BEAUTYDIRECTORY — BD's guide to pregnancy-safe mum & baby care

With so much going on during pregnancy, skincare and beauty regimes may fall by the wayside; however, it's important to know what's safe for skin both during and after pregnancy. And let's not forget baby skin as well! To make things a little easier, BD has broken down the top skin concerns for mother and baby, and with some expert advice thrown in, here's our guide to pregnancy-safe mum and baby care. 

Concern: Safe ingredients Lullaby Skincare founder Kirsty Gow-Gates understands the pressures to find safe ingredients for baby skincare, saying: experts say up to 60 percent of what goes on your baby's skin is absorbed into their bloodstream within minutes.

Babies and children are at greater risk to the dangers of carcinogens (toxic ingredients), and that infants up to age two are, on average, ten times more vulnerable to carcinogenic chemicals than adults; and for some cancer-causing agents are up to 65 times more vulnerable. She notes that key ingredients to look out for and avoid are: Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, PPG's, Dye, Petroleum, Triclosan, Bisphenol A (BPA), and Formaldehyde Donars. 

Why? Chemicals such as preservatives, formaldehyde, and parabens used in creams may build up in baby's skin and disrupt the natural hormones in baby's body. This may cause growth and reproductive problems as well as disrupt normal endocrine functioning. With the immune system at such an early developing stage, skin rashes may easily be caused by harsh skincare products.

Products recommended:

• Lullaby Calming Body Wash
• First Light Organics Baby Moisturiser 

BD's guide to pregnancy-safe mum & baby care | By Zoe Holloway