First and foremost, congratulations are in order! This is a magical time in your life and you DESERVE to feel amazing — the perfect perfume included.
Now, as this unique stage in your life brings a long list of things you should avoid as well as new bodily functions/reactions, of course, you are curious if it is safe to wear perfume while pregnant. As you become more sensitive to the world around you, we want to help you feel confident in the products you choose to use.
The short answer to your question is, “for the most part, you don’t have to feel bad about enjoying your beloved Eau de Parfum when there’s a baby on board.”
Thank goodness, because you already had to give up some cheese and ugh, WINE! It would be dreadful if you had to give up your favorite perfume too!
However, there are a few things you want to take into consideration.
FACT: Not all pregnant women are made the same — by that we mean, your body is surging with hormones and your sensitivities are at an ALL-TIME HIGH! Some women might react differently to different smells and mixtures. From rashes to nausea and let’s not forget chemicals affecting the baby.
With that in mind, we at Dossier have gotten to the bottom of the three MAJOR things to think about when it comes to perfume and pregnancy.
1. Toxins:
Likely the number one reason you are reading this article in the first place — a curiosity as to what toxins are in perfume and if those toxins are okay for pregnant women.
Maybe you have heard the word phthalates floating around or have even had people tell you to avoid them. However, direct from MC leading oncologist at USC here is the answer, “the bottom line is that there’s no conclusive data on the safety of phthalates, one way or the other. “If a woman has been using perfume or products with fragrance during her pregnancy already, she shouldn’t be concerned about a problem with the baby,” Twogood says. “Because of these theoretical concerns, if a woman is worried, I would advise limiting the number of fragrant products she uses every day. If she loves her perfume, then continue using it, but potentially limit other fragranced products, such as lotions and deodorants.””
The truth is, the best way to know what ingredients are in a perfume is to read labels. Like Dossier, good perfume companies will list all ingredients.
2. Sensitivity to smell:
“The more common problem with using perfume during pregnancy is that it can make your already unpleasant symptoms even worse—think: sensitivity to smells, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting (like you need any more of that!).” That dreaded perfume headache might just get worse while pregnant. UGH!
But, luckily for you, there is a flip side.
“Some scents can even help fight nausea-like peppermint, ginger, and cardamom. Many pregnant women have found that citrus scents help alleviate nausea and are not overpowering, but rather leave a refreshed, rejuvenated, and calm feeling. Citrus scents such as sweet orange, neroli, and mandarin are especially popular among pregnant women. Other softer scents you may want to sample are lavender, rose and chamomile.”
At Dossier we have a perfume that many pregnant women have commented on enjoying the smell — our Fresh Floral 3 inspired by Armani’s Acqua Di Gioia has top notes of mint and mandarin, middle relaxing and light floral notes, and base notes that include rockrose and brown sugar. Possibly the perfect perfume to calm your pregnancy symptoms, for only $29 you can enjoy it during your 9-month hiatus from your preferred perfume.
3. Pregnancy-induced allergies:
Something we all know, YOUR BODY CHEMICAL MAKEUP CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY!
Therefore, there is one big reason “some women choose to discontinue using perfume during pregnancy, and that’s allergies. If you happen to enjoy spraying perfume on your neck, then this is worth considering. “Neck fragrance is a common cause of skin allergies, to which you’re especially susceptible now,” said dermatologist David E. Bank in Fit Pregnancy. If you’re concerned about an allergy flare-up, then just enjoy your perfume on your clothes or wrists for the time being.”
It’s as simple as that, if you find your skin reacting, try wearing your perfume a different way. If after testing areas of your body and you still have an allergy, stop using that perfume while you are pregnant.
Conclusion:
And, there you have it — perfume, when used in moderation, is okay during pregnancy. It all comes down to how your body feels. And, for us, in this time of life — it’s all about making yourself feel the most amazing.
So, “start thinking about how you want to feel during this new season of life…tranquil, calm, sexy, confident, whimsical, free…. Scents often bring us back to certain places and times and reflect an aspect of who we are.” This will bring you confidence and ultimately help you feel more comfortable in your skin as your body well… grows.
Not enjoy your favorite perfume right now?
That’s okay, Dossier wants to make buying pregnancy-friendly aromas pocket-friendly and easy. You can shop our large selection of perfumes, read all the ingredients, think about what sounds nice, and order each bottle for $29 or bundles for even better prices!
Girl, you got this pregnancy thing in the bag! Now all you have to do is work it with the perfect “I’m preggers” scent.
References:
1. https://www.romper.com/p/is-perfume-safe-during-pregnancy-what-to-know-before-you-spritz-10074656
2. https://www.thebump.com/a/perfume-safe-during-pregnancy
3. https://www.thebump.com/a/perfume-safe-during-pregnancy
4. https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/perfume-and-pregnancy/
5. https://www.romper.com/p/is-perfume-safe-during-pregnancy-what-to-know-before-you-spritz-10074656
