So, you’re pregnant? Congratulations!! One common concern of pregnant women is protecting their growing baby from chemicals. According to tests conducted by the Environmental Working Group more than 200 different kinds of chemicals were found in a newborn’s blood.
Chemicals from lotions, face wash, body wash and other personal care products used by pregnant women can get absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream of. Some of these chemicals can even mimic the female hormone estrogen. This hormone can adversely affect the growth of male babies, and cause early puberty in female babies.
The skin is the largest organ of our body.
Just as you wouldn’t like to eat chemicals in your food, why would you want to lather your skin in them?
#1. Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that are used as preservatives in most personal care products body wash, shampoos and lotions.
Parabens have been closely been linked to endocrine disruption, which can cause long term reproductive problems like infertility in both male and female fetuses. Early exposure to parabens can cause concentration problems, allergies to food items, asthma and even cancer later on in life. Many malignant tumors that have been scrutinized have shown presence of parabens.
#2. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a very common preservative used in almost every water-based personal care product. Research has shown that formaldehyde is a carcinogen. It has also been linked to respiratory problems and causing allergies. Early exposure to formaldehyde can cause long term problems to a growing fetus.
#3. 1,4-dioxane
This may well be the most dangerous chemical on this list. Mainly because, you will not find this chemical listed anywhere in the ingredients list. A common ingredient in bath products and liquid soap, 1,4-dioxane is a actually a chemical byproduct.
This chemical has been linked to organ toxicity and can also cause skin allergies.If you wish to avoid it then don’t use any products that contain sodium laureth sulfate(SLS), PEG compounds or any chemical name ending with xynol, ceteareth and oleth.
#4. Fragrance
While you may love the smell of your body lotion or body wash, but these fragrances have been linked to skin irritation and eczema. They can also be toxic to various organs in the human body – just imagine what they can do to a growing baby.
It is disturbing that “fragrance” is used to mask many other dangerous chemicals. Do read the labels of any personal care product you are using and avoid any product that has parfum or perfume on its ingredient list.
Did you know about these chemicals lurking in your everyday products? Mommies unknowingly expose their baby to these chemicals, which can have a long term impact on your growing child. Always read the ingredients labels carefully and only opt for natural products which are free from all kinds of preservatives and chemicals. So even after your bub is born, opt for safe, natural and organic baby lotions. One thumb rule to follow when buying personal care products- if you can’t pronounce the ingredient names, don’t buy them!
What personal care products do you use? Have you used any natural personal care products during your pregnancy? Share below!
Author Bio
Anjana Bhartia is a mommy blogger at MommyRepublic. She describes herself as an imperfect mom stumbling through motherhood, discovering the joys of natural and attachment parenting along the way.
Informative information helpful for new moms
I really appreciate you being a regular reader of my blog and visiting it. Thank you.
Thanks for providing information for the pregnancy.https://www.mycord.com/
Pregnancy diet does not mean eating for two. Opt for nutritious food choices and eat a well-proportioned diet all through your pregnancy.
Thanks for information,m sure it will help many to-be moms
Yes Madhu. It’s a very well written article by Anjana.