Pregnancy is a time of excitement and pleasure, but it also comes with many new concerns about the safety of the mother and the fetus. This thought process is generally accepted. Many skin care products, like body washes and shower gels, may have harmful chemicals that can impair pregnancy when absorbed through the mother’s skin.
This is a valid reason that mothers-to-be are searching for a gentle body wash for pregnancy that is nontoxic, mild, and hydrating at the same time. Most expectant mothers are allergic to fragrances and harsh chemicals, but not all body washes contain harmful ingredients.
Pregnant ladies should avoid benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, as they are dangerous chemicals. Women expecting their first child have a particularly strong reaction to the aroma of coffee. Proper skincare is especially important during pregnancy because the skin becomes more sensitive and prone to breakouts.
Skin Change During Pregnancy
Pregnant women undergo many changes, including skin metabolic ones. All these changes occur when a massive shift of hormones influences a physical change. Sometimes, the blood flow and hormone fluctuation can give women a specific glow, also known as the “pregnancy glow.”
However, some women can experience acne, itching, eczema, melasma, and stretch marks. So it is necessary to do proper skincare during this time to avoid breakouts, dry skin, and other problems if you have sensitive skin.
Do I Need to Change My Body Wash When Pregnant?
In pregnancy, your skin is already sensitive, and the selection of your bodily product can make a visible difference. Not all body wash products are safe to use during pregnancy, but you should avoid toxic chemicals that can cause further irritation to your skin and disturb the body’s natural oil secretions.
Avoiding unsafe chemicals, even in small quantities, is always wise. The best body wash is the one that will keep your dry skin hydrated and soft. You need a new body wash for pregnancy if your current one contains the following ingredients.
Retinoids
Any Vitamin A is not recommended during pregnancy. Retinoids lie in the class of vitamins A, which, if used typically, can cause irritation and peel off the skin, which in turn causes your skin to be flakey and more sensitive to the sun.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is best for acne-prone skin but should be avoided during pregnancy. Using it can cause skin irritation and dryness.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Many skin care products contain benzoyl peroxide, which can have harmful effects in pregnancy, as it is not denied that it can cross skin barriers. High concentrations of it cause skin inflammation and irritation.
Hydroquinone
It is a well-known whitening agent, and its tendency for absorption through the skin is undesirably high, i.e., (30%-40%), making it a harmful ingredient to use during pregnancy.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
This ingredient is present in almost every body wash. But it is not safe to use during pregnancy; it can disrupt the endocrine function and cause changes in cellular level and developmental toxicity when absorbed through the skin.
Parabens
Body washes with parabens should be avoided during pregnancy, as they can cause hormonal disruption.
Fragrance
Many women are sensitive to fragrances during pregnancy. Many fragrant ingredients are hormone disruptors and can cause breakouts and skin irritation. Studies have found that some can not withstand the smell of coffee in early pregnancy.
Heavy Metals
Many body washes contain heavy metals, which can cause toxic effects on the fetus and on the woman’s endocrine system. They can imitate and block the hormone necessary for pregnancy, so their presence in the body is very harmful, and women expecting pregnancy should steer clear of such body washes.
Body Wash Ingredients That Are Safe For Pregnant Women
It is necessary to use a body wash for pregnancy that is mild, gentle, and equally hydrating for sensitive skin.
Glycerin:
It is the best moisturizer for dry skin because it is a natural humectant and gentle to irritated skin.
Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera is a wonder plant and best for all types of skin. The aloe extract soothes and hydrates sensitive skin.
Citric Acid:
This is a natural exfoliant used as a preservative in body washes and is safe during pregnancy.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties. Adding to body washes can protect the skin from damage and premature aging.
Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is the necessary ingredient of the best body washes around the globe. They are more hydrating and moisturize a pregnant woman’s irritating and sensitive skin.
What’s The Main Difference Between Pregnancy Safe Body Wash & Others Not Specifically Labeled Pregnancy Safe?
The main difference is that it does not contain harmful ingredients, but normal body wash can have toxic elements like parabens and sulfur lauryl sulfate.
These body washes can help with damaged skin and balance the skin’s pH, which is mostly disturbed during pregnancy. Contrary to this, the body washes that are not labeled as pregnancy safe contain heavy metals, fragrances, and parabens, which are common skincare formulations.
Selecting a pregnancy-safe body wash can give a new mother satisfaction and peace of mind that she and her baby are away from potentially harmful chemicals. Hence, it is important to know that every body wash is not labeled as pregnancy safe; you must do specific research to get one.
Why Don’t All Manufacturers Make Their Body Wash Pregnancy Safe?
Every manufacturer does not make pregnancy-safe body washes; there may be various reasons.
Lack of knowledge: Many manufacturers are unaware of the unsafe ingredients for a pregnant lady. Moreover, there are no specific rules and regulations on the use of toxic chemicals in personal care products in many developed countries, so it is not a priority for manufacturers.
Expensive ingredients: Reformulating a product and making it pregnancy safe can cost a lot of money, and many manufacturers do not want to incur the expense.
Target market: This is the main hurdle in prioritizing making pregnancy-safe body wash, as many of the product makers don’t find pregnant ladies a target audience.
Marketing: Companies don’t want to limit their product only to pregnant women. Instead, they make a safe product for most of their target audience.
