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5 Beauty Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy

A growing number of studies show that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer. That is why, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, women should especially avoiding synthetic chemicals. Here is our list of top 5 most harmful agents:

Parabens are the most widely used preservative in cosmetics. Intended to stop the growth of bacteria in your products, they disrupt your endocrine system—chemicals that act like hormones and disrupt the reproductive system. They can build up in the body over time and have been associated with reproductive disorders in babies. That is why all Nine Naturals products are free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.

Sulfates are cleansing agents used to create soaps that foam and lather. Nitrosamines and 1.4-dioxane are the two primary culprits present within sulfates and have been labeled carcinogenic. Sulfates have also been shown to disrupt hormonal balance, incite reproductive and developmental problems and seriously pollute the environment. At Nine Naturals, we use a variety of citrus juice and oils--like those in our shampoos and conditioners--because they are natural cleansers that not only maintain your body’s natural balance, but helps improve move and reduce inflammation.

Phthalates are found in a wide variety of personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners and perfumes, and are often a component of fragrance in products. Exposure to phthalates is associated with hormone disruption, birth defects and endometriosis. Our Citrus + Geranium Soothing Body Wash will fill your shower with a fresh, floral aroma that not only calms you, but may even help alleviate pregnancy nausea!

BPA is a chemical commonly found in plastics mostly used for containers. Recent studies have shown BPA to cause developmental disorders, such as cancer, ADHD and asthma, in fetuses when pregnant women interact with the substance. Make sure you look for bottles that are BPA-free, as these chemicals can seep into the products the bottles were intended to hold.

Petrochemicals are made from natural gas liquid and crude oil often used in the manufacturing of plastics. What many people don’t realize is that petrochemicals are widely added to food, personal care products and household products. Because petrochemicals are known hormone disrupters and have been linked to causing many health problems, such as cancer, Nine Naturals’ moisturizing bodycare products only use non-toxic essential oils naturally-derived from plants.

The prevalence of these toxic chemicals may be overwhelming, but don’t worry! Staying educated on what to avoid and what natural ingredients are better substitutes will make the journey to a healthier lifestyle much easier. Whether it’s upgrading your beauty routine--try 7-free nail polish and all-natural mascara--or simply switching to glass from plastic, feel at ease knowing that you are creating a healthier, safer environment for mommy and baby.

Pregnant with her second baby, our CEO & Founder Grace Lee knows how important it is take care of what goes in and on your body during pregnancy. This week, Grace shares with you her 9 tips on how to "green" your pregnancy:

A touch of makeup or a spritz of perfume can be the perfect pick-me-up when you're pregnant and want to feel extra pampered. But are the products you're using safe for you and your baby?

According to the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, "American women use [an average of] 12 personal care products a day," meaning they're "likely to be exposed daily to 126 unique chemical ingredients in personal care products alone."

A growing number of studies have shown that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer.

Making simple and easy changes to your beauty routine will go a long way in helping detoxify your pregnancy.

1. Switch to sulfate-free haircare products.

Products with sulfates have the risk of being contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and nitrosamines, two known carcinogens. Opt for a natural, sulfate-free haircare routine that uses natural ingredients like coconut-derived soaps like Nine Naturals Citrus + Mint Nourishing Pregnancy Shampoo and Conditioner - the products are 100% plant-based, safe for pregnancy and the citrus and mint fragrance was specially designed to fight fatigue and nausea!

2. Use 100% natural sunscreen.

Safe sun protection is especially important for pregnant women. Due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, a woman's skin becomes extremely sensitive to the sun, which can lead to hyperpigmentation and/or malasma. However, many ingredients in drugstore sunscreens may be harmful to use during pregnancy, so choosing the right kind of sun protection is critical.

Protect your skin by using a broad-spectrum, 100% natural sunscreen that is rated SPF 30 or higher, including Nine Naturals Natural Sunscreen SPF 32, which features the non-toxic, non-nano natural mineral, zinc-oxide, as the primary ingredient to help protect your skin naturally.

3. Treat acne naturally.

Your body is doing some hard work and going through a dramatic physical transformation during pregnancy. For many women, this can result in acne. Treat it naturally by washing your face twice daily to keep your pores from clogging, minimizing your dairy and sugar intake, exercising to help detoxify your skin and using natural makeup products.

4. Opt for aluminum-free deodorant.

Many pregnant women report an increase in body odor during pregnancy and a heightened sense of smell (which can also give the impression of increased body odor). Most over the counter antiperspirants and deodorants contain aluminum, which studies have been linked to developmental defects such as behavioral and neurological issues. Combat body odor safely and naturally by using Nine Naturals Unscented Natural Deodorant.

5. Moisturize twice daily to keep stretch marks at bay.

Dry, itchy skin is a common discomfort during pregnancy as not only bellies, but hips, thighs and breasts expand and stretch the skin. Moisturize twice a day with products that use organic and natural butters and plant oils, such as Natural Belly Oil and Vanilla + Geranium Replenishing Belly Butter. These natural ingredients have powerful moisture retention and healing properties to keep your skin soft and nourished!

6. Drink water.

Beauty comes from the inside and out, so drink up! In addition to supporting your skin's health, drinking water will maintain hydration and help promote your energy levels and positive mood. It'll also keep skin hydrated and help prevent those pesky stretch marks.

