Li Han only wore makeup a few times during her pregnancy, including these glamour shots. Photo: Courtesy of Li Han

The Chinese saying, "The most beautiful women are those who are pregnant," suggests that mothers-to-be can't hide the joy of carrying a new life inside them. If this is true, surely making any effort to improve their appearance would be gilding the lily.

However, for quite a few women who have to work during their pregnancy, makeup is part of the professional dress code. On a daily basis, the average woman uses 12 makeup and skincare products, and of the hundreds of chemicals contained, some have been linked to fetal harm, the UK's Daily Mail reported last June. Thus, many women have wondered whether using cosmetics is worth risking the health of their unborn child.

Xi Yu, a saleswoman at a cosmetics counter in Shin Kong Place department store in Chaoyang district, said she had to wear light makeup everyday during her pregnancy. "To be honest, it wasn't just about company policy. I believe that makeup can help pregnant women stay in a good mood, especially when they have to deal with things like morning sickness or sleeplessness."

Xi, 28, recommends that pregnant women choose cosmetics with no fragrances or preservatives. "I don't think wearing nail polish is a good idea. The smell is too pungent. Not to mention the nail polish remover," she said. Even though the company whose makeup she sells is a global brand with a strong safety record, Xi says that she dissuades pregnant customers from wearing their nail polish.

Hung Jing-pei, 31, who is married to a  pediatrician, was careful not to use anything that might harm their unborn baby. "I suffered from chronic eye inflammation and used eyedrops three times a day," she said. "On the advice of experts, I stopped using the medicine for six months before trying to get pregnant."

After she conceived, Hung only wore makeup when hanging out with friends - and just foundation and lipstick at that. "Just stay away from medicated cosmetics or cheap unknown brands," she smiled. "But if you're still worried about potential risk, you should either consult a doctor or stop wearing makeup altogether."

"Be careful, but don't feel too anxious," Hung added. "Even a woman as sensitive as me could enjoy wearing makeup during pregnancy."

She even experimented with a brand of nail polish - composed of water, resin and minerals - that claimed to be safe for pregnant women and even children. "I tried it once. The smell was not as strong as normal nail polish," said Hung. "But there was no safety endorsement by doctors. The claim could have been a marketing stunt and nothing else."

Li Han, 26, expects to give birth next month. Throughout her pregnancy, Li only wore makeup on about five occasions, and was meticulous about using mineral-based cosmetics - considered safer as they are less likely to be absorbed through the skin. "I took a series of arty pregnancy snapshots," she said. "Of course I had some makeup done for the photo shoot, but I only chose organic cosmetics."

Gu Yehong, a gynecologist at Beijing Tongren Hospital in Dongcheng district, recommended that pregnant women not use cosmetics at all, but if they must, there are some important things to keep in mind. "It is okay to wear light makeup, but don't apply the cosmetics near the lymph nodes," she said. "And even if you're careful only to choose purely herbal cosmetics or nail polish, it's still better to remove the makeup as soon as possible."