Breastfeeding and Retinols/Retin A etc.

Dr. Irwin
August 27, 2014
Hi Dr. Irwin, Thank you for the wonderful blog! I am 35 years old and am about to have my second baby. After the baby is born, I'd like to start using an OTC retinol product, like the SkinMedica Retinol Complex .25. I do plan on breastfeeding and would like to know if it's okay to use OTC retinols while breastfeeding. If the SkinMedica is too strong to use while breastfeeding, is there a lower concentration product that would be safe? Based on some of the reading I've done, it seems like medical opinions differ on this one so I wanted to get your take. Thanks, Kelly

Your welcome!  I always think it’s good to ask your OB when in doubt but…………this Retinol concentration is unlikely to get into the bloodstream using a pea sized amount or so on your face at night.

Retinoid  compounds are vitamin A counsins and they stay in the skin well at these concentrations.  Also, Retinol is a much weaker form of it than the prescription forms, which is why I use it in the summer and then switch back to the stronger prescription form in the winter.   A Retinol .25% would be a good choice in this situation, but double check with your OB . 

Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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