Beauty Care Do’s and Dont’s...for Fertility and Pregnancy

by Dr. Gabrielle Francis March 08, 2024

Skin and Beauty Care are important parts of our self-care and self-love rituals. These rituals are especially important while you are in the “baby making” or “baby baking “stages…That is Fertility and Pregnancy. Fertility Enhancement and Pregnancy may also create hormone changes that affect the skin both positively and negatively. It is important to take a look at the Skin Care ingredients and choose ingredients that are nourishing the Skin and Not harmful or toxic to the baby.

Besides being Beautiful, what are the Functions of the Skin?

The Skin is the largest organ of the body and it has 3 main functions:

The skin is an immune barrier and it protects our blood stream from toxins that may enter. In this case, the skin is like our border wall letting in the good things and protecting us from toxins and infections.

The Skin is also an absorptive layer. Most things that are put on the skin enter the circulatory system through absorption. Therefore, the things we put on our skin are perceived by the body as Food. Is that health food or junk food?

The Skin is also an organ of elimination. Our body eliminates toxins through the Gut, Liver, and Kidneys and these are then released in our Stool and Urine. However, if the Gut, Liver and Kidneys are not able to detox properly, we will see toxins eliminated through the skin. This may present as rashes or even acne. The skin naturally eliminates toxins through sweating. Sweating is the number one way that our body eliminated heavy metals and pesticides.

With the understanding of these 3 concepts, it is best to consider that anything that you are going to use on the skin and hair must be good enough to eat.

What goes on the body, goes in the body.

It must be organic, absorbable, non-toxic and nutritious to you body. This is always important. It is even more important during pregnancy and while prepping for pregnancy.

Fertility and Pregnancy is an opportunity to reframe the way the way you perceive and care for your body. Think of your body as the Garden that little Junior is going to be growing in. You want that Garden to be full of nutrients and organic foods. You don’t want chemicals, pesticides and toxins to be polluting the garden…especially when you are prepping for or growing a baby. Your health at the point of conception is the starting point for the baby. Therefore, everything you do to improve your wellness inside and out has an impact on the health of your new family.

SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS

ORGANIC OIL BASES:

Using organic oils is not only amazing for your skin, hair and beauty, but it is wonderful for nourishing the Garden with Healthy fats and Omega Oils. The Omega Oils help to balance your hormones, plump up and hydrate the skin and make the hair luxurious. They are also the most important thing to help the development of the baby’s brain, immune and nervous system.

OILS to USE for FERTILITY and PREGNANCY:

Chia and Hemp Oils:

Provide the Omega 3 Fatty acids with nourish the cells, skin, and hair. They help reduce inflammation and they help to balance the blood sugar. They are also essential for hormone balance. For the baby they are game changers in Neurological and Immune Development.

Argan Oil, Marula and Moringa: T

These oils are very high in vitamin E and various skin and hair quenching anti-0xidants. They all have great benefits for acne and inflammation.

Coconut Oil and SHEA:

Both are high in MCT oils which are great for blood sugar balance, Heart health and brain health. Coconut oils is also high in monolaurin and that is protective against yeast and viruses.

Olive Oil: High in Omega 9 fatty acids and rich in Oleic acid which is a natural anti-microbial a great for heart health. One that is safe for pregnancy.

Pomegranate and Prickly Pear Seed Oil:

These actually help with fertility and improve the egg quality and reserve. Most of the Oils that come from Fruit Seeds have this benefit.

Other good oils to consider for skin care bases during pregnancy are: Avocado, Almond, Pomegranate, Sunflower Seed and Sesame Oils.

OILS to AVOID for FERTILITY and PREGNANCY:

Castor Oil:

Castor Oil is extremely moving and detoxify. I don’t recommend it while trying to get pregnant or if pregnant as it has potential to cause Miscarriage from its strong cleansing and downward action. The only time that I recommend castor oil is during the Delivery to help induce labor. Otherwise: Avoid completely!

Petroleum and Mineral Oil bases. These Oils are byproducts of the petroleum industry. They are non-absorbable, and they are Endocrine Disruptors.

ESSENTIAL OILS:

Essential Oils are concentrated and distilled extracts from the plants that give it it’s strong scent. They are wonderful natural anti-microbials and they act as the Immune system of the plant. But being all natural does not make them all safe during pregnancy nor ideal for fertility. Some of the essential oils are very high in vitamin A or they are may affect hormones. Some of the essential oils are very moving and have a downward action which has the potential to cause miscarriage and abortion.

Essential Oil for Pregnancy and Fertility

SAFE LIST of ESSENTIAL OILS to use while Pregnant:

(You can use them in carrier oils on the skin, as scents in baths, or in an aromatherapy diffuser for inhalation.)

Bergamot

Cedar

Cypress

Eucalyptus

Geranium

Jasmine

Lemon

Mandarin

Neroli

Orange

Palmarosa

Patchouli

Peppermint

Rose

Rosemary

Sandalwood

Spearmint

Tangerine

Tea Tree

Vetiver

This is not a complete list, but it is a list of popular ones in products and consumption.

ESSENTIAL OILS to AVOID during Fertility and Pregnancy:

Anise

Basil

Birch

Camphor

Clary Sage

Frankincense

Hyssop

Mug wort

Myrrh

Parsley

Pennyroyal

Rue

Sage

Tansy

Tarragon

Thuja

Thyme

Wintergreen

Wormwood

VITAMINS and MINERALS in SKIN CARE:

Most vitamins and minerals in skin care are great. They may be in either fruit and/or nut/seed sources. They may also be added into products individually.

The Highly Beneficial vitamins are Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Magnesium.

Vitamin A must be strictly avoided during fertility and pregnancy times. Vitamin A and its derivatives are teratogenic (may cause birth defects) and they are in most synthetic acne formulas. So, look for Retinae, Retinoic Acid and other Vitamin A Derivatives.

CHEMICALs to AVOID during Fertility and Pregnancy:

Endocrine Disruptors are a big concern in skin care. They can be found in food, air, water and soil. These synthetic chemicals have estrogenic activity and may disrupt our hormones leading to many hormonal imbalance and diseases. It is imperative these chemicals in food, water, air, skincare, and lifestyle. Get to know these ingredients! And make choices in your Beauty and Skin Care Products that are healthy and free of these harmful chemicals.

Endocrine Disruptors are the 3 P’s:

Pesticides

Plastics

Petroleum

Look for these names and AVOID:

Parabens

Phlatates

Synthetic Colors

Synthetic Fragrance

Sodium Laurel Sulfate

In conclusion, Fertility Preparation and Pregnancy are wonderful times to begin a health and wellness journey that affects your body, your baby and your new family. Your health at the point of conception has a great impact on the health of your child. Just as you would want to eat healthy organic foods to prepare your body for a baby or to feed the baby in utero…. You want to consider that your skin and beauty care are also foods. Are they providing you nutrients and natural fertilizers? Or are they adding toxins to your Garden?

Understanding that

“What goes on your body goes in your body”

-begins now.

For a deeper look at your Skin and Beauty Care products and to see how they rate, I recommend the Environmental Working Group’s Site:

SKIN DEEP: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Beauty Products for pregnancy and fertility

The adventure to a beautiful you from the inside out is an adventure that will impact the health of you, your child and your new family. Enjoy the discovery and confidence that comes from Beauty Care that Nourishes you like Health Food!