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January 31, 2022 4 min read
As a mother of three formula-free kiddos (one of whom we're still weaning as of this writing) I can say one thing for certain: if you're breastfeeding, you deserve some quality self-care. Believe it or not, Wild Ice actually started out as a soap company; we sold the soap I designed for my myself and my first little one back when she was a newborn infant.
Through my own experience and from speaking to other moms, I have learned this: If an indulgent skincare routine is one of your favorite ways to unwind after a day of caring for Baby then you’re far from being alone. And if you're at least a teensy bit worried about what's in the products that make up that routine then I and countless other moms are right there with you.
It is never a waste of time to be deliberate about which products you’re using.
Some skincare ingredients can actually be transferred from you to your baby through your breastmilk, after you’ve put them on your skin. Others may be transferred through skin to skin contact.
So naturally, you don’t want to be using anything that could harm your sweet little one. And really, if these ingredients are harmful for your baby, do you want to be using them on yourself in the first place? I didn’t think so.
Keep reading for my list of breastfeeding skincare no-no’s, and a guide to safe skincare during breastfeeding. All of the products we recommend are safe, gentle and nourishing for your skin, even long after your little one has stopped nursing. (However, it’s still a good idea to check with your doctor before trying anything new.)
If any of these ingredients are in your skincare lineup, put them away until after you’re done breastfeeding.
Retinols and retinoids are typically used for improving skin tone and reducing the visible signs of aging. These products are derivatives of vitamin A, and studies have shown that when vitamin A is ingested orally, it can be damaging to a developing fetus.
Less research has been done on whether vitamin A products like retinols and retinoids applied topically can hurt a nursing baby, but most practitioners recommend against using them to be cautious.
Hydroquinone is typically used to reduce hyperpigmentation of the skin. There hasn’t been enough research on hydroquinone and breastfeeding to determine whether it’s safe for a nursing mother to use. However, this ingredient is banned in many countries for its carcinogenic properties. In our opinion, that’s enough reason to avoid this ingredient altogether, not just when you’re nursing!
Clindamycin is an antibiotic that’s applied topically to the skin. It’s typically used on severe cases of acne. Experts recommend against using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vitamin C is an excellent and safe product to use in its place. (More on that in a bit!)
There’s been an influx of hemp and cannabis skincare recently; and for good reason! It has some awesome, anti-inflammatory properties. However, because these products are rather new, there hasn’t been much research on how they can affect nursing mothers. Therefore, it’s good to put a pause on these just in case.
You may get a different answer about this product based on who you ask, but many experts consider salicylic acid to be generally safe to use while you’re breastfeeding. However, if you put it on an area your baby comes into contact with, like your chest, it can pose a threat to the baby. So we suggest avoiding it out of caution.
Skincare while nursing can be tough to figure out. So in general, it’s best to go with the most natural ingredients you can find. Here are a few good ones:
We have two words for all of the breastfeeding mamas out there: Vitamin C. This holy grail product is safe for pregnancy and can temporarily (or permanently!) replace many of the unsafe products listed above.
Vitamin C is excellent at reducing hyperpigmentation in place of dangerous ingredients like hydroquinone. It also combats hormonal acne, which you may be all too familiar with after your pregnancy.
We’ve formulated our Cryo-C vitamin C serum with a form of lipid-soluble vitamin C that’s higher quality than most of the C-serums on the market, so you see actual results. Our well over 100 five-star customer reviews are a testament to the glow you get from daily use. (But feel free to tell everyone it’s your new-mom glow; we can keep a secret!)
Breastfeeding can dehydrate you and your skin, so in addition to drinking lots of water, it’s important to use skincare products that lock in moisture. Squalene is an ideal choice for that, and it’s totally safe to use around Baby.
We recommend ending your day by giving yourself a well-deserved massage with our squalene-rich Berry Boreal Body Oil . We’ve lovingly packed this serum with anti-inflammatory calendula to soothe tired skin.
If you’re not comfortable using salicylic acid to treat your acne, white willow bark is an excellent, gentler alternative. (More on that here .)
