Pregnant women should consult a doctor before beginning a skin-care regime.
Everyone is familiar with the saying that pregnant women have a glow to their skin. For most women, however, skin care remains an important daily regimen, despite what old sayings teach. Murad skin-care products are relatively popular, but when it comes to a baby's well-being, extra caution is always a good idea.
Murad Skin Care
Developed by Dr. Howard Murad, a board-certified dermatologist as well as a pharmacist and associate clinical professor of medicine in dermatology at UCLA, Murad skin-care products are designed to bring the quality of prescription skin care to drugstores and cosmetic stores. The regimen is three steps: cleanser, exfoliating gel and lotion.
Salicylic Acid
The main active ingredient in Murad's cleanser is salicylic acid. A beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid comes from willow tree bark. When taken orally it has been known to cause complications in pregnant women as well as birth defects. However, when applied topically, as the Murad cleanser is, one or two small doses a day are okay, according to the Baby Center website. Face and body peels, which contain greater concentrations, allow more salicylic acid absorption into the blood stream; the effect is similar to taking multiple aspirins, and should be avoided, it warns.
Retinol
Retinoids are a type of vitamin and can be found in the exfoliating gel. They speed up cell division, which leads to quicker skin renewal. Most commonly, retinol is used to decrease wrinkles. As with salicylic acid, it is considered safe in small doses when taken topically, according to Baby Center.
Glycolic Acid
Another main ingredient of the exfoliating gel is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid occurs naturally in fruits, sour milk and cane sugar and is used to smooth skin by loosening dead cells and decrease discoloration, such as age spots. The RN Guide to Skin Care states that as a type of alpha hydroxy acid, (AHA), glycolic acid occurs naturally in the body and is considered safe during pregnancy.
Consult a Doctor
With any pregnancy, it is important to check with a doctor before beginning a medical routine of any kind. Though the risks of the products are minimal at best, on his website, Murad advises consulting a doctor first.
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