When you're pregnant, you may consider enhancing your natural glow with skin care products. However, there are some ingredients that can affect the development of your baby. Understanding what these are will ensure you’re only using compounds that bring you benefits. To help you care for your unborn child, here are some common products to avoid while you’re expecting.

Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy

1. Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A used to improve skin texture. While this aids growth and development in minimal amounts, excess vitamin A has been linked to congenital defects in the eye, heart, lungs, and skull. Minimize your risk by avoiding products that contain this ingredient, which may be marketed as Retin-A and retinyl palmitate. Accutane®, which is used to treat acne, is also a form of this vitamin. If you experience hormone-related breakouts during your pregnancy, seek alternative treatments, such as tea tree oil.

2. Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a topical skin care agent that can lighten the pigment of dark patches of skin. These discolored areas can result from a common pregnancy-related condition called melasma. However, this ingredient is considered a Class C substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), showing adverse effects in animal reproductive testing. Hydroquinone might also appear on ingredient labels as idrochinone or as quinol/1-4 dihydroxy benzene/1-4 hydroxy benzene. For safe lightening, try vitamin C serums.

3. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used in several skin care products, but pregnant women should avoid them as much as possible. They disrupt natural hormonal processes that are crucial to healthy fetal development. They have also been linked to everything from low birth weight to miscarriages. They may appear as butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, methyl, and propyl parabens on product labels.

To find the right skin care solutions when you're pregnant, consult a dermatologist at Central Carolina Dermatology Clinic. With three convenient locations in the Triad region, they provide Guilford County, NC, with comprehensive dermatology services and safe skin care treatments. Learn more about how they can help on their website or call (336) 887-3195 to schedule an appointment.