Sunscreen Ingredient to Avoid When Pregnant: Retinyl Palmitate

It’s that time of year again, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, more hours of daylight and more sunshine!

Everyone knows sunscreen is important, and choosing the most natural products are best for your skin and the environment. So what are some ingredients you should avoid?

According to new sunscreen ratings from Consumer Reports, pregnant women might want to choose a sunscreen that doesn’t contain retinyl palmitate, an ingredient that could possibly increase the risk of birth defects.

Retinyl palmitate, also known as vitamin A palmitate and retinol hexadecanoate, is a topical form of vitamin A that the skin converts to retinoids. And those compounds, which are also found in certain acne medications, have been linked to an increased risk of birth defects.

For the full article, go to: http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/05/new-advice-for-pregnant-women-when-choosing-sunscreens.html

Read more: Health, Obstetrics, Pregnancy

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Aud N.

11:13AM PDT on Apr 27, 2013

April 27
send a green star

2:42AM PST on Feb 18, 2013

thanks

February 18
send a green star

Tania S.

5:52PM PST on Feb 8, 2013

Lydia P.
EXACTLY, I've opened my eyes a long time ago to what's really lurking in everyday products the media and drug stores try to push in our faces.
Read labels and find out what the ingredients are, better yet switch to an all natural or organic sunscreen. Your skin will thank you :)
I'm going to get some Green Beaver or Kiss My Face sunscreen, whichever I find first :).
Bring on summer! I'm sick of the snow lol

February 8
send a green star

Winn A.

6:08PM PST on Feb 7, 2013

Thanks

February 7
send a green star

Penny A.

4:02PM PST on Dec 1, 2012

I agree with this.

December 1
send a green star

Michele W.

8:56AM PST on Dec 1, 2012

Thank you

Angela N.

2:47PM PDT on May 31, 2012

thanks.

May 31
send a green star

Lydia W.

7:09AM PDT on Mar 17, 2012

It's not good for you pregnant or not. These ingredients are quite dangerous and they've all been tested on bunnies. Just wear enough clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.