10 Toxic Ingredients Pregnant Women Should Never Use in Their Beauty Routines

Commonly found in: body lotion, shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, foundation, and pomade.

Why you should avoid it: "The most significant concern about parabens is their ability to mimic estrogen, a hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics," Tata Harper explained. "The EU banned parabens in products intended for children, so pregnant women should be mindful of what countries with more progressive chemical policy are doing."

Products without parabens to try instead:

Commonly found in: nail polish, synthetic fragrance, and hairspray.

Why you should avoid it: Phthalates can interfere with our bodies' normal hormone functions. Often they're hiding under the innocent-sounding "fragrance/parfum" written on your ingredient list, though. "Look for companies who fully disclose fragrance ingredients," Renfrew said. Anything with undisclosed fragrance can mask a combination of hundreds of different ingredients.

Products without phthalates to try instead:

Commonly found in: mascara, hair dyes, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, pharmaceuticals, shampoo, and lotion.

Why you should avoid it: Ethanolamines, which often show up on labels as MEA, DEA, TEA, triethanolamine, or diethanolamine, may be linked to organ system toxicity and some cancers. In fact, the EU bans DEA in cosmetics. One study suggests that an offspring's memory function and brain development could be permanently impacted if the mother is exposed to DEA.

Products without ethanolamines to try instead:

Commonly found in: eye shadow, lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, blush, and face powder.

Why you should avoid it: These chemicals are used as preservatives in cosmetics and can act as hormone disruptors. There's evidence that they could lead to developmental problems, making pregnant women and infants especially vulnerable.

Products without BHA and BHT to try instead:

Commonly found in: moisturizers and antiaging skin care.

Why you should avoid it: Retinoids are a type of vitamin A that prevents skin collagen from breaking down, thus making them a popular antiaging tool. But consuming high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy has been shown to possibly cause birth defects, leaving doctors to recommend women avoid these products during pregnancy. Some oral retinoids, like the prescription acne medication Accutane, are known to be very dangerous for the fetus and should only be taken when you're not pregnant or planning to be.

Products without retinyl palmitate and retinol to try instead:

Commonly found in: sunscreen, moisturizer, and aftershave.

Why you should avoid it: Oxybenzone can act like estrogen in the body, and it's been shown to alter sperm production in animals. It is also associated with endometriosis and allergic reactions. The skin absorbs oxybenzone in significant amounts when we use sunscreen that contains it, and a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected it in more than 96 percent of the US population.

Other troubling studies have found traces commonly present in mothers' breast milk. Beautycounter's Renfrew warned: "Just because a sunscreen is marketed towards children, doesn't necessarily mean that it's safer."

Products without oxybenzone to try instead:

Commonly found in: shaving cream, antibacterial liquid soap, soap bars, and toothpaste.

Why you should avoid it: "This is a major watch out for pregnant women as there is strong evidence that this chemical is an endocrine disruptor that can cause hormonal imbalances resulting in everything from birth defects to cancer," Harper cautioned.

Products without triclosan to try instead:

Commonly found in: skin-lightening creams.

Why you should avoid it: Compared to many others chemicals, our skin easily absorbs these, making it best to minimize exposure during pregnancy.

Products without hydroquinone or glutathione to try instead: It's best to avoid skin-lightening creams altogether while pregnant. Instead, be sure to wear a safe sunscreen to protect yourself from any sun damage or pregnancy-related skin discoloration.

Commonly found in: sunscreen, lotion, conditioner, and shampoo.

Why you should avoid it: "This is a commonly used preservative that releases formaldehyde into products. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen," Harper warned. This ingredient is known an "in situ" reaction, she explained, meaning the original chemical turns in to something else once it's in the formula. So be warned: formaldehyde won't appear on the ingredient list, but diazolidinyl urea will.

Products without diazolidinyl urea to try instead:

Commonly found in: bubble bath, shampoo, liquid soap, and hair relaxers.

Why you should avoid it: "1,4-dioxane is classified as a probable human carcinogen according to the International Agency on Research for Cancer," Harper told us. "But you won't find it on any ingredient list because this chemical is the byproduct of the process that is used to make certain types of surfactants, such as sodium laureth sulfate, and is considered an incidental ingredient not requiring ingredient disclosure."

Products without 1,4-dioxane to try instead: