Cosmetics: which ones to choose during pregnancy?

First and foremost, you will find the active ingredients that deliver the desired effect on the skin, such as hydration or anti-ageing action. 

Next come the excipients, which are essential for protecting the properties of the active ingredients and preventing their degradation. 

Finally, a range of additives may be added, such as preservatives, texturing agents, colourings or fragrances.

Specific contraindications for pregnant women must be taken into account. For example, retinol, also known as vitamin A, must be avoided as it is teratogenic, meaning it can interfere with the proper development of the foetus and thus cause malformations in the baby. In addition, every stage of maternity and pregnancy is different and requires particular care.

You hear all sorts of conflicting opinions about essential oils. For the sake of simplicity, they are often entirely prohibited during pregnancy. Yet some essential oils are perfectly compatible with pregnancy — such as citrus oils — even when used neat (provided the indicated dosages are respected). On the other hand, essential oils such as palmarosa or peppermint, for example, should be strictly avoided. For greater clarity, do not hesitate to consult the work of the leading authority on the subject, Danièle Festy. Finally, it is worth knowing that most recommendations are given for neat use, whereas in cosmetic products, essential oils are present in very small amounts (generally less than 1% of the total formula), which further limits any "risks".

In recent years, an increasing number of so-called organic and accessible cosmetics have appeared on the market — but is this really the answer? Organic certification guarantees stricter standards, such as the use of natural ingredients, the exclusion of certain chemical components, and respect for the environment. That said, beware of greenwashing and misleading claims. Look out for recognised labels such as Ecocert and Cosmos.  

Organic is better, but it is not a guarantee of a safe product. It is worth knowing that for the Cosmos label, for example, only a minimum of 20% of the total composition needs to be organic. It is therefore equally important to choose products with at least 50% organic composition. Finally, the cost of these certifications should not be overlooked: an artisan, locally made product may meet the same standards without carrying these labels. Opting for artisan products with natural, minimal ingredient lists could therefore also be a viable solution.

Summer is here and the question of sun cream is bound to come up, isn't it? There is very little innovation in this area, making it virtually impossible today to find a sun cream with a truly clean formulation. Even when it is not stated, there may still be nanoparticles, for example. That said, do watch out for pregnancy mask! UV protection (both UVB and UVA) should not be overlooked either, as pregnancy is the most vulnerable period. The best approach is to find the right balance between efficacy and formulation. When choosing a sun cream, it is preferable to avoid so-called chemical organic filters and opt for mineral filters instead. And of course, it goes without saying that the best thing is to avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during the hours when the sun is at its strongest!

Sun cream with the cleanest formulation to try: Comme Avant.