Last week I sat down with Ellyse, a glowy mama-to-be, to go through all of the melty mama safe services. This week we dive deep into mama safe products and ingredients, along with what to avoid.

Ellyse: The product world and preggo mamas - HELP! There is SO much information and at the same time SO LITTLE when it comes to actually knowing how to support our skin during pregnancy. For starters, what ingredients should I be looking for?

Mel: During pregnancy, it's important to prioritize skin care ingredients that are safe and beneficial for both mama and baby.

Here are some great ingredients to look for in pregnancy-safe skin care products:

1. Humectants
such as Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, and Vitamin B5. These hydrating ingredients help to retain moisture in the skin, making it look plump and smooth. They’re nature-derived and safe to use during pregnancy.

Our Oatmylk Creamy Cleanser, Lemongrass Cleansing Serum, Optimyst Mineralizing Spray, and Moysture Universal Cream are all super-boosted with multiple healthy humectants so we get a big dose of hydration for the cells in every step!

2. Glycolic Acid
Unlike salicylic acid, glycolic acid is considered safe for use during pregnancy in low concentrations (usually up to 10%). It helps exfoliate the skin, promoting cell turnover and a brighter complexion.

My favorite easy way to introduce glycolic into my client’s skin ritual is through cleansing, finding the ideal # of times per week that the individual skin tolerates and not overdoing it.

I formulated Lemongrass Cleansing Serum to give us that consistent, gentle exfoliation, keep cell turnover high, and brighten our overall complexion without ever drying us out. 

3. Vitamin C:
This antioxidant is great for brightening the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation, and boosting collagen production. Look for stable forms of vitamin C like ascorbic acid or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

I very intentionally chose Ascorbic Acid for our Lemongrass Cleansing Serum. As mentioned, it’s the most stable and bioavailable form of Vit C for the skin. Many serums on the market are sadly not effective and lose potency / efficacy quickly because of the way they’re made or even just the bottle they're packaged in that lets sunlight in.  

Another lesser-known bit about many Vitamin C products is that they cause extreme dryness, breakouts, reactions and sensitivity. Not all skins can tolerate all Vitamin C and sometimes the recommended frequency is just too high.

Since my own face is very sensitive to Vitamin C, I chose to add it into this milky, creamy cleanser with a ton of other hydrating, nourishing supporting ingredients which helps to buffer it so that more skins can enjoy the benefits without negative side effects. Hooray! 

4. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):
Niacinamide is gentle yet effective, helping to improve skin texture, reduce redness, and regulate oil production. Additionally, it can improve the appearance of pores, even out skin tone, reduce redness and inflammation, and enhance the skin's natural barrier function.

Find an abundance of this multitasking marvel infused into our Optimyst Mineralizing Spray. 

5. Natural Oils:
Certain natural oils like emu oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and argan oil are safe and beneficial during pregnancy. They provide hydration, nourishment, and can help improve the skin's elasticity.

Mu Juice is the best, nature-derived skin oil in the Universe — seriously! It does what no other ingredient in the entire galaxy can do: emu oil passes through all 7 layers of soft tissue, penetrating down to the muscles and joints. It goes DEEP, my babes. 

It’s amazing as a stand-alone facial oil and can be mixed with other oils, serums and moisturizers. And guess what? Adding Mu Juice into any skin ritual will make ALL of your other products more effective while using less! 

6. Mineral Sunscreens:
Opt for mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which provide broad-spectrum protection without the potential risks associated with chemical UV filters.

We are 100% mineral SPF babes, regardless of being pregnant or not. That's why we’ve carried and shared ColoreScience for many years. 

Checkout our collection of 100% Mineral Face and Body Sunscreens.

7. Antioxidants: 
Ingredients like green tea extract, deep sea minerals, and natural oils are rich in antioxidants, helping to protect the skin from environmental damage and premature aging.

Here are the antioxidant-rich ingredients in MELT by Melissa Skin Care.

