolatum, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, paraffin and mineral oil. These can irritate sensitive skin, especially during pregnancy.
Ethoxylated alcohols, such as sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). SLF can cause skin and eye irritation.
Amines and derivatives, such as diethanolamine (DEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) can irritate the skin and may be linked to cancer.
Parfum and fragrances, such as artificial musk. Artificial musk can build up in the body and has been found in breast milk.
Formaldehyde (a preservative), which is hidden in ingredients such as DMDM-hydantoin, metheneamine and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. This form of preservative is one of the leading causes of allergic reactions.
Parabens, such as butylparaben and others beginning with methyl-, propyl- and ethyl-. These are absorbed by the skin and can accumulate in the body. Some studies have found traces in breast tissue.
Retinol, such as tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene and retinyl. Large doses in pregnancy may harm the development of the embryo.

Recommended oils for pregnancy

Listed below are some of the benefits and therapeutic effects of the essential oils recommended for use during pregnancy:

Bergamot	Analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, uplifting, and refreshing. Helpful for cystitis during pregnancy.
Camomile	Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. Soothes pain from muscular aches, headaches, toothaches and indigestion. Found in our Mother and Baby Oil
Cypress	Antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent and diuretic. Helpful for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and swollen ankles
Eucalyptus	Antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral. Helpful with respiratory congestion.
Frankincense	Antiseptic, astringent, sedative, warming
Geranium	Antiseptic, antidepressant, astringent, refreshing, uplifting. Eases aching legs and is good for poor circulation.
Grapefruit	Astringent, digestive aid, lymphatic stimulant. Helps with water retention.
Lavender	Antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic, antidepressant, healing, relaxing. Helps soothe aches and pains of pregnancy, encourages cell renewal and helps with fluid retention. Found in our mother and baby oil and gentle scalp oil
Lemon/Lime	Antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, stimulant, tonic. Useful as an inhalant for morning sickness and in massage for varicose veins. Found in our rejuvenating facial spritz
Mandarin	Antiseptic, refreshing, tonic, mild relaxant. Can ease fluid retention in leg and ankle massages.
Neroli	Antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, relaxing. Useful in pregnancy to promote healthy skin cell regeneration and for easing nervous tension.
Patchouli	Antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, nerve sedative. Eases confusion, indecision and apathy.
Petitgrain	Antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, refreshing, tonic. Helpful in dealing with pre or postpartum depression.
Rosewood	Antiseptic, sedative.
Sandalwood	Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, sedative. Helpful for cystitis during pregnancy.
Tangerine	Antispasmodic, lymphatic stimulant, calming, sedative. Helps to prevent stretch marks. Found in our revitalizing leg and foot spray
Tea Tree	Antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, disinfectant. Can be used to treat thrush during pregnancy.
Ylang Ylang	Antiseptic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sedative, lowers blood pressure. Restorative when overworked or tense. Found in our anti stretch mark cream

Oils to avoid during pregnancy

The following list contains oils that should be avoided* during pregnancy:

Basil
Cedarwood
Cinnamon
Clary sage
Clove
Cypress
Fennel
Hyssop
Jasmine
Juniper
Lemongrass
Myrrh
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sweet marjoram
Thyme

*Note: Since it would be highly unethical to test on pregnant women, the list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy is based on knowledge of the general properties of each essential oil. For obvious reasons, during pregnancy it is recommended to avoid essential oils which are known to thin the blood or cause cramping or contractions. Used under proper dilution, most of these oils should not cause any problems during a healthy pregnancy, but it is always best to be cautious.

Our Experts and Friends

Storksak
www.storksak.co.uk

Creating bags that are highly fashionable without sacrificing function, our friends at Storksak have carved out a new niche in parenting bags. Favoured by the likes of Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Liv Tyler and Gwyneth Paltrow, from the outside these bags ooze style but there is still plenty of practicality packed within such as insulated pockets, detachable inner bags, changing mat and plenty of practical pockets for ensuring everything is organised.

PregnancyCorner
www.pregnancycorner.com
At PregnancyCorner.com you'll learn about Getting Pregnant, Being Pregnant, Giving Birth, Health and Nutrition. Backed by an amazing editorial team, PregnancyCorner is dedicated to providing up-to-date and accurate information regarding your pregnancy issues, from preconception to post-conception.

Nonstopmama
www.nonstopmama.com
Aimed at time crunched mums www.nonstopmama.com is a daily blog and website edited by Jenni Baden Howard, previously beauty editor for The Daily Telegraph and contributor to a range of glossies. The website features beauty, health, fitness, fashion, cooking, homes and more - subscribe free to daily updates and fun!

Mybabybumps
www.mybabybumps.com
mybabybumps is a social network that connects you with fellow mums around you. Here you can make new friends, create a personal profile page, share your stories and photos, create a birth plan & pack your hospital bag. Also check out our weekly pregnancy diaries.

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Safe skincare during pregnancy

Recommended oils for pregnancy

Oils to avoid during pregnancy

Our Experts and Friends