From the moment you find out you’re expecting, everything changes.
Literally everything.
Hormones, nutritional needs, blood circulation, skin texture, and, obviously, your waistline. You’re growing a human, for goodness sake.
All this change means it’s more important than ever to slow down and get back to basics.
This isn’t the time to experiment with new protocols or supplements, including things like methylene blue.
These kinds of repair tools are incredibly helpful for those of us recovering from years of metabolic damage, but they’re risky during pregnancy and simply not necessary for young children.
It’s all about context.
So let’s dig a little deeper into what safe, supportive skincare looks like in this delicate season of life.
What makes some skincare unsafe for pregnancy and nursing?
Reading ingredient lists is always a good idea, but especially when you have a little one on the way.
This is because your blood volume increases when you’re pregnant, and things can more easily pass into your bloodstream through your skin. (1) And from there, it has the potential to cross the placenta and impact your baby’s development.
Same story for breastfeeding because your breastmilk is made up of nutrients from the bloodstream.
So staying mindful of the ingredients you use during these stages ensures your baby gets everything they need and nothing they don’t.
It’s easy to avoid things you know are always bad, like
- Hydroquinone (skin-lightening agent)
- Synthetic Retinol (derivative of vitamin A to force cell turnover)
- Oxybenzone (highly absorbable, endocrine-disrupting sunscreen active)
- Parabens (chemical preservatives)
That’s a no-brainer.
But the idea of avoiding ingredients that are otherwise healthy and protective is a little less cut and dry.
You know I’m not a fan of “dos” and “don’ts.” And quite frankly, I do a lot of the conventional don’ts during pregnancy (raw milk and beef liver, just to name a few).
But when it comes to more potent herbs and supplements, I think it's best to err on the side of caution.
And I get it. As someone who regularly treats their body like a science experiment, I know what it’s like to want to try all the things, even when you’re pregnant.
But I promise, it’s much better for you and your baby if you just focus on the foundations and nourish your body with the most simple, nutrient-dense ingredients possible.
Less is so much more here.
Is Fatskn Pre Sun safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding? Is it okay for kids?
In most cases, no.
What makes Pre Sun so good at repairing the skin and enhancing the benefits of UV rays is methylene blue— a powerful therapeutic compound that acts on the mitochondria of the cell.
This makes it incredibly protective against oxidative stress and cellular damage but far too potent for a healthy developing baby.
What’s interesting is that methylene blue is actually used to treat some pediatric disorders involving low oxygen availability, like refractory shock and methemoglobinemia. But unnecessarily supplementing it outside of the supervision of your doctor runs the risk of complications.
The point here is that kids are just entering the world— they typically don’t need these kinds of metabolic repair tools like us adults.
Simple, whole-food topicals like tallow, cacao butter, and jojoba oil are truly all the skincare they need at this point.
5 skincare products that are safe for momma and baby.
Speaking of safer skincare, here are some of my favorite baby-friendly products to use when pregnant and breastfeeding.
1. Purist Whipped Tallow Body Butter
This nourishing all-over moisturizer is made up of grassfed tallow, raw cacao butter, and unrefined jojoba oil to nourish and soothe the skin. I love using this rich butter to prevent stretch marks as my belly grows and to heal sore spots after birth. No need to avoid latching areas because it’s 100% safe for baby too. I mean, seriously, you could eat this and be all good (though I don’t think I’d recommend it, lol).
2. FATBABY
Same moisturizing ingredients as the body butter but with more jojoba for an even smoother application—perfect for delicate, newborn skin. I use this to prevent and treat diaper rash, cradle cap, and even baby acne.
3. Magnesium Body Lotion
This stuff is a bedtime routine dream come true. A highly bioavailable blend of Zechstein magnesium chloride flakes, grassfed tallow, jojoba oil, and a touch of Alberta beeswax to calm skin and promote relaxation. I rub this on the backs of my knees to supplement magnesium whenever I can remember and use it to massage my little ones' feet right before they go down. *Studies show that magnesium supplementation during pregnancy may significantly reduce the risk of complications by supporting protein synthesis and healthy fetal development.* (2)
4. Purist FATSTK
Such an easy, mess-free way to moisturize and protect chapped, dry skin. Just a mix of grass-fed tallow, cacao butter, and beeswax. I keep one in the car, my purse, and the nursery.
