Why does skin become delicate amidst the joy of motherhood and why is caution necessary?

Pregnancy is that period of every woman’s life when a unique and rapid change of hormones is seen in the body. On one hand, the natural glow of ‘pregnancy glow’ spreads on the face of many women, on the other hand, due to abnormal fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone, stubborn acne, excessive dryness, stretching of the skin and dark spots of ‘melasma’ i.e. freckles suddenly start appearing on the face. In such a situation, women often start using the same serums, night creams and face washes which they were already using as part of their old skincare habits. But this is that delicate time when your skin is no longer yours alone. The skin is the largest organ of the body and many cosmetic chemicals absorbed into the bloodstream can cross the placenta and reach the baby in the womb. Medical science and dermatologists repeatedly emphasize that the same products which make the skin flawless and young during normal days, can cause serious obstruction in the development of the child’s organs or birth defects during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, carefully check the labels of every cosmetic on your dressing table and immediately avoid these ingredients:

• Retinoids and Retinol: Retinol is considered miraculous in anti-aging and acne treatment, but its biggest danger is in pregnancy. Very high doses of vitamin A derivatives such as Retin-A, tretinoin, isotretinoin, and oral retinoids can directly cause Fetal Retinoid Syndrome, which can cause malformations in the baby’s face, heart, and brain structure.

• Hydroquinone: Troubled by dark spots and freckles on the face during pregnancy, many women turn to skin lightening or bleaching creams that contain hydroquinone. Studies show that hydroquinone is absorbed deeply into the skin by 35% to 45%. Systemic absorption of such large amounts can prove extremely toxic to the developing fetus.

• High-Dose Salicylic Acid and BHA: Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that belongs to the aspirin family. Although simple face washes containing less than 2% that can be rinsed off immediately are sometimes considered safe, high-percentage peels, serums, and oral formulations can leach into the bloodstream and increase bleeding and pregnancy complications.

• Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone and avobenzone): Ingredients used in chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone, octinoxate and homosalate affect the endocrine system of the body. These are ‘hormone disruptors’ that mimic the body’s natural hormones and can interfere with the normal development of the fetus.

• Parabens, Phthalates and Formaldehyde: Parabens, which protect products from spoilage, and phthalates used in fragrances are known to have a negative impact on the weight and hormonal balance of the baby in the womb.

Giving up harmful chemicals does not mean that you stop taking care of your skin. Science has provided many gentle and safe alternatives that provide excellent results without any risks:

1. Azelaic Acid for acne and blemishes: Dermatologists consider azelaic acid to be the safest first choice for treating both acne and pigmentation during pregnancy. It reduces redness, kills bacteria and lightens stubborn blemishes.

2. Vitamin C for natural glow: A good quality and safe Vitamin C serum protects the skin from free radicals, boosts collagen and maintains the natural glow of the face without any damage.

3. Hyaluronic Acid for deep moisture: To combat dryness and stretch marks of the skin during pregnancy, hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturizer that binds water in the skin and keeps the face plump.

4. Choosing Mineral or Physical Sunscreen: Use mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead of chemical sunscreens. Instead of being absorbed into the skin, they form a shield on the surface which reflects sunlight back.

When modern cosmetics are in doubt, nothing is safer than India’s traditional kitchen and nature.

• Raw milk and gram flour: For gentle cleansing of the face, instead of using any foamy chemical face wash, mix a little gram flour in raw milk and wash the face with gentle hands. It cleanses the skin of dirt without making it dry.

• Pure Aloe Vera and Rose Water: Applying pure rose water mixed with fresh aloe vera gel is a safe cooling therapy to soothe sunburn, itching and skin irritation.

• Virgin Coconut Oil or Shea Butter for Stretch Marks: To prevent stretch marks on the aging skin of the abdomen, thighs and breasts, massage gently twice daily with cold-pressed coconut oil, almond oil or pure shea butter instead of chemical-laden stretch mark creams. It maintains the elasticity of the skin.

In this golden journey of pregnancy, make it your habit to read the ingredients carefully before starting any new skincare product. Always prefer ‘fragrance-free’ and ‘hypoallergenic’ products as during this time the sense of smell becomes highly sensitive and strong fragrances can increase morning sickness. Avoid going to beauty parlors and doing procedures like chemical peeling, laser treatment, botox or fillers for the entire nine months. The most important thing is that any change that occurs on the face is not permanent; When hormones return to their normal state after delivery, most problems start getting resolved on their own. So avoid unnecessary stress, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious diet, and seek approval from your gynecologist or dermatologist before trying any new skincare ingredients. Safe selection is the biggest guarantee of both the beauty of the mother and the health of the child.