Make up - am I being paranoid?

[AnnaK]

In Practical parenting magazine (January, I think) there was an article about body treatments, which included comments that facial peels containing salacylic acid should not be used as it may cause birth defects. Both before and throughout my pregnancy (now nearly 27 weeks) I have been using Neutrogena foundation and powder, which contain this ingredient. Should I now be worried and immediately stop using it?
I hate being without makeup and my skin can be so terrible I really feel the need for 'armour' to go to work in!
I would be grateful for any comments.

I have heard of this. All I know is that everything seems to be dangerous in pregnancy these days....

Anna - I haven't heard this but my take on this is.... if this is true it would already have caused the damaged (sorry) BUT you probably have to use a lot too to be in a risk group.... and it was for the facial peel which is a strong product in the first place but then again you don't use it daily.

If you are concerned you should speak to your MW and use and new foundation.... I am sure you can find another brand that does not contain this ingredient.

if in doubt, stop using it, but i imagine the amount of salicylic acid in foundation/powder is miniscule - check the ingredients?

Hi - I was given stuff for warts containing it whilst bf. Luckily I read the contriaindications which said don't take if ttc, pg or bf. I never realised the stuff was in make up. Surely if dangerous there should be a warning. What on earth is it doing in foundation if it is strong enough to get rid of warts and verrucaas? I too would imagine that the amunt must be tiny but if I were you I would stop using it. I am a makeup freak and wore the works whilst pg without reading ingredients. Most make up does not list ingredients does it? What about asking NHS Direct, the manufacturer and making a hell of a stink about this?

I think you should switch brands until your baby is born/stops breastfeeding, and then forget about it, otherwise you will get really stressed about it. I read something during pregnancy saying that long molecules from perfume get absorbed by fat tissues and come out into breastmillk and harm the baby, so I gave up perfume throughout pregnancy and nursing - this made me feel low sometimes, but now I have started using it again, I don't think it was a big loss.

Salicylic acid can be absorbed through the skin, however, the study showing birth defects was in animals and showed an increased risk when the animals were given an oral dose of six times the recommended maximum topical dose in humans (and we are talking about using very strong products all over the body for medical conditions such as psioriasis (sp?). The absolutely tiny amount contained in Neutrogena products (around 2per cent) is considered totally harmless by experts. Salicylic acid is basically aspirin, and works as an exfoliator or skin peel - the difference between a wart cream and a face wash is , of course, the concentration. I would use over the counter products without a second thought personally. I use a Neutrogena face wash and wouldn't stop using it in pregnancy. But if you feel happier doing so, then do, but don't worry.

Thanks everyone. Aloha, you sound like you know what you are talking about. Where did you find that information?

tomatoes contain salicylates as well- so can't be all bad!

Hi, I write about health fairly often and am good at quick research! The Internet is a fantastic resource - though you do have to sift the rubbish from the good stuff.