Taking care of the skin with pregnancy-safe body lotion is one of the most important things. Hormonal imbalances occur throughout pregnancy, causing significant physical changes for the pregnant woman. The effect on pregnant women’s appearance is dramatic.
Many pregnant women today use safe cosmetics or skin treatments to boost their spirits and care for their skin while carrying a child. Many expectant mothers wonder if using a lotion during their pregnancy is safe. In this article, we will help you choose the perfect lotion.
Can a pregnant woman use body lotion?
Yes. Yes. The hormonal imbalances during pregnancy cause changes in a pregnant woman’s body. Many pregnant women today use lotion to boost their spirits and keep their skin healthy during their pregnancies. Contrarily, many expectant mothers wonder if using a lotion during their pregnancy.
Cosmetics and skin care products are integral to a woman’s daily routine. Particularly during pregnancy, hormonal shifts and other factors combine to make skin “hard to please” than ever. Pregnant women should only use skin care products proven safe during pregnancy. Pregnant women must be cautious when choosing a skin lotion to keep their natural beauty and safety.
Which is the safest lotion for pregnant women?
Pipette Body Lotion, for expectant and new mothers, comes highly recommended. This lotion has squalane, a highly moisturizing substance made from natural sugarcane and other plant-based emollients that leave skin feeling soft and soothed. It has a high safety rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and uses no synthetic perfumes.
Which is the best body lotion for pregnant women?
Following extensive research and testing, we found that the Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter was the best body lotion to use while pregnant. Organic and chemical-free, it’s an excellent choice for those with delicate skin. It’s a fantastic moisturizer that leaves skin feeling supple and wet for hours.
It not only increases suppleness, but it also mitigates the symptoms of stretch marks during pregnancy. You’ll also appreciate that it doesn’t leave any oily residue thanks to its lightweight, non-greasy consistency. It’s the best body lotion for pregnant women. Similarly, Earth Mama Organics Belly Oil is the most significant body oil throughout pregnancy.
Things to consider before choosing body lotion safe for pregnancy
There are some particular things to consider. During pregnancy, you should avoid products containing retinoids, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, or phthalates. Products containing azelaic acid, glycolic acid, topical salicylic acid, or topical benzoyl peroxide may be appropriate, but it is always preferable to check with a doctor first. Aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and antioxidant vitamins E and C are all good choices for cosmetics. A person’s skincare routine throughout pregnancy shouldn’t change much if they use safe products.
Six best pregnancy-safe body lotions & belly
1. Earth Mama Organic Butter
The pregnant skincare products from Earth Mama Organics are lovely since they are chemical-free, and thanks to the organic components, they are also relatively mild for rough skin. Although it has a thicker viscosity (like butter) than lotion, this product does wonders for soothing dry, irritable skin. It is beneficial for reducing the redness of my skin.
We have excluded parabens, petroleum, and synthetic scent, which has passed dermatological and clinical testing.
Some ingredients include aloe leaf juice, sunflower oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, calendula oil, raspberry oil, sweet orange oil, and vanilla bean extract. They all effectively relieve the discomfort from skin stretching out of place during pregnancy by moisturizing dry skin. Improve skin elasticity and smoothness with this belly butter. It’s body butter. However, the formula is non-greasy and light.
Easy to use thanks to the pump, it smells incredible, and it feels luxurious on the skin. As someone with really delicate skin, we found that Earth Mama Belly Butter reduced itching tremendously. Using Earth Mama Belly Oil I started using it at the start of my second trimester, and I almost had no stretch marks.
2. Earthly Wellness Magnesium Lotion
While it won’t help you avoid those ugly scars, it will ease your aches and pains, even those caused by pregnancy. Headaches are prevalent during the first trimester of pregnancy, and many mothers swear by this remedy. Some doctors recommend this magnesium lotion for sleep-deprived pregnant and new mothers because it helps them fall asleep. As a result, you’ll wake up less frequently and enjoy more restful nights of sleep.
