Sunscreen During Pregnancy: Which One Should You Use

During pregnancy, the skin tends to be more sensitive. It is extremely necessary to take good care of the skin and protect it from the harmful rays of the sun during this time. While it’s not possible to stay away from going outdoors all the time, the best way to protect the skin during pregnancy is by using good natural sunscreen. Using sunscreen during pregnancy is essential.

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The question is which sunscreen should you use during pregnancy? Here’s all that you need to know.

Why Is Sunscreen During Pregnancy Important?

During pregnancy, the extra hormones can make the skin more prone and sensitive to UV damage and burning and increase the risk of skin cancer. That’s the reason why sunscreen during pregnancy is important as it not only protects the from skin cancer, but also protects the skin from pregnancy-related conditions like discolouration, melasma, and other kinds of hyperpigmentation that can be caused by sun exposure. 

Why Is It Important To Use The Right Sunscreen During Pregnancy?

Many beauty and skincare products add ingredients like oxybenzone found in most chemical sunscreens, which can be unsafe to use during pregnancy as these chemical sunscreens can affect the baby in the womb and cause low birth weight. 

A woman’s skin also changes during pregnancy and therefore it can react differently to certain ingredients. Just like you are careful about what you eat during pregnancy, you need to be careful about what you use on the skin. Oxybenzone found in chemical-based sunscreens can cause damage to the mammary glands, which is very important for the health of your baby once they’re born and it can also contaminate the placenta and breast milk. 

How To Choose The Right Sunscreen During Pregnancy?

While buying sunscreen during pregnancy make sure to buy pregnancy-safe sunscreen. Look out for the following:

• Broad-spectrum sunscreens.
• A sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. 
• Mineral or physical sunscreens (one that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)
• Preferably water-resistant.

Mineral or physical sunscreens are hypoallergenic and are not absorbed but effectively protect the skin from the sun. They also protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply the pregnancy-safe sunscreen every two hours to keep your skin well protected.

Some sunscreens are made with insect repellent but it is best to avoid those as they are less effective. When you choose brands that make pregnancy-safe sunscreen, you are ensuring that you not only keep your body safe but also the baby growing inside you. 

Cover image source: Freepik