When you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, choosing the right skincare products that are both high performing and effective, while still being safe for you and your baby, can be a total minefield.
While most mothers-to-be have the same skin concerns as they did prior to falling pregnant, pregnancy itself can bring on a whole host of new skin issues - hello melasma and blemish-prone skin - thank you hormones!
Selecting what skincare to use can feel like a difficult task, especially as there’s often conflicting advice around which skincare products are safe to use for mums-to-be. During pregnancy, your first instinct can be to remove any and all chemicals from your life, including switching to natural or “clean” beauty products.
But the reality is, you don’t need to. Skincare for pregnant and breastfeeding women doesn’t need to be so complicated.
The list of ingredients pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay away from, as they can cause harm via absorption, is actually quite short.
What skincare ingredients should I avoid when pregnant and breastfeeding?
According to NSW Health’s Mothersafe resource, the consensus is that when it comes to skincare, it is advisable that the following ingredients are avoided:
- Hydroquinone
- Prescription retinoids (such as tretinoin)
- Minoxidil (for hair growth)
Everything else? It’s fair game!
Yes, that’s right. You know those acids (glycolic, salicylic, and lactic) that you’ve been told to steer clear of? You don’t have to miss out on them.
Why? Because these products can be bought over the counter and contain ingredients that aren’t harmful in pregnancy as they are applied topically to the skin, rather than ingested.
According to NSW Health, if it is known that skin absorption is next to none or minimal, then the exposure of such an ingredient to the unborn baby is deemed insignificant and the product is considered safe.
Is MCoBeauty's skincare range pregnancy safe?
The answer is yes!
Our entire range is pregnancy-safe because it:
- Doesn’t include retinoids
- Includes less that 2% of salicylic acid
- Does not include any hydroquinone
Let’s break it down further with a closer look at the ingredients in the products we’re asked about the most by pregnant and breastfeeding ladies - our Salicylic Foaming Face Cleanser and the AHA/BHA Pore Refining Exfoliating Toner.
What about breastfeeding?
Skincare products are generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding.
Hydroquinone should be avoided, as well as any kind of tanning agenta near or on the nipple and areola of the breast, as it comes into contact with the baby. In relation to our skincare range, the full collection is safe to use while breastfeeding.
It's always good to take note of the ingredients in your beauty products, but nothing makes you really pay attention like getting pregnant.
We’re proud to have created skincare that suits all phases of life. Just remember to always check with your obstetrician or healthcare before using any new skincare products or trying new skincare treatments.
SALICYLIC FOAMING FACE CLEANSER
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are both commonly found in products designed to help fight blemish-prone skin, by removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores and delivering a radiant, healthy glow.
Salicylic acid often gets a bad rep in the pregnancy skincare world, as it penetrates deeper into the skin’s dermis than glycolic acid. However, NSW Health states it is in fact safe to use, because it’s topical.
Our cleanser contains a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid and 2% glycolic acid.
These percentages levels mean the cleanser is safe to use during pregnancy because it has less than 2% of salicylic acid AND it is a wash-off product, meaning there is little to no absorption happening and is therefore considered safe to use.
AHA/BHA PORE REFINING EXFOLIATING TONER
Active ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, witch hazel and betaine.
Our toner uses a unique triple chemical exfoliant blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid to work together and dissolve the day's impurities, minimise the appearance of pores and fight break outs to reveal fresh and radiant skin.
In terms of percentages, lactic acid is at 4%, salicylic is at 0.5%, glycolic is at 8%, in addition to 2% of betaine and 4% of witch hazel, along with vitamin C-rich kakadu plum, aloe, and chamomile.
That’s a lot of numbers! But in short, it is a product that is safe to use during pregnancy. Just be sure to use it gently!
How can I create a pregnancy safe skincare routine using these products?
Everything in the range is safe to use, so you’re free to create a routine that suits your skin type.
Below is an example routine for someone who is suffering from blemish-prone skin during pregnancy.
MORNING
STEP 1: Everyday Foaming Face Cleanser
STEP 2: Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C Serum
STEP 3: Hydrating Day & Night Face Moisturiser
STEP 4: Apply Invisible Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ or Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen SPF50+
EVENING
STEP 1: Remove makeup with Double-Sided Facial Wipes
STEP 2: Cleanse with Everyday Foaming Face Cleanser or Salicylic Foaming Face Cleanser (depending on your skin type)
STEP 3: Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C Serum
STEP 4: AHA/BHA Pore Refining Exfoliating Toner (1-2 times a week)
