Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products: What to Look For

Countless women look forward to their morning and evening skincare routine and rituals to launch or close out the day. And when you’re expecting, pregnancy aches and pains can make it especially tempting to double down on those gorgeous minutes spent lathering, layering, and luxuriating in your favorite products.

But like many other self-care habits, being pregnant often means revising your existing skincare routine. If you’re in the habit of using certain heralded ingredients—like retinoids or skin brighteners—you may need to retire them (for now!) to protect your growing baby’s health.

Getting a handle on pregnancy safe skin care boils down to knowing which ingredients to avoid and which you can count on to combat the unique skin concerns of pregnancy. If you’re preparing for your baby and wish to know more, you might want to read about some pregnancy tips for first-time moms. Below, find our shortlist of what to nix from your repertoire so you can start creating a pregnancy safe skincare product regimen you’ll look forward to.

5 Skincare Staples to Avoid During Pregnancy

Many women notice changes in their complexion while they’re pregnant. Some of the most common cosmetic complaints include:

• Skin pigment changes, like hyperpigmentation or melasma. Both conditions result from high levels of progesterone, estrogen, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which puts melanin production into overdrive.
• Acne flare-ups, which may arise due to a surplus of sebum (likely caused by pregnancy hormones and a changing immune system).

Unfortunately, some treatments could jeopardize fetal health by virtue of how they transit your system. Certain compounds are absorbed by your pores and into the bloodstream, where they could be passed onto your baby through the placenta.

If you’re dealing with either skin issue, the following shortlist will help you know which active ingredients to steer clear of before you create a pregnancy safe skincare product routine to combat them.

#1 Vitamin A Derivatives

Vitamin A derivatives can be a tremendous ally for countering acne, fine lines, and dullness. Unfortunately, they’ve been linked to disturbances in fetal development, and using them may lead to birth defects or intellectual disabilities down the line.

Vitamin A derivatives come in several forms, including:

• Topical retinoids
• Retinal
• Retinol
• Retinoic acid
• Retin-A

Tretinoin and isotretinoin are also in the vitamin A family, and should be avoided if you’re pregnant.

Because vitamin A derivatives are absorbed systemically, they may also pose a health hazard to infants if you’re breastfeeding. For this reason, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists caution pregnant women and nursing moms from using them.

#2 Hydroquinone

Many products designed to “brighten” or even out skin tone use skin-lightening agents in their formulas. These work by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that protects your skin cells from the sun, resulting in dark spots, like freckles or casts, on the skin.

Hydroquinone is one skin-brightener that should be avoided in pregnancy. Like vitamin A derivatives, it has a high systemic absorption rate —between 35 and 45%—and using it could put your baby at risk of birth defects and other developmental complications. It’s also recommended you avoid this ingredient until your baby has stopped nursing.

#3 High-Dose Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide

Pimple-pausing ingredients salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are drugstore favorites, and the ACOG clears them for topical use during pregnancy. One major exception is using them in large quantities if you’re pregnant, as in the case of some chemical peels or oral medications.

If you’ve been a long-time user of either ingredient and want to err on the side of caution, it’s best to consult with your doctor to ensure you’re using them in safe quantities. When reaching out, be sure to let them know:

• What product you’re using
• The active ingredient dosage or concentration
• How often you use the product

#4 Certain Cosmetic Procedures

There’s no reason you can’t enjoy some TLC at the spa during your pregnancy. However, there are certain skin treatments and procedures considered risky for your baby:

• Injectables and fillers – Little research exists on the safety of fillers for pregnant women and their babies. However,
  it’s theorized that the artificial substances in fillers have some potential to put growing babies in harm’s way. Many dermatologists simply won’t perform the procedure on pregnant patients to rule out the liability.
• Botox – Like fillers, the data on Botox’s safety in pregnancy remains unclear. While no evidence yet suggests a firm link between developmental problems and Botox use, it’s possible that some Botox molecules could be small enough to penetrate the placenta. In lieu of future research, it may be best to set the Botox aside until your baby has arrived.
• Chemical peels – Chemical peels are often used as an intensive method for treating acne. But because they tend to involve potent chemicals and are harsh on the skin, it’s generally considered inadvisable to have one during pregnancy.

#5 Essential Oils 

It’s best to put the essential oils to the side while expecting. Essential oils are commonly used in therapeutic self-care practices like massage and aromatherapy. However, they can be extremely potent, requiring a massive amount of plant material to produce. In general, pregnant women are discouraged from using essential oils during their first trimester of pregnancy. While essential oils are an under-researched skincare ingredient, experts recommend exercising caution when considering blends that contain:

• Tea tree
• Rosemary
• Peppermint

Other possible offenders include parsley, clary sage, basil, and oregano, which have been linked to early uterine contractions in some cases. If you’re interested in using essential oils during pregnancy, it’s best to stick to their aromatherapeutic applications. When applying them to your skin, always be sure to dilute them with a matching carrier oil, like jojoba or sweet almond oil.

Tips for Choosing Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products

The most important step in curating a pregnancy safe skin care regimen is to start by assessing the products you currently have on rotation. Be sure to:

1. Check the full formula label – While some potentially toxic constituents are advertised clearly, others may be hidden in the ingredients lineup.
2. Keep an eye out for aliases – Vitamin A derivatives are an excellent example of one potentially toxic compound with a variety of names. If you’re unsure about an ingredient, you can always run it by your doctor to ensure it’s safe.
3. Vet your body products, too – From self-tanning lotions to “bacne”-fighting body washes, remember that the pores on your body are just as capable of absorbing chemicals as the ones on your face.

