6 beauty ingredients you should avoid using during pregnancy

Paraben is commonly found in creams, lotions, shampoos, foundations and soaps. It is important to be wary of the chemical as it’s associated with preterm birth. It can also affect fetal growth and can impact brain development.

Most beauty products have some harmful chemicals and it’s important for expectant mothers to be careful of them. These chemicals do not only cause pregnancy complications but can also harm your baby. Here is a list of five chemicals you must not use during pregnancy.

Though Vitamin A is essential for the healthy development of the foetus, excess of it can be harmful to the baby. Vitamin A derivatives such as Retin A, Retinoids, Retinyl palmitate can cause damage to the baby and thus must be strictly avoided during pregnancy. The chances of foetal abnormalities become high with consumption of Vitamin A derivatives.

Whitening and depigmenting agents might contain hydroquinone, which can cause extreme allergies and reaction in pregnant women.

It is recommended to stay away from essential oils even if they are organic and natural. Consult your doctor before using any essential oil as some of them can be harmful during pregnancy. Like jasmine can cause contractions while rosemary is said to increase blood pressure. Other essential oils you should avoid during pregnancy are fennel, cinnamon, camphor, parsley, marjoram and tarragon.

Some sunscreens contain avobenzone and oxybenzone. Both the chemicals are harmful for the mom-to-be. Studies relate these chemicals with hormone disruption. Oxybenzone is known to be an endocrine disruptor and has harmful effects on the immune system and nervous system.