Generally, it is normally considered safe to use deodorants and perfumes during pregnancy.
Medically most doctors are of the view that the chemicals contained in the deodorants and perfumes do not infiltrate the skin but stay on the surface. Even if you have minor cuts or abrasions on the skin, not enough of the toxins can pass into the body to cause any substantial damage to the mother or baby.
It is recommended however that you use natural perfumes rather than chemical-laden ones as they can be absorbed by the skin, even if there are no cuts or abrasions.
This said, during pregnancy you should be wary of deodorants and perfumes that may cause an allergic reaction. Ideally those that are organic and contain all-natural ingredients should be used when pregnant.
What Perfumes of Deodorants Should You Avoid?
It is advisable not to use camphor, aniseed, pennyroyal, birch, wintergreen or sage essential oils when pregnant.
Avoid using deodorants or perfumes containing harmful chemicals such as silica, parabens, BHA, sodium lauryl sulphate, coal tars, petroleum by-products, propylene glycol, triclosan, polyethene/pegs and formaldehyde during pregnancy.
Select an aluminium free deodorant or perfume as studies have linked aluminium-based compounds to a higher risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer disease, gene instability and breast cancer.
Select unscented deodorants and perfumes instead of the fragrant ones. Fragrances usually have hormone-disrupting phthalates as an ingredient. Phthalates are not always listed on the label of the product you may wish to buy and even deodorants claiming to be phthalates-free may contain unknown phthalates substitutes that can cause potential harm during pregnancy.
There are limitations with every pregnancy, so it is safer to limit the number of deodorants and perfumes that you apply on a daily basis.
Avoid excessive use of deodorants and perfumes during pregnancy, especially if you are using scented lotions and creams as well.
It is advisable to stick to the minimal use of aromatic products. Avoid experimenting with new products, you can try using safer essential oils like diluted citrus oil instead of the fragrant deodorants and perfumes.
Some Safe Natural Fragrances You Should Try
Although natural fragrances do not work like conventional deodorants and perfumes, the longer you use them the better they become.
Natural fragrances are available in jars, sprays, roll-ons or sticks. An example of some of the ingredients that make the best natural deodorant a woman can use are:-
- Coconut Lime
- Cinnamon
- Balsam
- Cucumber Melon
- Passion Fruit
- Cranberry
- Green Tea
- Hibiscus
- Cocoa Butter
- Mango Butter
- Juniper
- Tea Tree Oil
- Lichen Oil
- Rosemary Oil
- Citrus Oil
- Fig
- Peach
- Lemon Mint Leaf
- Lilac
- Raspberry
- Cherry
- Chamomile Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Sandalwood
- Rose
- Spearmint
- Ylang Ylang
- Geranium
- Honey Apple
- Frankincense
When choosing a deodorant or perfume with safe ingredients make sure you select a trustworthy brand.
It is important to remember that even organic fragrancies can still cause issues, examples of which are listed below, resulting in the possibility that you may have to visit your doctor.
When Should You Consult Your Doctor?
If you have recently used a deodorant or perfume and experience some form of a reaction such as:
- A headache
- Skin rashes
- An allergic reaction
- Difficulty in breathing
- Choking
It is sensible to be safe and by applying deodorants and perfumes in minimal quantities during pregnancy is the safer option. It is also important to check out the label on the products before buying them to ensure you are choosing the best option for you and your baby.
Below I have listed eight perfumes that are considered to be safe to wear during pregnancy:-
Stella by Stella McCartney
This perfume is a light floral fragrance with top notes of rose, peony and mandarin orange and middle notes of rose and base notes of amber and woodsy notes.
Prisenbon by Tartine et Chocolat
This is a floral green fragrance with top notes of lemon, orange and galbanum and middle notes of honeysuckle, lily of the valley and jasmine together with base notes of musk, oakmoss, Brazilian rosewood and amber.
Marquis Pour Femme
This is an amber woody fragrance with top notes of gardenia, orange blossom, ginger, violet leaf and pineapple and middle notes of cotton flower, jasmine, lily, rose, ylang and liatris spicata.
Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum
This is a citrus gourmand fragrance with an invigorating blend of sparkling grapefruit, crisp cedarwood, lime and Madagascar vanilla.
Coeur D’ete Perfume
This is a floral fruity gourmand with top notes of cacao pod, grapefruit, liquorice, lemon and mandarin orange, middle notes of lilac, banana, heliotrope, white pear and cassia and base notes of sandalwood, vanilla, benzoin and musk.
Eau Parfumee
This is a floral woody musk fragrance with top notes of tea, artemisia, bergamot, orange blossom and bitter orange, middle notes of pepper, cardamom and coriander with base notes of jasmine, amber and rose.
Oxygene by Lanvin
This is a floral aquatic fragrance with top notes of Indian white pepper and bergamot with middle notes of milk, gardenia and rose and base notes of musk, iris and white sandalwood
Cashmere Mist Liquid
This is an amber, woody fragrance with top notes of lily of the valley, cyclamen and African orange flower with middle notes of sandalwood, jasmine, ylang ylang and French labdanum and base notes of suede, musk, benzoin, tonka bean and amber.
Please remember to read the label of any product you may be considering to buy to ensure you are purchasing a safe product during your pregnancy. The above is a guide to that safety and the safety of you and your unborn child.
