Published on November 3rd, 2023 and Updated on January 15th, 2024
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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.
4 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.
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:
- Check the full formula label – While some potentially toxic constituents are advertised clearly, others may be hidden in the ingredients lineup.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Sources:
- American Family Physician. Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/0200/skin-conditions-during-pregnancy.html
- Verywell Family. Can I Use Retinol While Pregnant? https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-pregnant-women-use-retinol-5197846
- Cleveland Clinic. Teratogens. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24325-teratogens
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Skin Conditions During Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/skin-conditions-during-pregnancy
- American Academy of Dermatology. Is Any Acne Treatment Safe to Use During Pregnancy? https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/pregnancy
- Verywell Health. What Is Skin Lightening Cream? https://www.verywellhealth.com/skin-lightening-creams-5085383
- National Library of Medicine. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114665/
- National Library of Medicine. Hydroquinone. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539693/
- Healthline. Your Guide to a Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Routine. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-safe-skin-care
- Verywell Family. Can I Get Facial Filler While Pregnant? https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-pregnant-women-get-facial-filler-5203881
- Healthline. Can You Get Botox While Pregnant? Safety and Alternatives. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/botox-while-pregnant#safety-during-pregnancy
- Healthline. Are Facials Safe During Pregnancy? https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnant-facials
- Healthline. Treating Acne with Azelaic Acid. https://www.healthline.com/health/azelaic-acid-acne
- Healthline. Rose Water: Benefits and Uses. https://www.healthline.com/health/rose-water-benefits
- Healthline. Does Washing Your Face with Rose Water Help Your Skin? https://www.healthline.com/health/rice-water-for-skin
- National library of Medicine. The Banned Sunscreen Ingredients and Their Impact on Human Health: A Systematic Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7648445/
- American Academy of Dermatology. American Academy of Dermatology comments on follow-up study on absorption of sunscreen ingredients. https://www.aad.org/news/2020-01-21-study-on-absorption-of-sunscreen-ingredients
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