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Birth Defects
10 Safest Products for Pregnancy
TOP TEN SAFEST PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS FOR PREGNANCY
by Sheryl Lyon
Are you trying to go organic during your pregnancy? You might be eating organic but what about the products you put on your skin? Just because they say natural or even organic, it certainly does not mean they are safe for you, much less for your tiny fetus. Personal care products are not regulated the same way that food items are. Please do not be naive. These products contain ingredients linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, developmentive and reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity, allergies, endocrine disruption, biochemical and cellular changes and more. The Environmental Working Group has put together a database of cosmetics, skin, hair and nail products with scores based on the toxicity of the ingredients with zero being the safest and ten the most hazardous.
If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or lactating then go into your bathroom right now, grab every item that you use on your face, body or hair, bring them to your computer and go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com Type in each and every brand name and you will see exactly what you are putting into your body and your baby through your skin. Unless you are using items that you are making in your own kitchen, then the results are sure to shock you.
So here it is, the winners and losers, safest and most hazardous. You can click on any ingredient name for full details of the dangers you are exposing yourself and your baby to. If you are interested in purchasing any of the top ten you can click the product name to go directly to Amazon or visit our Natural Pregnancy Store.
The winner: Zenmomma Belly and Body Oil Mist
Score: Zero (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Almond, Jojoba and Sunflower Oils (all of which are zero concern). Also contains TOCOPHEROL
The loser: Vitabath Moisturizing Dry Oil
Score: 8 (High Hazard)
What it contains: Contains ingredients that are linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity and more. Ingredients of concern: FRAGRANCE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), D & C VIOLET 2, and BHT
Make your own: Many women simply rub straight olive, almond, jojoba or other nut/seed oil directly on their growing tummy. You know you won’t be harming your precious baby and it is much less expensive than commercially prepared products.
The winner: There is no winner in this category, only losers. The lowest score in the entire category is a six and you should not expose your fetus to more than a zero or 1.
The biggest loser: Mustela Special Maternity Lotion, Stretch Marks Intensive Action
Score: 7 (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, persistence and bioaccumulation, biochemical and cellular changes and more. Some of the ingredients of concern: CETEARETH-33, FRAGRANCE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN and more.
Make your own: Many experts claim that there is absolutely nothing you can do about stretch marks. They happen from the inside due to stress on the skin and they are actually inside out scars. It does not hurt to try to battle these pregnancy war wounds (unless you are using commercially prepared stretch mark cream). Try unrefined cocoa butter, vitamin E capsules, shea butter and wheat germ oil. Keep your skin healthy from the inside by drinking tons of water and getting plenty of E, C and Zinc from your diet as well as your prenatal vitamin.
The winner: UV Natural Sport SPF 30+
Score: 0 (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Zinc Oxide, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Sesame, Safflower and Macadamia Nut Oils.
The loser: Coppertone Sunblock Lotion, UVA/UVB Protection, SPF15, Waterproof
Score: 7 – (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and non-reproductive organ system toxicity (among other things) OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OXYBENZO (BENZOPHENONE-3) and FRAGRANCE
Make your own:
Many natural health advocates including Dr. Mercola and Mike Adams, are loud and adamant detractors of sunscreen. They believe (and I agree) that the entire market is fabricated on nonsense and rather than preventing cancer, the chemicals contained in sunscreen actually cause cancer. While pregnant, please avoid putting commercial sunscreens on your skin at all costs. Yes of course you want to avoid getting sunburned but there are plenty of non-chemical ways to do that. Try wearing hats and long sleeve shirts and seeking shade. Do not spend hours baking in the sun.
Still want to use sunscreen? Check out Environmental Working Groups Best and Worst Sunscreen Lists.
