There is so much controversy these days about what is truly safe to use/take/do during pregnancy.  I personally find it so strange that doctors in the US will tell a woman that Cheetos are safer to eat than an ounce of organic unpasteurized goat cheese, (I understand the risks of listeria, but still…) but if there is one thing that three pregnancies and almost five years of motherhood has taught me, it is that these experiences are intensely personal, that freedom of choice is paramount, and that we should not judge other mothers, because most of us really are doing the best we can with what knowledge we have.  I’m often asked by expecting mothers if the skincare brand they are using is “safe” during pregnancy, and I take this question very seriously.  I’ve obviously done a lot of research on this topic, as having a successful, healthy pregnancy is what took me on the journey of converting to a nontoxic lifestyle in the first place.

During my pregnancy with Annabel, I used a huge mix of nontoxic skincare, as I was suddenly suffering from breakouts and trying to determine what worked best for me.  About a year later, I found True Botanicals CLEAR Collection, and never looked back – I also personally felt comfortable using this line throughout my pregnancy with Woody, but that’s another blog post.  True Botanicals wanted to create a pregnancy-safe skincare line that even the most conservative dermatologist or OB/GYN couldn’t argue against, and they did a fantastic job.  The line was originally called BASICS, (read my original review here) but they’ve since changed its name to the HYDRATE Collection.  You can show the list of ingredients to the most discerning doctor for approval, as there is not even one controversial ingredient in these products.

Many nontoxic ingredients that are “controversial” in the prenatal context remain so because conducting research on pregnant women, fetuses and babies is just too risky.  When you’re pregnant, you obviously want to err on the side of caution as often as possible.  While True Botanicals and other nontoxic skincare companies obviously avoid potentially harmful ingredients in all of their products, what is safe for a fully grown human vs. a developing one can be very different (think: caffeine or alcohol).  For this reason, True Botanicals HYDRATE line has everything pregnant skin needs, and nothing it doesn’t.  As with all their skincare lines, the foundation of HYDRATE is essential fatty acids (from plant-based oils like Chia Seed, Hemp Seed, and Raspberry Seed) and antioxidants (primarily from Green Tea).

My aging, somewhat acne-prone skin has thoroughly tested each of the HYDRATE products, and I have to say that they all left my complexion feeling very calm and happy.  The Nourishing Cleanser is very balancing, and great at removing makeup and cleansing, but it does not strip the skin at all, as it’s rich in Aloe Vera and Green Tea Seed Oil.  The Pure Radiance Oil is light, and my skin drank it up on contact, but the plant-based oils it contains are powerful!  Green Tea Seed Oil, Chia Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil and Raspberry Seed Oil penetrate deeply and have amazing pro-aging and free-radical fighting properties and leave skin glowing.  The Repair Serum is to be applied over the Pure Radiance Oil at bedtime.  It strengthens the epidermis for superior barrier function, (that means keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out) and it locks in moisture like a pro.  Most pregnant women experience dull, dry skin (even if they also experience breakouts); the Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium Alginate totally eliminate any tight, dry patches.  If you want to up the ante, True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster is also pregnancy-approved; just mix a few shakes with the Repair Serum at night, rub hands together vigorously, and apply to face, neck and chest.  I am obsessed with this stuff; it promotes collagen production, visibly brightens skin, and fights free radicals, all while you get some much needed rest.

True Botanicals Nourishing Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion, Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner are also totally pregnancy-safe. You can read my reviews on them here.

NOT SO FINE PRINT: You should consult with your healthcare provider before doing just about anything if you’re pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant.

ALSO, if you are new to True Botanicals, the code JESSICATRUE20 will get you $20 off your first order!

Please let me know if you have any questions about these products, or others!

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