I’ve always loved skincare. I love trying different products, always in search of the holy grail. But when we first started trying for a baby, I knew I needed to dive deep into the ingredients list and eliminate anything potentially harmful to ensure pregnancy-safe skincare routine. I avoided the majority of ingredients known to be unsafe. Since my first pregnancy, I have gained more knowledge and understanding of this subject. I just found out I’m pregnant again, and I wanted to reevaluate my previous and current choices with fresh eyes. I want to be more strict about scrutinizing the products before purchasing them, keeping in mind how they affect me, my baby, and the environment.
If you’re interested in a guide to non-toxic baby & adult products, you can check it out here.
Key Ingredients to avoid
Main skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy12:
- Retinoids: vitamin A derivatives used in topical applications (linked to birth defects).
- Formaldehyde (Carcinogenic, potential pregnancy risks).
- Phtalates (Endocrine disruptors, possible reproductive harm).
- Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate).
- Hydroquinone (potential risks to the fetus).
Additionally, some widely used ingredients in the beauty industry have been found to be irritating, allergy-inducing, or harmful to our bodies3, regardless if we’re pregnant or not. Full list of ingredients to avoid:4
1,4-Dioxane, bisphenol A (BPA), bleach, bronopol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), chlorine, DMDM hydantoin, ethanolamines, flame retardants, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, nanoparticles, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), oxybenzone, padimate-O, parabens, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), phenoxyethanol, phthalates, polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), quaternium-15, retinyl palmitate, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) & sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), synthetic fragrances5, talc, toluene, tributyltin (TBT), triclosan, chemical sunscreen, artificial dyes, pesticides, some essential oils6.
The list is not absolute. There simply isn’t enough data and studies available. For example, some ingredients are considered safe in small dosages, so it will be at everyone’s discretion and comfort level to use them. A good resource I like to use is the EWG database. It offers an easy-to-use search engine to find safe products and weed out potentially harmful ingredients.
Safe, but…
Ingredients to consider avoiding or using with caution:
Benzoic Acid & Sodium Benzoate
Safe in small amounts, but can sometimes cause irritation, especially in sensitive skin. If you prefer ultra-gentle formulations, you might remove these.
Glycolic Acid (Above 10%)
Safe in low concentrations, but higher strengths can increase skin sensitivity and potentially penetrate the bloodstream more. If unsure, swap for Lactic Acid or Azelaic Acid, which are milder.
Sodium Coco-Sulfate
Milder than SLS but still a sulfate, which can be drying and irritating for some people. If you prefer ultra-gentle surfactants, you might omit it.
Tallow
Some prefer plant-based alternatives for ethical reasons.
Phytic Acid & Citric Acid
Safe but can be irritating in high amounts, particularly for sensitive pregnancy skin.
My favorite products
My skincare routine combines my favorite products, which I’ve been using for years, with some new ones I switched to when looking for safer products. I’m 35, and since retinols are off the table, I need a bit of help in the anti-aging area.
DAY ROUTINE
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution
An irreplaceable part of my morning routine. I am an unfortunate owner of hereditary eye bags (aka puffy eyes, not to be confused with dark circles). And countless sleepless nights as a new parent did not help. I’ve tried everything on the market, from expensive luxury skincare to drugstore products. The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution is the only thing I see real de-puffing results with. If I had to choose only one eye product to keep for my eyes, this would be it.
Drunk Elephant C Firma Fresh Day Serum
Vitamin C serum is one of the things I can’t live without. I stopped using it postpartum (purely out of tiredness) and struggled with breakouts and dull skin until I started using it again. I’ve tried different vitamin C serums, including Sunday Riley and Ordinary, but I always go back to this one. If I need a less expensive alternative, Mad Hippie is a good option.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream
I have skin that is dry in the winter and mixed during warm months. I tend to cycle between a few of my favorite creams, Caudalie being one of them. This French company is impressive with their approach to ingredients, focusing both on nature and science. Almost all of their skincare is pregnancy safe7. Unfortunately, it also has an impressive price.
My other picks include Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer, and Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer. If I’m going outside, I will top it off with a mineral, pregnancy-safe sunscreen.
NIGHT ROUTINE
SISLEY PARIS Eye Contour Mask
Hear me out here. This is VERY expensive, and I feel a little bad for putting it here. I’m not wealthy. But I’ve been using a tiny bit every night (if I use more, it gets into my eyes), and it lasts forever. I bought it a year ago, and there’s still plenty in the tube. It is safe for pregnancy and pretty clean regarding ingredients, but it contains some natural fragrances. I don’t know if it’s the price, but I feel it’s working, making me look slightly more rested and hydrated. I’ve also been able to avoid major fine lines around my eyes.
Sunday Riley Good Genes. Lactic acid treatment.
I used to use and love Sunday Riley Glycolic acid, which is thought to be safe to use in pregnancy in low concentrations8. However, during pregnancy, I switched to the Lactic Acid version, which is more gentle on the skin. During my first pregnancy, I was already 32 years old and needed something active to keep my skin healthy-looking (retinoids are a big no for me). I received many compliments about the pregnancy glow, but it was probably just Good Genes.
CAUDALIE PREMIER CRUE
It is a pregnancy-safe, rich-formula moisturizer. I really like this cream for the night.
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
I just love this oil so much. I layer it on as a last step, and it makes my skin feel nourished, hydrated, and glowing. It lasts for a long time, and if I don’t feel like spending the price, I opt for Ordinary Marula Oil instead. It doesn’t feel quite as good, but maybe it’s just in my head.
Summary
Navigating skincare during pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but with the proper knowledge, we can maintain a healthy, glowing complexion while keeping our baby safe. In this post, I break down the key ingredients to avoid and share my go-to pregnancy-safe products, hoping it will be helpful to you as well. I’m using this time of pregnancy and relative peace to take care of my skin because I know it won’t be on top of my priority list in the newborn era (not even close).
What are your favorite pregnancy-safe skincare products? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re interested in more non-toxic product recommendations, check out my guide here.
References
- Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/ ↩︎
- Skin Changes and Safety Profile of Topical Products During Pregnancy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8884185/ ↩︎
- Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2726844/ ↩︎
- FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substances. https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=SCOGS ↩︎
- Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10051690/ ↩︎
- Long-Term Exposure to Essential Oils and Cardiopulmonary Health from a Population-Based Study. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360004529_Long-Term_Exposure_to_Essential_Oils_and_Cardiopulmonary_Health_from_a_Population-Based_Study ↩︎
- https://us.caudalie.com/faq/products ↩︎
- Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/#sec5 ↩︎
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