Pregnancy is such a wonderful time in a woman’s life, even though it comes with many dietary restrictions, as well as the need to be weary of certain personal product ingredients. For some women, making the adjustment to healthier alternative beauty and self-care products may seem effortless, while to some, it may come as a challenge. If you are one of those that are having trouble sourcing out beauty and personal care products that are safe during pregnancy, I’ve compiled a short list of safer staples and must haves for you to try. Enjoy!
Deodorant:
Deodorant is without a doubt a permanent staple in our self-care routine, pregnant or not. The conventional deodorants that you find at Walmart and Shoppers, however, usually contain harmful ingredients such as aluminum, fragrance, butane, and parabens (just to name a few).
What we have to keep in mind, when applying these conventional deodorants to our bodies, is that the harmful ingredients of which they are comprised are absorbed through the skin. When these toxic ingredients are absorbed, they can wreak havoc in your body over time. For instance, parabens have the ability to mimic estrogen, which can lead to breast cancer. Butane (commonly found in aerosol deodorants), has been linked to cancer and reproductive issues. In addition, aluminum “plugs” our sweat ducts, causes inflammation, and can mutate our cells leading to cancer growth. This is why we always have to read the labels and ensure our deodorant is made of the safest ingredients possible for the sake of maintaining the optimal health of our bodies, and for baby too!
Swap out the Secret or Dove deodorant you’re probably used to purchasing for Lafes. I’ve experimented with many natural deodorants before, and this one is a winner. I’ve been using this particular one for a couple of years now, and I keep re-purchasing it. I like this specific deodorant because it is free of so many irritants and toxic chemicals (gluten, mineral oil, aluminum, sulphates, dyes, etc.). It’s made with natural organic ingredients, and the scent is a combination of essential oils. I know there are a lot more deodorants that I haven’t tried, but so far this one hasn’t given me any reason to start experimenting again!
Toothpaste:
Another staple in everyone's self-care routine is toothpaste, but you may wonder what’s lingering in such a seemingly benign product. Fluoride. Studies have proven that when pregnant women use toothpaste containing fluoride and/or fluoridated water, their babies suffer the negative consequences of hampered neurological development. In my opinion, just because something is common, doesn’t make it safe. Unfortunately, fluoride has the ability to accumulate in the body having a negative impact on our kidneys. Also, using toothpaste containing fluoride over time can lead to a browning of the teeth called fluorosis, and inhibit proper thyroid function, among other detrimental effects.
In light of the above, the safest thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to purchase toothpaste sans fluoride, replacing that tube of Colgate with Tom’s of Maine or Jason. Although Tom’s of Maine or Jason brands do give the option of fluoride free and fluoridated versions, even their fluoridated versions have an overall ingredient list that is safer than their conventional counterparts. For example, they use a much healthier sweetener (xylitol) compared to aspartame (which is known to contribute to many health problems including cancer).
As a side note: it is especially important to purchase fluoride-free toothpaste for children, as they don’t completely grasp the concept of spitting out after they brush their teeth, and they end up swallowing their toothpaste. Both of these brands make toothpaste for children and “toddlers in training.”
Nail Polish:
We can all agree that us pregnant ladies like to feel pampered during our pregnancies, and for some of us that may include getting the occasional manicure and pedicure done. While this is a great way to pamper yourself once in a while, just be mindful of the nail polish you choose to apply, because there are a few toxins you’d definitely want to avoid during your pregnancy (and maybe just in general!). Most conventional nail polishes contain toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). What you need to know, however, is that DBP can disrupt hormone production in a fetus, toulene can contribute to headaches, (among other negative consequences) and formaldehyde can lead to respiratory issues and even cancer.
MOOV cosmetics is a great Canadian line of nail polishes that are carefully formulated to eliminate these toxins and even more! I don’t frequently paint my nails, but when I do, pregnant or not - this is the brand I confidently always use. They even make a safer nail polish remover, too! It’s definitely a brand worth checking out.
This is by no means an extensive list of alternative personal care and beauty products, but ones that I thought would be the most popularly used during pregnancy. I hope these alternatives are a helpful start to finding safer self-care and beauty goodies for yourself during this wonderful time in your life- pregnancy!
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