Can I Use Salicylic Acid While Breastfeeding?

Frequent breakouts and acne are common during pregnancy and the early stages of breastfeeding. If you experienced skin blemishes before pregnancy, you probably have a collection of skincare products that can address them.

Yes, salicylic acid is generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding because it is not absorbed into breast milk. But before you reach for your trusted salicylic acid cleanser or serum, you need to take some precautions to ensure that your skincare routine not only addresses your skin concerns, but is also safe for you and your newborn while breastfeeding.

In today’s post, we want to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the best uses of salicylic acid and its use while breastfeeding. I must stress that before you try to introduce something new into your routine or use a product you already use, you should seek medical advice from your doctor to establish a 100% safe routine.

Can I Use Skincare While Breastfeeding?

The short answer is: yes. Like any expecting mom, you took the time to understand what you could eat, drink, and what products you could use. That was a solid 9 months of hard work. Once your baby is born and the sleep deprivation begins, it can be very difficult to realize that there is a new set of “rules” about what you should eat, what beauty products you should use, and what vitamins you should take.

The idea is that anything that enters the mother’s bloodstream will result in the same substance being present in her milk. While this is a great way to promote your baby’s health through a diet rich in healthy greens, amino acids, and good fats, it can be harmful to your baby if you are not careful when using certain products or ingredients.

We have compiled a short list of key skincare ingredients that are best to avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding:

Retinoids

Salicylic acid

Other forms of beta hydroxy acids (BHA)

You can also find salicylic acid, retinol, and other ingredients listed below. Therefore, it is best to check out the key list on the packaging of your skincare products.

Retinoids

Retinol

Retinyl linoleate

Palmitate

Davreline

Lazarotene

Tasolac

Avacchi

When using beauty products, you will find that many ingredients are safe to use while breastfeeding. This is mainly because the product is applied topically and therefore does not enter the bloodstream. However, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or trained professional about the percentage of skin-friendly ingredients mixed into the formula.

Are AHAs and BHAs safe while breastfeeding?

Yes, you will find AHAs in almost all skincare products that are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is because many of them, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and vitamin C, work on the outer layer of the skin and cannot penetrate deeply into the lower layers of the skin due to their larger molecules. However, this is different with BHAs such as salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin to open up clogged pores and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It is one of the most effective ingredients for the skin, but has some side effects and can cause skin irritation and redness if not used correctly. Salicylic acid is also part of the aspirin family and should be completely avoided in high doses during pregnancy, but is considered safe in moderate amounts while breastfeeding.

If you want to use salicylic acid specifically to treat acne, I have put together some suggestions on the safest ingredients and short-term lifestyle changes while breastfeeding. For more information, see the section below.

How to Treat Acne While Breastfeeding?

Topical skincare formulas containing salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or benzoyl peroxide are the most effective and quickest ways to treat acne while breastfeeding, as long as you avoid contact with your baby while nursing or breastfeeding. It’s important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any skincare products to ensure the safety of you and your baby.

Perhaps you’ve had clear skin for most of your life (lucky you), but are now finding that your skin has changed, leaving you wondering how best to treat pimples or acne caused by the hormonal imbalances that are a big part of life during and after pregnancy. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some tips on how to combat annoying and unwanted blemishes without having to worry about skin-damaging ingredients.

Change Your Diet

This is easier said than done when you’ve just had a baby. Time is generally not on your side, but enriching your diet with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables will not only keep you energetic, healthy, and happy, but it will also increase milk production, giving you peace of mind knowing that your baby is getting all those good things, too.

You may also find that since retinol skincare isn’t safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you can substitute it with other products, such as:

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Carrots

Asparagus

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Mangoes

Apricots

Reducing your dairy and sugar intake may also reduce the appearance and frequency of acne, but don’t beat yourself up over that piece of chocolate cake you ate while your baby slept! We can all treat ourselves and get the rewards we deserve.

Get enough sleep

I know this may sound ridiculous considering how stressful it is to have a newborn. Here are some quick tips on how to get as much rest and care for your skin as possible while caring for a baby.

Avoid blue light 15 minutes before bed – set a time limit on your phone and avoid watching TV in bed. This will help you fall asleep faster.

Invest in a good nighttime mask that’s packed with antioxidants and other ingredients that work for your skin while you get some much-needed rest.

Write a list of tasks that need to be done the next day. This will help you clear your mind and stay organized, which will help you sleep better.

Eating fiber-rich foods like chickpeas and cereals can help you sleep more deeply.

These are just a few suggestions that can help you get enough sleep in the early days of your baby’s life. Don’t forget that you can always ask a family member or friend to watch your baby while you rest.

Best Skin Care Treatments

Acne light therapy is a very effective way to treat inflammation and breakouts without harming you or your baby. Blue and red light kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes acne and other forms of breakouts. Many salons and spas offer this treatment, so finding a trained beauty therapist shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll also find that combining these treatments with a good skincare routine that contains 2% or less of AHAs, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid will help you maintain the overall health and appearance of your skin. If you experience moderate to severe acne, it’s best to visit a dermatologist to get a prescription topical antibiotic.

We hope to have answered some of your questions today about salicylic acid and the best skincare ingredients for breastfeeding. Don’t forget to reach out to us on Instagram if you have any questions.

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.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected