Q: Why should I worry about the safety of a cream on my skin during pregnancy?

A: Your skin is a barrier to many substances, but some topical ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream in small amounts. We're reminded of this every time a new medication comes out in patch form. Once an ingredient enters the mother's bloodstream it can easily cross into baby's circulation. That's because the poorly-named "placental barrier" is actually more of a widely spaced filter. It blocks very large particles, such as bacteria, but allows most smaller chemicals to pass through.

Belli Pregnancy is the only skin care line in the world that is teratology screened. We search through millions of published medical research articles, guarding against chemicals known to cause birth defects, and erring on the side of caution by avoiding questionable ingredients as well. Our higher safety standards made us the number one recommended pregnancy skin care brand in a survey of OB/Gyns.

Q: Does Belli use organic ingredients? And are your products eu compliant?

A: Belli uses many natural, organically grown ingredients, but the “organic” label alone does not mean that an ingredient is safe during pregnancy. Even some organic skin care ingredients have links to birth defects in published medical studies—including aloe vera, rosemary, salicylic acid, caffeine, and glycolic acid.

Teratology screening helps ensure you are using the safest known ingredients during pregnancy, from any source. It eliminates ingredients with links to birth defects in published medical studies, and replaces them with safer choices instead. Belli has lead the industry with this higher prenatal safety standard since 2002. When the research shows that a natural ingredient is the safest choice, we do prefer to purchase from organic farmers to avoid possible contamination with pesticides.

Additionally, every Belli product is allergy tested, paraben free, dye free, and fully EU compliant. We also do not test on animals.

Q: I’m embarrassed to ask this, but i’ve noticed some parts of my body are getting darker now that i’m pregnant (on my abdomen and around my nipples). is this normal? will it go away? can i do anything to prevent it?

A: Don’t worry. What you are seeing is called hyperpigmentation. Early in pregnancy, a dark line called the linea nigra will extend from the pubic area up to the belly button. The area around your nipple (the areola) becomes larger and darker. Freckles and recent scars can also become darker. These are all normal, hormone-related changes of pregnancy that cannot be prevented, but will gradually fade after delivery. Don’t confuse these changes with chloasma—dark splotchy area of the face caused by pregnancy hormones and sunlight exposure. Chloasma is completely preventable by daily use of a broad spectrum facial sunblock such as Belli Pregnancy’s Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25.

Q: I have chemical peels done at my spa every month to control my acne. should i continue them while i’m pregnant?

A: It depends which kind you are using. Chemical peels come in several varieties and contain one or more keratolytics—chemicals that soften the epidermis, unclog pores, and remove layers of dead skin cells. Many of the commonly available keratolytics (such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid) have questionable links to birth defects in published medical studies. Lactic acid, however, is a highly effective keratolytic that passes through teratology screening cleanly. It also happens to be less irritating to the skin than other peels. Lactic acid is the featured ingredient in Belli Pregnancy’s Acne Clearing Facial Wash.

Q: i am writing concerning a very common fear among pregnant women. i am in my first pregnancy, and i am 26 weeks. i have been using coco butter/ vitamin e oil since the very beginning of my pregnancy, and i have kept my weight gain down. thankfully, i have no stretch marks. however, as i move into the last trimester, and i becoming more afraid that i will develop them. i have just purchased the belli products and will begin using them tonight. do you think i am at risk for getting marks at his time in my pregnancy or am i ok because i am 26 weeks and do not have any yet?

A: At 26 weeks you are already into the stage where stretchmarks could form, but the greatest risk is during those final few months when your skin stretches even more quickly. If you are watching your weight gain and using Elasticity Belly Oil each day on stretchmark-prone areas (breasts, hips, abdomen, buttocks) then you are doing everything possible to protect your skin. The research behind the product was based on women who started using the ingredients during their second month of pregnancy, but we've had excellent reports from our customers who started using it much later too.

Q: with the questionability of the long term safety and effects of nanoparticles, i would like to know if the titanium dioxide and the zinc oxide in the anti-chloasma sunscreen has micronized tio2 and zio2? ps. i love this product.............i will probably continue to use it even after nursing!

A: I'm glad to hear that you enjoy this product. It's one of our favorites! Nanoparticles are an interesting new technology in skin care, but their long term safety has not been studied very well yet. Because we always try to err on the side of caution, Belli has decided to avoid the "invisible" nonparticle sunscreen ingredients. Instead, our Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 uses traditional Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide in an advanced lightweight oil-free formula, which is tinted lightly to blend in with all skin tones.

Q: i have a lot of little broken capillaries on my chest, arms, top of arms. i have had them lasered off before. i am currently 24 weeks pregnant with twins and was wanting to know if it was considered safe to have them lasered off?

A: Laser therapy during pregnancy is generally considered safe because the pulsed-dye lasers only penetrate several millimeters into the skin. I'm aware of no studies showing any increased risk of harm to the fetus as a result. However, since these treatments are still by prescription only, it is best to consult with your own OB/Gyn before proceeding, who may have a different opinion.

