Essential oils in pregnancy

**claireh** · 24-09-2008, 10:14am

I have got really sensitive skin and lots of body washes etc bring me out in a rash or spots (niiiiiiiiiiiice.).

Before being pg I used Dermalogica's body wash and body moisturiser and my skin was fantastic. As it contains essential oils I stopped using it when I got my BFP. Since changing to other skincare ranges my skin on my body has gone nuts and I have rashes and spots. (Niiiiiiiiiiiiice)

I have been wondering about using the dermalogica again so I asked my beautician whether they were safe in pregnancy. Basically she wouldn't give a yes or no answer. She said it was up to me.

The body wash contains: sandalwood, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, clary sage and tea tree.

The moisturiser contains sugar cane, apple, lactic acid, green tea, lavender, patchouli, lemongrass and rosemary and orange.

Does anyone know if it is safe to use products containing these oils? Obviously the safest thing to do is not to use them at all which is what I have been doing but my skin is getting so bad.

The other products that I have been trying are Kheils, Johnson and Johnson and a Space NK shower wash.

I am approx 10 weeks.

Thank you.

**myzzterri** · 24-09-2008, 10:18am

Clary Sage is a big no-no in pregnancy I'm afraid

have you tried Dr Bronner's liquid soap?

**claireh** · 24-09-2008, 10:26am

Ahhhhh that means the Dermalogica is out then. Better to be safe than sorry.

I don't know anything about Dr Bronner. I have just googled it and I can see that they have lots of different lovely sounding 'flavours'.

Which one do you use?

**Kitty Ballistic** · 24-09-2008, 10:29am

I would see if you could find a number for Dermalogica customer services. I can't imagine that the amounts of essential oils in the products are that great, but it's as well to check. I certainly wouldn't use essential oils on my skin (as in an massage oil blend) when pregnant, but there are so many products that contain essential oils these days, even in tiny amounts, that it would be impossible to avoid them altogether.

I think the guidelines for use of oils in pregnancy are erring strongly on the side of caution. I think the amounts needed to cause any real damage are much higher than you'd use normally, and advice varies from different aromatherapists (I've seen some mention taking ginger oil internally on a sugar cube for morning sickness, for example, while others say NO oils at all for the first 12 weeks, and after that, only a few in very low concentrations).

**myzzterri** · 24-09-2008, 10:36am

Re the Dr Bronners - I use the Rose one (which is gorgeous!) Peppermint & the unscented one (for babies & sensitive skin)

There is a Damsel who sells it - I'll just go find a link to her website for you

**myzzterri** · 24-09-2008, 10:38am

www.summernaturals.co.uk

**claireh** · 24-09-2008, 10:40am

That would be fab! Thanks Myzz! I love the sound of the peppermint and unscented one. The citrus one on the Dr Bronners website sound lush too.

Thanks for your post too Kitty. I think I am going to err on the side of caution and stay away from it.

eta Thanks for the link Myzz