Cosmetic ingredients you should avoid during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a stage where many changes occur in the expectant mother, from physical to hormonal, which can affect her skin. This is a stage where women should not stop taking care of themselves, as in many cases the appearance of spots or stretch marks can affect their self-image.

 The search for various cosmetic products to reduce these signs can intensify during this stage; however, care must be taken with the ingredients they are made of, as some are contraindicated during pregnancy because they can affect the baby's development and growth.

 In other cases, mothers who are already undergoing various aesthetic treatments for their skin care should review and consult their doctor about their continuation during this stage.

 Below, we list 10 ingredients you need to be careful with. If you are using any of them and are pregnant, consult your doctor about continuing their use and/or recommended alternatives.

1. Retinol (Vitamin A): Its high fat solubility can interfere with the differentiation processes of forming cells and your baby's visual capacity.
2. Caffeine: This ingredient can be found in many anti-cellulite creams or those for preventing dark circles. However, its use is contraindicated as it enters the bloodstream and can interfere with the baby's growth and development.
3. Essential oils: Some essential oils should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, such as sage, oregano, mint, or rue oils, due to their abortifacient properties.
4. Acne products: Many products used for acne contain retinoids, an active ingredient that can cause various birth defects in the baby.
5. Minoxidil: This product should be discontinued until after breastfeeding, as it has been shown to be excreted in breast milk and can cause birth defects.
6. Salicylic Acid: Salicylates help skin regeneration and prevent aging, but due to the high concentrations in cosmetic products, their use is not recommended as they can easily cross the placental barrier.
7. Aluminum salts: These are found in numerous deodorant products, which can affect the baby's nervous system.
8. Tetracyclines: This product is used for acne prevention and can damage the mother's liver and cause discoloration in the baby's future teeth.
9. Hydroquinone: Used for skin lightening; however, it is better to use other products that do not cross the placental barrier.
10. CBD: Although the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has stated that there are no conclusive human studies rejecting the use of CBD in pregnant women, there are animal studies where embryonic development is affected, so its use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

It is important that before buying and using a cosmetic product, you consult your doctor about its safety during pregnancy and/or lactation, as well as for guidance on available alternatives for each particular case.