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Pregnancy can be a transformative period of time—not just for your body, but for your skin too. While you eagerly track every minute inch of your growing baby bump, your skin is undergoing some big changes as well. (Where did these acne flare-ups suddenly come from?) The mundane truth is that rising hormonal levels can often manifest themselves through a host of skincare concerns, and these changes can often carry on during the lactation period as well. While there is trusted skincare for dealing with these issues, it helps to adopt caution as not all skincare ingredients have your baby’s best interests at heart. Ahead, internationally renowned cosmetic dermatologist, author and TEDx speaker Dr Jaishree Sharad shares her best insights.
First things first: what exactly is going with your skin during this period of time? “During pregnancy and postpartum period, many women develop stretch marks and melasma. Freckles and moles may darken; and the skin can become dry, itchy or sensitive. Flare-ups of acne, rosacea and eczema are also common,” Dr Sharad explains.
As tempting as it may seem to reach for your go-to acne-busting tools, it helps to pause. Certain topical ingredients can penetrate into your bloodstream and given that your circulation is being shared with a developing fetus, it helps to adopt a cautious approach to what you are slathering onto your skin. The good news? Not all skincare ingredients and actives are off limits. Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid and low-concentration AHAs like glycolic acid (<10%) can be safely welcomed into your pregnancy and postpartum routine. “Salicylic acid at 2% can be used as a spot treatment but should be avoided on large areas. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are safe as well,” she adds.
Depending on the concerns you are looking to tackle, you’ll find pregnancy-safe options to choose from. Azelaic acid can lend a helping hand with acne, while pigmentation can be safely managed with vitamin C, niacinamide, kojic acid and glycolic acid. If you’re looking to hydrate dry, sensitive skin, moisturisers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, allantoin and panthenol are your safest bet.
On the other hand, certain skincare actives are considered as strict no-nos. Retinoids, both oral and topical, should be kept far away from your skincare shelf. Oral retinoids can cause birth defects and, as a precaution, skincare experts recommend steering clear of topical forms as well. “Hydroquinone and high-concentration salicylic acid (or use over large areas) should also be avoided due to systemic absorption,” she says.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dr Sharad explains that safety criteria are stringent during pregnancy because certain drugs that cross the placenta may affect fetal development. However, during lactation, the risk depends on whether the drug passes into breast milk. For instance, retinoids are considered unsafe in pregnancy but mild retinols are allowed during lactation. Another example is salicylic acid which is considered unsafe during pregnancy in concentrations above 2%. “But when applied to the skin in lactating mothers, it is unlikely to be absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts and therefore unlikely to appear in breast milk, so it is considered safe,” she elaborates.
Your social media feed may be teeming with recommendations on pregnancy-safe skincare, but Dr Sharad believes that it is best to consult a dermatologist who can devise a regimen that caters to your needs. As a rule of thumb, she recommends keeping things simple during this period of time instead of introducing new actives to your routine: a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen will stand you in good stead. When possible, it helps to look for soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerine and ceramides, over strong actives. “For concerns like acne or pigmentation, consult a dermatologist for safe, targeted treatment,” she advises.
If your skin needs an extra nudge in the right direction, you will find heart in the fact that certain in-clinic treatments can help. “Superficial chemical peels with AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, cryotherapy and microdermabrasion are safe. Most lasers are considered safe as they act only on the dermis, though cosmetic lasers should ideally be postponed until after delivery. Injectables such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers should be avoided,” she concludes.
First things first: what exactly is going with your skin during this period of time? “During pregnancy and postpartum period, many women develop stretch marks and melasma. Freckles and moles may darken; and the skin can become dry, itchy or sensitive. Flare-ups of acne, rosacea and eczema are also common,” Dr Sharad explains.
As tempting as it may seem to reach for your go-to acne-busting tools, it helps to pause. Certain topical ingredients can penetrate into your bloodstream and given that your circulation is being shared with a developing fetus, it helps to adopt a cautious approach to what you are slathering onto your skin. The good news? Not all skincare ingredients and actives are off limits. Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid and low-concentration AHAs like glycolic acid (<10%) can be safely welcomed into your pregnancy and postpartum routine. “Salicylic acid at 2% can be used as a spot treatment but should be avoided on large areas. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are safe as well,” she adds.
Depending on the concerns you are looking to tackle, you’ll find pregnancy-safe options to choose from. Azelaic acid can lend a helping hand with acne, while pigmentation can be safely managed with vitamin C, niacinamide, kojic acid and glycolic acid. If you’re looking to hydrate dry, sensitive skin, moisturisers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, allantoin and panthenol are your safest bet.
