Environ always recommends consulting with a Medical Professional and Skincare Professional for accurate personalised advice and recommendations on products and treatments during pregnancy.

Are you expecting and finding yourself with a whole new set of questions about your skincare routine?

During the extraordinary process of creating and nurturing a new life, a women’s body and skin may experience various effects of many endocrinological, immunological, metabolic, and vascular changes. Hormones play a particularly significant role in these transformations which are known to impact the skin’s appearance and health. Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, but it can also bring about some concerns when it comes to taking care of your skin. From the safety of certain ingredients to the best products to use during this period of change, navigating the world of pregnancy and skincare can feel overwhelming. To help you maintain a healthy-looking and radiant glow, here are some answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions on the topic.

The hormonal and physiological changes that come with pregnancy are unique. Expecting mothers experience dramatic increases in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which can have various influences on the skin. One of the most common skin changes during pregnancy is an increase in oil production – excess oil may lead to breakouts and even acne if you’re predisposed to the skin condition. Hormones may also trigger pigmentation changes, resulting in patches of skin discolouration, dark spots and melasma as well as increased sensitivity of the skin. Many pregnant women experience redness, irritation, and dryness.

When it comes to pregnancy skincare, it is vital to choose products that are safe for both you and your baby. As experts in professional skincare, Environ is frequently asked about the safety of applying skincare products containing vitamin A during pregnancy. Based on scientific facts, it is extremely unlikely that topical cosmetic vitamin A skincare products could pose a health risk or a risk to pregnancy because the active molecules are not absorbed into the bloodstream. This is not the same as taking vitamin A orally where absorption into the bloodstream is part of the natural biological process.

During December 2021, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety Commission in the EU concluded that vitamin A in cosmetics, at the specified regulated concentrations is safe. It is important to be mindful rather of vitamin A contributions from other sources such as food, food supplements, medicines etc.

In addition to these facts, it is important to know that cosmetic formulations are regulated around the world and Environ follows global cosmetic regulations. Every Environ product is evaluated by an independent regulatory body who issues a safety assessment. This is a requirement for products to ensure they are compliant with cosmetic regulations and safe for consumers. If for any reason, a product isn’t safe for use during pregnancy, the product will carry a warning to inform the consumer of this.

Environ’s essential skincare ranges; Ionzyme®, Original, and Body EssentiA® containing vitamin A are deemed safe to use during both pregnancy and lactation. However, during pregnancy, the skin’s response to cosmetics may change due to the hormonal changes taking place in the body. It is recommended that you use lower levels of vitamin A or discontinue the use of vitamin A if the skin is too sensitive, especially during the first trimester. If you have paused your daily vitamin A moisturiser during pregnancy or for a period, it is recommended that you re-introduce vitamin A at a low concentration and step up gradually under the guidance of your Skincare Professional.

If you’re an expecting mother and currently on medium to high levels of vitamin A, Environ recommends stepping down to lower levels of vitamin A, especially during the first trimester.

Read the full article on the safety of vitamin A in topical cosmetic skincare during pregnancy.