What Are the Ingredients in Cosmetics That Are Forbidden for Pregnant Women?

Ingredients prohibited for pregnant women in cosmetics include retinol, some preservatives, salicylic acid, etc.

Retinol, also known as vitamin A, can have an impact on the fetus even in very small amounts absorbed by pregnant women, and in severe cases, it can cause teratogenic harm. Therefore, almost all cosmetics for pregnant women now avoid this ingredient. In addition to retinol, derivatives of retinol cannot be used either, as they will also be decomposed into retinol after being absorbed by the body.

Preservatives are a necessary component in cosmetics. Some ingredients in skincare products for pregnant women can be an excellent culture medium for bacteria. To ensure that skincare products do not spoil within a short period of time, it is necessary to add some preservatives to meet the requirements. Most preservatives are safe and have not been found to be harmful to humans, but BHA is strictly prohibited from being used in skincare products for pregnant women.

Salicylic acid also poses a risk of teratogenicity, so it should be avoided as much as possible.

The skin of the human body is constantly exposed to bacteria, and the skin secretes some metabolic waste, especially for pregnant women. Therefore, the step of cleansing and washing the face should never be omitted. If pregnant women wear makeup, they need to use a gentle makeup remover to remove their makeup every day, followed by washing with a non-foaming facial cleanser. This is a relatively gentle way of cleansing, and strongly stimulating cleansing products should never be used.

After cleansing the skin, moisturizing should be done within two minutes. If more than two minutes pass, the water on the skin will evaporate, causing the face to feel dry. Therefore, apply a moisturizer in time after cleansing. If pregnant women find that the moisturizer is too heavy, they can choose a lighter lotion. Hand cream and body lotion should be used after facial moisturizing.

Pregnant women are prone to developing freckles, and sunlight is the main culprit. Therefore, it is important to take sun protection measures in daily life. There are not many sunscreens specifically designed for pregnant women, but baby sunscreens can be chosen as they are lighter and safer. However, they need to be reapplied every one or two hours.