Can I use retinoids while breastfeeding?

It’s safest to avoid retinoids while nursing. Although topical absorption is minimal, there’s still a potential for the ingredient to transfer into breast milk. Always check with your healthcare professional before resuming use.

Which skincare ingredients should I avoid when pregnant?

Aside from retinoids, ingredients such as hydroquinone, high-dose salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide in large amounts, and chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone are best avoided. Choose products specifically labelled pregnancy-safe.

Why Retinol Is Unsafe During Pregnancy: Risks & Alternatives

Pregnancy brings new changes and sensitivities, including those affecting your skin. Products that once provided clear, radiant skin may now raise concerns. Retinol and retinoids are among the ingredients that require extra caution.

These vitamin A derivatives are celebrated for their powerful skin-renewing effects, but during pregnancy, their benefits come with serious risks. Switching products isn’t just about skincare; it’s about protecting your baby’s development. Understanding which ingredients are safe and which to avoid is the first step toward a healthier pregnancy for you and your little one.

Retinol and Retinoids: An Overview

Both retinol and retinoids are a part of the vitamin A family, which helps to speed up cell turnover, clear pores, and boost collagen production. Here are some ingredients that are commonly used in anti-ageing and acne prevention products:

Retinol: Retinol is an OTC form available in serums and creams. It’s a gentler option, lower in strength, but still effective over time.
Tretinoin: A prescription-grade topical retinoid that is stronger and works faster than over-the-counter versions.
Isotretinoin: A potent oral retinoid, usually used for severe, cystic acne.
Retinaldehyde and Retinyl Palmitate: Other topical vitamin A derivatives are typically found in milder formulations for sensitive skin.

While these compounds yield promising outcomes, their potential to impact cellular development is also a factor that makes them a threat during pregnancy. A common misconception is that only prescription-strength retinoids such as tretinoin or isotretinoin are unsafe during pregnancy. In reality, over-the-counter (OTC) variants, such as retinol or retinaldehyde, should also be avoided.

Although OTC retinoids are less potent, they are still Vitamin A derivatives, which can be harmful to a foetus. Always read ingredient labels carefully and consult your healthcare professional before using any new skincare product while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Role of vitamin A in pregnancy

During pregnancy, vitamin A is vital for foetal organ development, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and eyes, as well as the circulatory and nervous systems.

However, maintaining the right balance is critical: while natural dietary vitamin A is essential, synthetic forms, such as retinoids, can become harmful in excessive amounts. Always prioritise food sources and consult a healthcare professional before taking supplements to avoid potential toxicity.

Beta-carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, fruits, and mangoes, is safe for you during pregnancy. It comes from plants and isn’t toxic.

Beta-carotene, unlike synthetic retinoids, is converted by the body on demand, with no risk of toxicity or exposure. These natural sources support healthy foetal development while also providing antioxidant benefits, without the risks associated with either topical or oral retinoids.

Why Retinol and Retinoids Are Risky During Pregnancy

What makes retinoids a critical risk factor in pregnancy is not merely how they work; it’s where they work. Due to their ability to modify cell physiology, they are very effective in treating skin concerns, but can also be hazardous to a developing foetus. Here’s what you need to know:

Teratogenic effects: Exposure in the first trimester, sometimes before a pregnancy is even confirmed, has been associated with abnormalities involving the face, brain, heart and spine. And because these risks can occur early, avoiding retinoids when trying to conceive or during pregnancy is important.
Systemic absorption: Topical retinoids are absorbed through the skin much less than oral versions, but they still end up in your bloodstream in small quantities. This limited absorption creates uncertainty, so most healthcare professionals advise stopping their use completely when you're pregnant or trying to conceive.

FDA warnings: Oral isotretinoin is classified as highly dangerous in some countries during pregnancy due to its teratogenic effects. Similar guidelines are followed internationally, too, with regulatory agencies urging against retinoid use in pregnancy unless needed and even then, only with close supervision.
Increased skin sensitivity: When you are pregnant, hormonal changes make your skin more reactive. Retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives used for acne or wrinkles, can cause increased sensitivity, dryness, and even chemical burns. As long as safer options exist, it’s not worth combining these side effects with their underlying risks.

