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Last Updated on September 19, 2024 by Shopping Kim
When you’re a mom-to-be, you get a lot of contradictory advice from everyone around you. Good advice often gets drowned by a sea of inaccurate information and old wives’ tales. For instance, it is believed that unborn baby girls “steal” their mothers’ beauty so if you experience acne, you’re having a girl but if you have the radiant “pregnancy glow”, you’re going to have a boy! Obviously, we know that our skin problems are due to fluctuations in hormone levels, our skincare routine, and other factors but when we are constantly bombarded by contradictory information, it can become difficult to separate fact from fiction.
In This Post:
Debunking Pregnancy Skincare Myths
Myth #1: There’s Nothing You Can Do About Dark Skin Patches
It is common for pregnant women to develop dark patches of skin called melasma, especially on the cheeks, forehead, and nose which is why it is referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”. This condition is purely cosmetic and it does not impact your baby and it is not an indicator of any complications. This skin darkening occurs when skin cells produce excess melanin – the pigment responsible for skin color. Exposure to the UV rays of the sun further increases the production of melanin so the simplest and most effective way to reduce dark skin patches is to protect your skin from sunlight. However, not all sunscreens are safe during pregnancy as some of them contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate which are known EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals). As the name suggests, these chemicals can interfere with your hormones and could impact your baby’s development. A review of pregnancy-safe sunscreens by independent experts can help you compare the top products in the market and decide which one is the best for your needs.
Myth #2: You Don’t Need a Pregnancy Skincare Routine
With pregnancy comes huge hormonal changes! Our hormones impact every aspect of our health, including our skin health. Pregnancy skin changes are temporary, so you don’t need to get rid of your regular products, just store them away until your baby arrives. Even your skin type can change from dry to oily in a matter of weeks. This is why it is important to follow a pregnancy skincare routine that matches your current needs. It’s also best to avoid any products that contain retinoids during your pregnancy.
Myth #3: You Can’t Use Any Acne Treatments During Pregnancy
A lot of women get nervous about using acne treatments during their pregnancy because they’ve heard that some acne treatments can have a negative impact on their unborn baby. It’s true that a few acne medications such as oral isotretinoin are known to cause birth defects but there are also several acne treatments that are safe for use during pregnancy. According to guidelines by ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), you can use over-the-counter topical anti-acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or azelaic acid.
Myth #4: Olive Oil and Vitamin E Oil Can Prevent Stretch Marks
It is a common misconception that applying oils to your belly will help to prevent stretch marks. Researchers found that olive oil, vitamin E, almond oil, and cocoa butter did not prevent stretch marks. However, they did find evidence that products containing hyaluronic acid or the herb centella may help to prevent stretch marks.
Myth #5: All Essential Oils Are Safe During Pregnancy
We assume that essential oils are safe because they are natural products but they are extremely potent oils. We still do not know the potential dangers posed by all essential oils during pregnancy. One study on essential oils found that niaouli, orange, tea tree, wintergreen and ylang-ylang essential oils disrupted at least one or more hormones. While many essential oils are completely safe to use during pregnancy, others are not which is why it is important to discuss this with a specialist as well as your ob-gyn before using any essential oil.