Face Wash and Pregnancy

I have never heard such a thing. Sounds pretty insane to me. Unless you are using paint thinner, I think you should be fine.

I was just told to avoid anything with alpha-hydroxy, since excessive vitamin A is bad in pregnancy.

There are certain facial chemicals and herbs you should avoid during pregnancy. Salicylic acid, Retinol A, mineral oil, lavender, tea tree oil that are found in skin (and hair) care products. The Chicago Tribune first brought light to this subject back in Jan. 2006, studies found when they dissected the baby's blood cord, over 300 different toxic chemicals that we are exposed too, the baby is as well. The American Public Health Association also published this study around that time. About half are pesticides we ingest, the other half came from personal care products....the Cosmetic Database is an excellent place to start, I go here for my baby's personal care products as well. Other studies have found it effects boy's genitalia which can increase their infertility later in life. You can use the database as a start to begin switching your products over. Nine Naturals, which is Chicago based, makes a fantastic shampoo and conditioner for preconception and expecting moms, but you can certainly use it beyond! I use California Baby wash and lotion for myself and kids!

Use this as a time to indulge in some new products, most go bad within 1-2yrs anyways.

J. MPH
National Pregnancy Health Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-29454-Pregnancy-Health-Examiner

I'm one of the super paranoid over-informed kind of pregnant women. You want to avoid any "acids" in your face wash or harsh anti-acne type products. Call me crazy, but if there's a chance that it causes birth defects, I'm going to avoid it. I use a natural face wash from Zia when I'm pregnant. There are tons of options out there. Just look for one with the fewest ingredients. If you are lost you can look at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com . It rates products by their ingredients and how bad they are for you.
Good luck. I wouldn't worry too much. People do much worse things than wash with the wrong face soap when they are pregnant, and most babies come out perfectly healthy.
Congrats on your pregnancy.
K.

Hi R.,

Go to index of www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and look at what you are using. Most skincare and cosmetics are toxic for you so it would make sense that baby would have a problem. There are several that are more natural than others. (I tend to go the natural route.) This website will give you some insight.

M.

Yes you can...if you couldn't it will have a label on it from the FDA saying you must use precaution when you are pregnant.

You should be careful when you use anything that isn't "mainstream" while you are pregnant. Many products you can't buy over the counter at walgreens etc. are not FDA regulated

Updated

Yes you can...if you couldn't it will have a label on it from the FDA saying you must use precaution when you are pregnant.

You should be careful when you use anything that isn't "mainstream" while you are pregnant. Many products you can't buy over the counter at walgreens etc. are not FDA regulated

Many of our skin care products are highly toxic. We use to think our skin was a barrier, but today realize it is a sponge. So whatever you put ON your body is absorbed into the body. You can test the toxicity level of your skin care products at www.CosmeticDataBase.com. A great book to read on the subject is Stacey Malken's book, "Not Just A Pretty Face, The Ugly Side of Beauty." There are a couple of product lines that are nontoxic you might want to look into, www.WholeMangosteenSkinCare.com and www.AANTShop.com. Most people don't realize that the skin care industry is self regulating, and do not always have our best interest at heart. Stacey's book is a real eye opener.

Just check the ingredients on all the products that touch your skin when you are pregnant or even when you are not pregnant. We are bombarded by chemicals on a daily basis. It's up to the consumer to do their own research. I use Shaklee products, because of their philosophy of sourcing from nature. A good book is Green Goes With Everything by Sloan Barnett. She has done a lot of research on chemicals in the products we use on a daily basis. There is a chapter on Clean Body and another on Clean Baby. She has product suggestions and websites to explore. You have to be able to use a face wash and an eye make-up remover when pregnant. It's essential.

I have 3 very healthy kids and have washed my face with whatever I had, worn makeup, used remover etc... Just use your judgement, ask your dr his/her opinion and do what you feel comfortable with.

I'm an RN and I've never heard that before. My aunts used to say that you couldn't color your hair when you were pregnant because it wouldn't take, but that is an old wives tale too.

You need to avoid products with salicylic acid during pregnancy - additionally, there are some prescription products that are known to carry significant side effects if used during pregnancy.

If you're in doubt, as your pharmacist or call your OB/GYN. Otherwise, I'd feel comfortable using a mild facial soap like Neutrogena, etc.

Just make sure salicylic acid is not an active ingredient.

That is false - and ridiculous! In fact, my doctors ok'd my prescription face wash throughout.

Hi R. - some are okay some arent. Best thing to do is to ask your ob/gyn for a list of products that are not to be used. Also tell the doc what you are using and the ingredients and they can tell you if it's okay. Same with eyedrops and otc meds.

Usually you want to stay away from vitamin A creams and other anti-aging products, etc.

Maybe try something mild like Cetaphil and talk to your doc.

eh. i use the remover and just use a face wash that doesn't have that satilyc acid or however you spell it in it. other than that, i mean, they say they can cause birth defects, but it hasn't been tested in humans, so who's to say it does? (i'm 6 1/2 months pregnant and that's what i've been doing since day 1 and my son is healthy)

I don't believe that is true,tho from where I came from you use perfumes or good smelling stuffs during your pregnancy,

This is unfounded. I even used a prescription face wash that contains sodium sulfacetamide and sulphur and was completely fine.

never heard of that. I washed my face just fine during both pregnancies. I use philosophy and have a perfect 10 month old

I was told not to use acne face washes while pregnant, they haven't been tested for safety. Anything you put on your skin (topical) gets absorbed into your system very easily, easier than ingesting it sometimes. I was going to give you the same website Kimberly did. I personally avoided the acne stuff, but still used regular cosmetics. I'm sure lots of people use acne stuff, most people have never even heard this warning. But it was an easy one to do without for me.

Unless you are using a prescription product, I think it's okay to use face wash. My make up routine didn't change while I was pregnant and I washed my face twice a day.

The only thing I avoided, as far as body products for me was hair dye. I've never heard of the make up thing or the face wash thing. I continued to use the same brands I had been using.

You have to do what is right for you.

I am not a paranoid person and while pregnant I did not change my daily routines. I used Clinique when I was 11 and continue to do so now at 48.

I still pass for early 30's with my skin, however, I am faithful at routine care.

I've never heard of what you are talking about..... sounds like something to instill fear and sell some "specialty" product to pregnant moms to alleivate any fears. Some people just like to instill fear and make $$$

Just do what is right for you per your Dr. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope it goes well.

Never heard of such a thing. If you believe every report you read pregnant woman should not do anything but live in a bubble for nine months. It really is getting ridiculous. I have always used Oil of Olay soap and lotion. I have 2 beautiful healthy daughters.