Having a baby is one of the most rewarding and simultaneously terrifying things you can do, especially given the state of the world. Nevertheless, having a child is still a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, being pregnant is not always a fun process since many changes happen with your body. A combination of hormones and having a literal human grow inside you is bound to cause your body to go through certain unexpected changes.
Fortunately, hundreds of years of medical science have helped us navigate pregnancies more effectively and reduced the risks to both mother and child. Unfortunately, no amount of medical science has yielded a tool to prevent potential complications caused by outside factors. As a result, expectant mothers must sacrifice certain creature comforts to ensure their child develops without complication.
While most people recognize the obvious sacrifices like alcohol, sushi, and smoking, not everyone realizes how far it goes. Expectant mothers must surrender a lot to protect their unborn child, and not everything they give up is as obvious as potentially harmful consumables. Sometimes, a mother is forced to forgo certain luxuries like makeup and skincare products because they might harm the developing child.
This can be a huge blow since the hormonal surge and sudden physical changes can drastically reduce a mother's self-esteem. Makeup and skincare are often used to bolster one's confidence in one's appearance, and losing that can make the effects of pregnancy hit harder. Fortunately, cosmetic products can be used without harming your child.
Can Cosmetic Products Really Harm Your Baby?
You might be hesitant to accept that your cosmetic tools can cause genuine harm to your child, and that reluctance is not inherently wrong. The idea that something as simple as foundation can have any impact on a child developing in your womb likely seems ridiculous. While "ridiculous" might be the wrong term, you are right to assume your makeup will not cause lasting damage. There is not enough evidence to confirm that makeup in and of itself can harm a developing fetus, but that does not mean you can simply resume your routine.
Skincare products and makeup all use multiple ingredients to create the final product; some are more intense than others. Occasionally, these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin and reach other body parts via the bloodstream. Ordinarily, they are not a threat thanks to your immune system, but your child will not have the same protection.
In the womb, an infant's immune system is still developing, and the child primarily relies on the mother's immune system to protect it. As a result, certain toxins that would not harm you can devastate your unborn child. While this primarily relates to certain foods and vices that might pollute your body and endanger the child, it is possible for certain cosmetic tools to introduce harmful compounds.
When absorbed through the skin, the circulatory system will likely divert the contaminated blood through your reproductive system. This can alter the environment in which your child is developing and cause severe damage. Ideally, you should consult your doctor if you are worried that one of your skincare or cosmetic products might harm your child. That said, certain guidelines can protect your child, and several products exist that are completely safe for expecting mothers.
#1: ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation
The True Skin Serum Foundation was created by ILIA, a renowned makeup manufacturer specializing in protecting and reviving skin. ILIA products are relatively popular and are frequently sold in major cosmetics stores like Sephora. However, you should not feel too bad if you have never heard of them since their popularity only goes so far. Nevertheless, they produce several products that mask your skin's blemishes without overtaxing your body and incorporating essential vitamins.
Specifically, this particular foundation contains niacinamide, better known as vitamin B-3. Despite the intimidating technical name, vitamin B-3 is considered safe for pregnancy, and ILIA received a special mention for working to create cosmetics that are risk-free for pregnant women.
Image source: https://iliabeauty.com/products/formentera-sf1
The ingredients label on this product reads as follows:
"Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coconut Alkanes, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Gluconolactone, Sodium Chloride, Isopentyldiol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Calcium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Bisabolol. May Contain (+/-): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides)."
#2: Vaseline Lip Therapy Aloe
A major part of skincare is maintaining your lips, which serve as the main gateway for any substances that might affect your child. Keeping your lips healthy falls under the category of skincare since your lips are still part of the dermal layer despite their peculiar appearance. One of the main concerns with lip maintenance is avoiding dry lips, which could cause them to crack and induce chronic pain.
Most people employ lip balm since it hydrates the lips and generally creates a pleasant sheen, depending on the type. Nowadays, it is possible to find lip balm that has glitter in it, though this is just a cosmetic product and usually causes a few complications. Unfortunately, many mainstream lip balms add too many ingredients and could present a hazard to your unborn child. Ideally, any lip products you use should only have a few ingredients, preferably natural ones.
Image source: https://www.vaseline.com/us/en/products/lip-care/vaseline-lip-therapy-aloe-vera-stick.html
Unilever's Vaseline Lip Therapy Aloe checks off that box and has been officially designated as safe for pregnant women. It only contains 2 ingredients and does not contain any irritating compounds that might endanger your child. The ingredients label for this product reads as follows:
"Petrolatum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Flavor (Aroma)."
#3: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector
Moisturizers are a key component in modern skincare and cosmetic routines, especially in climates where dry skin is particularly common. Laura Mercier is one of the big names in modern cosmetics, and she has created a massive line that is highly sought after. Like the ILIA product from before, Laura Mercier products are commonly sold in multiple mainstream retailers.
