MY FAVORITE PREGNANCY SAFE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

When I found out I was expecting, I bought all the health conscious pregnancy books out there, read them, and realized that everything that goes both in and on my body has an effect on the fetus. I had this whole plan in my mind that I really wanted to have the healthiest pregnancy possible, regardless of all of the complications that I have had. Knowing that our skin is the largest organ on our bodies, I realized that every lotion, shampoo and even nail polish I use matters. The first trimester of pregnancy is always a bit scary as everything is such an unknown, but I took matters into my own hands right away and decided to be the purest that I can be, and not only with what I eat. 

I was on a trip to New York when I was about 10 weeks pregnant and wanted to get a manicure so badly, but knowing the chemicals that are in nail polish, I opted not to. I was wandering around Whole Foods one day when I realized that they definitely have non-toxic nail polish. I bought a couple colors, took them with me to the nail salon, and voila, had pregnancy safe color on my nails. Did I ever think about what nail polish is made out of before I got pregnant? Absolutely not. Nor what my shampoo is made out of, body wash, body lotion, makeup, and the list of beauty products can go on. After doing a lot of research, I knew the safest way to have a healthy pregnancy is to use products that are natural, organic, unprocessed and plant based. Think about it this way. If you're into eating organic, natural, and unprocessed foods ONLY, then why would you put things that aren't, on your skin? Don't worry - I never thought about it that way, either. We absorb about 60% of what we put onto our skin, and whatever these chemicals are that I am putting on my skin, is going straight to my babies, too. To maintain a safe toxic-free beauty routine, it's important to familiarize yourself with what these chemicals are.

For example, stay clear of:

- DBP (Dibutyl phthalate)

- Toluene

- Formaldehyde

- Formaldehyde resin

- Camphor

- BHA and BHT

- DEA

- Parabens

- PEG compounds

- Sodium laureth sulfate

- Petrolatum

- Triclosan

- Siloxanes

- Microbeads

- Fragrance

...and these are just to name a few (or actually a bunch). You must be thinking, "what do all of these words even mean?" but I am not going to go into it, because it's as simple as this: if you want to have a toxic-free beauty routine, especially if you are expecting, simply eliminate all of these chemicals. Keep in mind, so many of these chemicals are hormone and endocrine disruptors, can cause respiratory damage, skin irritation and even cellular damage. It's as simple as looking at the ingredients on the labels of all of your cosmetics. There are plenty of amazing organic and plant based beauty companies that sell wonderful items, and I highly suggest you invest in some of them!

SKINCARE:

PLANT SKINCARE

I discovered this brand in a health article a few months back, and decided I had to try it out. I have pretty sensitive skin, so to think what all of these harsh chemicals were doing actually scares me a bit. Since starting to use Plant Skincare, I truly have never had clearer and less sensitive skin before. It's so natural, made from fresh food, and I love the fact that you have to keep the face cream in the fridge to ensure its freshness for up to 1 year!

Their products are:

Chemical-free, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, in 100% biodegradable and recyclable packaging, free of plastics. 

I bought the Soothing Chamomile Face Cream, which I absolutely love, because it smells like avocado and has been doing a great job at keeping my skin super hydrated during the harshest of winter days. I also have been using their Sunflower and Honey Facial Cleansing Bar which is also amazing and works so well as a makeup remover! I love the idea of using a bar of soap that I just lather a bit onto my face that feels so clean afterwords. 

Now that I know how much I love these natural products I will definitely be buying more. And the greatest part is that they ship from Australia to Switzerland!

STRETCHMARKS:

MAMA MIO

The Tummy Rub Butter

Being that I am expecting twins, I figured my stomach will at some point become huge. It's been growing quite rapidly without a stretchmark in sight! I made sure to start using stretchmark cream the second I found out I was expecting, and will definitely continue after my babies are born! The butter increases the skin's elasticity, smells delicious, and is free from parabens, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance and colourants, xenoestrogens, PEGs, glycols and pthalates. It's full of delicious oils such as shea butter, argan oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, almond oil, rosehip fruit oil, olive oil and sacha inchi oil. It's best to put this all over your body, especially in areas where you are most prone to strech marks!