Is it safe to take retinol while breastfeeding?
As a breastfeeding mother, you may have heard that certain herbs and medications aren’t safe for breastfeeding mothers, their milk supply or for breastfed infants.
So, this may lead you to think about your supplements and your skincare routine and whether your skincare ingredients or supplements used for either health or additional skincare benefits, can transfer into your breastmilk and affect your baby’s health or your breastfeeding journey in any way.
Retinol use is one of the most popular skincare ingredients and many people also supplement with Retinol for additional health and skincare benefits. New moms are no exception to this, whether it’s for the appearance of fine lines, the appearance of wrinkles, texture issues or just continuing to take care of your skin with the help of beauty products or Vitamin supplements.
What is Retinol?
Retinol, also known as Vitamin A or Vitamin A1 is a fat-soluble Vitamin in the Vitamin A family. Retinol is naturally found in everyday foods.
Retinol is also a very popular ingredient in many skincare products due to its benefits for the skin.
What does Retinol do?
Retinol and other forms of Vitamin A are needed for vision, cellular development, maintenance of skin and mucous membranes, immune function and reproductive development.
Retinol is often recommended for the treatment of acne and clogged pores and can be used to repair free radical damage.
Retinol has also been found to even out skin tone, reduce dark spots and soften the skin, resulting in improved overall skin health.
Is Retinol safe while pregnant?
Retinol is a very potent form of Vitamin A. It can actually be dangerous to expose yourself or your baby to too much of any Vitamin or mineral. In fact, excessive intake of Vitamin A has been shown to cause congenital malformations, birth defects and spontaneous abortion.
Just like with breastfeeding, pregnant women are urged to take unnecessary supplements with caution.
A healthy and balanced diet together with prenatal vitamins should be enough for most pregnant moms, unless there is a deficiency which should be treated under the supervision of your healthcare provider.
Is Retinol safe to use while breastfeeding?
Retinol is a typical Retinoid. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that is secreted into human milk and primarily sequestered in high concentrations in the liver.
Retinol is absorbed in the small intestine by a selective carrier-mediated uptake process. Levels in infants are generally unknown, which is why one should be cautious of unnecessary supplementation of Retinol.
Mature human milk is rich in Retinol and contains 750 µg/L. It’s unknown whether Vitamin A levels in milk correlate with maternal plasma levels, but it’s believed that it probably does, and therefore caution is recommended in higher-than-normal doses in breastfeeding mothers.
Recommended daily intake of Retinol
The suggested adult female dose is listed at 700 µg or 2300 IU. The upper limit is normally 3000 µg or 10,000 IU.
Adults should never exceed 5000 units/day unless under the direct supervision of a physician and for specific diseases.
Use normal doses while breastfeeding, there’s no need for higher doses.
Overdose of Retinol
The overdose of Vitamin A is possible, and it can be extremely dangerous. It’s characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, and muscular incoordination.
Acute toxicity usually occurs at doses of 25,000 IU/kg. Chronic exposure to levels of 4,000 IU/kg daily for 6 or more months is hazardous.
Liver damage can occur at doses as low as 15,000 IU per day.
In infants, a bulging fontanel is also indicative of Vitamin A toxicity.
If an overdose of Retinol is suspected in either mother or baby, one should seek immediate support from a medical provider.
Retinol vs Beta Carotene
Retinol and Beta Carotene are both forms of Vitamin A, but they differ in their sources and how the body uses them.
Retinol
Retinol is a pre-formed, bioavailable form of Vitamin A that is directly obtained from animal sources like liver, eggs, and dairy products.
It is readily absorbed and used by the body for various functions, including vision, immune function, and skin health.
Retinol can be converted into retinal and retinoic acid, which are active forms of Vitamin A in the body.
Beta Carotene
Beta Carotene is a Provitamin A carotenoid found in plant sources such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens. It gives these foods their orange or yellow color.
It functions as a precursor to Vitamin A. Once consumed, it is converted into Retinol in the body as needed.
The conversion of Beta Carotene to Retinol depends on individual factors such as genetics, dietary conditions, and overall Vitamin A status. It is generally less efficient compared to directly consuming Retinol.
