Can I use retinol while breastfeeding?
First of all, congratulations on the safe arrival of your new little one. It’s been a long 9 months, but the rewards are definitely worth it. The question you may be asking yourself, especially if you’re an avid skincare user, is: Can you use retinol while breastfeeding?
It can often be overwhelming and sometimes even frustrating when it comes to finding the best products that are safe for you and your baby. So before you go ahead and read today’s blog post, I strongly recommend that you consult your doctor before introducing any new skincare ingredients or products into your routine.
So without further ado, let’s dive into more information about using retinol while breastfeeding.
Why can’t you use retinol while breastfeeding?
Since retinol is one of the most potent skincare ingredients, it’s often considered a controversial choice to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, even when applied topically, it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause a number of effects and issues for your child, whether born or not.
Given the number of birth defects that can occur with using or taking retinol during pregnancy, there are a lot of studies that have shown that using or taking retinol during pregnancy can cause birth defects in the fetus. When it comes to breastfeeding and retinol use, there is no scientific evidence to suggest why using retinol while breastfeeding is considered a bad idea. But for peace of mind and to be aware of the negative effects retinol may have on your baby, it’s best to avoid any form of vitamin A or retinoid-fortified products until your baby is fully weaned and no longer at risk.
What skincare ingredients should you avoid while breastfeeding?
As you might have guessed, it’s not just retinol that should be avoided while breastfeeding. Other products, such as makeup, sunscreen, and anti-acne ingredients should be avoided. Here are some examples of ingredients you should avoid until you’re done breastfeeding.
Retinol
Retinoic acid
Retinoids
Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid
Davrin
Oxybenzone
Benzoyl peroxide
These ingredients are listed on the packaging, but if you have any questions, consult your doctor before applying any product to your skin. The best ingredients for skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding are those that are considered non-comedogenic, which basically means they won’t clog your pores. I will explain more about this in the next section of today’s post.
What skincare products can I use while breastfeeding?
If you already had a well-established skincare routine before pregnancy, you might be eager to apply it all over your skin. God knows you will need your favorite serums and lotions after nighttime and early morning feedings. The only problem is that it’s not just during pregnancy that you need to be careful when applying formulas to your skin. As I’ve already suggested, there are some ingredients you should avoid completely, and I know that can be daunting, especially if you’re desperate to reap the benefits of retinol again. Don’t worry, because I’m now going to tell you about some safe and effective alternatives to use while breastfeeding.
Replace Retinol with Peptides
Admittedly, if you’re looking for a quick and impressive way to fight the signs of aging, nothing is more effective than retinol. However, it’s highly recommended not to use any form of vitamin A. Therefore, the next best alternative is peptides. Peptides are chains of amino acids that work in the lower layers of the skin and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This will make the skin look plumper, younger, and more elastic without having to worry about the harmful side effects of retinol for you and your baby.
Swap salicylic acid for lactic acid
Salicylic acid can be effective in fighting acne and breakouts, but it is not recommended to use strong BHAs while pregnant or breastfeeding. You will still get similar exfoliating benefits if you switch to lactic acid, as the molecular size of lactic acid is very large, which means it cannot penetrate too deeply into the skin and cause irritation and other adverse reactions.
Other very useful skincare ingredients that can be used while breastfeeding include hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E, and nourishing oils such as avocado.
Can retinol be used during pregnancy?
No, it is not recommended to use retinol at all during pregnancy. Once retinol is absorbed into the bloodstream, several defects that harm the developing fetus can occur. If you have any concerns about the skincare formulas you are using, stop using them and consult your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to continue using them in your daily life.
What does retinol do for babies?
Retinol, when used topically or taken in supplement form, can cause a number of problems for the developing embryo and fetus, often leading to miscarriage, premature birth, and a number of other birth defects, commonly known as fetal retinoid syndrome.
The reason retinol causes these problems is due to the increase in vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for the body to function properly and helps regulate cell movement, but when the embryo is exposed to excessive amounts, it can cause teratogenesis, which is a congenital abnormality and disruption of the fetus.
When should you stop using retinol before pregnancy?
You’ll be happy to know that it only takes 1-2 days for all remaining traces of Retin-A to be cleared from the body. If you’re planning on getting pregnant, I recommend not using retinol products for at least a week just to be safe. Once your baby is fully weaned or you decide to stop breastfeeding, you can reintroduce retinol into your skin care routine.
Here’s more information on using retinol while breastfeeding. As I mentioned before, it’s important to consult your doctor to make sure the products you use are safe for you and your baby.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.