You’ll also like that it’s free of chemicals thanks to using apricot oil, organic shea butter and mango butter, Magnesium Chloride Flakes, candelilla wax, lavender essential oil, and filtered water as its main constituents. Parabens, sulfates, and animal products are not present in this product. There are no synthetic perfumes or potentially toxic polysorbate 80 in it.
In conclusion, this safe body lotion may be helpful if you or your kid are having trouble sleeping, leg cramps, or weariness. You’ll need a different moisturizer to alleviate dry skin or avoid stretch marks.
3. Belly Butter by Zoe Organics
This is yet another fantastic buttery body lotion that is safe throughout pregnancy. A critical factor in avoiding stretch marks, it also calms irritated skin and increases flexibility.
You can use both during and after pregnancy to restore moisture and elasticity to the skin.
I enjoy how this butter feels on my skin; it’s not too greasy and spreads quickly. Use it as often as your stomach, hips, and bra straps feel parched.
This belly butter is great because it contains no artificial ingredients and has a waterless recipe. To be more specific, it contains only certified organic shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, rosehip oil, calendula oil, chamomile oil, and sandalwood oil. You can buy belly butter and oil in convenient, portable sizes. You can bring the belly butter on an airplane with you.
4. The Honest Company Mama Rock The Bump Body Butter
We have tried an Honest Company product that’s meant for your skin. It was more calming than other lotions and prevented stretch marks better. Parabens, silicones, petrolatum, scent, PEGs, and lanolin are all absent, which is a big plus in my book.
As several odors made me sick during my pregnancy, this nearly no smell is a huge plus. One further perk of Mama Rock, The Bump Body Butter, is that, unlike other lotions, it won’t leave a sticky residue on your clothing if you accidentally get some on them. That’s a massive tick in its favor. It’s fast-acting and effective in relieving dry skin, but it doesn’t keep the moisture in your skin for as long as the other body butter on this list. You’ll need a lot of it to cover your bump and other regions prone to stretch marks, and it’s a little tricky to spread.
Shea butter, avocado oil, and vitamin E are all included in the formula. They work together to soothe and hydrate the dry skin that might develop on a pregnant woman’s expanding stomach.
Ascorbyl palmitate, trisodium ethylenediamine succinate, and potassium sorbate are synthetic components. Additional constituents include water, glycerin, castor seed oil, sunflower seed wax, jojoba esters, and allantoin (a preservative).
Despite this, we have included this cream on my list of the best pregnancy-safe lotions because it works for many mothers. It makes skin supple. Because it is fragrance-free, it is an excellent alternative for mothers sensitive to scents.
5. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Pregnancy Safe Body Lotion
Hundreds of pregnant women swear by this body lotion, making it one of the best-selling products ever. The 32-ounce bottle should keep you going for weeks if not months. It’s much less expensive than similar products like Earth Mama, Honest, or Green Go.
It is fragrance- and cruelty-free and lacks potentially harmful substances like phthalates and parabens. It won’t bother anyone with allergies. Alba Botanica’s body lotion contains nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, and shea butter, and healthy ingredients like virgin, unprocessed coconut oil and milk. In contrast to body butter, this lotion has a lighter, creamier consistency that makes it simple to apply all over the body.
Remember that this body lotion is not primarily for use during pregnancy, though many expecting mothers have found it helpful. They say it’s an effective body moisturizer for reducing the appearance of redness and evening out skin tone. Alba Botanica lotion is still an excellent and relatively risk-free choice at this price, but you should splurge on something all-natural if you can.
6. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion For Very Dry Skin
In pregnancy skincare, this hydrating body lotion is among the top sellers.
There are a lot of benefits to this moisturizer that we want to highlight, but there are also a few downsides that you should know about. Well, so first, the positives. Lotion for the body that is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin because of its lack of smell, parabens, steroids, and colors.
