Retinol use and salicylic acid use during pregnancy - help!!

[Greeneyesbiglashes]

Hi,

I am 9+4 weeks pregnant. I started using a 0.2% retinol night cream, I used it 3-4 times following conception until I found out I was pregnant. Technically I was 4 weeks pregnant but the times I used it were the 2 weeks after conception. I have also used a fair bit of salicylic acid too. I had no idea and I am feeling so scared now. I suffer with anxiety too so my mind has absolutely blown up today once I realised what i’d used. It says on the NHS website topical retinoids need to be avoided due to possible birth defects and now I am petrified!! Please can someone offer some advice, I mentioned the salicylic acid to my dr before I even remembered the retinol I had used and he said it should be fine. My mind is going into overdrive I feel like such an awful person!!

Try not to worry, as the risk, if any, is really really low.

I was using a prescription strength retinoid and salicylic acid as skincare before I got pregnant and just like you carried on using it for a couple of weeks after conception until I found out I was pregnant. I was actually in two minds about whether I should keep using it or just stop. The reason for that is all the research shows retinoids (ie vitamin A) are only dangerous if you ingest them. I didn’t come across any research that said it’s dangerous if it’s absorbed through the skin. They therefore recommend that you stop using when pregnant as a precaution rather than it being proven unsafe to use when pregnant. So it’s just a case of being extra cautious.

So don’t worry, as it’s highly unlikely those two weeks caused any issues.

I think the retinol warning is more for prescription strength oral medication rather than topical retinoids. Retinol is vitamin A which is best avoided in pregnancy, which is why liver and pate is off the menu and also why there are pregnancy specific multivitamins without vitamin A. It is harmful in excessive amounts and I can't imagine a 0.2% cream is considered excessive. Personally I would stop using it but don't beat yourself up about it. As others have said, many people abuse their bodies and have healthy babies - you don't fall into this category!

I've looked into both too as I'm quite into my skincare! All the evidence of harm is from high doses taken orally, so the advice to avoid the tiny concentrations in over the counter skincare is just cautious. I've stopped retinol for now anyway but still use a salicylic acid product once or twice a week.

Oops sorry for the - above.

The advice above is really helpful, I am also worried. Last night my skin was really dry so before bed I put some night cream on, started to drift off and thought crap, it’s anti aging wonder if it has anything in it, so got up, Googled ingredients and it has retinol palmitate in it, it’s a Boots no7 cream. I quickly got up and washed it off my face. Probs on my face for around 15 mins. Looking at the posts on here has calmed my nerves but I am still thinking is retinol palmitate any different or stronger? Should I be concerned?

Any comments/thoughts welcome please 🤞🏽😅

@Greeneyesbiglashes

You can 100 percent relax. There is no blood transfer to the baby until week 7 or 8 of pregnancy, because the placenta hasn't formed, so nothing you consume can affect the baby, let alone anything you put on your skin.

Hi @WaterBottle123 I am nearly 11 weeks ☹️ So am worried. Used it once last night, washed it off after 15 mins when I realised

@Woodbox pls stop worrying. You need to consume a huge amount of any toxic substances to cause problems - look how many women drank, smoked, took drugs, painted their faces with lead make up in the past and babies were fine! They are extremely resilient and more to the point nothing from a skincare product will have entered your bloodstream, it's simply not possible with such tiny quantities.

You're fine!

Thanks @WaterBottle123 you’re so kind to reassure me like that.

Thanks again x