Are we giving parents-to-be enough information about cosmetic chemicals in pregnancy?

Last week I attended the Baby & Toddler Show at Sandown Park. Being surrounded by so many expectant and new parents exploring products for their babies really made me pause and reflect on something we don’t talk about enough in our industry.

Are we giving would-be parents the right information about cosmetic chemicals before and during pregnancy?

This isn’t about judging anyone’s choices. For me, it’s about protecting children and our planet and that starts well before birth. The evidence on specific beauty treatments in pregnancy isn’t black-and-white, but the direction of travel is clear.

What the guidance says

• The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) says many everyday chemical exposures are potential but unproven risks — and advises minimising unnecessary exposure.

• NHS guidance suggests hair dye is generally safe in pregnancy because exposure is low, though some parents choose to wait until after 12 weeks.

• UKTIS (UK Teratology Information Service) advises avoiding cosmetic Botox and dermal fillers during pregnancy because there’s no reliable safety data.

• Nail treatments aren’t formally banned, but ventilation matters, and some hospitals ask for polish/gel removal during labour for monitoring.

  
  

Three practical, non-judgemental steps

So what can we do as an ecosystem — brands, salons, retailers — to make it easier for parents to choose lower-exposure options?

1. Simplify — choose products with shorter ingredient lists; avoid strong actives that aren’t recommended in pregnancy.

2. Ventilate — prioritise well-ventilated spaces for nails/hair; take breaks if fumes cause headaches or nausea.

3. Ask — midwives and pharmacists can help interpret the grey areas for each personal situation.

   
   

Why this matters

As the founder of THE NEST, I believe our sector has a responsibility to lead with clarity: better point-of-sale information, salon checklists, and brand transparency so parents can make informed decisions.

That’s how we become good ancestors.

Further reading & sources

Official guidance (UK):

• RCOG – Scientific Impact Paper 37: chemical exposures in pregnancy: https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/axjhtyzw/sip_37.pdf

• NHS – Health in pregnancy (hair dye, chemicals, fumes, and more): https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/health-things-you-should-know-in-pregnancy/

• UKTIS – Botulinum toxin (Botox) in pregnancy: https://www.toxbase.org/

• NCT – Beauty & wellbeing treatments in pregnancy and breastfeeding: https://www.nct.org.uk/information/pregnancy/wellbeing-and-lifestyle-pregnancy/which-beauty-and-wellbeing-treatments-are-safe-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

Recent studies:

• PFAS exposure – Personal care product use linked to higher PFAS levels in pregnant/lactating women (Brown University, 2024): https://www.brown.edu/news/2024-11-11/personal-care-pfas

• Nail polish absorption – Nail polish chemicals like TPHP shown to be absorbed into the body: https://www.ewg.org/research/nailed

Have you seen compelling research on this topic that could help shed more light on the risks or lack of them? If so, I’d love to hear from you.