As women, we’re naturally inclined to take care of ourselves. What we use on our skin though, may be nowhere near ‘natural’. Chemicals in most conventional skincare products can and will be absorbed into the system, where they can wreak havoc on your health as time goes by. These chemicals can also be absorbed into a pregnant mom’s bloodstream and cross into the placenta.
While it may be common knowledge to some by now, many pregnant moms may still be in the dark on the dangers of certain chemicals present in conventional skincare products.
Here are the most offending ingredients to look out for, and they are found in many conventional beauty products:
- Oxybenzone (sunscreens)
- Glycolic acid (chemical exfoliants)
- Benzoyl peroxide (acne products)
- Nanoparticles (sunscreens)
- Retinoids/retin A/vitamin A (anti-aging and acne products)
- Hydroxy acids (anti-aging and acne products)
- Dihydroxyacetone (sunless tanners)
- Hydroquinone (skin lightening)
- Kojic acid (skin lightening)
- Benzoyl peroxide (acne)
Xenoestrogens (chemicals that can mimic our reproductive hormones and interfere with reproductive health e.g. phthalates, parabens, BPA).
These days, following widespread awareness on the dangers of all these toxic ingredients to the human body, particularly for pregnant moms, many companies have come up with safe, organic products which function just as well, if not better than their conventional counterparts. These products are made from pure and natural ingredients produced without the use of pesticides and are completely free from any kind of toxic ingredients.
They are however, more complicated to produce for everything from the sourcing of the ingredients to the processing and even the packaging has to be carefully managed to uphold the integrity of the finished product, which are all produced without the use of chemical preservatives, colouring, artificial scents, etc. Due to this, organic skincare products are usually more expensive than their conventional, mass-produced cousins.
Beauty secrets in your pantry
It doesn’t mean that all is lost for pregnant moms who simply can’t afford to use organic skincare. There are some very effective and natural ingredients sitting in your pantry that can be whipped up into skin-pampering skin treatments!
Here is a list of handy ingredients and their benefits:
1. Coconut oil : Deeply hydrating; acts as a skin barrier to prevent moisture loss
2. Oat: Contains saponins, which has a naturally deep- cleansing effect
3. Full cream milk: Provides nourishment with Vitamin A and E, as well as hydration
4. Baking soda: Helps loosen dead skin
5. Sour cream: Exfoliates and moisturises
6. Ginger: Decreases inflammation and detoxifies skin
7. Honey: Acts as an effective humectant to preserve precious skin moisture
8. Egg-whites: Tightens pores and firms the skin
9. Sugar: Sloughs away dead skin
10. Lemons: Brightens skin, protects against free-radicals and improves skin tone
11. Papaya: Nourishes and helps keep the complexion smooth
12. Brown rice (ground): Acts as a natural exfoliant and skin soother
13. Cocoa powder: Replenishes moisture and restores youthful appearance of the skin
14. Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants to fight off free radicals
15. Apple cider vinegar: Protects skin’s natural pH levels and keeps it radiantly healthy
