Perfumes are a part of our luxury living and we all love that beautiful fragrance that creates an aura around us. Many love to make a collection of exclusive perfumes, but what if you are pregnant? Can you use perfumes during pregnancy?
Using perfume during pregnancy and its possible effects have been debated for a long time. While there is no doubt that a spritz of your favorite perfume can make you feel fresh, pretty, and confident, is it safe during pregnancy? Lets find out
Are Perfumes Safe To Use During Pregnancy?
Generally, perfumes are safe for use during pregnancy. However, many doctors believe that the chemicals present in perfumes stay on the skin’s surface and do not infiltrate the skin. Hence, there is no serious harm to the mother or the fetus. However, you must always use perfumes or deodorants made using natural substances, not chemicals. Even though there is no substantial harm in using perfumes during pregnancy, one should be careful about allergic reactions as these are frequent. Hence, one should opt for perfumes made using organic elements.
What Perfumes Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
Although using perfumes during pregnancy is considered safe, you should consider the following for your and your child’s safety.
Avoid Phthalates
Most perfumes and deodorants have an ingredient known as ‘phthalates.’ Phthalates are used in perfumes to make the scent last longer (1). However, phthalates can disrupt the hormones of the developing fetus and can cause potential harm. Phthalates may not be listed necessarily on the perfume’s label. Hence, you can use unscented perfumes or deodorants to prevent body odor.
Do Not Buy Perfumes With Harmful Chemicals
Always go through the product’s label and avoid using perfumes that contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, silica, petroleum by-products, formaldehyde, coal tars, and BHA during pregnancy (2).
Avoid Scents Triggering Headaches
Since your sense of smell is at its peak during pregnancy, try avoiding strong scents because they can trigger headaches and dizziness.
Avoid Using Essential Oils
Refrain from using essential oils such as cinnamon, aniseed, clove, arnica, clary sage, and camphor, as these can induce uterine contractions that are harmful to the fetus.
[Read: Is it Safe to Watch Movies in Theater During Pregnancy?]
Benefits Of Using Perfumes During Pregnancy
There’s no wonder that a good perfume can instantly elevate your mood. While it is true that your sense of smell can be at its all-time high during pregnancy, strong perfumes might trigger dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Hence, choosing the right perfume becomes crucial. Consider trying unscented or lightly scented perfumes and deodorants. However, some studies show that certain perfumes can positively affect pregnant women’s health during pregnancy.
Emotional Well-Being
Light and pleasant fragrances, especially those made from organic ingredients, like essential oils containing lemongrass and lemon, can elevate a pregnant woman’s mood. It can help one feel more relaxed and stress-free and indirectly benefit the baby (3).
Stress-Buster
Pregnancy can be a roller coaster ride of emotions. Stress and anxiety are very common during this phase. Hence, managing stress becomes extremely important for well-being. Aromatherapy can be a great stress-buster and help lift your mood.
Relief from Nausea
Many women suffer from nausea during their pregnancy. Some fragrances like ginger or peppermint can alleviate nausea and improve overall well-being (4).
Are There Any Side Effects Of Perfumes During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you tend to have a heightened sense of smell, and your skin might also be more sensitive during this phase. Perfumes that have strong fragrances can not only irritate your olfactory organs. It can also cause skin rashes or allergies (5). Hence, be careful while choosing which perfume will suit you. Also, refrain from using perfumes on any minor skin cuts or abrasions, as perfumes contain chemicals and toxins that can get absorbed through these cuts and can lead to complications.
Perfumes and deodorants generally use phthalates, which makes the scent last longer. However, this component can be harmful to your baby. Some studies suggest that phthalates can affect the development of male reproductive organs and can cause infertility in a later stage of life (5). Though there are no conclusive details on the effects of phthalates, you must limit the usage of fragrant products to ensure your and your baby’s safety.
What Smells Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
Since pregnancy can result in a heightened sense of smell, certain scents might make you uncomfortable. Avoid using essential oils made with camphor, pennyroyal, aniseed, birch, and sage. Certain food smells can cause discomfort, like garlic, onion, curry, or any heavily flavored or pungent-smelling foods. Also, avoid paints, nail polish, hair dyes, gasoline, household cleaners, or any other chemical-based products because these have strong scents that can make you and your baby uncomfortable.
[Read: Hair Color During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?]
When Should You Consult A Doctor?
Even though most of the perfumes are safe to use during pregnancy, you should always consult a doctor if you experience any of the following after using a perfume or deodorant:
- Nausea
- Dizziness or headaches
- Allergic reactions
- Difficulty in breathing
Also, consult your doctor if you have any doubts regarding the perfume usage, and based on your medical history, your doctor can prescribe you a pregnancy-safe perfume. The good news is that most women do not experience much discomfort past the first trimester. You must figure out your sensitivities and avoid those scents as much as possible.
Also Read: Are Spas During Pregnancy Safe?
FAQ’s
1. Can Strong Perfume Affect Babies?
While there has been no such evidence of any serious harm to babies caused by perfume, it is safe to avoid strong perfumes around newborn babies and during pregnancy. Most perfumes consist of phthalates, which can be harmful to babies. Also, when inhaled, strong perfumes can cause nasal congestion in a newborn and induce asthma.
2. Is It Safe To Use Home Fragrance While Pregnant?
You can use air fresheners and cleaning products with proper precautions. Ensure that the rooms are well-ventilated, and try to limit the use of fragranced products as much as possible. Try to replace chemical-based aerosols with safer alternatives. Some plants, such as ferns, spiders, and rubber plants, can help absorb odors and smell from chemicals.
3. Why Do I Hate The Smell of Perfume During Pregnancy?
Often hormonal changes leads to smell sensitivity during pregnancy which results in disliking certain smell.
References
- Al-Saleh, I., Elkhatib, R. Screening of phthalate esters in 47 branded perfumes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 455–468 (2016) – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-015-5267-z
- IRJMETS, A REVIEW ON COSMETICS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED ADVERS EFFECTS – https://www.irjmets.com/uploadedfiles/paper/
- Effect of aromatherapy blend essential oils (lemongrass and lemon) on sleep quality in pregnant women’s third trimester – https://5www.balimedicaljournal.org/index.php/bmj/article/view/3453
- Aromatherapy for First Trimester Nausea, Vomiting, and Subjective Well-Being: A Blinded, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial of Three Essential Oils – https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ict.2022.29052.chi
- Kumar M, Devi A, Sharma M, Kaur P, Mandal UK. Review on perfume and present status of its associated allergens. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021; 20: 391–399. – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/showCitFormats
- Giuseppe Latini, Antonio Del Vecchio, Marika Massaro, Alberto Verrotti, Claudio De Felice,
Phthalate exposure and male infertility, Toxicology,Volume 226, Issues 2–3,2006 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300483X06004513