The winner: Crystal Body Deodorant Spray Mist
Score: Zero(Low Hazard)
What it contains: Potassium Alum and Water
The loser: Suave Silky Smooth Antiperspirant Deodorant Invisible Solid Silk Blossom
Score: 6 (Moderate Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients are linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity and more. Ingredients of concern are: ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM TRICHLOROHYDREX GLY, FRAGRANCE, BHT, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-8 DISTEARATE
Make your own: Sweating is healthy and totally normal! Anything that blocks your sweat glands or inhibits this natural detoxing action is very unhealthy. Additionally, the aluminum contained in antiperspirants has been linked to Alzheimer’s and breast cancer among other things. Therefore please avoid anti persperspirants at all costs while pregnant. Being stinky does not bring a health benefit however, but there are much more natural ways to remain clean and fresh without the use of dangerous chemicals on your skin. Some people swear that a raw/vegan diet keeps them so clean they do not need deodorant or shampoo. Other people only use soap and water and never complain of body odor. In addition you can try baking soda or deodorant crystals. If you really want a stick or spray, then check out these sites for some homemade deodorant recipes. recipes 1 and recipes 2
The winner: Aubrey Organics Evening Primrose and Lavender Skin Care Bar
Score: Zero (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Lavender Oil, Palm Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Acid and Evening Primrose Oil
The loser: The Body Shop White Musk Bath and Shower Gel
Score: 9 (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients that are linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity. Contains too many harmful ingredients to list, but some of top are: EUGENOL, FRAGRANCE, ISOEUGENOL, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), BENZYL ALCOHOL, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL, D&C VIOLET 2, LINALOOL, GERANIOL, LIMONENE, COUMARIN, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, BUTYLPARABEN
Make your own: Mix oatmeal and yogurt, apply and rinse off for a gentle cleanser. Mix oatmeal and brown sugar for a body scrub. Try just using plain water and a washcloth every other shower unless you are playing in the mud. Visit www.pioneerthinking.com for more recipes.
The Winner: Perfect Organics Hazelnut Coffee Shea Butter
Score: Zero (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Organic Shea Butter, organic hazelnut and coffee extracts
The Loser: Neutrogena Skin Smoothing Body Lotion
Score: 10 (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, persistence and bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, biochemical or cellular level changes. To make matters worse, they test on animals and using this product increases your risk of sunburn. Ingredients of concern: ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, FRAGRANCE, SALICYLIC ACID, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), BHT, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), DISODIUM EDTA, and SODIUM HYDROXIDE (among others).
Make your own: Just like the belly oils and stretch mark cream, you can easily make your own with any combination of vegetable or nut oils and butters. If you are laying off the toxic cleansers and other personal care products then your body should retain its natural oils and you should not need as much moisturizer.
The Winner: Toms of Maine Natural Baking Soda Toothpaste with Propolis and Myrrh
Score: 1 (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Myrrh, Water, Propolis, a Calcium Carbonate Base and Glycerin (which bumped the score to a one)
The Loser: Rembrandt Dazzling White Mint
Score: 5 – (Moderate Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients have been linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, biochemical or cellular changes (among other things). Ingredients of concern: ALUMINA, METHYLPARABEN, PAPAIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL,
Make your own: Brush your teeth with a plain brush, or dip your brush in any combination of baking soda, salt and/or hydrogen peroxide. If you really need to use a paste you can easily make your own with items available at any drugstore.
The Winner: Molton Brown Cassia Energy Hair and Body Wash
Score: Zero (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Calcium Oxide, Cassia (Cinnamon scent), Rosemary Oil, Lemon
Bonus: Its a combination product (shampoo and body cleanser) – so you also get to use a zero product on your body.
Winner #2: Korres Sunflower Extract and Vitamin F Shampoo
Score: Zero (Low Hazard)
Bonus: Sunflower extract is a natural color protector
What it contains: Provitamin B5, Sunflower Extract, Vitamin F, Wheat Proteins
The loser: Redken Extreme Shampoo
Score: 9- (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, persisitence and bioaccumulation, biochemical or cellular level changes and they test on animals. Ingredients of concern: FRAGRANCE, SALICYLIC ACID, LECITHIN, COCAMIDE DEA, LACTIC ACID, OLETH-10, BUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZOIC ACID, TAURINE
Make your own: Believe it or not some people forego shampoo altogether. Seriously. Check it out by Googling “no poo”. Make a paste of baking soda and water and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips. Rinse with water then apple cider vinegar. You could also try rinsing with lemon juice or plain water. As with the deodorant, the closer to a raw/vegan diet you have, the less you will need chemicals to clean off the toxins that your body eliminates. You can also rinse your hair with beer or use a number of other items from your kitchen
The winner: Aubrey Organics- BGA Protein + Strengthening Creme Rinse
Score: 1 (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Vitamin A, TOCOPHEROL, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Lavender Oil, Milk Thistle Extract, Citrus Seed Extract, Coconut Acid, Almond Protein, Rosewater and Organic BlueGreen Algae.
