RetinA Use During Pregnancy

A recent study reviewed the risk to fetuses when mothers were exposed to topical retinoids (RetinA type skin products) during the first trimester of pregnancy. There were no increased rates of congenital malformations in the babies born to these mothers. Based on these results, we can reassure women in early pregnanancy who are inadvertently exposed to retinoids. However, the study does not provide justification for the use of topical retinoids during pregnancy. What the study does do, is provide reassurance that if a woman is using retinoid containing skin care, there is no evidence at this time that it has a damaging effect on their baby.