For a while, birthing makeup took a backseat for women who were embracing the natural look and fighting back against the idea that they “needed” to wear makeup. However, in recent years, more women than ever before are reclaiming their power and finding pregnancy safe makeup to look their best on delivery day. 

While wearing makeup to empower one’s self is a great tactic, it’s important to remember that some cosmetics contain toxins that can negatively impact fetal health. If you choose to wear makeup during labor, make sure you choose pregnancy safe makeup, so that you can give birth in style and keep your baby safe! 

Why More Women Are Wearing Birthing Makeup

It may come as a surprise, but going full glam before giving birth isn’t a recent occurrence. In the 1950s and early 1960s, housewife culture encouraged women to appear “put together” at all times.

Fortunately, the resurgence of this trend is meant to empower women to feel confident during labor and feel self-assured in posing for pictures after delivery. Sometimes, these pictures may be for social media, whereas other times, mothers just want to have pictures that last a lifetime. 

Whatever the reason, ensuring that your makeup is pregnancy safe is essential.

Pregnancy Safe Makeup: What to Avoid 

When you’re bringing a new life into the world, it’s normal to reconsider your diet and other daily habits. However, many expectant mothers overlook the importance of the products they put on their skin.

Since your skin absorbs about 64% of the products that it comes in contact with, you should consider avoiding these common makeup ingredients when you’re expecting:

• Parabens. These are preservatives commonly found in foundation and lipstick to prevent them from harboring bacteria. Parabens are associated with neurological, reproductive, and immune disruptions.
• Retinol. This is a form of vitamin A that you may find in many anti-aging products. High amounts of vitamin A can cause early-term miscarriages and fetal malformation.
• Fragrance. Companies often categorize potentially hazardous substances by marketing them as a “fragrance.” A few examples include phthalates, octoxynols, and eugenol. These chemicals can harm the reproductive system, cause congenital disabilities, and disrupt hormones.

The Best Pregnancy Safe Makeup Options 

When searching for pregnancy safe makeup, you’ll need to double-check the ingredient list to stay safe. Of course, you can use ingredient checkers such as EWG Healthy Living to ensure your makeup ingredients are up to par. In the meantime, check for these third-party certifications to ensure you have pregnancy safe makeup:

• Organic. The organic USDA seal confirms that the product is at least 95% organic, meaning the ingredients are created with synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or preservatives.
• Vegan. Most plant-based formulas are free of synthetic coloring and other harmful ingredients.
• Clean Beauty. Natural and organic products are not always the safest option. “Clean” beauty is not always fully natural, but they are non-toxic, which is ideal when you’re looking for pregnancy-safe makeup.

Create Your Birthing Plan with 2Me Healthcare

If you’re interested in working with a midwife that offers holistic pregnancy support, OB2Me is here to help. At OB2Me, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for you and your family. We are also available to help you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.

OB2Me provides multiple packages and services to fit your needs best and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Contact our team today and see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference.

Carson

Carson Ragan, CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife with more than 25 years of experience in Labor & Delivery, Neonatal ICU, and women’s healthcare. After becoming a mother at a young age and experiencing the birth of her premature second child, she was inspired to pursue nursing and ultimately midwifery.

She earned her nursing degree from Columbus State University and graduated as an RN in 1999. After years of experience as an L&D and NICU nurse, charge nurse, educator, and clinician, she earned her graduate degree from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2010 and became a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Her personal experiences as both a mother and healthcare provider inspired her vision for a more personal, convenient approach to women’s healthcare. She created a concierge model designed to give women more time, individualized attention, and quality care in the comfort of their home or office.

Outside of work, Carson enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, volunteering with her daughter’s volleyball teams, traveling, and scuba diving.