Key differences in Retinol and Beta Carotene
Retinol comes from animal sources, while Beta Carotene comes from plant sources.
Retinol is more readily absorbed and utilized by the body compared to Beta Carotene.
Beta Carotene requires conversion into Retinol in the body, which may vary in efficiency.
Considerations in choosing between different sources
Dietary Preference
Vegetarians and vegans often rely on Beta Carotene from plant sources to meet their Vitamin A needs.
Supplementation
Retinol is often found in supplements for those who may have difficulty converting Beta Carotene or have higher Vitamin A requirements.
Toxicity
Excessive intake of pre-formed Vitamin A (Retinol) from supplements or animal sources can lead to toxicity, whereas Beta Carotene from plant sources is not associated with toxicity because the body regulates its conversion.
Both retinol and beta carotene are important for Vitamin A nutrition, but their sources, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways differ, influencing their role in human health and nutrition.
Foods rich in Retinol
Vitamin A does play a very important role in how our bodies function, and therefore it’s important to eat healthy and balanced diet rich in all Vitamins and Minerals including Retinol.
– Carrots
– Eggs
– Liver
– Sweet Potatoe
– Cantaloupe
– Spinach
– Red bell pepper
– Broccoli
– Butternut squash
– Cheese
– Apricots
– Leafy green vegetables
– Pumpkin
– Salmon
– Butter
– Oily fish
– Lamb liver
– Mango
– Milk
– Tomatoes
– Kale
– Lettuce
Retinol as a skincare ingredient
Retinol is a very popular ingredient in skincare products due to the many benefits that it holds for the skin.
Many people use it for fine lines, wrinkles, postpartum acne, acne-prone skin, uneven skin tone stretch marks etc. Some of these benefits have research to prove its efficiency, others don’t.
While Retinol supplements are considered possibly unsafe to take while breastfeeding if taken above the normal limits, skincare products may possibly be a different story.
If Tretinoin is used, a retinoid derivative similar to Vitamin A, which is usually used in skincare products, is considered low risk.
Tretinoin is primarily used topically for acne and wrinkling and sometimes administered orally for Leukemias and Psoriasis.
Used topically, Tretinoin stimulates epithelial turnover and reduces cell cohesiveness. Blood concentrations measured 2-48 hours following applications are essentially zero.
Absorption of Tretinoin via topical sources is reported to be minimal, and breast milk would likely be minimal to none.
Retinol supplements’ safety on the other hand is still unknown, whether used topically or orally, and should be used with caution.
Breastfeeding-safe alternatives
Vitamin C
An excellent alternative to Retinol is Vitamin C which possesses potent antioxidant properties that aid in brightening the skin, reducing dark spots, and promoting collagen production. Its gentle nature makes it a favorable choice for breastfeeding mothers.
Hyaluronic Acid
With its exceptional ability to hydrate and plump the skin, hyaluronic acid is a safe and effective option to maintain skin moisture and elasticity during the breastfeeding period.
Lactic Acid
This gentle exfoliant aids in promoting cellular turnover while retaining skin moisture, making it an ideal option for breastfeeding mothers looking to maintain skin health without the potential risks associated with retinol.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a great moisturizer and has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities too. These properties make it great for reducing signs of aging, and particularly useful for treating the effects of sun damage.
Vitamin E
This is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. In addition, it keeps dry skin hydrated and can even help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and other signs of problematic skin like blemishes and spots.
Important notes on the use of Retinol while breastfeeding
It’s always a good idea for new mothers to discuss any use of any herbs, medications or supplements with suitably qualified medical professionals.
If you have any concerns over your skin health, it might be a good idea to consult with a board-certified dermatologist for the best possible advice and treatments.
The good news is that your usual diet, vitamins and skincare soaps and creams will probably be perfectly safe. The only time this becomes a different situation is when you use very specific ingredients or supplements, or when used in higher-than-normal doses.
If you ever need any information or support on anything breastfeeding related, consult with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Lactation consultants will also be able to provide you with information on medications and ingredients and safer alternatives when possible.
