Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products: What To Buy & What To Avoid

Psst, just here for the pregnancy-safe skincare products? We got you. Scroll right down to shop.

Pregnancy is undoubtedly one of the most precious times in life, with the imminent arrival of a new baby along with all the joy and excitement that entails.

However, it can also be a physically and emotionally trying time, with expectant parents commonly experiencing sickness, fatigue and anxiety among a whole host of concerns. One such other concern is hormonal skin conditions, ranging from eczema to acne. While you might be tempted to slather on every serum and targeted treatment, expert dermatologists suggest that you may want to amend your skincare regime as well as avoid certain ingredients while you are pregnant.

Below, we've spoken to top, trusted experts, as well as scoured the digital shelves ourselves to bring you the best pregnancy-safe skincare out there to shop right now. Dull skin? We don't know her. 

How does pregnancy affect skin? 

Pregnancy is associated with complex of hormonal, immunological, metabolic and vascular changes that may influence the skin and other organs in a number of ways," explains By Dr Tatiana Lapa, aesthetic skin specialist and founder of Dr Tatiana Aesthetic Clinic. More than 90% of pregnant women have significant skin changes that can have great impact on their life and these can include: existing skin problems that are worsened (or sometimes improved!) by pregnancy, new skin problems that only happen in pregnancy and also normal skin changes that happen as a result of pregnancy. If you are unsure about skin changes that you are experiencing, for example a mole that has changed or a rash that has developed, it is important that you consult with a doctor."

What are some common skincare complaints during pregnancy? 

Aruj Javid, LOOKFANTASTIC’s in-house pharmacist explains: "On top of more widely known pregnancy symptoms like tender breasts and stretch marks, each trimester often brings a different skin concern to be aware of. A common skincare concern in the first trimester is Melasma. Melasma is often called ‘the mask of pregnancy’ as the skin develops brown or grey freckle-like spots and patches on the face. 

"Also in the first trimester, pregnant people often experience acne due to the increase in hormone levels when they first become pregnant. This fluctuation of hormone levels increases the skin's production of natural oils, which in turn clogs the pores and causes breakouts. These breakouts tend to be located around the chin and cheek area of the face and can be sore to the touch.

"During the second trimester, skin can become sensitive and blotchy, this is also due to an increase in hormone levels. With this said, if you have skin conditions like Eczema, these may be accentuated during your pregnancy. Pregnant women can also be prone to skin tags during their second trimester. This is due to hormone changes and although harmless some women express they can be painful.

"A common skincare concern in the third trimester is Spider Nevus. This is a collection of small dilated blood vessels that group at the top of the skin, which then appears as a small dark red/purple mark. It is often caused when your body is producing a lot of oestrogen, such as when you are pregnant. Once you give birth this skin condition will go away over time, so no need to worry!

“Post birth, known as the ‘fourth-trimester’ fluctuation in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone means your skin's texture may change again. Skin can feel dry and itchy after giving birth, or you may once again develop some pigmentation, and see some darker patches appear on your face.”

What skincare to avoid during pregnancy? 

With an array of expected skin concerns during pregnancy, it's all too tempting to call upon the most active skincare to hone in on the problem.

However, according to Dr Lapa, it's important to avoid certain ingredients. "Ingredients that are applied to the skin can potentially be absorbed into the blood stream and then pass through the placenta to the baby," she explains. "A scientific study looked at the safety of skin care products during pregnancy and found that only hydroquinone and vitamin A products such as retinol and tretinoin have any potential of harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding." Hydroquinone is commonly used in skin lightening products like the ones that treat dark spots and pigmentation, and retinol is found in some anti-ageing products and wrinkle treatments.

It's not all bad news though; there are still plenty of ingredients that are safe to use according to the research. "Other commonly-used ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, sunscreen, self-tanning agents were not absorbed from the skin into the blood stream in any significant quantities and therefore deemed not to have any impact on the baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding."

However, because there is so much information and different opinions available, Dr Lapa recommends sticking to well-established pregnancy-safe products for your daily skincare routine. "Take advice from your skincare doctor if you need to address any specific skin issues during pregnancy."

Can you use vitamin C during pregnancy? 

The good new is that, yes, you can use vitamin C during pregnancy. Which will come as music to the ears of anyone who has had to begrudgingly pack away many of their lotions and potions thanks to them including ingredients that can be harmful to mother and baby while pregnant. But not vitamin C, you can absolutely use vitamin C serums while pregnant, as well as other vitamin C skincare formulations. 

“The issue with certain ingredients like Retinoids in pregnancy is that they’re absorbed by the skin and could find their way into the bloodstream due to increased circulation. This then means that they can cross the placenta and affect the foetus,” says Alice Henshaw, founder of Skincycles, a science led cosmeceutical range that bridges the gap between dermatology treatments and at-home skincare, and owner of London’s Leading Cosmetic Clinic. "vitamin C is unlike Retinoids, which are not recommended for pregnancy or breastfeeding, as they can contribute to high levels of vitamin A in the body, which can do serious harm to a foetus and impact your baby’s development. vitamin C is a very safe ingredient for use on the skin during pregnancy. It’s a naturally occurring antioxidant found in broccoli, citrus fruits and leafy greens that is diluted in skincare to make it less acidic, and therefore safe for use topically. 

"Vitamin C can also be very beneficial when consumed orally in pregnancy, as it protects cells and keeps them healthy, though always check with your doctor before taking supplements when pregnant or breastfeeding.

“Some of the skincare benefits of vitamin C include an increase in collagen production, treating hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin, as well as helping to protect against UV damage. Its ability to stimulate collagen production can be especially useful during pregnancy when swapping out your retinoid products that have a similar effect on cell-turnover. Melasma and acne are common skin concerns during pregnancy, which vitamin C can also help to treat.”

