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Are clay masks safe during pregnancy?
When carrying a bun in the oven, our bodies are constantly changing. Raging hormones are the norm, and there may be an increase in anxiety and concerns about our health and the health of the baby.
These issues not only affect our mental and emotional health, but they can also affect our skin!
Below I will cover some of the basics of skin care, beauty products, and pregnancy, and how clay masks play a part.
In summary, FAQ:
What happens to my skin during pregnancy?
Your skin may become more sensitive, even to products you normally love. That’s because hormonal imbalance may cause breakouts and additional stress. Try: swapping out products with harsh chemicals for more organic and natural ones is recommended.
Should I use a clay mask if I’m pregnant?
Clays are 100% organic and all natural, derived from the earth. A dry clay powder that doesn’t have any other added ingredients might work for you. A clay mask will remove oils, toxins and dirt trapped in your pores.
What skincare products should I avoid while pregnant?
A rule of thumb is to avoid ingredients like retinoids or vitamin A derivatives, ammonia, salicylates, dihydroxyacetone, phthalates, formaldehyde, toluene and certain essential oils.
Before we begin, know that I’m not a doctor, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about new skincare products while you are pregnant.
Removing anything unnatural from your skin is going to be healthy for yourself as well as your little one.
So let’s unpack what that means.
What does skincare during pregnancy look like?
Pregnant women often have an increase in oil secretion and see breakouts on their face, especially on the jawline, chin and cheeks. This is the normal location for hormonal acne.
In fact, acne can be one of the first signs of pregnancy.
One positive aspect of this is that we may make it a point to evaluate our skincare routine when we are expecting. Not just for the purpose of beauty, but also for overall health reasons.
A common question is “Are clay masks safe during pregnancy?”
Unfortunately, there is not much research available on this subject. But that makes sense—the risk factors involving the health of the fetus, as well as the mom-to-be is just too high.
Most doctors and dermatologists do have a standard recommendation though, and that is to err on the side of caution.
The best way to care for yourself and your baby on the way is to use natural and organic products and avoid harsh chemicals, especially those applied topically.
Is it safe to use face masks during pregnancy? If so, what kind?
There are quite a few different types of clay masks available for use today. The most common are clay masks and sheet masks, so I will focus on these two.
Sheet masks are very popular in the Korean and asian skincare markets right now. Although these may seem simple and fun, they may not be very hygienic. Recently there has been some information exposing unsanitary conditions during the packaging process of these masks.
Also, exactly what is in those things?
It varies from mask to mask, but many of them have chemicals and unnatural materials.
Because clay is natural and derived from the earth and plant materials, it is generally considered to be the safest kind of mask to use during pregnancy.
Pregnant women have much higher likelihood of having sensitive skin due to allergens and environmental factors. Even products that you normally use may upset your skin! So sticking with something that has one or very few ingredients will always be gentler on the skin.
Clay to the rescue!
Why should I use a clay mask during pregnant?
Skincare is an important part of any healthcare regiment, especially for expectant mothers. Some women may experience a skin brightening during pregnancy, while others will have increased sensitivity due to hormonal increase.
To prevent and combat any issues due to a blossoming belly, gentle cleansing and exfoliation is recommended to keep the skin healthy. Exfoliation doesn’t require harsh chemicals, however. There are numerous ways to naturally shed dead skin cells from the face, and clay is my favorite!
Using clay during pregnancy is an excellent way to wash away impurities in your skin. The clay connects itself to oils, toxins and dirt trapped within your face’s pores and gets removed along with the clay.
The best thing you can do for your own health as well as your bundle of joy is to use naturally derived products and materials on your body. Clay checks those boxes!
What is the best pregnancy clay mask?
All natural products with no “nasty” ingredients are definitely the safest products to use during pregnancy. Clay masks draw out impurities from air pollution, dirt and heavy metals from your skin, leaving it soft and smooth.
You can use all the types of clay while pregnant. Match the clay that you choose to best suit your current skin type.
The most popular types of clay are:
- Bentonite (I prefer calcium bentonite)
- French green clay
- Rhassoul clay
- Kaolin clay
- Pink Clay (a type of kaolin clay)
- Fullers earth clay
- Diatomaceous earth
You can try 4 types of these clay powders in our facial clay assortment pack.
**Important, make sure you are always purchasing cosmetic grade clay. This clay has been tested to make sure it doesn’t contain any unwanted contaminants.**
Kaolin clay is one of my favorite clays. It is a silky, fine powder rich with minerals and is found in warm, humid regions. This clay is known for being the gentlest on skin and does an excellent job of cleansing, reducing excess shine, and improving circulation.
Here are 4 of my favorite kaolin clay masks recipes are:
If you are looking to cut the harsh soaps from your skincare routine, kaolin also makes a wonderful daily cleanser.
The overall benefits of clay are excellent, and since it is all natural, is one of the best materials to use during pregnancy. The science behind how clay works should also put your mind at ease for how this natural clay works.
What skincare ingredients should I avoid while pregnant?
During pregnancy there are a number of things you should avoid ingesting as well as using topically. (Goodbye, sushi and cold-cuts)
Most important is keeping our bodies safe and toxin free during pregnancy. And what we put ON our bodies can be just as important as what we put IN them.
There are endless lists of things people suggest to avoid, but when it comes to skincare, here are some of the top “nasties”:
- Retinoids or Vitamin A derivatives
- Ammonia (commonly found in hair dyes)
- Salicylates, including anything with salicylic acid
- Dihydroxyacetone (found in ake tanners)
- Phthalates/formaldehyde/toluene (mostly in perfumes and nail polishes)
- Certain essential oils (camphor, peppermint extract, and mint oil to name a few)
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can throw us for a loop. Including our skin and beauty regiment! If you find yourself more sensitive to the products you normally use, consider swapping out your once-loved creams and lotions for ones with more holistic ingredients.
Clay masks for pregnancy may be a great addition to an all natural approach to your routine. There is no exact answer to if clay masks are safe during pregnancy, but I hope this article helped answer some of your questions!
Disclaimer: Our content does not constitute a dermatologist or medical advice.
