Retinol use in pregnancy! Help?

[AlwaysSeekingComfort]

Hey all,

So I’ve been stupid…. I used 1% retinol (on my face) a couple of times when pregnant. Between 8W-9W. I genuinely had no idea you shouldn’t use it when pregnant and it’s a big no-no!!! I of course will not be touching the stuff again!!
But Dr Google has frightened the living day lights out of me! Referencing birth defects and it being serious.

I was just hoping to hear stories of other ladies who accidentally used topical retinol during their first trimesters and how their pregnancies turned out or if any harm was done?

I don’t know about any of you, but I just can’t keep up with what you can/can’t have in pregnancy 🤣! And as it’s my first (had a previous MMC) I am even more anxious than usual!!! I know there’s nothing I can do now, but previous experience of others would put my mind at ease a lot.

Thanks in advance x

Please don’t worry. The concern with retinol is that it’s a vitamin A derivative, and excess vitamin A is harmful to a developing foetus. However, the amount of vitamin A you absorb through your skin via applying a retinol cream is negligible and so the chance of any harm to the foetus is tiny. You’re advised to avoid them as a precaution, not because they’ve been proven to cause harm. If you’ve only used the cream a couple of times there’s no need to be concerned. Just don’t use going forward.

I imagine they're talking about isotretinoin which is an oral form and is teratogenic, you have to be on the PPP to be prescribed it from a dermatologist.

@HermioneGrunger yes I’ve read the oral form is the worst. Thing is this is prescription topical retinol (it’s my DP’s) I use it every now and then. So it’s higher strength than OTC retinol creams :(

@CentralLondonPregnant yes, I’m really trying not to worry… I will definitly not be going near it again! Thank you

X

No need to worry at all.
As pp said. Very very small amounts of but a are absorbed topically.
Pregnant ladies should avoid taking additional vitamin a in pregnancy.

2 nights with retinol is absolutely fine

Don’t stress! I used salicylic acid until about 6/7 weeks as I had no clue it was advised against. I spoke to a midwife who said that due to the levels/% of the substances in the over the counter products, the risks are minimum. I found pregnancy skincare an absolute nightmare initially but I’d recommend having a chat with a reputable skin specialist to get a skincare routine perfect for you.
You can’t change it now so no point worrying, just stop using it from now and have a look into bakuchiol as an alternative to retinol in pregnancy x

Hey @Limitedhelp yes I am trying to stop being sooooo over anxious and be realistic that the effects of cream aren’t going to make a massive difference (I hope!) and it was just a stupid mistake with no harm done.x

@AllSinging oh did you??? Didn’t know you couldnt use that either!!!! Although i haven’t heard of it before! I feel like I don’t want to use anything at the mo incase it has some hidden ingredient that I don’t know about that is a no-no for pregnant woman 🤣! Oh yours was OTC, that’s good, well the retinol cream I used wasn’t, it’s actually prescription for my DP and I use it every now and then, so mines stronger 😭.
Thanks for the recommendation lovely x

topical retinol is not harmful during pregnancy if not applied to broken skin (ouch).
however, during pregnancy your skin gets more sensitive to light which you don't want to make worse.

Hello @purplesequins, I don’t think there was any broken skin when I applied…. And didn’t know that either 🤣 I have a lot to learn! However lesson learnt with this one!!! X

BUMP

I looked into this because I’d been using retinol and BHA without realising it wasn’t the done thing. As far as I could tell, most over the counter stuff applied to the skin wasn’t anything to worry about. No harm was done (baby is 4 now!) but avoided for the rest of pregnancy to save myself the worry.

@Gumboots29 hey, thanks so much for your experience. This is what I needed to put my mind at ease x

BUMP

I have an 0.2% retinol moisturiser night cream I just opened... From the studies I've read this seems pretty benign... Have I read enough though?!