Novena Maternal Skin Care babies mommies
Skin products avoid ingredients potentially harmful to fetus.
By Liz Doup | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
August 20, 2008
Jeanette Acosta says she's given birth to three babies.
Two were her children. The third is her new skin-care line directed at women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.
The idea came from a conversation with a woman undergoing fertility treatments, says Acosta, who owns Skintique, a Coral Gables skin-care business. The woman was being careful about what she ate and put on her skin because she was concerned that preservatives or other ingredients could harm a baby.
"A light bulb just went on," says Acosta, who is a state-licensed, skin-care specialist.
She launched Novena Maternal Skin Care in April with products made from ingredients such as cucumber, bearberry and kelp and minimal preservatives. Products include a face wash, moisturizer, eye gel, blemish lotion and a cocoa butter "belly cream." They cost $28 to $35 and are available at www.novenamaternity.com or 786-488 -4810.
Her line avoids controversial preservatives, such as Parabens. Instead, the formulation relies on citric acid and extracts such as green tea, which accounts for the product's short shelf-life: about 18 months.
But women needn't be overly concerned about the safety of using most skin creams and lotions during pregnancy, says Dr. Salih Yasin, vice chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami's Medical School. That's because the skin absorbs very little of the product.
Women should be aware that certain ingredients can cause potential problems for a fetus, he says. These are retinoinds (Vitamin A-like substances) and excessive Vitamin A.
His advice: Women who are or are trying to become pregnant should speak with their doctor if they have concerns about their skin-care products.
Jeanette Comments on Recent Positive Press:
I agree with the doctor that “women should be aware that certain ingredients can cause potential problems for a fetus.” Everyday, new products come to market that treat some sort of condition through a topically applied patch. Smokers have the nicotine patch and there is even a patch that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant (contraceptive). Findings indicate that everything applied on the skin penetrates into the bloodstream. Therefore, the safe choice is to opt for worry free skincare formulated for the specific changes a woman’s skin undergoes during the hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy without harmful ingredients. Research shows Phthalates and Parabens are linked to birth defects, infertility, and other harmful developmental problems. As is the case with every important health decision, you should always consult your doctor for their expert advice.
© Novena 2008
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