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Being pregnant means making more decisions per minute than ever before. From cold-cut sandwiches and sunny-side up eggs, to red wine and advanced yoga, you might be checking in with your OB-GYN before moving a single muscle. And then there’s the slew of questions that flood the mind after picking up a jar of skin care. Inevitably you’ll wonder, is this product safe to use while pregnant? Confusion is all but guaranteed in the often overwhelming period of pregnancy, but it’s reassuring to know that you can make most of these choices by coupling the advice of your healthcare providers with your own comfort level before proceeding. Because when it comes to self-care during pregnancy, there’s a lot of rejuvenation and joy to be found in the beauty aisles.
When thinking about topical beauty products, you can better understand how the FDA is involved in cosmetics safety, and the recommendations they do and don’t provide. If you’re interested, you can check out websites like The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the non-profit organization’s data on chemicals and ingredients found in products. You might consider that common line-dulling ingredients like, say, retinol, or certain acids, may be skipped during pregnancy. But in the end, it’s helpful to have these conversations with your doctors to understand the potential pros and cons. “In addition to following your doctor or midwife’s direction, the most important thing you can do is trust your gut… literally,” says Kim Walls, a natural-products innovator and Founder of BEB Organic. “If anything from food to skincare, or even the smell of a certain flower makes you uneasy, avoid it.”
When you do find products that feel right, never underestimate the temporary relief and pampering a five-minute foot soak, a slow jaw massage, or a hydrating body mask can provide. For example, “Belly moisturizers and oils can be wonderful ways to feel nurtured and comfortable in pregnancy,” says Jessica Shepherd, M.D., board-certified OB-GYN, and chief medical officer at Verywell Health. “For skin tightness and general skin itching, these can be very beneficial.” Though if you’re dealing with a condition like Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, which can prompt itchy skin, “it is always important to use products under the guidance of an OB-GYN, as the symptom of itching and its severity can often lead the management plan of the pregnancy,” Shepherd tells Romper.
Your doctors can also weigh in on the use of essential oils during pregnancy, and offer guidance as to how much to use and when, in addition to discussing potentially off-limits varieties.
So when you’re ready to indulge your senses, check out these popular and pro-picked products. Whether you can carve out five minutes or a half-hour in your day, they’ll likely go a long way in recharging your physical, mental, and emotional batteries.
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