One of the first challenges I encountered while getting ready to get pregnant were the toxins and teratogens all around us. I mean, EVERYTHING is made out of chemicals nowadays. And since certain chemicals and toxins can adversly affect a fetus, it was important for me to switch to everything natural and toxin free.
It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
I started with cleaning supplies, which we switched to 7th generation ones –Â they smelled interesting and strong (herbs and lemon) and cleaned decently but not as well as full on chemical stuff.
I went to organic shampoos – I loved the feel and the smell and the idea that they’re all natural, but to be honest, the shampoo just didn’t clean as well, and the conditioner didn’t make my hair as soft as the typical brands.
I bought a zinc oxide sunblock, but it only came in a white cream that was really hard to put on.
Let me just say I wasn’t too happy about these changes, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, right?
I was still looking for a good facial SPF, moisturizer,body wash, face wash,etc.
A few months ago I became a part of a new affiliate programs and as I was going through different online stores, I bumped into Belli Skin Care. I would have probably passed them by if not for  the word “teratology screened”.
“Oh!”-Â I thought.
I have never seen a skin care care line SPECIFICALLY tested against teratogens, phthalates, BPA, parabe, artificial dyes, etc. Before I knew about nsBelli, i had attempted to research this on my own, emailing my favorite brands for a list of ingredients and then cross checking them against known problem agents. eventually I gave up, because it was too much work. I knew just going natural and organic wasn’t going to do it, because there’re quite a few natural things that can cause birth defects, like aloe vera, rosemary, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin A. The problem with something as minor as personal care is it seems like it’s too much work for a relatively low risk. Some people think that there’s a placental barrier to protect the baby from toxins, however the barrier only keeps larger molecules away, like bacteria, but lets some others through with no problem.
So needless to say, I kept postponning ordering something for when I am pregnant, because it was just too hard.
After reading more about Belli products I was sold on the concept. They also carry maternity skin care lines, breastfeeding lines, and baby care, each specifically designed to protect us and our babies from toxins at different times of our lives. I will definitely be using other products when I breastfeed and for the baby. You can get a Stretch Mark Minimizing cream if you already have them, or Belly Oil, if you want to prevent them
So I placed an order for an Acne Wash, a SPF25 facial sunscreen and an Exfoliator. To be honest, I was expecting one of those organic products that might be safe for my baby, but does pretty much nothing for me. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I got my package yesterday morning and last night I took a shower to try them out (oh come on! Don’t you get all excited when you buy new products? Except for I was expecting it to be something like that organic fragrance free soup I bought from Whole Foods- UGH!).
I LOVED IT!
I soooooo didn’t expect this reaction, but I loved all three products!
1. Ache Wash smelled like lemons and cleaned my face so well, but without stripping it, that when I got out of the shower it looked like I applied one of those primers that you put under make up to make your skin smooth and soft. I couldn’t believe it!
2. The exfoliator was one of those super fine particle exfoliator and did an amazing job without irritating my skin
3. The Anti-Cloasma had a little bit of a tint to it ( which usually annoys me because it tends to be darker than my skin) and went on smooth and nice and didn’t look like I had anything on.
So I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I will be ordering shampoo and conditioner from Belli as well, in hopes of getting something that works better than other organic shampoos.
If any of you guys are interested, there’s a coupon for 15% OFFÂ right now. Just use the code: 15BELLI
Just wanted to mention that I wasn’t compensated in any way to write about these products, or anything like that. I just spent so many hours researching safe products and trying to decide what to buy that I hope this would make it easier for some of you who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, are breastfeeding or just want safe baby skin care.
Since Belli doesn’t carry any facial moisturizers, I will be ordering mine from Beauty.com, they have a massive section of natural skin care and make up, plus right now there’s 2 promotions going on that I want to take advantage of:
1. New Customers – get $5 off $35 or $10 off $70 on your first Beauty.com order! and
2. Get a free Lela Rose Designer Bag + deluxe samples ($140 value!) with your $100 Beauty.com order! While supplies last.
