8 Beauty No-Nos When You're Preg-O
No-no 1: retinoids
Aliases: isotretinoin, tretinoin, acitretin, etretinate, adapalene, tazarotene
Found in: prescription treatments for acne and psoriasis (including brand names Accutane, Retin-A, Renova, Amnesteem, Soriatane, Claravis, Sotret, Tegison, Differin, Tazorac) and certain types of cancer (Vesanoid and Targretin).
What they do: unblock pores of oil glands that cause nodular acne and psoriasis. Limited research indicates they may reverse sun damage, reduce wrinkles and treat and possibly prevent certain types of cancer.
Why the red flag: Retinoids are the big, bad no-no. Oral treatments containing them have been directly linked to miscarriages and birth defects. Although research suggests that topical retinoids (Retin-A, Renova) do not pose the same risk, enough concerns exist regarding their safety that you should seek the okay from your derm and OB/GYN before you even consider using them.
Safe swaps: Topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, metronidazole, erythromycin and over-the-counter/non-prescription products containing benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids and azelaic acid are okay.
Must-haves: Belli Pregnancy Specialty Skin Care Solutions Acne Clearing Facial Wash ($22, dermstore.com). FYI, this brand is the only line that screens ingredients to make sure they have no link to birth defects or reproductive toxicity. (Love it!) Also, DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 5 Percent With Tea Tree Oil ($24, sephora.com), and Philosophy On A Clear Day H2O2 ($20, sephora.com).
No-no 2: phthalates
Aliases: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
Found in: nail/cuticle treatments, lipstick, anti-aging products, fragrance
What they do: They're plasticizers that add texture and luster to cosmetics, help fragrances last longer or absorb into the skin better, and make nail polish chip-resistant.
Why the red flag: Research says exposure might be linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, particularly to male fetuses. There's enough concern about the safety of DBP that Urban Decay completely discontinued the use of phthalates in its line of nail polishes. Even if a product contains phthalates, the label might not list it as an ingredient if it is a component of a fragrance because the ingredients in a fragrance are protected under trade secret laws. If this is a concern, buy "fragrance-free" products.
Safe swaps: Hard Candy Vintage Nail Polish ($7, sephora.com), Avalon Organics COQ10 Enzyme Facial Cleansing Milk ($11.95, avalonorganics.com) and Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer ($4, burtsbees.com)
No-no 3: parabens
Alias: sodium methylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben
Found in: moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, anti-aging products, sunscreen, toner/astringent, makeup
What they do: They are preservatives that protect products from bacte
rial growth
Why the red flag: Limited research indicates parabens may disrupt the body's hormone systems, and there is enough concern about methylparaben that it has been banned or deemed unsafe for use in certain cosmetics in the European Union.
Safe swaps: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($19.99, kissmyface.com), Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum ($45, beauty.com), Jason Organics Natural Apricot Super Shine Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.99 each, vitacost.com), Jane Iredale PurePressed Base ($48, dermstore.com)
No-no 4: fragrances
Alias: perfume, parfum, cologne, scent
Found in: Just about everything from moisturizer, perfume and lipstick to self-tanner and deodorant
What they do: Fragrance is generally used to mask the unfriendly odors of chemicals used in a product or to make the product smell more appealing.
Why the red flag: Because individual ingredients in "fragrance" are protected by trade secret laws, companies are not required to divulge ingredients -- some of which may pose risks. There is no legal definition of the term "fragrance-free," so even if a product is marketed as such, it may still contain a masking fragrance.
Safe swaps: Peter Thomas Roth Tinted Mineral Moisturizer ($42, glow.com), Free and Clear Liquid Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($7.75, dermadoctor.com), and Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick ($4.29, drugstore.com)
No-no 5: toluene
Alias: methylbenzene
Found in: nail products
What it does: It's an industrial solvent (liquid that can dissolve chemical substances) that allows nail polish to go on smoothly and stick to the nail.
Why the red flag: There is a high risk for developmental and reproductive toxicity, including brain and cell damage, when exposed to large doses of toluene, particularly when it is inhaled. Although it is still found in nail products, it has been deemed unsafe for use in cosmetics by the International Fragrance Association Codes and Standards.
Safe swaps: L'Oréal Paris PRO Manicure ($4.99, ulta.com), Revlon Nail Enamel ($4.79, walgreens.com), Paula's Choice Longevity Base and Top Coat ($7.95, paulaschoice.com)
No-no 6: formaldehyde
Found in: nail-strengthening and cuticle treatments, hair color/bleaching, styling gel/lotion
What it does: Formaldehyde is a preservative, disinfectant and hardener in cosmetic products
Why the red flag: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Council has recommend
ed limiting the use of it in cosmetics because of proven links to cancer and reproductive/developmental toxicity toluene. It has been banned or found unsafe in cosmetics in Japan and is restricted in cosmetics in Canada.
Safe swaps: Barielle Cuticle Replenisher with Mango Butter ($15, bathandbodyworks.com), John Masters Organics Sweet Orange and Silk Protein Styling Gel ($17.50, johnmasters.com), Light Mountain Natural Hair Color and Conditioner ($7.44, herbsmd.com)
No-no 7: p-phenylenediamine
Aliases: PPD, PPDA
Found in: hair color/bleaching, hairspray, shampoo and conditioner
What it does: hair colorant
Why the red flag: This is the chemical that started all of the worry about getting your hair dyed while pregnant. High exposure has been linked to reproductive/developmental toxicity and cancer, and there's strong evidence that it's neurotoxic (a substance that damages the nervous system).
Safe swaps: Clairol Loving Care ($13.95, haircareusa.com), Burt's Bees Hair Repair Shea and Grapefruit Deep Conditioner ($8, burtsbees.com), Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash ($10, shop.weleda.com)
No-no 8: oxybenzone
Alias: benzophenone
Found in: sunscreen
What it does: absorbs ultraviolet light
Why the red flag: While the risk is not as high as retinoids, there is limited research showing links to developmental toxicity and hormonal disruptions with high exposure.
Safe swaps: Vanicream Sunscreen Sensitive Skin SPF 60 ($16.99, drugstore.com), Lavera SPF 15 Sun Lip Balm ($7.88, lavera.com), Belli Pregnancy Specialty Skin Care Solutions Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen ($22, skincarerx.com), 3LAB Perfect Lite Sunscreen SPF 30 ($45, saksfifthavenue.com)
More red flags
Many cosmetic companies have phased out certain super no-no ingredients, but there are still a few lingering products that contain chemicals that could be harmful. They're rare, but it's worth checking the ingredients in your beauty goods to make sure the following chemicals aren't in your products: lead acetate, methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and selenium.
Good resource
Because many ingredients haven't been fully researched, and cosmetics companies aren't required to disclose certain ingredients, Jovana Ruzicic, spokesperson for the Environmental Working Group (EWG), recommends a better-safe-than-sorry approach. "Be aware of certain red-flag ingredients, read label
s," Ruzicic says. To help, EWG developed the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which contains information on over 6,700 cosmetic ingredients and 22,000 products.
Beauty to-do list
1. Make a list of your beauty stash and ask your OB/GYN to check over it.
2. When in doubt, avoid using a questionable product during your first trimester, when the fetus is most vulnerable.
3. Spot-test new and old products before using. Your skin and sense of smell are more sensitive during pregnancy, so even if you've used a product for years, you might have an adverse reaction.
4. Apply products in a well-ventilated room. Inhaled fumes are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream than topical applications.
5. Just because it says "organic" or "all-natural" doesn't mean it's safe to use during pregnancy. Read the label.
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