Pregnancy Safe Shampoos (Products Below)

Product Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
1. Maple Holistics - Sage Special Formula Shampoo	Our Favorite	*Amazon*
2. Honeydew Products - Biotin Shampoo	Great Deal	*Amazon*
3. ArtNaturals - Argan Oil Shampoo	Amazing Product	*Amazon*

When you’re pregnant, you’ll do everything you can to keep your baby from harm. That includes avoiding particular foods and changing certain habits. But did you know that your personal care items may contain chemicals that could affect your pregnancy as well as your baby’s development? That’s why expectant mothers often turn to pregnancy-safe shampoos as soon as they learn they’re with child.

Benefits of Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo

When you’re expecting, shampoos suitable for pregnant women offer numerous benefits to you as well as your unborn baby. You may not realize what you need from a shampoo now, but you’ll definitely appreciate these characteristics later on:

1) Safe for baby.

Some chemicals can be absorbed by your body and affect the development of your fetus. Whether or not the health concerns have been scientifically proven, wouldn’t it be better to play it safe and stick with products that don’t cast any doubt?

2) Safe for you.

Whether or not you’re expecting, you’ll benefit from using personal care products that don’t contain any harsh chemicals or harmful ingredients. Pregnancy-safe shampoo won’t just affect your hair and scalp but your overall health as well.

3) Suitable for hormonal changes.

Throughout pregnancy, you’ll experience some hormonal and other bodily changes. Depending on how your body reacts, your hair might either thin or become lusher. You should be able to find a suitable shampoo for your specific condition.

4) Nausea-friendly scents.

Morning sickness, nausea, and scent sensitivity are common throughout pregnancy. Often, you’ll suddenly be averse to strong odors that didn’t bother you before. Pregnancy-safe shampoos are often light-scented and friendly to sensitive noses.

Shampoo Ingredients to Avoid When You’re Pregnant

It might seem odd to think that something as harmless as shampoo — something that is applied then washed off and isn’t even ingested — can affect your health as well as that of your unborn child. But, studies have either proven or demonstrated the possible harmful effects of these ingredients commonly found in commercial shampoos:

1) Parabens

Parabens are synthetic chemicals often used to help preserve cosmetics and personal care products. Some of the most commonly listed forms are propylparaben, methylparaben, and butylparaben. The problem with parabens is that it can be absorbed through the skin and remain within body tissue. As such, it has been linked with hormonal disruption and breast cancer. Additionally, parabens make their way to the environment through sewage systems and affect marine life.

2) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

SLS is a chemical used to give shampoo a rich lather. However, researchers believe that it is too harsh to use on everyday personal care products. Over time, exposure to SLS could affect the nervous system as well as liver and kidney function. Note that a similar-sounding chemical called Sodium Laureth Sulfate has been proven to be safe. But, opting for completely sulfate-free shampoos may be the safest option.

3) Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

MIT is another commonly used preservative in personal care products. Apart from Methylisothiazolinone or MIT, it could also be listed as Neolone 950 preservative, 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one, Microcare MT, or OriStar MIT. Although conclusive studies have only been on animals, researchers believe that prolonged exposure could be toxic to various organs, including the intestines and lungs. Additionally, it could affect the central or peripheral nervous system.

4) Vitamin A / Retinoid

Vitamin A or retinoids are more commonly used in skincare and anti-aging products rather than shampoos. However, some beauty fads have led some people to believe that adding vitamin A to shampoos could lead to lusher tresses. The problem is that fetus exposure to retinoids has been linked to an increased risk of congenital disabilities. Also, to affect hair and scalp health, vitamin A must be taken internally through your diet.

5) Fragrances

Fragrances are often made up of harsh chemicals like aldehydes, benzene derivatives, and parabens that have been linked to anywhere from allergies and skin irritation to nervous system damage and cancer. This could also be listed as perfume, parfum, limonene, linalool, citronellol, euganol, cinnamal, or geraniol. Since fragrances don’t contribute to the efficacy of shampoo anyway, you might prefer to those specifically labeled “fragrance-free.”

6) Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is often used in manufacturing plastic. Exposure to it while in the womb increases the risk for developmental as well as behavioral problems. Additionally, it affects the endocrine system, which leads to a variety of severe illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and cancer. While it might not form part of your shampoo’s formulation (i.e., not listed as an ingredient), favor products that have BPA-free packaging.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Shampoo Brands

There are many shampoos specially formulated for and marketed to pregnant women. But, some of the best options recommended by other women are simply natural shampoos that are guaranteed safe for everyone, whether or not you’re expecting. Based on reviews and recommendations, these are the top 5 shampoos for pregnant women: