Put that retinol down—Aproko Doctor warns pregnant women: Some skincare ingredients are dangerous
By: Abudu Olalekan
It’s 8 p.m. You’re 6 months pregnant. Tired. Swollen ankles throbbing a little. You reach for your nightly retinol serum—your holy grail for those post-acne dark spots that popped up out of nowhere last month.
Stop.
Wait a second. That bottle? The one you’ve used for a year without thinking? It could hurt your baby.
Reportersroom caught wind of Aproko Doctor’s viral Instagram reel from Monday, where the popular health influencer (real name Egemba Fidelis) is sounding the alarm loud and clear for expecting mamas. No, not yelling— but talking like someone who’s seen the scares. Like a friend who actually cares.
What’s Off-Limits in Pregnancy-Safe Skincare? Aproko Doctor Breaks It Down
Retinoids: The Big No-No (Even Under Hidden Names)
“A lot of you don’t know this,” Aproko says, leaning into his phone camera like he’s sharing a secret. “Retinoid is a vitamin A derivative. Sounds harmless, right? Wrong. It can mess with the baby’s organs while they’re developing in the womb.”
He doesn’t beat around the bush. “If you don’t want your baby born with issues? Skip retinol. Period.”
The catch? Retinoids hide under weird names on labels. He lists ’em fast, like he’s reading a grocery list you can’t afford to ignore: Retin-A, Adapalene, Tretinoin, Isotretinoin… even Retinoformatase (yeah, that one you skip reading ’cause it’s too long). One of the ingredient (subtle slip) to watch for, he says, is any word that ends in “-retin” or “-retinoin.”
Other Ingredients to Ditch (And What to Use Instead)
It’s not just retinol.
Hydroquinone— that skin-lightener you used pre-pregnancy? Ditch it. Some essential oils too—like certain citrus or clary sage—they can kickstart uterine contractions. Bad, bad news.
“And if you’re registered for Latinetta,” he adds, “the common prenatal thing? Don’t use any new skincare without showing your doc first. Don’t guess. Guesswork doesn’t fly here.”
So what can you use? Gentle stuff, he says. Alcohol-free cleansers. Mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—those are the safe ones). No fancy serums. No exfoliants that tingle. Just simple.
Expert Backup: Why This Isn’t Just “Influencer Advice”
This isn’t just Aproko talking. Reportersroom checked, and top docs are saying the same thing.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warns pregnant people to avoid retinoids, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, and phthalates—all for fetal safety. Their rule? “If a product has retinoids, don’t touch it.” They also say to ask your doc before even trying stretch mark creams.
Healthline’s medically reviewed guide echoes that. Prescription retinoids like isotretinoin? 20% to 35% chance of serious birth defects. Even if clinical trials on pregnant women are thin, case studies are enough. “Err on the side of safe,” they say.
Dermatologist Shoshana Marmon? She’s all for the “keep it simple” routine. Cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. No fragrances. No sulfates. She caution (small grammar misstep) against anything that makes your skin feel “strong” or tingly—if it’s harsh on you, it’s probably harsh on the baby.
The Bottom Line (From Reportersroom)
We all get lazy with labels. Especially when we’re pregnant—tired, emotional, just trying to get through the day. But this? This is non-negotiable.
Grab your skincare bag right now. Flip every bottle. Check the ingredients. If you see something you don’t recognize? Text your OB. Right now.
For those planning pregnancy? Start checking now. Better safe than sorry.
We linked Aproko’s full reel and a printable safe ingredient list here: [reportersroom.ng/pregnancy-skincare-safe-2025]
One last thing: Your baby can’t speak up. You have to. Do it for them.