Risks and Birth Defects Linked to Retinoids

Clinical data indicate that high-dose retinoids, in particular, oral isotretinoin or acitretin, can cause severe and frequently irreversible complications, such as:

Facial deformities like cleft palate or deformed ears
Congenital heart defects, especially of the outflow tracts of the heart
Neurological problems, such as underdevelopment of brain structures
Abnormalities of the thymus gland and parathyroid glands
Intellectual disabilities

Differences Between Oral and Topical Retinoids

Not every type of retinoid carries the same level of risk; it’s essential to understand how each is metabolised in your body.

Oral retinoids

Systemic retinoids, such as isotretinoin and acitretin, have widespread effects on the body, not just the skin, and can cause major harm to the developing foetus. They are contraindicated in pregnancy under all circumstances.

Topical retinoids

While topical retinoids (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene, retinol creams) penetrate the skin minimally compared to oral retinoids, there is insufficient long-term safety data for their use during pregnancy. Due to this uncertainty, most dermatologists recommend discontinuing all topical retinoid products as soon as pregnancy is confirmed or when actively trying to conceive.

Medical and Dermatological Recommendations

Some medical and dermatological recommendations regarding retinol and retinoids include:

Retinoids, retinol, and retinoids are off-limits during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless recommended by a healthcare professional.
If you become pregnant and have been using a retinoid product, discontinue use immediately.
Inform your healthcare professional if you have used retinoids in the past or are currently using them, so they can monitor foetal development accordingly.
Do not restart retinoids postpartum until you’ve weaned the baby and received medical clearance.

These steps ensure that you are not putting your baby at unnecessary risk in a critical developmental stage.

Safe Alternatives to Retinol During Pregnancy

Numerous safe alternatives to retinol deliver visible results without compromising safety.

Bakuchiol: Sometimes called the “natural retinol,” bakuchiol extends the good properties of anti-ageing and acne-fighting with no pregnancy risk.
Azelaic acid: Controls acne, rosacea, and pigmentation disorders. It is safe and effective in pregnancy.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): soothes inflammation, brightens skin, and regulates oil production
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): An antioxidant that brightens skin tone and stimulates collagen.
Lactic acid: Provides mild exfoliation without damaging sensitive, hormonal skin.
Peptides: Help to improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and support the skin's natural barrier.
Hyaluronic acid: A powerful hydrator that attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it plump and hydrated.

Using these ingredients allows you to maintain a radiant, even skin tone while caring for your baby’s health.

What to Do If You Used Retinol Before Knowing You Were Pregnant

Finding you’ve been using retinol in early pregnancy can be daunting, but rest assured, many women have been on the same page and gone ahead to have healthy pregnancies. Here’s what you should do:

Do not use the product again.
Make a note of how much and how often you use it, whether orally or topically.
Talk to your obstetrician immediately. They might also suggest more frequent monitoring so that everything is going well.
Stay informed and calm. Complications from short-term topical use are rare; however, it is essential to discuss this with your healthcare professional for full disclosure.

Immediate action and frank conversations with your healthcare professional are the most critical steps.

If you have been avoiding retinoids during pregnancy, you probably want to know when you can safely use them again. Most dermatologists suggest you avoid retinoids completely until you’re done breastfeeding.

Even topical retinoids can be absorbed in small amounts, and although the data is limited, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. After you stop nursing, you can cautiously reintroduce retinol, ideally with the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Even though retinol and retinoids can provide visible results, the level of risks that come along with them during pregnancy is much too concerning to overlook. They are linked to birth defects and other complications, so it’s a precautionary measure.

Fortunately for you, the skincare world has progressed in providing safe and effective alternative ingredients to help support your skin through the hormonal changes of pregnancy. With careful choices and professional guidance, you can maintain healthy, glowing skin.

FAQs on Why Retinol/Retinoids Are Harmful During Pregnancy

Can I use retinoids while breastfeeding?
It’s safest to avoid retinoids while nursing. Although topical absorption is minimal, there’s still a potential for the ingredient to transfer into breast milk. Always check with your healthcare professional before resuming use.
Which skincare ingredients should I avoid when pregnant?
Aside from retinoids, ingredients such as hydroquinone, high-dose salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide in large amounts, and chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone are best avoided. Choose products specifically labelled pregnancy-safe.