There are many ingredients in skincare you must avoid while breastfeeding so that no harmful chemicals enter breastmilk and go to baby. Fortunately, there are a few safe anti-aging skincare products for breastfeeding moms. They have organic ingredients and no questionable chemicals for you to worry about having to ask your doctor.
From the beginning of pregnancy all the way through nursing, it can be a difficult time for women who love their skin, hair, and makeup products. Most mothers plan to continue their daily skin routine but end up just not having the energy to keep up with it.
There are also those who think that once they have their baby, they can immediately restart their routine, and do not realize how susceptible their breastmilk is to picking up chemicals and substances from their blood. While you are breastfeeding, your baby is pretty much getting little bits of everything you consume or that absorbs into your skin.
Most ingredients in products are okay, but some very common chemicals that are not harmful to the average adult, are to babies if they consume too much of it through breastmilk.
If you are currently breastfeeding, it is crucial to read through the ingredients of an anti-aging skincare product before using it. However, you will first need to know which ingredients are harmful and how to recognize them right away.
Hopefully, with reading the information we are giving you today on some of the safest anti-aging skincare products for breastfeeding moms, and what ingredients in skincare products will be harmful to your baby, you can make the best decision on some good anti-aging skincare products you can use.
Harmful Ingredients in Anti-Aging Skincare Products You Should Not Use While Breastfeeding
While you are breastfeeding your baby still, you should not use skincare products that contain:
- Vitamin A
- Tretinoin
- Tazarotene
- Adapalene
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Heptylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Benzylparaben
- Propylene glycol
- Mineral oil
- Paraffin
- Petrolatum
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Hydroxymethlglycinate
- DMDM-hydantoin
- Methenamine
- Salicylic Acid
Retinoids
A retinoid is a class of chemicals that are chemically related to vitamin A. Some retinoids are Retin-A (tretinoin), tazarotene, and adapalene, all three of which you should not use while breastfeeding.
Tretinoin causes enlargement or swelling of breast tissue, which can cause complications with producing milk. Large amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E can be harmful, simply because they become concentrated in the mother’s milk. If you want to use a skincare product that has Vitamin E in it, make sure it is only a small amount.
Parabens
Parabens are questionable for anyone, but for breastfeeding moms, Parabens are known to disrupt baby’s growth during the first year.
Names of Parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, heptylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben. Any ingredient that has ‘paraben’ in the ending of its name is a Paraben and is not safe to use while breastfeeding.
Petroleum-based Ingredients
Petroleum-based ingredients should be avoided by a breastfeeding mother because they can irritate their baby’s skin.
Look out for the following ingredients, as they can be an indicator that there is petroleum in the product – propylene glycol, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, and isopropyl alcohol. You should avoid using anti-aging skincare products that have those ingredients.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is not usually stated directly in the ingredients list of a skincare product, but sometimes items like hydroxymethlglycinate, DMDM-hydantoin, and methenamine are shown, which you should not use if you are breastfeeding.
Salicylic Acid
Sometimes salicylic acid is okay to use while breastfeeding if it is in a light, topical product; however, you should not ingest it or use a facial mask or body peel that would sit on your skin for a long period of time. When too much of the salicylic acid absorbs into your pores, that is when it can become an issue and be toxic to baby.
Skincare Ingredients That Are Safe for Breastfeeding Moms
- Azelaic Acid
- Glycolic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Vitamin C
Safe Anti-Aging Skincare Products for Breastfeeding Mom
Yes, this probably does all sound confusing and maybe overwhelming since there are so many ingredients to avoid while you are breastfeeding, but do not let this get you down. There are plenty of safe skincare products that are perfect for a breastfeeding mother. You only need to know how to look for them.
To find the ingredients of an anti-aging skincare product, look on the back of either the bottle itself or the box it came in; if it is not there, try searching the product name online along with the word ‘ingredients’ and it will pop up. Remember that at the top of the nutrition label, there may be an ‘Active Ingredient,’ which is the main ingredient, as well as ‘Inactive Ingredients’ at the bottom.
Here are some perfectly safe anti-aging skincare products for breastfeeding moms, including a dark spot corrector, facial serum, face cleanser, night cream, and hydrator. If you are interested in one of these products but are still unsure about it, you can always contact your doctor and ask them since they have the most knowledge. There is no shame in double-checking when it comes to your baby’s health.
Admire My Skin Ultra-Potent Lightening Serum Dark Spot Corrector
Ingredients
2% Hydroquinone, Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Lactic Acid, Vitamin C
Description
Although this serum is safe for breastfeeding mothers, it is still a strong, concentrated skincare product. According to the manufacturing information, after using it continuously for 60 days, you should stop using the serum for about a month so that your skin can have a break.
There are only six ingredients. The fewer the number of ingredients in a skincare product, the better, when it comes to figuring out which skincare products you can and cannot use while breastfeeding. When something has a long list of many different substances that are not straightforward about what they are, you should probably assume it is not safe.