With moisturizing shea butter and soothing Triple Oat Complex (made from oat flour, oat extract, and oat oil), this product is ideal for those with dry, itchy skin. At 1.2% concentration, Dimethicone is another critical component of this body lotion. The Food and Drug Administration and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) have deemed it a safe skincare ingredient.
It soothes the skin and stops the loss of moisture and further harm from occurring. Calming inflamed skin, the non-comedogenic composition prevents pores from clogging. It can relieve this itchy sensation with the help of Aveeno body lotion, which is effective in scientific trials for those with allergies.
This body lotion is quite effective for dehydrated skin (even with eczema! ), but the concentration of the problematic chemicals is deficient. Thanks to its relaxing ability, your skin will feel supple and pampered for hours. After using it consistently for two weeks, people saw a considerable improvement in my skin’s health, including fewer dry spots, less redness, and less itching.
According to the evaluations this body lotion has received from actual consumers on Amazon, pregnant ladies have widely used it. The no-fragrance recipe, they say, makes it an excellent option for pregnant women who are very sensitive to scents.
Best pregnancy skin care products for moms to glow
1. Rock Me Momma perineal bits mist
2. Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream
3. My Expert Midwife Fantastic Skin Elastic
4. Lansinoh Organic Nipple Balm
5. QV Cream
6. Motherlylove Tums And Boobs Stretch Mark Massage Oil
7. ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk
8. Weleda Skin Food
Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid When Pregnant
Dr. Goldbach says the lack of human studies on the safety of cosmetics chemicals during pregnancy, explaining that scientists must instead rely on animal studies or laboratory testing to make educated guesses. However, several compounds are dangerous if consumed orally. We advise patients to avoid everyday substances like retinol/retinoids, some antibiotics, and hydroquinone.
Retinol/Retinoids
Vitamin A derivatives (including retinol, Retin-A, and retinyl palmitate) are avoided by dermatologists during pregnancy. “Some research has linked these chemicals to an increased risk of birth abnormalities,” says Dr. Jun. Yet, retinoids like adapalene are increasingly being administered during pregnancy. Before beginning any treatment, you and your doctor should discuss your options.
Hydroquinone
Products that help lighten hyperpigmentation, dark patches, and melasma contain hydroquinone.
According to Dr. Jun, “Hydroquinone, which helps lighten the skin, people should avoid during pregnancy” since the skin absorbs it more quickly than other components, increasing the likelihood that it may reach the baby.
Parabens/BPA
Parabens extend the life of cosmetics and personal care goods like shampoo and skin creams. Particularly worrisome is BPA. Quickly absorbed by the skin, “these compounds can behave as endocrine disruptors,” Dr. Jun explains. According to some research, pregnant women may be at risk from BPA exposure.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to verify the contents in all of your beauty products, including your body lotion, whether you have skin problems during pregnancy or are simply looking for the best stretch mark lotions. We hope our list and tips regarding body lotion safety for pregnancy will help you immensely.
It is advisable to avoid creams that include harsh chemicals and choose ones that are made with more natural ingredients. The ideal body cream should keep your skin from losing moisture but not leave a greasy aftertaste on your tummy. You don’t want oily spots on your clothes, I’m sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Okay to Use CeraVe Body Lotion While Expecting a Child?
CeraVe claims on its website that its body lotion is safe during pregnancy. But remember that it contains several synthetic components, some of which may be irritants, mainly if your skin is delicate. The potential risks of using CeraVe lotion during pregnancy outweigh the benefits. Natural and organic body lotions are better and safer options when pregnant.
These body creams contain petroleum, silicone, microplastic dimethicone, and the preservative disodium EDTA. Because of the presence of phenoxyethanol in these CeraVe body lotions, which can be absorbed through the skin and cause problems, especially for infants and breastfeeding mothers, I do not recommend them. There may be adverse effects on the developing brain and spinal cord.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use any skincare products that contain parabens, according to expectations. According to studies, using paraben-containing cosmetics during pregnancy has been linked to possible adverse effects on the fetus’s growth and the baby’s weight development.
Can body lotion harm my child if I use it during pregnancy?
