Did you change your skincare when pregnant?

[whateverintheworld]

I have recently got my BFP (yay!) and have been reading up about what you can/cant eat during pregnancy. I have stumbled across lots of articles about skincare/beauty products that are unsafe during pregnancy as well, though I can't find any NHS guidance. I use anti ageing products including retinol daily and am very worried about the potential harm I may be doing/have done without realising. Given I don't have my first appointment with the midwife for a bit can anyone confirm whether they have asked about this before and what they have been advised? Sorry if this is obvious and everyone knew already..clearly a lot to read/learn! Thank you ladies

I've used my normal skin cream since day 1. No one has ever told me not to?
So many people, smoke, take drugs, drink in their pregnancies, so personally speaking, I wouldn't worry about your face cream.
If you get really worried just buy yourself some big standard Nivea if it helps calm your mind.
My top tip for you, is please DO NOT rely on Google! It is the devil when you're pregnant. Rely on forums like this and the NHS site, as well as tour midwife and GP for more medical concerns. Google will have you in a mental breakdown within the week! I learnt that the hard way!
Good luck and congratulations! 🥰

I have stumbled across lots of articles about skincare/beauty products that are unsafe during pregnancy as well, though I can't find any NHS guidance.

Then there’s probably not much to it. There’s nothing proven to be ‘unsafe’ from what I know, and I didn’t make any changes to my routine. It might be worth noting that your skin can become more sensitive during pregnancy so it’s sometimes good to go easy on the scrubs - but that’s for your benefit, it wouldn’t affect your baby.

Retinol is just another name for vitamin A. The NHS guidance is to avoid oral and topical retinol.

I asked my midwife specifically about creams that include retinol and she said it was fine. Google tells me it’s not fine though. Just to be safe I‘be switched creams while I’m pregnant but I wouldn’t worry if you’ve been using it up until now

From the nhs website -
“Do not take vitamin A supplements or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol), as too much vitamin A could harm your baby. Always check the label”

Thank you for the replies! Agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion to stop googling (and my husband has just told me the same)! Just so hard not to in the early days when you're not sure what you're doing and scared of doing things wrong. Thank you for the support x

As above. Retinol =vitA which isn't recommended in pregnancy.
Other than that, you can't use Salicylic acid. I think that's it though

Also, no Botox 😂

Face cream is not a supplement though?! So retinol should be fine. I don't use retinol but didn't change any of my skincare products during my pregnancy

I spoke to an NHS dermatologist about this and she said not to use retinol on pregnancy, even topically. It's linked to birth defects, I dont mean to scare you OP but i wouldnt want you to carry on using it and then something go wrong.

But these are all topical retinoids. Some retinol products on the market are quite high in concentration. Some serums are just retinol in squalene.
The NHS advice is to avoid topical and oral retinoids. I’m avoiding vitamin A in my diet, so I’m not going to put it on my face.

Literally copy and pasted from the NHS website
“ Topical retinoids are not suitable for use during pregnancy, as there's a risk they might cause birth defects. The most common side effects of topical retinoids are mild irritation and stinging of the skin”

OP, you shouldn't worry as the amount absorbed through the skin is probably very small (probably less than some people have in their diet unknowingly).

I'd stop using these products just to be on the safe side but it's highly unlikely using them so far did any harm.

Mention it to your midwife if you're still worried but don't sweat it. Official advice is zero alcohol yet plenty of people have the odd drink and everything is fine. Official advice has to err on the side of caution (sometimes to the point of tyranny...) so it's probably stricter than it needs to be.

Stop using the cream for now but don't dwell too much on it.

Thanks all. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I think best to put safety first so I will stop using! If anyone has good tips for pregnancy safe anti ageing that would be amazing!

Retinol is vitamin A so definitely stop using any products with that in. However I wouldn't worry about the affect so far I'm sure it will only be a tiny amount of absorption. But best to stay on sale side

What about a natural victim c serum?? This is a nice anti aging thing. Can get from Holland and Barrett online I think.
Jojoba oil and rosehip oil really great too, full of antioxidants.
Dr Hauschka does lovely stuff and all natural.

@Confusedcorona I've been using salyclic acid as I have a varucca (gross I know!). Also it's in one of my body scrubs. Where did you get the info that we shouldn't use ??

I have stopped using retinol x

I've basically not worn makeup apart from the odd bit of foundation since lockdown. I use a mild foaming cleanser now and then and a day cream. I was prescribed a cream for eczema/dry skin when i broke out in a rash all over in first trimester that i use. In all honesty I don't pay mind to the fuss about creams/makeup as there wasn't a hoohaa about it when I had my first son and never in all the years I've known people to have babies has it been brought up as an omg don't use these topic or brought up in general advice. I know plenty of mama to be who get dolled up and pampered, even doing their makeup whilst on way to hospital for labour. I think it was either the babycentre or bounty app had some articles about is it safe to dye hair and get your nails done etc and they're all fine. I can understand the whole don't ingest a load of stuff you shouldn't but I don't tend to eat face cream myself.

Stretch mark cream

Not sure about face creams - I just used the loreal anti ageing one ( nothing specific) and I used stretch mark cream few times a day and it helped - I had no single stretch mark on my belly at all! I did apply it few times a day though...to the point that my hubby used to laugh that I look like a glazed doughnut I used the cheap one palmers brand as I can remember £4 per bottle I think it was.

@Cherryrainbow The advice not to use retinol in pregnancy has been around for years. I remember using an acne cream in The 90s that my dr said I must stop using immediately if I ever became pregnant, because it contained retinol. Vitamin A (retinol) has always been a concern in pregnancy. This isn’t new advice.

I’m not sure why people are trying to argue against NHS advice here.

I stopped using my retinol cream. I use aveeno instead

Yes the retinol is an odd one to argue against @bee222 - the proven potential for birth defects for vitamin A is huge! I would assume the likelihood of issues through using it on your face is low, but to me it is not worth the risk at all. I'd rather be wrinkly and spotty for nine months than risk birth defects