Pregnancy Products For Mama
A few of founder, Dr. Pinkey Patel’s favorite products
With both of my pregnancies, I have been hyper-aware about what I put on my body. Why? Well, decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including, but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due, in some part, to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home. Also, the dynamic physiological changes that occur across the maternal-fetal-placental unit during pregnancy, influence the pharmacokinetic process of drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. This basically means drugs are absorbed and removed from your body at different rates in pregnancy.
There are more than 90,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don’t have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skincare and beauty industry. What’s worse is that the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics in the United States) does not have as much oversight as we think, therefore allowing companies to use chemicals known to be possibly harmful in the products we put on our bodies and on our kids’ bodies, and to make their own judgments about safety.
The United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938.
The products I used this pregnancy are EU (European Union) compliant. Why do I care about this? Over the past two decades, the EU has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned a handful, to date.
At Beautycounter, they’ve banned the use of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals through theirs.
As mamas, as soon as we become pregnant, we begin to think about the little life that we are creating, that depends on us. This is a simple way to begin a healthier regimen for both you and growing your baby.
I have personally used the products below and fell in love with them – not just because they are lacking the chemicals and “bad stuff” that other major brands haven’t yet banned, but because these products feel good. Being almost 38 weeks pregnant, I have had my spin with these products and gladly recommend them as they were great!
BeautyCounter Cleansing Balm – I love this multi-tasking balm/cleanser because it’s not just for cleaning. I also use it as a moisturizing overnight mask! For makeup cleaning, just take a little amount (seriously, a little goes a LONG way) and let it break down oils/dirt. Then you take dampened cloth to wipe it away, then rinse. If I use it overnight, I simply just put a small amount on and let it sit overnight, then wash away in the shower the next AM!
BeautyCounter Eye Cream – Pregnancy is tiring, especially with a toddler – so rescue eye cream is my jam. This is perfect for the AM or PM! It has squalane (derived from olives) and betaine (derived from sugar beets).
Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Rahua Voluminous Conditioner: I use this combo because the shampoo really feels like it cleans (no greasy feeling) and it contains antioxidants like beta carotene, vitamin C and E that can help keep the scalp hydrated. The conditioner doesn’t leave the hair greasy or too smooth. It has lavendar, eucalyptus, organic green tea, organic lemongrass and organic rosemary.
Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant: I have gone through my fair share of “clean” deodorants and trust me, not all work for everyone! At least for me, not many were effective! This is seriously one of the most refreshing (smells good) and effective formulations that I have used. It is aluminum free, goes on clear and naturally made with organic ingredients.
Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Tinted SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen: Summer pregnancy or not, sunscreen should be part of your regimen (even on cloudy days!). I opt for mineral sunscreens (this means they are made of ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) versus chemical sunscreens. The issue with mineral sunscreen, however, is that those types of sunscreens leave a grey overcast or a white residue. This one is amazing since it offers a tinted formulation that goes on lightly! The price point is also hard to beat. A few bonuses are that it contains hyaluronic acid, argan and rosehip oils!
MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Cleanser – This is also another steal, price wise that fits my bill for pregnancy safe. It is also goes above and beyond the EWG (environmental workgroup) verification process. I use this in the AM and sometimes in the PM!