Once you’ve cleared the cabinet of culprits, the following tips will help you get glowing while keeping your little one safe. For a more comprehensive approach, you can consult a pregnancy checklist to ensure you’re prepared.

Know Your Holy Grail Actives

For every ingredient you’ll need to scratch off your list, there are effective alternatives to explore during pregnancy. To start substituting, try pregnancy safe products like:

• Azelaic acid – Azelaic acid is an exceptional ally for tackling acne and hyperpigmentation in one fell swoop. And don’t let the name fool you—it’s a largely natural acid derived from grains like wheat and rye that can help dispel bacteria contributing to acne flare-ups. While powerful, this pregnancy safe skin care ingredient can take some time to work its magic, so it’s an excellent swap to make early on in pregnancy.
• Glycolic acid – A slightly more aggressive ingredient, glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) lauded for its exfoliating properties and potency in garnering glowier, more even-looking skin. While GA chemical peels should be avoided, it’s generally considered a safe and effective topical option for pregnant women.
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) – Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a pregnancy-friendly skincare ingredient that may bring even more to the table than hydroquinone. Vitamin C can be used as a nighttime or morning skincare ingredient since it’s generally well-tolerated by the skin when exposed to sunlight. You can try layering it under your favorite moisturizer as a gel or serum, or even blend it into your moisturizer of choice.
• Alpha-hydroxy acids – AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, are a class of skin exfoliators that are safe to use during your nine months of pregnancy. AHAs may even make your skin more receptive to other products in your lineup by enhancing product absorption. It’s best to use them in the nighttime since their exfoliating properties can make skin more vulnerable to irritation in the sun.

Emphasize Natural Ingredients

An excellent strategy for reducing potential harm to your baby is to set your sights on pregnancy safe products that privilege nature-based ingredients. Some age-old options to look for include:

• Oatmeal, a soothing and moisturizing ingredient used for centuries to combat skin dryness. You’ll find this natural in many pharmacy-bought lotions and moisturizers.
• Rose water, an ultra-soothing, heirloom ingredient that’s excellent for toning and quelling temperamental skin. If you’ve been having pregnancy headaches, some evidence suggests the aromatherapeutic properties of rose water may also help quiet them (an added bonus!).

Adventurous mamas can even get crafty and easily make effective skincare potions at home. For instance, DIY rice water has been used by some cultures for centuries to tone and repair the skin.

Use Caution with Sunscreens

While solar protection is a necessity, we still don’t have enough evidence substantiating chemical sunscreens’ safety concerning fetal health. Many contain phthalates, an endocrine-disruptor, which has demonstrated a high systemic absorption rate in the physical environment.

That said, it’s entirely up to you what kind of sunscreen you choose to use while you’re pregnant. If you have any concerns, you can always drop a line to your doctor, or opt for a mineral sunscreen. An excellent alternative for cautionary moms, these typically contain ingredients like zinc, which are just as effective at preventing UV damage.

Run Your Selections By Your Doctor

Communication is key when it comes to clearing skincare products for safety. Before you kick off your new chapter in skincare, consider:

• Reaching out to your derm or prenatal care team – With a little information about the product dosage and how often you’re using it, they’ll be able to tell you whether your regimen is a safe bet.
• Letting facialists or other cosmeticians know your status – Before any skin treatments, it’s best to let your technician know you’re expecting. They can help ensure you won’t be exposed to any ingredients or procedures that could put your little one in harm’s way.

Get Your Pregnancy Glow with SneakPeek

Designing a pregnancy-safe skincare ritual requires a mindful attitude to your product curation, but it certainly needn’t be ineffective. It’s more than possible to create a routine that prioritizes your baby’s well-being while chasing that coveted pregnancy glow.

Complement clearer skin with a clearer sense of what’s in store for your family with SneakPeek’s gender blood test. With this at-home, DNA-based test, you can learn your future baby’s gender as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy with over 99% clinically proven accuracy1.

With SneakPeek, you’ll take your test at home, mail us your sample, and we’ll triple-review your results and send them back on the same day we receive them. It’s the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home early gender test, supported by a community of over 750,000 moms. Join them and get your pregnancy glow by visiting SneakPeek Test today.

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At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by:

Sarah Cacia

Sarah Cacia, currently leading as the Director of Business Development at Gateway Genomics, parent company of SneakPeek, brings an impressive blend of bioengineering expertise and clinical business acumen. Her extensive experience, marked by roles at renowned institutions like Genentech and UC San Diego's Cardiac Mechanics Research Group, underpins her deep understanding of biotechnology and clinical research. A UC San Diego alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering: BioSystems, Sarah's rich professional background empowers her to provide authoritative insights into the cutting-edge developments in the field.

Sources:

1. Healthline. Using Essential Oils Safely During Pregnancy. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/essential-oils-for-pregnancy
2. What to Expect. Are Essential Oils Safe During Pregnancy? https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/aromatherapy
3. Healthline. Everything You Need to Know About Using Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/alpha-hydroxy-acid#_noHeaderPrefixedContent