s/o re makeup and skincare safe for pregnancy

[Anonymous]

Please tell me what you are using. I am not going to lie, I find the makeup area of Whole Foods a tad depressing. It is no Sephora, and I feel overwhelmed about what is even considered the most safe.

[Anonymous]

It never even occurred to me to change my makeup or skincare.

[Anonymous]

Its overwhelming. I was less concerned about make up and more worried about lotions and other skin care products. Spend some time on the Environmental Working Group cosmetic data base. Its shocking how many items that are so popular (and expensive) are rated horribly due to toxins and endocrin disrupters in them.
for lotions I mainly stick to burts bees belly butter and Vitamin E oil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its overwhelming. I was less concerned about make up and more worried about lotions and other skin care products. Spend some time on the Environmental Working Group cosmetic data base. Its shocking how many items that are so popular (and expensive) are rated horribly due to toxins and endocrin disrupters in them.
for lotions I mainly stick to burts bees belly butter and Vitamin E oil.

I *really* wish people would stop recommending EWG's Skin Deep database. It's just plain bad science and scare tactics.

They try to equate hazard with risk, when the two are not the same thing AT ALL (risk = hazard x exposure). Their actual hazard ratings are very subjective, some chemicals are listed under two different names with different scores, and they often treat data gaps as a good thing (but not consistently!).

"In summary, the Skin Deep database does not offer any insight into the true safety in use of any cosmetic product. Indeed, by encouraging the use of ingredients with no supporting toxicity data, they are risking the health of the very consumers they pupport to be seeking to protect. This database should be radically amended (and corrected) to better reflect it’s true worth, or closed down."

http://personalcaretruth.com/2010/05/skin-deep-scratching-below-the-surface/

For what products ARE safe, this is a good article summarizing current scientific knowledge/recommendations: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/pregnancy-and-skin-care-which-products-are-safe.aspx

In a nutshell: avoid hydroquinone and prescription retinoids (e.g., Renova, Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, and generic tretinoin) and over-the-counter products with retinol, but most other over-the-counter cosmetic ingredients are safe for pregnancy, including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (BHA), glycolic acid or lactic acid (AHAs), and the usual sunscreen active ingredients.

[Anonymous]

The whole makeup issue is tough. So much crap and so little style in the whole foods makeup aisle.

After running my products through the EWG skin deep database, I switched to oilve oil/coconut oils as moisturizers in first tri, now in 2nd I do use a dab of my beloved dr perricone face moisturizer but still minimal "red flag" makeup and avalon organics body lotion.

I figure the most important ones to watch out for are lipsticks (you ingest some of it) and body lotions (your skin absorbs copious amounts) and sunblocks (crazy ass chemical ingredients)

[Anonymous]

12:16 - You realize that Personal Care Truth is run by two scientists from the cosmetics industry, right? I think I'll take the independant EWG recs over the cosmetic industry telling me how safe things are.

And I tend to use some Dr. Haushkas, and assorted others. Check ingredient labels for the usual parabens and the like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its overwhelming. I was less concerned about make up and more worried about lotions and other skin care products. Spend some time on the Environmental Working Group cosmetic data base. Its shocking how many items that are so popular (and expensive) are rated horribly due to toxins and endocrin disrupters in them.
for lotions I mainly stick to burts bees belly butter and Vitamin E oil.

I *really* wish people would stop recommending EWG's Skin Deep database. It's just plain bad science and scare tactics.

They try to equate hazard with risk, when the two are not the same thing AT ALL (risk = hazard x exposure). Their actual hazard ratings are very subjective, some chemicals are listed under two different names with different scores, and they often treat data gaps as a good thing (but not consistently!).

"In summary, the Skin Deep database does not offer any insight into the true safety in use of any cosmetic product. Indeed, by encouraging the use of ingredients with no supporting toxicity data, they are risking the health of the very consumers they pupport to be seeking to protect. This database should be radically amended (and corrected) to better reflect it’s true worth, or closed down."

http://personalcaretruth.com/2010/05/skin-deep-scratching-below-the-surface/

For what products ARE safe, this is a good article summarizing current scientific knowledge/recommendations: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/pregnancy-and-skin-care-which-products-are-safe.aspx

In a nutshell: avoid hydroquinone and prescription retinoids (e.g., Renova, Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, and generic tretinoin) and over-the-counter products with retinol, but most other over-the-counter cosmetic ingredients are safe for pregnancy, including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (BHA), glycolic acid or lactic acid (AHAs), and the usual sunscreen active ingredients.

I agree with this - except that my dermatologist specifically said to stop using benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid the instant I find out I'm pregnant. She did not mention sunscreen - can you go into a little more detail about that if you have information?

[Anonymous]

I don't wear a lot of makeup normally except for a powder foundation. I'm currently trying Coastal Classics Creations stuff - found it on the EWG website and buy it online. I works fine for me. I plan to try their deodorant next. I also use Tom's of Maine toothpaste.

I've stopped using a moisturizer with SPF (my skin can handle the sun, especially now that fall is here) but still use Eucerin Calming Cream to help with dryness. It's a 3 on EWG.

I'm using hair care products labeled paraben free but have not searched them in EWG because I'm afraid. : )

Not related to makeup, but the overall topic, so I'll also note I stopped using plastics for food and drink long ago - only glass/aluminum now. I've stopped taking receipts wherever possible, but I find it oddly difficult. I pretend not to know about hazards in furnishings (flame retardants in couch, stuff like that). There's only so much I can do.

For those who don't like EWG, this might be helpful:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-website-maps-endocrine-disruptors

[Anonymous]

A lot of lipstick has lead so definitely check to ensure your brand AND specific color doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Both before and during pregnancy, I use LUSH Fresh Farmacy to clean my face, and wear Bare Minerals makeup (when I wear makeup, that is, which is not very often). Never thought about changing either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of lipstick has lead so definitely check to ensure your brand AND specific color doesn't.

Is there a site where we can look this info up?

[Anonymous]

Also, does lip gloss contain lead? I mostly wear gloss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of lipstick has lead so definitely check to ensure your brand AND specific color doesn't.

Is there a site where we can look this info up?

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/lipstick.asp

[Anonymous]

I stuck with my regular CVS makeup (mostly maybelline). The only thing I changed was I stopped using proacitve per my OB. DS seems fine so far.

[Anonymous]

I love Jane Iredale products (concealer, powder base, etc.). They are pricey, but they last a long time and they have been so kind to my pregnancy-ravaged skin. If you have melasma (mask of pregnancy), these products are great for covering it up without having to sport the "pancake" look. Also a big fan of Benetint. I don't know what to think of the EWG skin deep database, but if it does matter to you, all of these products receive "safe" ratings there. Honestly, the Jane Iredale stuff is so good that I would use it even if it got an "unsafe" rating because of how it makes my skin look; the fact that it's decently made is just a bonus for me.