Question about Dr. Gross Retinol Product

[lpanz]

Hi,
Can you please tell me if the following topical product is safe to use while nursing.

Ferulic + Retinol Brightening Solution
Ingredients:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Ferulic Acid, Retinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Arbutin, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Quercetin, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, BHT, Urea, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol

Thank you!

[admin]

lpanz,

We do not have data on most of these ingredients, but a lot of the ingredients do not penetrate the skin very well. The two products we do not recommend are Hydroquinone and Salicylic Acid. "Hydroquinone is used for depigmentation of skin due to conditions such as freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, and inactive chloasma. It is well absorbed orally and through the skin. No data are available on its transfer into human milk. Although it is quite polar and water soluble, it also might be trapped in human milk. While it does not seem to be very toxic, its chronic use in breastfeeding mothers is probably not warranted for such benign syndromes that could wait until the mother has weaned the infant off the breast." (Medications and Mothers' Milk database, Dr Thomas Hale PhD.)

"Salicylic acid, is often used in anti-acne preparations, as well as in many wart and corn removal products. Transcutaneous absorption is significant with these products. Avoid use in breastfeeding mothers. Systemic absorption depends on the concentration of the product used, the amount applied, the surface area treated, and duration of use. Absorption increases with the duration of use. The systemic absorption following topical administration has been found to range from 9.3 to 25.1%. Due to significant systemic absorption, prolonged use of topical salicylic acid should be used with some caution. Salicylic acid is not known to be associated with Reye syndrome in infants and children." (Medications and Mothers' Milk database, Dr Thomas Hale PhD.)

Retinol products topically are ok to use for breastfeeding, just not orally. Watch for herbal products that will also contain aspirin components like the Salicylic Acid for example in your product it lists Salix Alba (willow) bark it is a form of Salicylic Acid/aspirin.

Sandra Lovato R.N.
InfantRisk Center
806-352-2519