Can a pregnant woman use self-tanning products?

It is strongly advised against for pregnant women to expose themselves to the sun without sun protection, at the risk of developing a pregnancy mask, a form of pigmented spots. Indeed, during pregnancy, the body undergoes several hormonal variations, including an increase in the production of estrogen and progesterone.

According to several studies, these steroidal hormones are capable of stimulating the expression of type I melanocortin receptors (MC1R), playing a role in the melanin synthesis pathway. This overproduction of pigments is the cause of the appearance of brown spots on the face or body of pregnant women.

It's also worth noting that this type of hyperpigmentation predominantly affects individuals with darker skin, specifically those within phototypes III to VI in the Fitzpatrick classification. Indeed, darker skin contains more melanin than lighter skin, and more specifically eumelanin, a darker form, which provides better protection against UV rays.

It can be challenging for pregnant women to achieve a sun-kissed complexion without risking the development of melasma, also known as the mask of pregnancy. The use of a self-tanner may be tempting. However, similar to diet, it is known that certain active ingredients are not recommended for topical application in pregnant women. This is particularly the case with essential oils and retinoids. As a precaution, it is also advisable to avoid any ingredient considered a potential endocrine disruptor.

Regarding self-tanners, there is presumably no contraindication for their use by pregnant women. Indeed, they are not harmful to either the mother or the fetus, and will not cause pregnancy mask. This is due to their mechanism of action being different from that of the sun's UV rays.

Self-tanning products typically contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), sometimes combined with erythrulose. The DHA is a plant-derived molecule that induces a brownish hue in 4 to 6 hours. From a biological perspective, it remains on the skin's surface and reacts with the amino acids of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, according to the so-called Maillard reaction to form brown pigments, the melanoidins , not to be confused with melanin .

Theerythrulose is a sugar found in red fruits. This compound acts similarly to DHA, but more slowly. The combination of DHA and erythrulose results in a more natural and uniform tan. Moreover, erythrulose has moisturizing properties that counterbalance the drying power of DHA.

However, be cautious to not inhale or ingest self-tanning products. Indeed, the ingestion or inhalation of DHA could potentially lead to asthma, lung diseases, or cancer.

Note : If you are pregnant and have concerns about the safety of a product, we recommend that you contact your midwife or gynecologist. They will be able to answer your questions and guide you in your choices.

• MIOT H. & al. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia (2014).

• ZUCCA A. & al. A narrative review of the potential for self-tanning products to substitute for solaria use among people seeking a tanned appearance. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine (2014).

• TYLER K. H. Physiological skin changes during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics (2015).