While you are using this serum, you can use it daily. Stop using it if your skin becomes irritated or darkens more than usual.
LilyAna Naturals Vitamin C Serum for Face and Eyes
Ingredients
Water, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid (5%), Vitamin C (20%), MSM, Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Vitamin E, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Gotu Kola Extract, Horsetail Extract, Wild Geranium Extract, Organic Dandelion Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Description
This is one of the most organic face serums you will find in general, not just for those who are breastfeeding; although, if you are, it is safe.
It helps with acne, wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and any anti-aging problems that you need relieved or lessened.
The main ingredient is vitamin C, which is safe to use while breastfeeding. It brightens your skin and helps to fade scars. It does have a small amount of Vitamin E, which we listed above as unsafe, but really, it is the most harmful to women who are pregnant. According to the Drugs and Lactation Database, it is safe to use Vitamin E while breastfeeding, but you should only use it topically.
LilyAna Vitamin C Serum leaves no gross or greasy residue behind and keeps your skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
TruSkin Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser
Ingredients
Deionized Organic Herbal Infusion, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Vitamin C, MSM, Cocamide Mipa, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Orange Peel Extract, Origanum Vulgare Extract (Oregano), Vitamin E, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Organic Gotu Kola Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Wild Geranium Extract, Organic Dandelion Extract, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Description
The most important part of keeping up with the health and hydration of your skin is daily cleansing. It is more than worth it to take the time out of your day to make sure that you wash away yesterday’s oils and dirt so that it does not clog your pores. Even if it seems like your skin is still clean, you should wash it anyway since it can also remove bacteria that you cannot see.
TruSkin Daily Facial Cleanser has 15% Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, MSM, and Rosehip Oil, to help strengthen your skin while it cleans it. No matter what skin type you have or how severe your acne is, this could be a great facial cleanser for you; it is a light but effective cleanser since it is organic.
There are many facial cleansers and washes that are perfectly safe to use while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, but this cleanser is more intense and creates more noticeable results. It is technically an anti-aging formula cleanser, so it helps with skin retention, sun damage, and acne scars. Many other facial cleansers only clean your skin but do not provide nutrients and vitamins to replace what was just stripped away.
This cleanser is cruelty-free and made in the USA.
Eve Hansen Vitamin C Night Repair Cream
Ingredients
10% Vitamin C, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Organic Aloe), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Organic Sunflower Oil), Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin (Kosher, Vegetable), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Organic Coconut Oil, Vitamin C, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocoa Butter, Potassium Stearate, Organic Beeswax, Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Organic Shea Butter.
See the product container for a full list of ingredients (most of them are listed here).
Description
Night cream is one of the easiest facial skincare products to use. You put it on right before bed, after washing your face, and it soaks in overnight. If you use it correctly, you should wake up with your skin feeling refreshed and healthy.
If you are breastfeeding, you should take caution when using night repair creams and masks that sit on your skin for a long time since more vitamins and other substances are absorbed into your body at a higher potency.
Eve Hansen Night Repair Cream is excellent for anti-aging by moisturizing the skin, filling wrinkles, and brightening dark circles around the eyes.
This night cream has organic ingredients that are from plants.
Airelle Skincare Intense Repair Hydrator
Ingredients
Hyaluronic Acid, Acai Berry, Blueberry, Manuka Honey, Aloe Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitamin C, Peptide, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Copper Gluconate, Cocos Nucifera Oil.
Description
Airelle Skincare Intense Repair Hydrator is an anti-aging serum/hydration treatment that you can apply at any time of the day. When you put it on, keep in mind that it works best on clean skin.
This formula treats wrinkles, age lines, and dry skin. It is dermatologist recommended and can help with many different signs of aging that appear on your face. Uneven skin tone and skin texture can be improved with Intense Repair Hydrator as well.
It has all-natural ingredients, including blueberry extract, which protects skin. It is also gluten-free, cruelty-free, made with recyclable materials, and made in the USA.
Keeping Your Baby Safe from Chemicals While Breastfeeding
When you produce breastmilk, your body takes the nutrients it needs from your body and gives it to your baby through the milk. Most unwanted nutrients are left out of breastmilk, but other substances can seep into it.
That is why doctors say not to drink alcohol while breastfeeding because it becomes concentrated in your body and goes into your breastmilk. The same type of effect happens with chemicals that absorb into your skin, such as ones from skincare products.
Anti-aging skincare products are the most worrisome because they contain ingredients like Vitamin A and Methenamine, both of which can seriously harm your baby if they receive it through your breastmilk. Many other ingredients in anti-aging skincare products are harmful as well for babies; you can see a long list of the specific names of harmful ingredients listed above.
Use this helpful guide to aid you on your quest to find a safe anti-aging skincare remedy. Many women in the past have gone on the same search, so it is not impossible. Just remember to avoid the harmful ingredients we talked about.
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