Stretch mark cream and breastfeeding: which ingredients to avoid, which to choose?

By a Doctor of Pharmacy, founder of KOUAGA

During breastfeeding, one question keeps coming back, and it is a legitimate one: can what I put on my skin pass into my milk and reach my baby? It is a healthy concern, yet few brands answer it clearly. As a pharmacist, I share with you what is best avoided, and what you can turn to with confidence.

First, let's put things in perspective

The skin is a barrier, and for most standard skincare, the amount of ingredients that actually passes through the skin, reaches the bloodstream and then passes into breast milk is very low¹. So there is no need to panic or to give up taking care of yourself. It is simply a matter of making informed choices about a few specific ingredients. The good news: the list of ingredients to watch out for while breastfeeding is shorter than you might think.

Ingredients to avoid as a precaution

Retinoids (also known as vitamin A derivatives: retinol, retinal, tretinoin...). This is the number one point of vigilance. Oral retinoids are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding². For topical versions (in creams), absorption is low, but as a precaution, most healthcare professionals recommend avoiding them during this period^1,2, especially over large areas of the body, which is precisely the case for a stretch mark treatment applied to the belly, hips and chest.

Certain essential oils. "Natural" does not mean "risk-free". Several essential oils are highly concentrated compounds whose effects on infants are poorly understood. Some, such as peppermint or sage, are traditionally reputed to reduce milk supply³. To be on the safe side, it is better to choose formulas without essential oils, especially for a product applied daily and over large areas.

Fragrances and allergens. Newborns have a very sensitive sense of smell, and fragrances can be irritating. Fragrance-free formulas, or those with subtle, low-concentration fragrances free from allergens, limit this risk, for you as well as for your baby.

Ingredients you can choose with confidence

Good news: the best active ingredients for supporting the skin during this period are also among the safest and best tolerated¹.

Moisturising and nourishing agents such as shea butter and squalane are excellent for maintaining the skin's suppleness and comfort. Vitamin E, a recognised antioxidant, supports skin health. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are considered safe for hydration. These are ingredients that nourish, soothe and soften, exactly what your skin needs as it changes, without the worrying ones.

How to choose, in practice

The most useful habit: read the INCI list (the official ingredient list found on every cosmetic product). The higher an ingredient appears in the list, the higher its concentration. Check for the absence of retinoids and essential oils, and choose simple formulas designed for this period. Also check their compatibility with pregnancy or breastfeeding. You can also look up an ingredient you are unsure about on dedicated platforms, such as the website of the French reference centre on teratogenic agents (CRAT)², or talk to your pharmacist.

And if you have any doubts about a specific product, your pharmacist or doctor is always there: never hesitate to ask.

Our commitment at KOUAGA

This is exactly the philosophy that guided our formulations. Our creams were designed by a pharmacist, without retinoids, with a selection of active ingredients chosen for their tolerance and efficacy; their compatibility with all populations, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding, has been validated by toxicological assessments. Because a gesture you repeat every day on your body while feeding your child should never be a source of worry.

KOUAGA, the stretch mark experts.

Sources

1. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(6):665-667.
2. CRAT – Centre de Référence sur les Agents Tératogènes (AP-HP, French reference centre on teratogenic agents), "Retinoids" fact sheets, lecrat.fr.
3. LactMed – Drugs and Lactation Database, National Library of Medicine (NIH), "Peppermint" and "Sage" entries.