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On another personal note, I am feeling fabulous and happy and just having the best time of my life. So many things I want to be doing and never enough time to do it.
So right now I am off to make a salad, play some drums and maybe go for a walk. Hope your Sunday is just as relaxing.
Oh, two new things:
I got a Facebook Page for the blog, feel free to like it if you want
I might start taking pictures of the meals I make and posting them here. I way too impatient to actually write recipes, but I might be able to take the time to post photos only. Too many people have requested that, so I think it’ll be helpful for those trying to eat healthy/vegetarian/vegan. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for the links. I’m always looking for good face and body products. Would love to see pictures of your meals!! ; )
very nice blog!!!
FIrst time here! I am a new follower!
These products look great! I may have to try some when I get preggo :). And sorry, this has nothing to do with this post but I have been reading your blog for a while and I have always wondered what religion, if any, you are. THanks!
Hey, Jane! Thanks for saying hi! It’s always nice to see/read/hear/know (????) who your audience is. To answer your question, I’m an atheist. If I were to be religious, religion for me would be something personal and inside myself, my own relationship with whoever I’d chose to believe in, not an organized religion, per se. I’m curious why you ask. 🙂
Yes, that might have sounded like a strange question! I was wondering because of the way you chose to take care of your pregnancy. I thought it might have been some sort of religious obligation almost. I see I was wrong though!
Nope, not religious. Just a mix of lots of reading and an opportunity to do things to minimize any risk. Not everyone has that opportunity. I actually know a few women who are approaching it even more seriously than me. What I am doing is my limit- it’d be very hard for me to do more.
This line is not organic and not safe. I read the ingredients it ha a ton of toxic chemicals! I would only use USDA organic face products in pregnancy such as bubble and bee organic.
Joanna, it’s not organic. What it is is teratogen screened, which is true there are no known teratogens there, but you’re right after doing more research in the last few weeks I discovered that it has SLS and a few other chemicals I normally try to avoid in my products. Organic products only don’t mean they’re safe, since there are many herbs that are not safe for pregnancy, plus organic companies tend to use preservatives as well, and while they’re not parabens, they are lesser known but just as dangerous chemicals. So it’s really hard to find smth perfect.
So I know this post is old,… but as I was looking through Belli’s website, I was wondering if you have purchased any other of their products, such as the pure comfort nursing cream or the body firming serum? Also, was curious if you have a post where you recommended a daily facial moisturizer during pregnancy? The ones on Belli are too expensive for me for the amount of product I get :-/
After I used some Belli products and saw the ingredients I no longer think they are THAT safe. Some ingredients are questionable.
If you click on resources page at the top, there’s a link to a safe line up I used throughout my pregnancy. Id also recommend mamamio.com
look at the? bright side of your cdlhiren being rhpositive is they dont have to get the shot when they start having kids =) and you look great, its so hard to believe when your pregnant that you have a little baby inside of you just growing and moving all day, and i have same relationship w/ chloe, she is such a mommys girl, we are soo close, and i can’t wait to have a 2nd but im gonna hold of a few more months =)
I looked on the Belli website and the Acne Cleansing Facial Wash lists these as the first 3 ingredients: Deionized Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (DLS), Sodium Lactate. Is DLS different than SLS? I thought you recommended products without SLS??
Also, I looked on the EWG website and a few of the Mama Mio products are rated a 3 or higher. Do you still recommend this brand? What rating level on the EWG website do you look for… 2 or less? I’m new to that site, so any insight is appreciated.
Thanks!
I definitely don’t recommend Belli anymore because of SLS.
I’ll look at mama mio at ewg and get back to you. I know the tummy oil is fine, I looked through ingredients myself. It might be rated a 3 because of vitamin E.
Late to this article but wondering what you found out about Mamma Mio. I feel so lost and overwhelmed trying to find the right products to use. Your blog is amazing to read and thank you for all of your hard work. Also, you mentioned Vitamin E – is that bad?
Mama Mio is great! You have to be careful with Vitamin E when ingesting it mostly.