Of course, her brand's notoriety also demands a high price that many are willing to pay. Tinted moisturizers are an interesting beast since they restore hydration and even out your skin tone. Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector takes this further by adding broad spectrum SPF 30 to the mix. This means her product can provide moderate protection against ultraviolet radiation from the sun (a major threat to our skin's health). The ingredients used in this product are considered safe for pregnant women, which is especially useful since dry skin is more prevalent during pregnancy.
Image source: https://www.lauramercier.com/products/tinted-moisturizer-natural-skin-perfector-spf-30?variant=43486656332015
The ingredients label on this product reads as follows:
"Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Peg-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Isododecane, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Pentylene Glycol, Isostearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polysilicone-11, Behenyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Stearic Acid, Batyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Peg-30 Phytosterol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Metaphosphate, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Potassium Hydroxide, Bht, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
#4: Kopari x MAKE Glow and Go Collection
Perhaps the most expensive item on this list, Kopari and MAKE might not be the most recognizable brand names in this article. Nevertheless, they do offer a wide range of cosmetic and skincare products that can be very effective when used properly. They say pregnancy brings out a "natural glow" in the mother, but the glow is figurative at best and the result of sweat at worst.
Needless to say, the only way to glow while pregnant is to use a glow product from the skincare industry. While Kopari and MAKE are separate companies, they have come together to help expectant mothers get the resources they need to achieve that glow without harming the child. The Kopari x MAKE Glow and Go Collection consists of 5 different products that can be used together to enhance your complexion.
The products include:
- Kopari's Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50
- Kopari's Sun Shield Soft Glow Daily Face SPF 30
- MAKE's Dewy Gel Cheek Tint in Feverish
- MAKE's Sculpting Clear Brow Gel
- MAKE's Lash Prototype Volumizing Mascara
Fortunately, all 5 of these products are considered safe for pregnant women, so you should be able to use them all without trouble. Kits like this require a fair amount of consideration before using them since they all have their own ingredient labels. However, the main focus of this kit is that all the products are free of parabens and phthalates, which are known to cause embryonic complications.
That said, we will be skipping the complete ingredients list in this section since there are 5 products to cover. Nevertheless, the product is approved for pregnant women despite some fairly disconcerting names on the label.
#5: Saie Lip Blur Soft-Matte Hydrating Lipstick
As we return to the field of lip-based cosmetics, lipstick is an oddly complex concern for pregnant women. Most of the time, an expecting mother might not care much about applying lipstick, given her lack of energy. Nevertheless, there are those who will go the extra mile to care for their appearance despite the pregnancy.
Saie's Lip Blur Soft-Matte Hydrating Lipstick is an excellent choice for these mothers since the product is made with natural compounds. One of the main ingredients in this product is hyaluronic acid, which is renowned for its skincare benefits. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid is completely safe for pregnancy and can be used liberally. Saie Beauty is another cosmetics company that tends to retail through stores like Sephora despite having a shop on their website.
Unlike some of the other products in this article, their lipstick is one of the more affordable options. It is also a popular choice for Saie's customers, and its ability to be used while pregnant has only reinforced its popularity.
The ingredients label on this product reads as follows:
"Octyldodecanol, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax), Copernicia Cerifera Cera (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax), Ricinus Communis Seed Oil Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera (Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax), Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Jojoba Esters, Hectorite, Undecane, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables (Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables), Silica, Tridecane, Shorea Robusta Resin, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera (Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax), Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera (Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax), Sodium Hyaluronate (+/-) May Contain: Ci 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides), Ci 15850 (Red 7 Lake), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides)."
Finding the Right Blend
Pregnancy can be a challenging process, and there is no shame in experiencing some of the less pleasant effects. The changes your body goes through to accommodate your unborn child are intense, and the hormonal fluctuations do not help. Sometimes, taking time to care for your skin and appearance can mitigate some of the depression and self-esteem issues.
Unfortunately, being pregnant means taking extra care to protect your child from potentially harmful compounds. The products listed in this article are all officially labeled "safe" for pregnant women, and, to their credit, they are safe. Carrying a child means you might be more interested in natural resources than mainstream products.
We at Teami first want to congratulate you on your child. We're so incredibly excited for you! That said, we can help you with your cosmetic and skincare needs by providing completely natural resources. Our skincare products are safe for pregnant women and can help you restore your ideal appearance. For example, our Green Tea Facial Scrub provides all the skincare benefits of the Camellia sinensis leaf without introducing any harmful compounds that might affect your child. We encourage you to visit our website and browse our entire skincare catalog. After all, finding the right blend is a Teami effort.