When you’re pregnant, it can feel like there’s a never-ending list of things you can’t do, consume, or even be around (trampolines, hot tubs, peroxide hair dye, gel nails, cat litter, the list goes on!). There are so many random ingredients that can be harmful to the baby, or even certain pressure points that can supposedly send you into early labor (which means massages are much more boring these days). Consulting the internet can leave you feeling like you should be walking around in a hyperbaric bubble, and figuring out what to do beauty-wise while pregnant is an added headache. While you could end up avoiding everything under the sun if you listened to all the conflicting advice, fortunately there are so many great natural beauty brands today that offer products that are much safer to use while pregnant. Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not swearing off my old beauty standbys completely – I still use my favorite primer, lipsticks and certain skincare products – but I’m so happy to have more options for skincare, makeup, nail polish and even haircare products that are less toxic for myself and my baby.
I’ve handpicked some of my favorite organic and natural beauty products out there on the market right now. While some of these products aren’t completely toxin free, they are much more better options for mums-to-be who might be looking to avoid certain ingredients. I’m no doctor, so please consult yours if you have any questions regarding what is safe for you and your baby. Even if you’re not pregnant, we could all do with using more natural ingredients. Shop my picks below!
Makeup:
You’d be surprised how much of your favorite makeup products are full of nasty ingredients like parabens, talc, and other harmful chemicals. Since you do absorb chemicals through your skin, it may be worth thinking about using more natural makeup products while pregnant (or even if you’re not!).
Skincare:
Same as above – once I started becoming more aware of the ingredients in my skincare, I was surprised how many cleansers and the like contained parabens! You use these products so close to your eyes and mouth, so I feel like it’s best to use natural ingredients in these areas. Since being pregnant, I prefer products that are more gentle on my hormonally-sensitive skin.
Nails:
This is one thing I’m really sticking to while pregnant – I will only use nontoxic nailpolish brands (like Cote and Butter London), which means no gel-manis for me. Most nail varnishes (gel and otherwise) contain toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer, asthma in children, leukemia and more. Doesn’t seem like something we should be putting on our bodies, regardless of being pregnant or not.
Haircare:
I’ve been using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners for a while now as they can tend to strip your hair of its natural oils and dry it out, and I’m so happy that there are more and more haircare brands are removing parabens and phthalates from their products as well. These chemicals have been linked to cancer and even hormonal/reproductive problems, and you’d be surprised how prevalent they are in so many of the products we use today.
What I’m Wearing: Jacket by Misa Los Angeles, Jeans by Seraphine, T Shirt (similar here), Shades by Carrera, Bag by Barrineau, Earrings by Rebecca De Ravenel (different color here)
xx,
Hello Louise.
Where do you find that nailpolish Butter London? Do you know if it is available in Europe?
Thank you.
Best wishes for the little one.