Skincare Ingredients to Avoid For Breastfeeding Moms
Understanding ingredients in skincare is important to a breastfeeding mother. What one applies to the skin absorbs into the bloodstream and may affect this precious milk that your baby depends on. Some skincare ingredients, especially those applied on or near the chest, may pass into breast milk or transfer directly to your baby's very sensitive skin during feeding.
Although your body has some defenses, like the Blood-Milk Barrier, to help filter out harmful substances, it is not a perfect shield. Some chemicals will find a way into your system, hence ingredient awareness. A baby's skin may also be so sensitive and react to substances that were applied on the chest, neck, or stomach.
At Oh Hello Bae, we are committed to providing results-driven, breastfeeding-friendly skincare.
Here's how we address some of the most common unsafe skincare ingredients with effective and safe alternatives.
1. Retinoids (Vitamin A Derivatives)
Why Avoid: Retinoids, such as retinol and tretinoin, are one of the most effective ingredients in skincare, but can be absorbed into the bloodstream and may enter your breast milk, where they could cause developmental problems for your baby.
Our Alternatives: If you're looking for an anti-aging solution, our Antioxidant Velvet Dew Drops and Bounce Baby Probiotic Face Milk offer deep hydration, repair, and renewal of the skin without the risks associated with retinoids.
If you have acne, our Acne Eraser Spot Treatment is a safe, effective way to target blemishes while keeping safety in mind during breastfeeding.
2. Hydroquinone
Why Avoid: This skin-lightening agent has a high absorption rate and limited safety data for breastfeeding mothers.
Our Alternative: Brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation safely with our Glow Gorgeous Vitamin C Serum. Rich in antioxidants, this serum even-tones the skin and increases its radiance without any harm from harsh chemicals.
3. High-Strength Salicylic Acid
Why Avoid: Salicylic acid concentrations higher than 2% are too strong for breastfeeding mothers since it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Our Alternative: We use natural AHAs and BHAs in our Acne Eraser Blemish Treatment for gentle exfoliation, effectively improving skin texture and clarity while being safe for breastfeeding moms.
4. Chemical Sunscreens with Unsafe Filters
Why Avoid: Filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate can penetrate the skin and disrupt hormones, potentially affecting milk production or your baby.
Our Alternative: Our sunscreens feature Tinosorb S, a photostable UV filter that doesn't penetrate the skin. It provides broad-spectrum sun protection, ensuring both you and your little one are safe.
5. Synthetic Fragrances
Why Avoid: Fragrances often contain phthalates and other hidden chemicals that can irritate your baby's sensitive skin or disrupt hormones.
Our Alternative: All Oh Hello Bae products are completely fragrance-free, making them safe for close skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
6. Parabens and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Why Avoid: These preservatives are potential endocrine disruptors and can irritate both mom's and baby's skin.
Our Alternative: We avoid these chemicals in all our formulations, ensuring every product is as gentle and safe as possible.
Why Choose Oh Hello Bae for Your Skincare Needs?
Oh Hello Bae understands the great importance of safe and efficient skincare during breastfeeding. Because of this, our products avoid fragrances, harsh chemicals, parabens, or even unsafe filters.
From brightening with our Glow Gorgeous Vitamin C Serum to safe UV protection with Tinosorb S, each product is designed with mom and baby in mind. Want anti-aging? Antioxidant Velvet Dew Drops or Bounce Baby Probiotic Face Milk are for you. Acne? The Acne Eraser Spot Treatment has got you covered.
With Oh Hello Bae, you can confidently take care of your skin while embracing this precious time with your baby. Your skin deserves the best: safe, gentle, effective.