7. Ditch the nail polish.

Many nail polishes contain potentially harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, all of which have been linked to cancer and developmental disorders. Ditch the polish and buff your nails for shine. If you can't part with your weekly mani/pedi, use pregnancy-safe nail polish brands that are "five-free," meaning formulated without dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and camphor.

8. Skip the hair dye.

The question of coloring your hair when pregnant has been a debate among mothers and medical experts for years. Hair dyes contain questionable chemicals that can be absorbed into the skin or inhaled, including coal tar, ammonia and PPD. For these nine months, embrace you natural hair color and get creative with fun hairstyles.

9. Make sure your perfume is safe.

Fragrances can contain a slew of chemicals that you want to avoid during pregnancy, including phthalates and musk. However, that doesn't mean that you have to forgo spritzing your skin with a scent. Use an all-natural perfume that's crafted from steam-distilled essential oils and doesn't contain parabens, phthalates, synthetics, propylene glycol or dyes.

Our Nine Naturals Founder, Grace Lee, was featured in FitBump360's article on which ingredients should be avoided and which should be embraced. Read the interview below!

Article & Photo courtesy of FitBump360

Grace Lee, founder of the natural hair- and bodycare brand Nine Naturals, knows just how it feels to, as a pregnant woman, stare down an aisle of products and cosmetics and feel utterly paralyzed. “It’s crazy that you basically need a degree in chemistry in order to understand what is on an ingredients label,” she says. To simplify things, we asked her a few questions to help get to the bottom of what we should and shouldn’t use—and why.

Q: Let’s start with the bad stuff. What ingredients should we avoid?

A: While pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend avoiding synthetic chemicals, especially the five listed below. Why? A growing number of studies show that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer.

• Parabens are the most widely used preservative in cosmetics. Intended to stop the growth of bacteria in your products, they are endocrine disruptors—chemicals that act like hormones and disrupt the reproductive system. They can build up in the body over time and have been associated with reproductive disorders in babies.
• Sulfates are cleansing agents used to create soaps that foam and lather. Nitrosamines and 1.4-dioxane are the two primary culprits present within sulfates and have been labeled carcinogenic. Sulfates have also been shown to disrupt hormonal balance, incite reproductive and developmental problems and seriously pollute the environment.
• Phthalates are found in a wide variety of personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners and perfumes, and are often a component of fragrance in products. Exposure to phthalates is associated with hormone disruption, birth defects and endometriosis.
• BPA is a chemical commonly found in plastics mostly used for containers. More importantly, BPA can seep into the product it holds. Recent studies have shown BPA to cause developmental disorders, such as cancer, ADHD and asthma, in fetuses when pregnant women interact with the substance.
• Petrochemicals are made from natural gas liquid and crude oil and are used to create a slew of raw materials, including all plastics. What many people don’t realize is that petrochemicals are also added to food, personal care products and household products. Though widely used, petrochemicals are known hormone disrupters and have been linked to causing many health problems, such as cancer.

Q: On the flip side, what natural ingredients should we shoot for?

A: We believe in creating products that are not only safe and natural, but also high performing. Some of our favorite natural ingredients include:

• Vitamin E: Isolated from vegetable oil, vitamin E works as an important antioxidant. It conditions and moisturizes skin and has been shown in studies to help prevent stretch marks when used during pregnancy. We use it in all of our skincare products.
• Argan Oil: High in vitamin E and linolenic acid, argan oil is wonderful for moisturizing the skin and hair. Ours is sourced from a woman’s collective in Morocco. It is a prime ingredient in our Mandarin + Ginger Restorative Conditioner.
• Broccoli Seed Oil: This oil is a natural replacement for silicone/dimethicone. It is an amazing emollient loaded with omega-9s that makes your hair and skin feel great. We use it in our conditioners and skin creams.
• Cupuaçu Butter: Packed with an array of rich compounds, including omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and phytosterols, cupuaçu butter helps to balance skin’s natural moisture levels. We use it in our products that focus on restoring moisture in the skin and hair.
• Coconut Oil–Derived Soaps: Soaps that are naturally derived from coconut oil are gentle cleansers that clean well without overdrying your skin or hair. We use them in our Citrus + Geranium Soothing Body Wash.

Q: All great to know. Any parting words of wisdom for moms and moms-to-be interested in learning more about the products they use?

A: My best advice is to find brands that they trust are maintaining high standards for developing products and that provide full transparency on their ingredients listings. They should start to read labels and begin to educate themselves on ingredients to avoid. The five I listed above are a good start since they are so ubiquitous among beauty products.

Kim Kardashian just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to news surrounding her pregnancy or her recent weight gain due to her pregnancy. Tabloids have been less than kind to Kim about her fuller figure. Star magazine has gone as far as calling Kim’s 65-pound weight gain as “nightmare”.

And that’s only the start of it.

In Touch also has been claiming Kim is eating uncontrollably while at the same time putting herself on a grueling diet while pregnant, giving the suggestion that she may be a bad mother.

Ever since Kim Kardashian announced her pregnancy, she’s been living life underneath the microscope of public scrutiny. Sure, some may argue that Kim falls into one of those categories of people that welcome press, both good and bad, but there’s definitely a point when enough is enough. Celebrity or not, Kim deserves a little space, does she not?

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