Cosmetics Exposures in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The Pretty and the Not-so-pretty of Cosmetics and Cosmetic treatments

Disclaimer: This page houses important information and resources pertaining to cosmetics exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, including links to our evidence-based Fact Sheets. However, the resources here should not replace the care and advice of a medical professional.

Cosmetics is a word commonly used by the public to refer to personal care products however, the FDA has a specific category for products it regulates as cosmetics. Cosmetics are a pretty broad category; they can include (but are by no means limited to!) the following:

• Make-up, face and body lotions and cleansers, and perfumes
• Hair treatments like hair dye, chemical straighteners, or Brazilian blowouts keratin hair smoothing treatment
• Cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whiteners
• Nail treatments like nail polishes and removers, acrylic and gel nails, and manicures and pedicures
• Body hair removal procedures, like waxing and hair removal creams
• Tattoos and permanent makeup

Some “personal care products” are both cosmetics and drugs because of their ingredients. Types of personal care products that include both cosmetics and drugs include:

• Sunscreens, deodorants, and antiperspirants
• Stretch mark creams and ointments to treat irritated and cracking nipples
• Acne treatment and hair products to treat dandruff

Considering how many products are listed as cosmetics, how many cosmetic products can be found in our homes and, how many people visit the salon for cosmetic treatments, it’s fair to say that likely all pregnant people have exposure to at least one cosmetic!

In the U.S., cosmetic products do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before they are sold on the market. This means that when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and you are looking for safety information on the cosmetic products that you like to use, you may want to consult with trusted experts like your healthcare provider or our MotherToBaby information specialists. If you are using a personal care product with an ingredient listed as a drug by the FDA, more information may exist and we can help you though this information, too!

People use cosmetics to keep clean and enhance their beauty. These products range from lipstick and nail polish to deodorant, perfume, hairspray, shampoo, shower gel, tattoos, hair adhesives, hair removal products, hair dyes, most soaps, some tooth whiteners, and some cleansing wipes. It’s important to use cosmetics products safely.

— U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Under the authority of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), the FDA requires ingredients be listed on cosmetic products sold at the retail level to consumers. Consumers can learn about what ingredients are in the personal care products by reading the ingredients listed on the labels, and use this list to manage exposures. Parabens, sulfates, and phthalates have gained recent attention for being found in everyday items including cosmetics. At the present time, no adverse health hazards have been identified for pregnant people from exposure to these chemicals however, if a consumer wants to limit exposure to these or other chemicals they can do so by consulting the ingredients list.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your cosmetic concerns, any products you are using, or any treatments/procedures you’re thinking about having. You can also visit our library of resources below.

External Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology: Is Any Acne Treatment Safe To Use During Pregnancy?
• American Academy of Dermatology: Stretch Marks: Why They Appear And How To Get Rid Of Them 
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Is It Safe To Dye My Hair During Pregnancy?
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy 
• Food and Drug Administration: Cosmetics & Pregnancy

Partners

• Patient Education Genius
• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention