How much to care about chemicals in skincare etc?

[Bumblingonby]

Hi all, I'm about 21 weeks now. I've noticed there are loads of sites talking about how you should avoid topical retinoids, salicylates, chemical sunscreens, parabens etc in cosmetics and skincare, but the nhs says literally nothing about this stuff in pregnancy (for example even on retinoids which are known to be bad it says not to EAT retinoids but nothing about not putting them on your skin). I've also not been warned off any by midwives or anything.

I've not used retinoids but noticed that my deodorant included benzyl salicylate which sites like this (written by a US doctor...) say are bad so I changed to 'pregnancy safe' shower stuff and deodorant at about 16 weeks.
https://www.15minutebeauty.com/pregnancy-skin-care-ingredients-avoid.html

But I still wonder about makeup and stuff. However none of my friends changed any products and all their kids are fine- so I assume for most people it would never even occur to them to change shower gels etc? Am I being paranoid? I'm certainly getting tired of reading labels I don't understand, as I'm not a blooming chemist 😅

How much if at all have you all paid attention to this stuff or is it all just woo and I shouldn't worry about it?

Thanks!

Personally I didn't change my skincare routine while pregnant. It didn't even occur to me to look into it.

I stopped any facial products containing retinol. I was prescribed topical retinol years back and the doctor warned me not to use if I became pregnant and it stuck in my head. Non prescription products shouldn't be as strong but I stopped anyway. I wouldn't read American advice or worry about shower gel though! I also swapped my acid to lactic acid but mostly because I was afraid my skin would become sensitive. I continued to have my hair and nails done and my baby is perfect

If you start googling you’ll find a website for just about anything telling you not to use in pregnancy. Stick to nhs list to avoid and remember your skin is more sensitive in pregnancy so sun cream is important and you may get reactions to things you never used to.

do not google when pregnant

Thanks all- I suspect do not Google when pregnant is good advice