Choosing Sunscreen When You're Pregnant

The nice weather has finally arrived, and it’s time to drop our outer layers for a layer of sunscreen! Most of us don’t put much thought into the product we’re slathering on, but pregnant women may want to take a look at the ingredients list before they bring home a bottle.

Many sunscreens contain an ingredient called retinyl palmitate (also spelled retinol palmitate), a topical form of Vitamin A. This chemical, also found in many common acne medications, has been  linked to an increased risk of birth defects.

Retinyl palmitate also goes by other names, such as retinol hexadecanoate and vitamin A palmitate, so be sure to read ingredients lists carefully before you buy.

Sunscreens are getting a bad rap in the press not only for pregnant women, but for everyone, because they also contain chemical ingredients like oxybenzone and “nano-sized ingredients”, which have been linked to health issues like hormone interference and reproductive difficulties.

However, doctors are still saying that the benefits of sunscreen outweigh these risks, as the risk of damage and skin cancer from UV exposure is greater. A sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or over is recommended as part of a healthy skincare regime.

And remember, there are many other things you can do to help limit the damage of the sun that don’t involve chemical products – long-sleeved shirts and hats, sunglasses and avoiding the sun in its peak hours are a great start. When you're spending a lot of time in the sun and feel like you should wear sunscreen, be sure to take a shower when the day is done to remove the product from your skin.