5. Mag Stick Deodorant
My secret to beating pregnancy B.O. (if ya know, ya know). This blend of tallow and magnesium regulates sweat glands and neutralizes odor before it even starts (without all the endocrine disruptors in conventional deodorants). It’s also great for soothing first-trimester headaches!
But remember: topical solutions will only get you so far if you don’t focus on the foundations of your health.
How to glow from within during your pregnancy and beyond.
Ahh, the coveted pregnancy glow.
And no, it’s not a myth.
Your skin changes A LOT during pregnancy— for better or worse, lol.
Increased blood flow and raging hormones are usually to thank.
Melasma even popped up on my skin during my last pregnancy. But instead of freaking out and buying a bunch of bleaching creams, I simply nourished my body, and it healed naturally— what a concept.
To help your body manage all the changes that come with pregnancy, maintain healthy hormone levels, and get your glow on, you have to start with the foundations.
- a nutrient-dense diet full of ancestral foods (nose-to-tail meats, raw dairy, in-season fruit and veg)
- clean air and water
- plenty of rest and relaxation
- vitamins and minerals
- adequate sun exposure
Don’t miss these. Your skin (and hormones) will thank you.
What about sun protection?
One of the main reasons moms ask me about using Pre Sun on their littles and during pregnancy is for “sun protection.”
But this really isn’t why I made Pre Sun in the first place. It’s more about sun utilization and skin repair than it is about protection.
Go ahead and read our blog post about sun exposure for all my thoughts on this topic, but in short, the sun is not something to fear.
In fact, consistent sunlight is essential for healthy development— in and out of the womb. (3)
Studies even show that mothers who get more sun while pregnant give birth to babies that grow to be taller and stronger. True story.
But to be clear, you should never let their skin burn because this is a sign of oxidative stress and damage.
I always try to get my littles out in the morning and evening sun for all the benefits and none of the burn.
If we have to be out in the midday sun, then I usually strategize protective clothing, take note of shady areas for sun breaks, and saturate our skin with Fatskn Whipped Tallow Body Butter.
Not only does this blend of saturated fats provide a natural SPF of around 4-6, but it also reduces the risk of oxidation on the skin. Gentle yet very effective.
My family does not use sunscreen, so I won’t ever make one or recommend it, but please do what you think is right for you and your family— trust your mom instincts with this one.
Moral of the story is that growing a child requires a lot of nourishment and change, but it doesn’t have to be so complicated.
Leave the experimentation for another season— enjoy this one while it lasts.
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As always, while we hope to be a no-nonsense resource, we encourage you to do your own research to find the healthiest options for you and your family.
You can check out our collection of good-for-you, tallow skincare products by clicking the link below. We hope to see you there!
REFERENCES:
- Faupel-Badger, J. M., et al. “Plasma Volume Expansion in Pregnancy: Implications for Biomarkers in Population Studies.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, vol. 16, no. 9, 1 Sept. 2007, pp. 1720–1723, cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/9/1720, https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-07-0311.
- Zarean E, Tarjan A. Effect of Magnesium Supplement on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Randomized Control Trial. Adv Biomed Res. 2017 Aug 31;6:109. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.213879. PMID: 28904937; PMCID: PMC5590399. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5590399/#:~:text=Magnesium%20(Mg)%20is%20an%20essential,well%20as%20increase%20birth%20weight.
- Waldie KE, Poulton R, Kirk IJ, Silva PA. The effects of pre- and post-natal sunlight exposure on human growth: evidence from the Southern Hemisphere. Early Hum Dev. 2000 Nov;60(1):35-42. doi: 10.1016/s0378-3782(00)00102-x. PMID: 11054582. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11054582/