Dermocosmetics, Pregnancy, Skin Care
Conditions
Keywords
Consensus, Recommendations, Skin Care, Pregnancy
Brief summary
This research presents a comprehensive consensus on pregnancy skin care, synthesizing expert recommendations to ensure maternal skin health while prioritizing fetal safety. It outlines safe and effective skin care practices tailored to the physiological and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Key guidelines emphasize the use of gentle cleansing, adequate hydration, mineral-based sun protection, and the selection of dermatologically safe ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and azelaic acid. The consensus highlights the avoidance of potentially harmful substances including retinoids, high-dose salicylic acid, and certain chemical sunscreens. Additionally, the research provides clinical guidance on managing common pregnancy-related skin conditions and cautions against aggressive cosmetic procedures. The outcomes serve as a critical resource for dermatologists and healthcare providers to optimize skin care regimens during pregnancy, balancing efficacy with safety for both mother and child.
Detailed description
Background and Rationale Pregnancy is associated with profound hormonal, immunological, and metabolic changes that directly affect the skin. These changes can manifest as physiologic alterations (e.g., hyperpigmentation, striae), exacerbation of pre-existing dermatologic diseases, or pregnancy-specific dermatoses. Safe and effective skin care during pregnancy is critical, as many commonly used dermatologic ingredients cross the placental barrier, lack human safety data, or pose teratogenic risks. Despite the high prevalence of dermatologic concerns in pregnancy, current clinical guidance remains fragmented, variable across regions, and often based on expert opinion rather than standardized consensus. To address this gap, we employed a structured Delphi expert consensus process to develop evidence-informed, practical, and regionally adaptable guidelines for pregnancy-safe skin care. Methods: Delphi Consensus Process A structured three-round Delphi methodology was used to achieve consensus among a multidisciplinary panel of dermatologists, obstetricians, and pharmacology experts. 2.1. Panel Composition N = 25 experts Representatives from dermatology, maternal-fetal medicine, and clinical pharmacology Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience Geographic representation from MENA, Europe, and Asia Steps in the Delphi Process Round 1: Exploration Experts provided open-ended responses on: Essential principles of pregnancy-safe skin care Ingredient safety classifications Preferred management of common dermatologic conditions Cultural and regional care considerations A qualitative analysis was performed to derive core themes. Round 2: Structured Statements 75 draft statements were generated and rated using a 9-point Likert scale 1-3: Disagree 4-6: Uncertain 7-9: Agree Consensus defined as ≥ 75% of experts rating 7-9. Round 3: Refinement and Final Voting Statements near consensus were revised for clarity. Final voting achieved consensus on statements, forming the basis of the guidelines.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Venus Research Center
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon OR physician practicing aesthetic medicine. * Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience. * Practicing within Egypt or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. * Willingness to participate in Delphi rounds and provide expert ratings. * Ability to read and respond to surveys in English.
Exclusion criteria
Inability or unwillingness to complete Delphi rounds. * Lack of clinical experience with Pregnant ladies. * Industry representatives without direct clinical practice.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Achievement of Expert Consensus on Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Recommendations | 6-12 weeks | The primary outcome of this Delphi study was to establish consensus-based, evidence-aligned recommendations for safe skin care practices, cosmetic ingredients, and dermatologic treatments during pregnancy. Consensus was defined a priori as: ≥75% of experts scoring a statement 7-9 on a 9-point Likert scale (agreement), with a median score ≥7. This outcome reflects the degree to which experts converged on the safety categories, usage guidelines, and clinical management strategies for skin care in pregnant patients. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Classification of Dermatologic Ingredients and Procedures According to Safety Profile | 6-12 weeks | A key secondary outcome was the categorization of commonly used dermatologic and cosmetic components into: Safe Use with Caution (insufficient or limited evidence) Avoid (potential teratogenic risk or high systemic absorption) This includes topical ingredients, professional procedures, and over-the-counter skin care actives. |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed