What sunscreens during pregnancy? Selection guide

The use of a good sunscreen during pregnancy is essential to protect yourself from rashes, burns, skin spots ( chloasma gravidarum ), premature aging and skin cancer .

Furthermore, when expecting a baby, it becomes essential that the product used is not only effective, but also safe for the future baby .

In fact, let’s not forget that some ingredients contained in cosmetics for the face, body and hair, once absorbed by the skin, can cross the placenta and reach the fetus (albeit to a small extent).

In this article we will therefore explain how to understand if a product is effective and safe when choosing a sunscreen in pregnancy .

Sunscreen in pregnancy: what to pay attention to?

When choosing a sunscreen or any other cosmetic product for pregnant skin, it is particularly important to read the label and the list of ingredients (the so-called INCI, International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients ).

In this regard, it is useful to remember that the order in which the substances contained in the product are listed is important: the former are those in the greatest percentage, while the latter are present only in minimal quantities.

1. UVA and UVB rays

The sun’s rays are not all the same. UVBs are responsible for erythema, redness (and in the most serious cases of burns ) , but they do not penetrate deeply into our skin. Conversely, UVAs do not cause superficial problems, but are more harmful because they can damage the DNA of cells, causing premature aging and skin cancer .

For this reason, you should always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is effective against both UVB and UVA rays.

2. Sun Protection Factor (SPF, Sun Protection Factor )

The SPF indicates the level of protection of the product against the sun’s rays: the higher it is, the greater the protection. During pregnancy, an SPF of 30 is recommended at least , although many dermatologists recommend a 50+ to best protect the skin from the appearance of sun spots  (and avoid worsening existing ones).

In this regard, it is important to underline that UVB rays increase with increasing altitude (for example, at 1800 meters above sea level we have +30%, which rises to +35% at 2100 metres). In the mountains, therefore, it is important to use a higher sunscreen .

3. Physical filters and chemical filters

Physical filters ( also called mineral or inorganic) are natural substances which, being opaque, form a sort of protective screen on the skin and prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the skin. Among these we find for example the ‘ zinc oxide (INCI: zinc oxide), an ingredient that is often found in creams for the baby’s red bottom).

Chemical filters , on the other hand, absorb the energy emitted by the sun’s rays and release it in the form of heat. Unlike physical filters they do not remain on the surface, but are absorbed by the skin. In some cases , they can also penetrate the body, with health effects that researchers are still trying to clearly establish .

For these reasons, it is advisable to prefer sunscreens based on physical filters during pregnancy and breastfeeding .

4. Water resistance

A good sunscreen must be water resistant ( water resistant ) or very water resistant ( very water resistant ), i.e. retain its effectiveness on wet skin for 40 or 80 minutes , respectively.

5. Perfumes

Dermatologists recommend choosing fragrance -free sunscreen products . The reason is that these ingredients can be irritating and sensitize the skin to the sun (photosensitivity and photoallergy) .

6. Petrolatum

Petrolatum (INCI: mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum , microcrystalline wax) are substances that derive from petroleum refining. They can be irritating and comedogenic , i.e. they block the pores of the skin, hindering its perspiration and favoring the formation of pimples and blackheads.

Given the greater sensitivity of the skin and the increased production of sebum during pregnancy, it would therefore be better to avoid sunscreens containing petrolatum .

7. Insect repellents

Some sunscreens are combined with mosquito repellents , for double protection against sun and insect bites. These products are not recommended , both during pregnancy and not, as they slow down the evaporation of the repellent and increase its absorption through the skin.

If necessary, the recommendation is to choose two separate products and to apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before the mosquito repellent (never the other way around).

8.   Expiration date

Sunscreens do not have a real expiry date, but the so-called PAO (Period After Opening), which indicates how long the product can be used after being opened .

The PAO is represented on the package as an open jar containing a number , usually between 9 and 12 months.

Once the recommended limit of use has been exceeded, sunscreens can no longer guarantee safe and effective protection, exposing the skin to the risk of redness, irritation and skin spots .

Sunscreen in pregnancy: the “at risk” ingredients

In recent years, some substances normally used in cosmetics and sunscreens have attracted research attention, raising questions about their safety . Let’s see together which ones.

1. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone (INCI: oxybenzone) is a chemical filter that is being investigated for possible hormonal effects .

As a precaution, it is therefore not recommended to use sunscreens with oxybenzone in pregnancy and in children.

Added to this are environmental considerations: oxybenzone appears to be potentially harmful to sea anemones and contribute to the bleaching of marine corals .

In 2020, the FDA ( Food and Drug Administration, American body that regulates food and pharmaceutical products) placed oxybenzone under observation along with other chemical filters :

• avobenzone
• octocrylene
• homosalate
• octisalate
• octinoxate

Pending the results of these investigations, caution is advised in the use of sunscreens containing the aforementioned filters during pregnancy.

2. Parabens

Parabens are used as a preservative in skin care products. Recognizing these ingredients in the INCI is quite simple because they end with the suffix “-paraben” (like methylparaben, ethylparaben, etc.)

A 2000 study on pregnant women noted that these substances can interfere with the hormonal mechanisms that regulate fetal growth , increasing the risk of obesity.

3. Nanoparticles

The ingredients present in the form of nanoparticles (INCI: nano + ingredient name) thanks to their very small size can penetrate the body, with long-term effects yet to be clarified.

As far as sunscreens are concerned, it might make sense to prefer “non-nano” ingredients during pregnancy .

In any case, for any doubts about the safety of the ingredients contained in sunscreens or any other cosmetic product, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.

Sunscreen during pregnancy: how to use it correctly?

• Carefully read the product instructions for use .

• Apply the cream about 20-30 minutes before exposure and then every 2 hours (even in the case of cloudy skies).

• Repeat the application after swimming or in case of intense perspiration , even if the label bears the wording “water resistant”.

• To keep the characteristics of the product intact, do not expose the package to direct sunlight , but possibly store it in a sheltered place.