The Loser: Matrix Biolage Daily Leave in Tonic
Score: 8 (High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, persisitence and bioaccumulation, biochemical or cellular level changes and they test on animals. Ingredients of concern: DMDM HYDANTOIN, FRAGRANCE, POLYQUATERNIUM-11, TRIETHANOLAMINE, BUTYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, OLETH-5, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), DISODIUM EDTA and more.
Make your own: Use any combination of raw egg, mayonnaise, avocado, olive oil, banana, coconut oil, honey, any vegetable or nut oil Visit www.pioneerthinking.com for more recipes.
The winner: Lyphazome Inside Tan
Score: 2 – (Low Hazard)
What it contains: Jojoba Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, and Shea Butter which pregnant skin loves, but it also contains a few items of concern such as LECITHIN, DIHYDROXYACETONE, DIMETHICONE,
The loser: Banana Boat Instant Sunless Tanning Lotion (Dark)
Score: 10-(High Hazard)
What it contains: Ingredients linked to cancer, developmentive/reproductive toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, biochemical or cellular level changes. Ingredients of concern: FRAGRANCE, DIHYDROXYACETONE, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, BUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA among others.
Make your own: Get 10-20 minutes of sun a day, you will feel better and get some crucial vitamin D. Pregnancy is the most important time to give up extraneous chemicals and sunless tanner is not necessary when you have that beautiful pregnancy glow. OK, maybe you don’t feel very glowy without your tanner, but is nine short months really that long to go without sunless tanner if it maintains optimal fetal development? Your baby is too precious to risk his or her health for a fake tan.
Thanks for reading! Drop a comment if you have your own recipe to recommend or a low hazard product that you just love! Maybe we will include it in the next list. Visit the Non-toxic personal care department of our Natural Pregnancy Store if you are interested in purchasing any of the items on the list.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/jpmatth/2626922668/ 
Discussion
46 comments for “10 Safest Products for Pregnancy”
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Tags: Healthy Pregnancy, Natural Pregnancy, organic pregnancy, pregnancy bath, pregnancy beauty, pregnancy cosmetics, Pregnancy Personal Care, pregnancy safety, pregnancy toxins, prenatal safety
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The information we present is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems,disease, or illness without consulting with your own physician or qualified medical professional.
Checked out your links. The format is great. I like where you can intensify your search and even pull down articles by age.
You are doing great
What a very useful list you put together. That list is useful all women not just mothers – to – be. Thanks.
Some of the products i figured they would not be good but the tooth paste i never thought of that one.
Great article makes you think about never using them again.
I am very disappointed with this list.
Mistakingly trusting its accuracy, I ordered the winner of the shampoo category, the Korres Sunflower Extract and Vitamin F Shampoo, only to find out afterward that it is nowhere to be found on the Environmental Working Group’s cosmeticdatabase.
@Recah:
It was on the cosmetics database when I put this list together which was quite awhile ago. Perhaps I should consider a yearly update to take into account EWGs updates and product availability. I will shoot you an email if I get an update completed based on EWGs current information.
I noticed that your winning cleanser contains Lavender oil, an ingredient my doctor recommended avoiding during pregnancy because its noted to be a uterine stimulant AND because of the potential to trigger photosensitivity. I’m curious why this product made the list?
Hi. I am in my first trimester of pregnancy and have been using Aveeno Intense Relief Overnight Cream. The active ingredient is Dimethecone. Is this safe for my baby?
@Alissa:
Please check the cosmetic database at EWG.org.
I really liked that list of products that can make a pregnant women safe,but in my country you can not find any shop!so that’s why i logged in to get some idea of what could be the products that i can invest in.thax any idea please contact me on abajanet@yahoo.com
@Renah:
Most of the products should be available online.
I will share this tips with my wife. She is entering 5 months period of pregnancy.Thank’s for your lovely tips.
I can vouch for your tips for brushing and whitening teeth. The peroxide solution is used by dentists in the whitening procedure, albeit at a higher concentration strength than most OTC formulations. But you probably can get a whitening effect from the peroxide acting as a ‘free radical’ oxidizing agent. Good list of stuff here, thanks.
I would also recommend soap nuts as they are eco friendly and does not have harmful chemicals.
Mums-to-be surely can’t go wrong with the listed products. Thanks for putting in that effort and populating the list of useful products and of course those to avoid.
@buy soap nuts:
I LOVE soap nuts. They are the best, seriously. I would not do my laundry any other way especially with small children.