Specific components in cosmetics, including face cleansers, body lotions, and makeup, are harmful to a growing fetus. In contrast, others must be avoided after giving birth since they pass into breast milk. Sutton recommends that patients “triple-check ingredient lists and inform their physician if there is anything about which they are concerned.”
What lotions should I avoid when pregnant?
You should avoid the lotion which contains the elements below,
Retinol
It is a kind of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, also known as Retin-A. Vitamin A is essential for embryonic development, but too much of it has been associated with congenital disabilities of the brain, heart, and spine. Studies have linked Accutane, a powerful acne drug, to birth abnormalities.
Sunscreen
While everyone should protect themselves from the sun, expectant mothers should use a physical (or natural) sunscreen rather than a chemical one. As stated by Munk, chemical filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone may interfere with hormone function. “It’s a touchy subject, but research suggests those disruptors can significantly affect fetal health.”
A mixture of Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid
Acne is a potential side effect of pregnancy for hormonal changes and the increased synthesis of androgens. Although it is agreed that potent drugs like Accutane should be avoided, the jury is still out on whether more popular acne-fighting chemicals like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are effective.
“If consumed orally in high doses, these compounds can have adverse effects,” Munk warns. While benzoyl peroxide is something I recommend to my patients, someone must use it cautiously and not in too large of an area for it to be effective.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone’s high absorption rate (35–45%) is cause for concern, even if studies haven’t linked it to any specific detrimental effect. “Most strong anti-pigment medicines like hydroquinone are harmful to pregnant women,” Munk warns. “Sunscreen and glycolic or linoleic acids are the safest chemicals.”
Parabens
Parabens, a frequent preservative in cosmetics, provide two problems: they have recognized hormone disruptors and quickly absorb into the skin. The 2016 study in the Journal of Chemistry related prenatal exposure to BPA (paraben) to several pregnancy and child concerns, including miscarriage, low birth weight, obesity, delayed fetal growth, and behavioral abnormalities.
What lotion can I use for dry skin when pregnant?
1. Sebamed Anti-Dry Hydrating Body Lotion
This is a beautiful lotion, as it doesn’t leave any signs of stickiness and has plant-derived lipids like shea butter that deliver excellent moisture. It also calms and smooths the skin, comprising extracts from potato starch. This all-natural lotion regulates the skin’s pH balance, relieving irritation and dehydration.
2. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Jar
This body butter is a very hydrating and multi-functioning product every mom needs. Its base is a cocoa seed, which keeps the moisture in the skin, reducing skin dehydration.
This mixture also contains Vitamin E, which has antioxidant effects, and with frequent usage, it can help prevent indications of aging.
3. Himalaya For Mothers Soothing Body Butter
Himalaya is one of India’s most trusted brands and is undoubtedly a 5-star rated product. It is a daily-use cream that combines glycerin and cocoa butter, making the skin soft and supple. The cream comes in 3 rejuvenating aromas: rose, jasmine, and lavender, making it a de-stressing cream.
4. The Mothers Co. Natural Prenatal Body Butter
This is a toxin-free, all-natural lotion containing components like cocoa butter, shea butter, Vitamin E, and seabuckthorn oil, to mention a few. Its tagline is “Love Without Compromise,” reflected in its products, as they are all pregnancy-safe and treat all the key skin concerns. This product is also vegan, which makes it cruelty-free. \s5. Stretch Marks and Dry
5. Skin Magical Organic Shea Body Butter
This is a luxury product by ThermaLabs, which comprises organic shea butter and is also infused with dead sea minerals. It contains sweet almond oil, which helps renew the skin. ThermaLabs is so particular about the product that they give a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with their items.
6. Cocoa Butter Creme – Queen Helene
This non-greasy base cream is a nutritious treatment that helps relieve dry skin and reverses age effects with frequent use. We can take it throughout and after pregnancy. The cream contains cocoa butter and natural lanolin, which hydrate the body and prevent the skin from dehydration.