Q: Dr. Rubin, what is your opinion of the ingredient sodium laureth sulfate during pregnancy?

A: The FDA, TGA, American Cancer Society, and the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association all agree that sodium laureth sulfate is safe to use in cosmetic formulations. The ingredient also passes teratology screening cleanly, which means that it has never been linked to birth defects or other problems with pregnancy in published medical research studies.

Several years ago there was a study done showing that many cosmetic products on the market which used petroleum derived ingredients (sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, etc.) were found to contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of the ethoxylation process. The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit organization which is emphasizing the study, and even they agree that the simple process of vacuum stripping would eliminate any risk of contaminants. The trouble is that the regulations on cosmetic manufacturers are so lax that many companies haven't even looked at the problem.

Belli has very strict purity guidelines for all our suppliers of raw materials. Ethoxylated ingredients are vacuum stripped and then tested afterwards to ensure they are free of contaminants.

Q: I've been looking into the safety of herbs during my pregnancy, and I found some aromatherapy sites that warn against Gotu Kola. Should I be concerned?

A: Gotu Kola is a botanical ingredient from the plant Centella Asiatica and has been widely used for centuries. Ongoing reviews of the published medical literature show no evidence of harm related to this ingredient during pregnancy.

Some books do caution against it-- a warning we've traced back to a single mention in a collection of unproven Ayurvedic folklore (Indian Materia Medica, 1950, A.K. Nakdarni). After pointing out the error, most authors have decided to remove this reference from future editions.

At Belli, we respect faith-based traditions, but believe important health decisions should be based on scientific research. Our teratology screening process monitors all the world’s published research studies— guarding against ingredients with scientific links to birth defects. Our comprehensive, data-driven approach to safety helps women make medically responsible safety choices.

Q: i've read that vitamin a (retinoids) should not be used during pregnancy. however, several belli products contain retinyl palmitate, which is a vitamin a derivative. should those products be used only after pregnancy?

A: Both mom and baby need a certain amount of Vitamin A to be healthy, which is why it's included in the standard prenatal vitamin. Too much Vitamin A, though, is strongly linked to the development of birth defects. When they calculated the safe dose in your prenatal vitamin, they took into account the extra Vitamin A absorbed through the average diet, but not the possibility of topical absorption.

Erring on the side of caution, Belli does not use any Vitamin A derivatives (such as retinyl palmitate) in our Pregnancy collection products. After you've delivered, we think retinyl palmitate is an excellent anti-oxidant and skin cell regulator, and it is featured in some of our Motherhood collection products.

Q: i've recently purchased all of the pregnancy products but i notice there is not a moisturizer for the face. Which product should I use to keep sensitive facial skin nourished and moistured? thank you!

A: Belli's Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25 is a combination sunscreen and facial hydrater that keeps you feeling comfortable and protected throughout the day. Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide guard against UVA rays, UVB rays, and environmental pollutants. The natural humectant Glycerine retains moisture in the intercellular matrix, and makes the skin more resistant to drying. Many women continue using this product long past their pregnancies. Please let me know how you're enjoying it!

Q: hello dr. rubin, i am currently pregnant with twins and i am naturally a very small person, i have always been a size 2.... so i am being stretched to the max in this pregnancy and am very concerned about getting stretch marks all over, i do have some already and was wondering if your stretch mark minimizing cream is safe to use on my belly while i am still pregnant? thank you for you time.

A: Tara-- The products in the Belli Pregnancy collection are the only ones that are teratology screened to avoid ingredients with even remote links to birth defects. During pregnancy, I'd recommend using Elasticity Belly Oil to help decrease your risk of getting new stretchmarks. After you have delivered, then you can safely switch to our Stretchmark Minimizing Cream-- part of the Belli Motherhood collection which guards against ingredients linked to harmful effects through the breastmilk.

Q: hi wanted to know if your acne wash with lactic acid would have a reaction with someone who is lactose intollerant? (i'm allergic to dairy)?

A: Great question. Lactose is a milk sugar and is very different than lactic acid, which your body makes naturally each time you exercise. Belli's lactic acid comes from non-dairy sources such as cornstarch and potatoes. You should be able to use this ingredient without any problems.

Q: Is Belli's anti-chloasma facial sunscreen spf-25 for using after you already have developed the dark spots on your face? or is this more a preventative cream?

A: Daily sunscreen use SPF 25+ (or higher) can prevent chloasma from starting and also keep it from getting worse if it does develop, but sunscreens do not treat or remove the dark spots. Chloasma spots fades away naturally in most women after delivery. If it persists more than a few months, there are some other treatments available which your dermatologist could consider prescribing. Hydroquinone, tretinoids, and chemical peels are all effective, but you may want to wait until after you've done breastfeeding to try them..