Pregnancy and Skincare: What is the Best Combo

The pregnancy period brings a series of changes to the woman's body – which, eventually, can also mean the appearance of some skin problems, such as the appearance of acne and melasma. Although maintaining the usual skin care routine seems like the ideal solution to bring good results, when it comes to pregnancy and skincare, there are a number of precautions that need to be taken to avoid causing problems for the mother and fetus. Below, check out the most common questions among pregnant women and find out what can be used and what should be avoided during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a phase of major changes in a woman's body and baby formation, so some ingredients are not safe to use during this phase. Among them is aluminum chloride hexahydrate, present in antiperspirants, and parabens.

Other ingredients are actually banned for pregnant women because they pose risks to the development of the fetus. According to Dr. Roberta Zaffari Townsend, Graduated Dermatologist with Academic Honors, they are:

• Salicylic acid, in a concentration greater than 2%, which is commonly used to treat acne

• Urea - used to care for dry skin - above 3%

• Retinoids, used in dermatological products with the objective of skin regeneration and rejuvenation

Among the substances that are safe for pregnant women are oils such as coconut, almonds, grape seed and shea butter, which increase the skin's elasticity and help fight stretch marks.

Lactic acid , which provides hydration, rejuvenates and lightens the skin; azelaic acid recommended for the care of rosacea, hyperpigmentation and acne; and moisturizing creams that feature elastin and collagen can also be used.

Dr Roberta reveals that during pregnancy the use of botulinum toxin is not indicated, while in breastfeeding the use of this product is controversial and should be discussed with the dermatologist.

This is because there are studies showing that the dose used for aesthetic purposes has minimal elimination in breast milk, which would justify its use for this purpose. The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics is also positioned to interpret that the risk for the baby is minimal.

Thus, the ideal is to search for a professional to have the proper indication about this type of treatment.

The appearance of melasma is one of the recurrent complaints among pregnant women, which occurs because of the increased production of melanin in the skin as a result of hormonal changes. To take care, the main tip is to use sunscreen with a protection factor equal to or greater than 30, in order to avoid or try to alleviate the pigmentation disorder.

Please note that it is important to understand the composition of sunscreen. Look for products that have mineral components in the composition such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Chemical sunscreens should be avoided given the skin's ability to absorb, which can affect the fetus. Minerals tend to offer greater protection and cause less skin irritation.