Nice collection of products.I liked to used cocoa butter on my expanding stomach during my pregnancies. I don’t have stretchmarks but still wonder if it’s down to genes or the product.
I used pure almond oil on my belly during pregancy with excellent results!
I used cocoa butter in my pregnancy. great post!
It’s so true that we got to be as natural as possible when you are in pregnancy, but what about convenience. Nice list you’ve got.
This is fantastic!! Great selection of organic products. If proof were ever needed that organic is safe and effective.
I’m going to make sure my shop has all of these. Will also link back to this article as its invaluable.
very nice products. alternatively you may also use coconut oils as moisturizers and a treatment to stretchmarks.
This information is surely useful to many ladies out there expecting their birth. i am very surprised with your amazing list of products that you have -conditioner, moisturizer , toothpaste that is totally unique i must say.Are these really helpful in real? i doubt it.
What if we combine 2 different methods, would that work or just complicate things.
I would like also to add a cream that prevents varicose veins which cannot be avoided after pregnancy.
Using pure and natural soaps has so many advantages over the chemical-added variants that are available commercially that they are too many to list here. The psychological attitude that comes from knowing that what you are applying to your body is pure and clean…is unsurpassed.
Thanks so much for another great post. This is exactly the information I was looking for. I will have to share this with my pregnant wife. Thanks!
Woah. I’m never using Rembrant again. I heard there was bad stuff in toothpaste, but this is ridiculous. Thank you for the tip.
These are simply great!I just love home made ingredients to beautify my wife especially when she is pregnant.
great list you have put together im going to have to show this to my girlfriend we recently just found out we’re having a baby boy!
Thank you for using the plugins that allow us to appeal to the public regarding the advantages of pure natural soap when compared to commercially-produced soap. Your skin will love you for it !
Thanks for the great list. Ill be sure to tell my pregnant girlfriend about this page
This is great information, I am 3 months pregnant and have been really wary of products I am using, thanks for the advice
Thanks for listing these safe products for pregnancy. I appreciate your warnings about the toxic ingredients in many of today’s products. Here is another natural remedy for preventing stretch marks – When used together, grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E work to stimulate the natural production of collagen.
The thought of going out into direct sunlight after all the press that has told us of the dangers…is ignorant and looking for trouble. Sunless Tanning bonus lotions and creams are definitely the answer for all concerned with safety for their bodies.
Great list! And sometimes these products are so hard to find, its great to have a link to purchase.
I wanted to add one more product line for pregnant mommies to use – Ava Anderson Non Toxic Skincare.
Its a new skincare line, and the first of it’s kind, that is all non toxic, with a 0 score on the cosmeticsdatabase.com website. The moisturizer is great for the tummy and the facial cleanser is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin.
Check it out!
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Hi, I was reading up on this last Monday and I just wanted to say your article has clarified a few points for me- thanks
Thanks for the list of natural products. I prefer products that are 100% natural.
I am always looking for natural ingredients in cosmetics products, thank you.
Great article. You can never be too careful. Even with something as simple as makeup remover, you’d have to be pretty careful, even fragrances or parabens eye makeup remover
The recent successes of natural products shows that the population is becoming more aware of the caustic contents of commercial products. This knowledge is flowing over to foods and many other areas. Thank you for the opportunity to voice our opinions.
What I love about blogs is which they spark an concept in my brain. When that occurs, I feel as I require to comment using the hope it might be interesting to some individuals. Simply because you will find plenty of blogs and forums with many points of view, they question your comprehension. It is at these moments when you have valuable insignt other individuals might not have had, together with the blogger him/herself. I find myself coming back to to your writings only because you’ve a number of very great insights and also you’ve been at this a very long time, that is very inspiring and tells me you know your stuff. Keep triggering imagination in other people!
This a great list of natural products. My wife and I have also come across a 100% Shea butter cream. Unlike most pure Shea cream, this one is soft and easy to apply. It is made by Franzwa Pearls. We highly recommend it. We were unaware that Shea Butter had so many application and healing properties.
great list! it’s really wise to go for organic and natural products!
pregnant women like me will benefit on this list! For an effective prenatal vitamins, I recommend isotonix prenatal vitamins. It really work for me and other moms, great taste and no taste aversion experienced and I felt more energy with it!
Is Bio-oil bad for pregnant women? It has the ingredient, retinyl palmitate. Should pregnant women really need to avoid retinyl palmitate?