On the other hand, certain skincare actives are considered as strict no-nos. Retinoids, both oral and topical, should be kept far away from your skincare shelf. Oral retinoids can cause birth defects and, as a precaution, skincare experts recommend steering clear of topical forms as well. “Hydroquinone and high-concentration salicylic acid (or use over large areas) should also be avoided due to systemic absorption,” she says.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dr Sharad explains that safety criteria are stringent during pregnancy because certain drugs that cross the placenta may affect fetal development. However, during lactation, the risk depends on whether the drug passes into breast milk. For instance, retinoids are considered unsafe in pregnancy but mild retinols are allowed during lactation. Another example is salicylic acid which is considered unsafe during pregnancy in concentrations above 2%. “But when applied to the skin in lactating mothers, it is unlikely to be absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts and therefore unlikely to appear in breast milk, so it is considered safe,” she elaborates.
Your social media feed may be teeming with recommendations on pregnancy-safe skincare, but Dr Sharad believes that it is best to consult a dermatologist who can devise a regimen that caters to your needs. As a rule of thumb, she recommends keeping things simple during this period of time instead of introducing new actives to your routine: a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen will stand you in good stead. When possible, it helps to look for soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerine and ceramides, over strong actives. “For concerns like acne or pigmentation, consult a dermatologist for safe, targeted treatment,” she advises.
If your skin needs an extra nudge in the right direction, you will find heart in the fact that certain in-clinic treatments can help. “Superficial chemical peels with AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, cryotherapy and microdermabrasion are safe. Most lasers are considered safe as they act only on the dermis, though cosmetic lasers should ideally be postponed until after delivery. Injectables such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers should be avoided,” she concludes.
First things first: what exactly is going with your skin during this period of time? “During pregnancy and postpartum period, many women develop stretch marks and melasma. Freckles and moles may darken; and the skin can become dry, itchy or sensitive. Flare-ups of acne, rosacea and eczema are also common,” Dr Sharad explains.
As tempting as it may seem to reach for your go-to acne-busting tools, it helps to pause. Certain topical ingredients can penetrate into your bloodstream and given that your circulation is being shared with a developing fetus, it helps to adopt a cautious approach to what you are slathering onto your skin. The good news? Not all skincare ingredients and actives are off limits. Vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid and low-concentration AHAs like glycolic acid (<10%) can be safely welcomed into your pregnancy and postpartum routine. “Salicylic acid at 2% can be used as a spot treatment but should be avoided on large areas. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are safe as well,” she adds.
Depending on the concerns you are looking to tackle, you’ll find pregnancy-safe options to choose from. Azelaic acid can lend a helping hand with acne, while pigmentation can be safely managed with vitamin C, niacinamide, kojic acid and glycolic acid. If you’re looking to hydrate dry, sensitive skin, moisturisers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, allantoin and panthenol are your safest bet.
On the other hand, certain skincare actives are considered as strict no-nos. Retinoids, both oral and topical, should be kept far away from your skincare shelf. Oral retinoids can cause birth defects and, as a precaution, skincare experts recommend steering clear of topical forms as well. “Hydroquinone and high-concentration salicylic acid (or use over large areas) should also be avoided due to systemic absorption,” she says.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though. Dr Sharad explains that safety criteria are stringent during pregnancy because certain drugs that cross the placenta may affect fetal development. However, during lactation, the risk depends on whether the drug passes into breast milk. For instance, retinoids are considered unsafe in pregnancy but mild retinols are allowed during lactation. Another example is salicylic acid which is considered unsafe during pregnancy in concentrations above 2%. “But when applied to the skin in lactating mothers, it is unlikely to be absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts and therefore unlikely to appear in breast milk, so it is considered safe,” she elaborates.
Your social media feed may be teeming with recommendations on pregnancy-safe skincare, but Dr Sharad believes that it is best to consult a dermatologist who can devise a regimen that caters to your needs. As a rule of thumb, she recommends keeping things simple during this period of time instead of introducing new actives to your routine: a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen will stand you in good stead. When possible, it helps to look for soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerine and ceramides, over strong actives. “For concerns like acne or pigmentation, consult a dermatologist for safe, targeted treatment,” she advises.
If your skin needs an extra nudge in the right direction, you will find heart in the fact that certain in-clinic treatments can help. “Superficial chemical peels with AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, cryotherapy and microdermabrasion are safe. Most lasers are considered safe as they act only on the dermis, though cosmetic lasers should ideally be postponed until after delivery. Injectables such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers should be avoided,” she concludes.
