Why Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen is a Must for Expecting Moms

When you’re pregnant, you try to make the best dietary choices because you know that what you put in your body will affect your baby. However, what you put on your body can also impact your baby’s growth and development as ingredients in some personal care and skin products are absorbed by your skin and enter your bloodstream. The sooner you switch over to pregnancy-safe make-up and skincare products, the better it is because it reduces the risk of your baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals. A lot of women overlook their sunscreens so make sure that you swap out your regular sunscreen for a pregnancy-safe sunscreen.

Why Pregnancy-safe Sunscreens are a Must

All sunscreens can be divided into two main categories – mineral-based sunscreens and chemical-based sunscreens. Both types of sunscreens protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun but they do so in completely different ways. Mineral-based sunscreen uses minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that remain on the surface of your skin so that UV rays bounce off it, which keeps your skin protected. On the other hand, chemical-based sunscreens have chemicals that are absorbed into your skin so that when UV rays hit your skin, they are converted into heat and then released from your skin. Since chemical sunscreens are absorbed by your skin, some of the ingredients can also enter your bloodstream. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate are particularly bad for pregnant women because they are proven endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). As the name suggests, these interfere with the body’s hormones which can impact your little one’s growth and development. There are plenty of sunscreens in the market that claim to be safe for pregnant women but it’s best to compare the top pregnancy-safe sunscreens that have been vetted by experts to help you make an informed decision.

Would it be Safer to Skip Sunscreen?

Many moms who are worried about sunscreen, consider skipping it completely to “be on the safe side”. However, this is a terrible idea because you need to protect your skin from the sun, especially when you are pregnant. When you are pregnant, the changes in your hormone levels increase your skin’s sensitivity which can increase your risk of UV skin damage and sunburn. Pregnant women are also prone to hyperpigmentation, such as melasma (the “mask of pregnancy”), which can be exacerbated by unprotected sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), everyone should use sunscreen. This is not surprising when you consider that approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. Skipping sunscreen is not the answer; instead, you just need to make sure that you are using a pregnancy-safe sunscreen and reapplying it whenever required. If you are spending a day at the beach, make sure that you use a water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it according to the instructions on the label. According to FDA recommendations, you should limit the amount of time you spend in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.

Are ‘Homemade’ Sunscreens Pregnancy-Safe?

Absolutely not! Homemade skincare products like moisturizers and face packs have been gaining popularity in the last few decades and many of them work as well, if not better, than commercial cosmetic products. However, sunscreens play a vital role in sun protection and you cannot make a homemade sunscreen that offers the same benefits as a manufactured product. Sunscreen is not regulated as a cosmetic product; instead, the FDA regulates it under the “non-prescription drug” category – this means that manufacturers have to meet certain safety standards. A study on 15 homemade sunscreen recipes found online discovered that 3 of the recipes offered no sun protection at all. The remaining 12 offered very little protection as they had an SPF under 6 (the recommended SPF is 30 or higher. One of the dangers of using a homemade sunscreen is that you believe that it will offer you enough protection which drastically increases your risk of sunburn which can have a long-lasting impact on your skin.