You want to look your best for holiday parties and get-togethers. But when you're pregnant or nursing, you need to make sure the products and treatments you use to get gorgeous are not potentially harmful to your baby. The good news is that options like laser treatments, glycolic chemical peels and microdermabrasion are fine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, says Leslie Baumann, MD, a professor of dermatology at the University of Miami. But steer clear of these troublesome beauty products:

• Those containing hydroquinone, a lightening agent that the FDA is considering banning because it's a suspected carcinogen.
• Retinol and retinoids, which are in the same family as Accutane, a big no-no while pregnant or breastfeeding, as it's been linked to birth defects; and salicylic acid, in the same family as aspirin, which could harm a fetus. Both are in acne treatments, and salicylic acid is also in some chemical peels.
• Botox, because it's a muscle-relaxing toxin that has not been studied enough in pregnant or nursing moms.
• Dermal "fillers" and antiwrinkle injections containing lidocaine, which also haven't been adequately studied in women who are pregnant or nursing.
• Sunscreens that absorb into the skin and body, like those containing Parsol 1789. It's not clear whether these will penetrate the placenta or affect the baby, but why take a chance? Instead, opt for "physical" sunscreens, such as those made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.