This plant extract is the star of the show in our Three Seed and White Willow Mask, which we’ve dubbed the Yuki-Onna Facial . This mask is a spa day for when you can’t actually make it to the spa. Full of refining acids and polishing seeds, you can get that good glow while nursing your little one to sleep.
If ever there were a time to indulge in yourself and your skincare, the tumultuous early days of motherhood are it. We’re proud to have formulated a line of products devoid of the toxic ingredients that would make breastfeeding unsafe for your little one.
We also keep all of our products cold until the moment they ship to you, meaning we don’t use toxic preservatives either. We want only the best for your baby and for you. You can get started caring for yourself today with our 4 step facial set , which saves you over 20 percent on your purchase.
Mila (pronounced 'mee-luh') is mother of three, wife, and founder of Wild Ice, an all-natural cold-preserved skincare line dedicated to bringing the best of care to women everywhere.
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April 22, 2022 2 min read
I love my mist and my vitamin C serum. Makes my skin glow It was nice to see you at Rosemary Beach a few weeks ago
The Cyro-C serum is by far the best vitamin C serum I have ever used. I love skincare so much and you can tell this product is made with care. The smell is amazing and I get complimented almost daily about how my face looks glowing since I started using. Mila was so kind and knowledgeable. I will definitely be rebuying once I run out!
I have oily/combination skin, so I pump/mix both and then apply, otherwise it’s too oily and doesn’t absorb quickly. This works so well! It makes your skin smell great even hours after application. I only wish this trick for oily skin was on the instructions of bottle. I didn’t realize until I saw it on one of their insta stories. Great product otherwise!
I love the body bars!🤗❤️
They keep my skin feeling soft and clean.
I highly recommend them specially if you dry skin.
I love the 4-step facial products. The routine is easy and simple and the results are amazing. This is one of the best product lines I have used on my face, and I can really see a difference in my skin. I first purchased two of the products at Market Days in Tallahassee. When I finished the products, I went back to what I was using previously. It was not long until I decided that Wild Ice is the perfect product line for me and my dry skin. I am hooked.
I recently found these products and amazing creator at our local farmers market and all I can say is WOW! I was instantly sold from the moment I applied the cold-kept cream to my skin. I'll absolutely be going back for more from her skincare line and watching allll of her informative videos on their social media page
This is absolute gold in a bottle that smells like fresh oranges. My skin is sensitive and I do have rosacea and it drinks Cryo-C up! My complexion has greatly improved and am so happy I made the splurge. This, along with the toner, are new repeat buys for my skin routine. I look forward to my skin routine AM & PM just because it feels and smells amazing!
This has improved my skin and is very refreshing. I have sensitive skin and rosacea and this has not caused any breakouts. I use this with Cryo-C and absolutely love it! Will definitely be a repeat buy to my skin routine.
I recently purchased the complete skin care package and I absolutely love it! I’m having a hard time deciding which product is my favorite. The cleanser makes my skin so soft and helps with my overall skin appearance, The serum brightens my skin, one of the best I’ve tried and the moisturizer! It has improved every single issue I’ve been concerned with. Love love love the entire collection! Thank you so much!
Love the whole line, but my favorite is the vitamin C! It gives me such a nice glow. Everything smells great too!
Yuki-Onna Facial: Three Seed and White Willow Restorative Mask
I highly recommend the facial cleanser! My skin feels so soft and clean after using. I have combination skin. At 58 years of age I finally found a product that works for me!!
I use this daily after washing my skin as a moisturizer.. it has made my skin very soft and fresh…love it!!
I just started with this to see how my skin took it before I invested in any more products. I have used it consistently for several weeks and WOW. My skin literally feels more healthy and looks it, too! And my husband is always telling me I smell good right after I put it on. :)
I found this product at the Rosemary Beach farmers market. It is amazing! Have been using it for 2 weeks and my skin feels wonderful. I have rosacea and use others products for it, but this adds to the regimen and soathes your face. Love that it is cold (if you put it in fridge) which is so calming in the summer!