A personal choice 

During my two pregnancies, I found it a real jungle trying to work out what you ‘could’ and ‘couldn’t’ do. It was difficult to navigate, not just when it came to diet and exercise, but also in relation to many other things. What nappies did I want to use for my little baby? Should they ideally wear woollen clothes? Was I working too much during my pregnancy? “Please don’t get pelvic floor weakness!” Was I sitting down too much? Was I standing up too much? 

The list of questions you ask yourself seems endless, and ultimately only you can decide what’s best for the little life growing inside you. 

I think that’s how many people experience it. A flood of well-meaning advice comes your way, and you try your hardest to navigate the many ‘do’s and don’ts’. At Karmameju, we’re often asked whether it’s safe to use essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For legal reasons, we leave this personal choice up to the individual consumer.

Karmameju complies with the varying cosmetics legislation in Europe, the USA, Canada and Hong Kong, and we have therefore chosen to include the following wording on our products: Seek professional advice during pregnancy and breastfeeding when using essential oils.

I realise this does not provide a specific answer to the question, but we hope it will encourage you, the consumer, to make an informed choice for yourself.

Use a little, but use it well

I love aromatherapy and its positive effect on the body. I particularly loved using the CALMING range to soothe, relax and pamper my skin and mind. I used Karmameju Skincare products from across the different ranges. Products such as the healing CALM balm and the soothing MILD body oil have been my favourites during both pregnancies. It wasn’t nature’s beautiful scents that I was concerned about – not at all.

But it’s up to each individual whether they wish to use skincare products containing essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding – just as dietary and other lifestyle choices are also personal. We encourage you to read up on pregnancy and the use of effective aromatherapy, and based on this, make your own choice about which products you wish to use during your pregnancy.

As a general rule, my view is to use a little, but use it well.

Fragrance-free skincare for pregnancy

For those of you who only want fragrance-free products for pregnancy and the postnatal period, Karmameju’s fragrance-free range has been developed using the same results-driven ingredients as in the rest of our ranges. Our fragrance-free range contains no aromatherapeutic oils – only nature’s pure, subtle botanical scents.
The range is extensive: products that envelop the skin in clinically proven, plant-based ingredients with soothing, calming and moisturising properties, which activate the skin’s natural immune defences and keep its natural regenerative processes active.

Karmameju’s all-encompassing fragrance-free range has been developed for all skin types and needs.

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Dry brushing is an effective skincare method

An alternative to using lots of skincare products during pregnancy and breastfeeding could be dry brushing and using our konjac sponge. This way, you’re doing your skin a world of good without any product penetrating the skin. Dry brushing, in particular, is beneficial during pregnancy and has many skincare benefits.

- Exfoliating your skin daily really helps with dryness, both on your body and face. Use Karmameju’s body brushes, facial dry brush and konjac sponge as an alternative to scrubs and peels to remove dull, grey skin cells and restore a healthy glow.

- Alleviate and prevent fluid retention and swelling. Start early in your pregnancy to prevent these issues and maintain good circulation throughout your body. Ask a loved one to help you brush your legs and feet when you can no longer reach them yourself.

- Dry brushing stimulates the nervous system and boosts blood circulation, which helps combat low energy levels.

- If you suffer from pregnancy-related itching, you can use your dry brush with light strokes as a gentle, itch-relieving remedy. Avoid areas where the skin is particularly sensitive, such as the stomach in the later stages of pregnancy.

- Ask for help brushing your neck and lower back to relieve tension.

Read about the many benefits of Karmameju’s dry brushes here

And to everyone reading this with a little one in your tummy, in your arms or at your breast – CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

 

All the best
Mette