Formulation constraints: In certain cases, removing specific pregnancy-friendly natural ingredients from the other is impossible without compromising the product’s effectiveness. This makes it problematic for manufacturers to produce a version of a product that is pregnancy safe.
Higher Cost of Pregnancy Safe Products In General
The quality of products used by expectant mothers is a top concern. Many mothers-to-be are attracted to pregnancy-safe products just to avoid the potential harm other products can cause, and they are ready to pay for them.
However, it should be noted that pregnancy-safe products have a high cost because of several factors:
- To meet the specific safety standards, pregnancy-safe items go through thorough testing and certification, which is a time-consuming and costly process, thereby raising the cost of production. Moreover, manufacturers are compelled to use high-quality products like hyaluronic acid, essential oil, shea butter, organic tea tree oil, olive oil, and many more.
- The market is relatively small for pregnancy-safe products as compared to other personal care products. This indicates that companies are making a small batch of such products. They probably face problems in the distribution and marketing section to cater to limited audiences resulting in higher prices.
- Government agencies’ strict guidelines and regulations are high for pregnancy-safe products. Keeping up with these can cause additional charges such as lab fees, legal fees, and compliance personnel. All this contributes to higher prices.
Should I Continue Using Pregnancy Safe Products After Pregnancy?
Using pregnancy-safe products after pregnancy cannot cause you any harm, but you must know what ingredients you need according to your skin’s condition.
Some pregnancy-safe products contain essential oils, shea and cocoa butter, organic aloe juice, organic olive oil, organic peppermint oil, pink grapefruit essential oil, and plant-derived cleansing agents that are gentle to the skin and soothe down any irritation you may be facing, like stretch marks or allergic reactions.
But on the other hand, some body washes for pregnancy are formulated to cater to specific problems like changes in skin condition due to hormonal fluctuation, and if you don’t have the same problem, it’s useless to keep using the same product, such as body wash or shower gel.
However, judging what works best for your skin is up to you. This is a list of body washes for pregnancy to help expectant mothers find a product that suits them the best.
1. Belli Beauty Skincare Body Wash
Belli skincare pure body wash gives your sensitive skin a soothing experience without stripping off your skin’s natural oils. This gentle body wash is formulated with essential ingredients like green tea extracts and lavender essential oils, helping your body relax and healing with its antioxidant properties.
Belli beauty doesn’t use harsh chemicals like salicylic acid, paraben, sodium lauryl sulfate, and dyes. This is the best body wash that is dermatologically tested and recommended for pregnant ladies.
2. Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash, Fragrance-Free
Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash is free of synthetic fragrances and offers the best bathing experience for women with dry and itchy skin. The best body wash is the one that maintains the natural oils skin barrier, does not allow harmful external elements to get absorbed, and locks the moisture in for 24 hours at the same time.
3. Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Body Wash
As the name “Babo Botanicals” show that this body wash is organic and safe for pregnant women. This natural body wash is specially formulated for babies and pregnant women. It contains organic coconut oil, oat milk, and shea butter to soothe dry, itchy, or sensitive skin and leave it clean, calm, and refreshed.
Additionally, it contains various vitamins, antioxidants like vitamin E, and anti-inflammatories, making it the best for mothers-to-be.
4. Earth Mama Organics Ginger Fresh Castile Body Wash
Formulated with vegan, gentle, and natural ingredients, this scented body wash is the choice of many expectant women. This castile soap body wash features green tea extracts, mineral oil, olive oil, shea butter, and citrus scent, all-natural ingredients which help keep your skin moisturized and exfoliate the dead skin cells off your body.
The smell of grapefruit and ginger can aid a nauseated mother and can be used in all stages of pregnancy. It is also effective for all skin types.
5. Puracy Natural Body Wash, Citrus, and Sea salt
Puracy natural body wash is the best for pregnant women who want to use a plant-derived cleaning agent. It is one of the best chemical-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing body washes with sea salt, which helps purify and balance your skin’s pH, and its mild citrus aroma aids in nausea bouts.
Dermatologically tested and 100% safe for pregnant women with coconut-based formula, which leaves the skin smooth, moisturized, and supple.
6. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash
Cerave hydrating body wash was created with dermatologists’ help to ensure that it contains the necessary ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid and maintains the natural skin barrier.
This foaming cleanser contains emollient for hydration and softens the skin the entire day. It is not irritating and removes dead skin cells gently while soothing and retaining moisture. It is best for all skin types and is safe during pregnancy.
7. OGX Extra-Creamy Ultra-Moisture Body Wash
OGX body wash is designed for dry and itchy skin, nourishing and enhancing, and improving the skin’s elasticity. It is one of the best body washes for pregnancy which helps brighten the skin and also helps with those creases. Its ultra-hydrating formula gives your itchy skin protection during pregnancy.
This is one of the best body washes that make your skin feel soft and maintain your body’s natural oils. This body wash can be used on any skin type and is essential because the ingredient coconut oil is the most used for female skin care.
Final Thoughts
Many women search for pregnancy-safe body washes free of toxic chemicals. One free of heavy metals, paraben, and synthetic fragrances is the safest option for such ladies. A mother-to-be should do thorough research about skin conditions before using any body wash or shower gel, and she should know about the soaps to avoid during pregnancy. Many pregnancy-safe body washes are available at Walmart.
