When I become pregnant do I have to stop using my 3 percent Triclosan cleansers on my face and body? The ones I have used are Clean and Clear Oil Free Foaming Face Wash, Clearasil Daily Face Wash, Noxema Anti-Bacterial Cleanser, and Rite Aid Anti-Bacterial Cleanser. I don’t want to give it up, but if it is dangerous and will get to the baby, then I will definitely give it up. I have read that Triclosan is considered a pesticide. It doesn’t sound too good, but I like using them. Thank you.

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Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

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I don’t recommend excessive use of Triclosan whether pregnant or not. The safety of Triclosan during pregnancy has not been established, although I’m not aware of any direct evidence that it’s harmful to the baby. Some sources include Triclosan in the “avoid” list during pregnancy. The manufacturer (Ciba) insists that Triclosan is absolutely safe for humans, and is found in only trace amounts in breast milk. They don’t mention pregnancy at all.

For lack of better information, I would tend to advice against using Triclosan when pregnant. However, I encourage you to find out more by talking to your doctor.