Skincare: What you CAN’T use
In the two weeks that I have “known” I was pregnant, my paranoia has increased like whoa.
I am totally conscious of everything I put in my body (or don’t put, in the case of meds and Diet Coke). I run the other direction from chemical-y smells (you saw that one coming). I am drinking more water than I ever have, in my life, for fear Little Baby will shrivel up from dehydration (it could happen!).
What I was not expecting was for my paranoia to stretch into my beloved beauty cupboard.
But the first day of knowing I was pregnant, I picked up my usual ultra-strong, expensive, micro-powder, favourite skin-sloughing scrub … and then realized I had no idea if it was safe to use.
So I did a little Googling — which I have done approximately 9,000,000 times since knowing I was pregnant — and searched stuff like “pregnant skincare” and “what skincare to avoid while pregnant.”
Here’s what I learned, friends:
PRODUCT: Retinoids
THE SCOOP: These are a type of Vitamin A found in anti-aging products, because they help reduce wrinkles. Studies have shown that high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can be harmful to an unborn child.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? No.
PRODUCT: Salicylic acid, Beta hydroxy acid
THE SCOOP: This mild acid can be found in a number of cleansers, toners and peels. It can penetrate facial oils to get deep into pores and clean out dead skin cells. It is similar to taking more than one Aspirin.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? No.
PRODUCT: Soy skincare products
THE SCOOP: Soy-based lotions and facial produts are not dangerous, but they can make “the mask of pregnancy” (those dark splotches) even worse.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANCY? Technically safe.
PRODUCT: Hair removers
THE SCOOP: These lotions remove your hair chemically, and can be a good alternative to shaving when it’s tricky to see your legs.
THE SCOOP: These lotions remove your hair chemically, and can be a good alternative to shaving when it’s tricky to see your legs.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? Yes. The only risk is an allergy.
PRODUCT: Sunscreen
THE SCOOP: Some sunscreens penetrate your skin, and even those are deemed safe while pregnant. Some experts recommend titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, because they’re powerful and don’t penetrate your skin.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? Yes.
PRODUCT: Makeup
THE SCOOP: You should avoid cosmetics that contain retinol or salicylic acid (usually marketed as makeup for acne-prone skin). However, makeup marked as “noncomedogenic” (won’t clog pores) or “nonacnegenic” (won’t encourage acne) are safe to use.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? Yes, except for makeup that contains retinoids or salicylic acids.
SAFE WHILE PREGNANT? Yes, except for makeup that contains retinoids or salicylic acids.
Trouble with over-the-shoulder boulder holders
Thursday, October 8, 2009
5 WEEKS, 4 DAYS PREGNANT
I can’t think of a very delicate way to say this, but … my boobs hurt!
Like hurt. They have been tender — and hard-ish — for the last two weeks, but this morning they have been flat-out painful.
Darling Husband says I have “growing pains.” He is hilarious, that guy.
I admit that they are a bit bigger than usual — which is great, as I’m on the small-to-average-chested side to start — but I didn’t think the minor growth spurt was going to feel like this.
So I let my fingers do the Googling, and here’s what I’ve come up with:
- Breast tenderness usually happens around Week, 4, 5 and 6 (and goes away by Week 12)
- The pain? That’s the issue changing and more blood flowing to the area
- You can also expect the veins to become more visible, the nipples and areolae to become darker and larger
- It’s your body’s way of preparing to
become a feed shopmake milk - Most women gain at least one cup size
- The best cure is to buy new (bigger) thick-strapped cotton bras without underwire
Um, a bra without underwire? What am I, 11?
My current bras still fit, but something must be wrong if they’re hurting me like this. The horrible thing is that I don’t know where to shop for a bra without underwire. A “practical” plain cotton bra without push-up amazingness. I have only ever bought bras at La Senza. And I have only ever bought bras that take what I have and make it bigger/higher/better.
I know they sell icky cotton bras (in boxes!) with thick straps in places like Wal-Mart, but … how do you try them on? Do they expect you to take them out of the box? And what size I am now?
More importantly … ow, ow ow!
My nose knows!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
5 WEEKS, 2 DAYS PREGNANT
The heightened sense of smell has arrived!
It started last night, when Darling Husband and I were dining out for date night. He ordered a meat-loaded pizza, and the smell of sausage was overpowering. It made me feel a little green, and I wouldn’t touch it — which was just fine with him!
This morning, he hugged me after his shower, and I was repelled by the scent of his Irish Spring-y soap. I actually had to back away, it was so strong.
When I was in the elevator at work, I noticed that it reeked of coffee — something I have never noticed before.
Then, while meeting with our GM just before lunch, I could smell his deodorant!
I usually have a terrible sense of smell because of allergies, so this is very strange. Now, it feels like all of the smells in the world are just wafting through the air, and I can *sniff sniff* to detect them all.
This, of course, is not going to be good when some yahoo colleague brings stinky fish to work. Puke!
Pass the crackers
Monday, October 5, 2009
5 WEEKS, 1 DAY PREGNANT
They say that morning sickness can begin in the sixth week of pregnancy, and — whatddya know! — I started to feel sick this morning.
I placed crackers by the bed last night, so Little Dog and I munched on a few when the alarm went off — just in case. I thought I felt OK, but shortly after getting up, I just felt blah.
I got dressed and ready for work, but couldn’t help Darling Husband pack the lunches. I just perched on a kitchen stool, sipping Ginger Ale and eating more crackers. He kept suggesting items for lunch, but everything sounded gross. Even my mom’s chicken enchiladas — which were delish last night — made me feel green.
So what did we end up packing for me?
- Buttered roll (for breakfast)
- Saltine crackers
- 2 cans of Ginger Ale
- Homemade whole-wheat mac-and-cheese with broccoli
- 2 oatmeal cookies
- Goldfish crackers
Nothing like a little carbo-loading, huh? This does not bode well for me being a basketball girl.
It’s almost 2 p.m. now, and I’m feeling better. Am slowly, slowly nibbling the macaroni, and not feeling queasy anymore. It is a strange feeling knowing that you could — and most likely will — throw up at some point in the next couple of weeks.
I’m like a barf time bomb! I can do is calmly negotiate with the hostage (my stomach) and try to strike a deal (with soothing crackers and Ginger Ale), but I know it’s only a matter of time before it blows.
Phat-ness update
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
5 WEEKS, 3 DAYS PREGNANT
Is it possibly that my face is getting rounder already? Because it is.
ROUNDER, people!
When I tilt my head downward — even just slightly — it looks like I could be headed towards Double-Chin City. And that is a destination that no one wants to visit.
Speaking of roundness, my stomach is pretty sticky-outy, too. And intense Googling has told me that if your waist starts thickening faster than expected, it could mean you are carrying twins!
Of course, it could also mean I ate a donut an hour ago. Which I did.
The jury is out on the twinsies for now. Apparently even at five weeks, two distinct heartbeats can be detected, so I will have to wait until my eight-week appointment — and first heatbeat-hearing!!! — to find out.
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