Retinyl Palmitate in facewash

[RhubarbRocks]

I just realised that my Superdrug hot cloth vitamin E cleanser that I use at least 3 times a day has Retinyl Palmitate in it (Vitamin A). I’m 25 weeks today so that is hundreds of times I have used it.

I have been so careful with my skincare and stopped using retinol and other vitamin A pre pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects, but it just didn’t cross my mind to check my face wash.

Dors anyone know about Retinyl Palmitate and whether it can cause birth defects. I googled but it seems contradictory. Trying not to panic!

Are you in the UK? Have you had your 12week and 20week scans?

Off the top of my head, I think most data on the risks of retinol in pregnancy is looking at oral tretinoin?

Retinyl palmitate is a very mild form of vitamin A. You're also washing it off straight away as it's a cleanser, not a moisturiser or serum. Your skin has probably barely absorbed any, let alone converted it to actual retinoic acid.

I'd definitely should stop using it, but try not to get into an anxiety wormhole about it - I know I'd be the exact same if I were you, but the stress I caused myself with worrying about things like this during my own pregnancies was probably far more harmful than the things I was worrying about!

Hopefully someone else on MN will have more advice on the medical side of things, or if there's anyone you should talk to about it

@JimmyJimmyJimmy yes had both and all was fine.

Mind you, in my googling I did find it on this list of best cleansers for pregnancy so I doubt I am the only one using it - hoping there is something different about this type of Vit A that makes it ok. I’ll call the midwife tomorrow to ask.
www.motherandbaby.com/reviews/for-mum/best-pregnancy-cleansers/

Why do you wash your face 3x per day?

@PrincessOfPreschool when I get up, when I get home from work and before I go to bed. Not that unusual and not really the point of the thread!

Just in case anyone else ever googles because they are worried, I thought I would update to say that I spoke to the midwife who said there is zero concern - it is topical and so therefore not a worry. I think the concern is more with oral retinol. And I can reassure myself even more with the knowledge that a face wash gets washed off fast anyway.

@RhubarbRocks just wanted to ask how things are going for you. I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant and just realized I have been using a hand wash (quite liberally due to OCD) that has retinyl palmitate in it. I checked all my skincare religiously but didn't occur to me it would be in hand soap. I suffered a full term stillbirth with my last pregnancy so am spiralling a lot since realizing I've been using it!

@Hopefullyonedaysoon I spoke to the midwife and they reassured me they there is no risk. She said topically it is fine and in any case it is being washed off again. I also have OCD so completely understand the anxiety but I have been repeatedly told that it is fine. I am nearly 36 weeks now and no indication on multiple growth scans (had for other reasons) that there has been any effect. So know it is hard but please don't worry!

Hi @RhubarbRocks - I've just had a read of my very basic Boots cucumber face scrub and had the same thing. Was your baby okay in the end? I'm 28 weeks and have health anxiety so trying very hard not to Google...

@Nope2024 yes he is here and 100% perfect - passed all the newborn tests with flying colours. So I know it is hard, but please don’t worry!

@RhubarbRocks Thank you!! So glad it worked out for you. 😊 Feel a bit better knowing it wasn't just me who didn't know...!