It’s common for women to use retinol products as part of their regular skincare routine before becoming pregnant. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that is often used to treat acne, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin texture. However, once you find out you’re pregnant, it’s important to re-evaluate your skincare ingredients to make sure they are safe for pregnancy.
Is it safe to use retinol during pregnancy?
Most doctors recommend stopping retinol use during pregnancy. Retinol products are typically rated pregnancy category C by the FDA, which means risk to the fetus cannot be ruled out. Oral retinoids like Accutane are known to cause birth defects and are absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy. Topical retinoids like retinol are less well studied during pregnancy, but there is a potential risk of fetal harm.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. Getting too much vitamin A during pregnancy may be linked to birth defects. High levels of vitamin A are also associated with liver toxicity. For these reasons, it is recommended to limit vitamin A intake to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 700-900 micrograms per day.
When applied topically, only a small percentage of the retinol is absorbed into the skin and bloodstream. However, the exact amount that reaches the fetus is unknown. Until more research is done, most doctors recommend avoiding topical retinol out of an abundance of caution.
What are the risks of using retinol in early pregnancy?
Using retinol in the first weeks or months before you know you are pregnant does carry some risk. Here are the potential concerns:
- Congenital disabilities: High levels of oral retinoids like isotretinoin are known to cause birth defects involving the brain, face, heart, and other organs. The risk from topical retinol is assumed to be much lower but not zero.
- Miscarriage: One study found a higher rate of miscarriage in women who used topical tretinoin in early pregnancy. More research is needed.
- Prematurity: Some research shows an association between high vitamin A intake in pregnancy and premature birth.
- Developmental effects: Excess vitamin A may impact development of the fetus’ bones, lungs, and nervous system.
Overall the risk is thought to be low, especially if retinol use is stopped by the second trimester. But out of caution, most doctors recommend avoiding retinol during the first weeks and months when the fetal organs are still forming.
I used retinol cream for years. Should I be concerned?
Many women have used OTC retinol creams for years without issue. Just because you used a retinol product prior to conception or early in pregnancy, does not mean your baby will definitely be harmed. Here are a few reassuring points:
- The risks are likely low with topical retinoids compared to oral retinoids.
- Retinol only penetrates the skin in low amounts with topical use.
- The sensitive period is early on when organs are forming. Discontinuing use by the second trimester may decrease any risk.
- Millions of pregnant women have likely used retinol at some point with healthy babies.
For these reasons, past retinol use for anti-aging or acne is unlikely to be an issue. Let your doctor know, but try not to panic. The most important thing is to stop using it now that you know you’re pregnant.
When should you stop using retinol if planning pregnancy?
Since retinoids carry a theoretical risk very early on in pregnancy, it’s ideal to stop retinol products 1-3 months before trying to conceive. This gives time for any remaining retinol to clear your system before a pregnancy might start.
Stopping retinol ahead of pregnancy avoids any unknown risk during the first few weeks after conception when organ formation is happening. Even if you have no plans for pregnancy, retinol should always be avoided starting at least 1 month prior as a precaution.
Can you use other skincare ingredients besides retinol?
Yes, there are many pregnancy-safe skincare options beyond retinol:
- Vitamin C: Potent antioxidant that helps build collagen and brighten skin.
- Alpha-hydroxy acids: Exfoliants like lactic acid and glycolic acid that improve skin texture.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hydrating ingredient that plumps skin.
- Niacinamide: Reduces inflammation and evens skin tone.
- Peptides: Amino acid chains that may stimulate collagen.
- Ceramides: Fatty acids that repair the skin barrier.
Always patch test new products. Look for fragrance-free and sensitive skin formulas. Talk to your dermatologist about pregnancy-safe anti-aging skincare alternatives to retinol.
When can you resume using retinol after pregnancy?
It’s generally considered safe to resume use of OTC retinol products after pregnancy, while breastfeeding. Topical retinoids are not thought to pose much risk when used following birth.
However, oral retinoids like Accutane should never be used while breastfeeding due to potential toxicity to the infant. Always check with your doctor about restarting topical retinoids after pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
- Retinol should be avoided during pregnancy due to unknown risks to the developing fetus.
- Discontinuing use in the first trimester or before conception decreases any potential chance of harm.
- Many pregnancy-safe skincare alternatives like vitamin C and AHAs exist.
- Use of topical retinol can likely resume after birth while breastfeeding.
- Always check with your doctor about skincare routine when pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Bottom Line
If you used a retinol cream prior to pregnancy, try not to panic. The most important thing is stopping usage now. Speak to your doctor about your particular case for personalized guidance. With prudent skincare choices, most women who used retinol pre-pregnancy go on to have happy, healthy babies.
| Trimester | Is Retinol Recommended? |
|---|---|
| First Trimester | No, stop use due to organ formation |
| Second Trimester | No, ideally avoid all 9 months |
| Third Trimester | No, avoid until after birth |
References
- Murase JE, Heller MM, Butler DC. Safety of topical skincare products during pregnancy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(3):766‐77.
- Chien AL, Qi J, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR. Treatment of acne in pregnancy. J Am Board Fam Med. 2016;29(2):254‐62.
- Pugashetti R, Shinkai K. Treatment of acne vulgaris in pregnant patients. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(4):302‐11.
- Chan A, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Womens Health (Lond). 2019;15:1745506519835489.
- Murase JE, Koo J. Diet and dermatology: the role of dietary intervention in skin disease. J Dermatolog Treat. 2014;25(1):79‐82.