OAT - apple extract and aloe vera 

LG - vitamin c, lemongrass oil, lemon oil, emu oil, 

MIST - deep sea minerals, green tea, aloe vera, and lemongrass oil

MU - emu oil and lavender oil

MOY - deep sea minerals, green tea, aloe vera, and lemongrass oil


8. A HEALTHY  SPOT TREATMENT 

Keep hormonal breakouts at bay in a safe, healthy way. My tried-n-true acne spot treatment is made of just 3 organic ingredients – 

colloidal sulfur: is like a heat seeking missile for bacteria, killing the culprit deep down 

allantoin: soothes inflammation, promotes skin and wound healing, increases cell turnover

lemon: gently lightens and brightens to prevent a dark or red spot from forming and lingering 

Unlike other spot treatments that sizzle a big hole where the blemish was, leaving us with an unsightly scab or darker red spot for weeks, Clear It Blemish Control Gel will NOT damage the healthy tissue AND can be applied as many times a day as needed to speed up healing! 

It’s a life saver game changer for pesky breakouts and ingrown hairs.

Ellyse: And which ingredients to should I stay away from?

Mel: During pregnancy, it's generally recommended to avoid skin care ingredients that could potentially harm the developing baby. At MELT, we always opt for clean beauty products that are free of known harmful toxins and carcinogens or low grade mystery ingredients and fillers, regardless of being pregnant or not.

Some ingredients for pregnant and nursing mamas to steer clear of include:

1. Retinoids: These are often found in products for anti-aging and acne treatment. High doses of vitamin A derivatives like retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, and tretinoin should be avoided.

2. Salicylic acid: While small amounts (up to 2%) found in over-the-counter products like cleansers are generally considered safe, higher concentrations (such as in chemical peels) should be avoided.

3. Hydroquinone: This is often used for treating hyperpigmentation, but its safety during pregnancy isn't well-established, so it's usually best to avoid it.

4. Chemical sunscreens: Some chemical UV filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate have raised concerns, so it's recommended to opt for physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead.

5. Phthalates: These are commonly found in fragrances, nail polishes and cosmetics and are best avoided during pregnancy due to their potential endocrine-disrupting effects.

6. Parabens: Used as preservatives in many skin care products, parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, so it's advisable to choose paraben-free options.

*ALL MELT by Melissa Skin Care and MELT by Melissa Brow Care products are free from this list of ingredients to avoid. Lemongrass Cleansing Serum is formulated with lower than 2% salicylic acid and lower than 10% glycolic acid, making it safe to use during pregnancy. All ColoreScience SPF products are 100% mineral sunscreen.”

Always consult with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist if you're unsure about specific ingredients or products during pregnancy.

Ellyse: Belly stretch marks - stay away from me! What tips/products can I use to keep the growing belly moisturized / same with these nips!

Mel: This is something I get REALLY excited about sharing! It sounds kinda silly, but I’ve recognized that since I’m not a mama yet, this is one of the ONLY ways I haven’t been able to personally experience the magic of Mu Juice. It’s fun because I get to live vicariously through our clients and hear their heartfelt shares and feedback all about how much Mu Juice has changed their lives during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. 

Mu Juice is just two super-pure, natural oils: organic emu oil and lavender essential oil. Together, they make a healthy, mega moisturizing and miracle healing serum that can be used in so many ways from head-to-toe. 

Stretching skin and stretch marks: 

ultra nourishing, moisturizing and softening for supple skin that can expand more easily. It's not only more comfortable, but also helps prevent stretch marks from forming during pregnancy and allows skin to be more elastic to shrink back in after birth. 

emu oil is also incredible for diminishing any stretch marks and scars we do have. It's also been used to help brighten and fade the center belly stripe by many of my clients. 

Soothing, healing nipple cream: 

emu oil is the ultimate healer and soother for dry, cracked and chapped skin, which many women experience during nursing. Like a lip balm, Mu Juice can be applied proactively to prevent nipples from painful drying out and reactively for its soothing + skin-regenerating properties which will reduce pain and speed up recovery. 

Precious baby skin: 

Our little ones often experience their own skin conditions early in life too. Mu Juice is a safe, natural remedy for rashes, baby acne, dry scaly skin or patches like eczema and psoriasis, or any other sensitivities and reactions. Its amazing applications extend into cuts, scrapes, bug bites, burns and sunburns. 

• antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal
• anti inflammatory, anti itch, and soothes pain
• high in protecting antioxidants 
• deeply moisturizing 

One bottle, SO MANY healthy, healing benefits for mama + baby.