The best pregnancy-safe beauty products
Here's our easy guide to the best pregnancy-safe skincare and nail products that help you glide through your nine months (almost) with ease
THE GUIDE TO PREGNANCY-SAFE SKINCARE
What you need to AVOID during pregnancy
• Ingredients like vitamin A / Retinol - Renova, Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, and generic tretinoin in your skincare.
• Nail polish ingredients such as phthalates, formaldehyde and toluene.
• Ammonia in hair dye.
• Dihydroxyacetone in self-tan. Although it's considered low-risk, there are no tests on how safe a spray tan is via inhalation.
•Some (not all) aromatherapy blends.
The products to TRY during your pregnancy
• You can try vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, as all are generally considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• You can still control acne and breakouts with benzoyl peroxide as it's considered safe in low concentrations (5% or less) when you're pregnant.
• For rosacea or discoloration try products containing azelaic acid.
THE BEST PREGNANCY PRODUCTS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE NEXT NINE MONTHS
1. Eye cream – you'll need a ton of this as sleeping with a bump takes its toll. We love Tata Harper's Restorative Eye Crème, £91, to help fight fatigue and dry skin with the baby-safe rose and lavender oils plus arnica.
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2. For skin problems like rosacea and pigmentation problems dermatologists recommend The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension, £5.50 – it works well and is considered safe with a bump on board.
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3. A therapeutic oil is essential pregnancy kit and The Neal's Yard Mother Oil, £15.50, smells divine and soothes frazzled minds and taut tummies and click here for the best pregnancy pampering destination in London.
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4. Non-toxic nail polish can be hard to track down. But the Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Colour, £14.50, is a no-nasty formula that cares for your nails, especially if they're dry and dehydrated, plus it doesn't smell too much if you're experiencing an aversion to strong odours.
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5. With the hormonal changes, some mums-to-be develop pimples and acne. This employs safe but hard-working ingredients (under 5% benzoyl peroxide) to banish blemishes: Acnecide, £10.49, from Boots or Superdrug.
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6. Even though stretch-marks can be down to genes, you can certainly try to protect yourself with a super-efficient cream. We love Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butter, £23.50. It's chock-full of omega oils and shea butter that helps to soothe taut skin and the associated itchiness with an ever-growing bump.
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7. A leg spray will be your saviour as soon as you start to waddle. So if feet and legs are looking puffy and throb when you walk, then you need Bloom & Blossom Leg & Foot Spray, £14. It can be used under or over tights and helps to alleviate water retention and the pressure of heavy legs.
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