What skincare ingredients are safe to use during pregnancy?

“Small concentrations of the AHA’s glycolic acid and lactic acid are pregnancy-safe exfoliating acids that can be applied topically. Lactic acid is more gentle, which can be helpful if you’re experiencing skin sensitivity, irritation or redness during your pregnancy,” Alice says. “Azelaic acid is safe for pregnancy. It’s often used to treat acne, as it has great antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Salicylic acid is a BHA, meaning it goes deeper into pores than AHA’s. A low concentration is safe to use, and it’s recommended to use it in a cleanser that washes off your skin, rather than as a leave-on treatment or high concentration treatment. This is to avoid the risk of too much salicylic acid being absorbed, which in extreme cases could cause toxicity - but you’d have to use a lot of salicylic acid at high concentrations for this to happen. The chances of this happening are extremely slim, but if you’re feeling anxious about the health of you or your baby you may choose to skip the use of salicylic acid whilst you’re pregnant, as there are other more gentle acids available like lactic, glycolic, azelaic etc. If you do still want to use it, just ensure it’s at a low concentration.”

“Hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, niacinamides and peptides are fine for use during pregnancy and can be super beneficial for those suffering from changes in the dryness and sensitivity of their skin, as these ingredients help prevent moisture loss.”

The best pregnancy-safe skincare to buy right now

Ok, skincare lesson over, it's onto the good stuff: the shopping part. And we've rounded up everything moisturisers to cleansers, serums and suncreams. Happy glowing, mama. 

A wonder product for anyone who has found themselves suffering with dry skin during pregnancy (hormones will do that to ya), CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types and is a super-gentle, non-irritating, scent-free formula. Not only will it effectively remove makeup, it will also help protect against dryness and nourish the skin barrier to leave your skin feeling refreshed and clear - all for £11.50, not bad, eh?

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Not many people are as skincare savvy as Liz Earle, and thankfully her Cleanse & Polish formula is totally pregnancy-safe. This exfoliating cleanser melts into your skin and helps clear away impurities, pollutants and just good ol' makeup to leave your skin looking visibly smoother. It's a real must if you've been struggling with a dull skin while pregnant as the Cocoa butter-rich product really helps to return you to a radiant complexion. We all need a little extra help with that pregnancy glow sometimes, right?

Though it looks rather clinical and perhaps doesn't stand out on the shelves as much as some of the other products in our roundup, Dermalogica is a dermatologist-approved range ideal for use during pregnancy and beyond. They do what they say on the tin: provide high quality skincare with “no fluff” and they champion using class A formulas with high efficacy and kind-to-skin ingredients. This gentle but powerful Daily Microfoliant is easy to cart around everywhere with you (and even pop into your hospital bag), thanks to its just-add-water, rice-based formula. It effortlessly helps to to balance out an uneven skin tones and textures to make way brighter, smoother skin.

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Built on the principle that there's no such thing as being too safe when it comes to caring for you and your family's skin, Evereden prides itself on being 'made by Moms in Medicine'. That means multi-generational skin care, developed by a team of doctors who are themselves mothers. Mums know best, after all. With 12 nutrient-dense botanicals alongside powerful peptides, the brand's Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream improves skin elasticity while soothing irritation. It's every pregnant person's secret weapon, but will also serve as a luxurious moisturiser long after your child is born.

Recommended by seemingly very celebrity and influencer from here to Timbuktu (as my grandma would say, shout out grandma Judith), including Rochelle Humes and Victoria Beckham, to name a few, the Mama Mio Pregnancy range seems to be on the radar of every expectant mother out there. And it's not hard to see why, all the products are brilliant, though we are particularly obsessed with their Boob Tube formula. Promising baby-soft skin around your breasts and a creamy camouflage for stretch marks, this vitamin-rich cream offers long-lasting hydration and comfort up to your due date and beyond. Plus, all ingredients are natural. Win, win, right?

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Apart from having one of the dreamiest product names we've ever heard in our whole damn life, the Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm is also a bit of a miracle, pregnancy-safe skincare must-have. It promises to “deeply soothe dry, stressed or overstretched skin,” and nourishes and hydrates skin in the process. Created by an expectant mother, it acts as a secret weapon against stretch marks and contains all sorts of wholesome goodness, from sunflower and avocado oil to all-natural calendula to soothe the senses. Slather us up, please.

Now that we all know vitamin C is safe to use during pregnancy (hurrah), we've bumped this gorgeous Vichy version up to the top of our lists. Simply apply once per day to help combat fine lines, uneven skin tone, plus dry, dull skin and simultaneously boost radiance and strengthen your skin's natural barrier. This powerful serum is enriched with Pycnogenol and Vitamin E and has been recently reformulated to make skin look smoother for a fresh, radiant complexion. Plus, it's hypoallergenic, which is ideal as our skin is so much more sensitive when we're expecting.

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Pregnant or not, SPF is a daily essential, and this Bondi Sands one goes on like a dream. It's fragrance-free so it won't irritate your heightened sense of smell, absorbs quickly and easily into the skin so that you can throw your makeup on top and just head out, is enriched with vitamin E and it provides crucial UVA & UVB protection. Unlike some suncreams, the gentle formula means you won't breakout (though your hormones might be already taking care of that) and it has been developed to be water resistant for up to four hours.

Ah, just what every mum and mum-to-be needs, some overnight recovery. And though we haven't discovered anywhere that you can purchase a guaranteed good night's sleep (we will never stop searching), we have found a great option for your skin to recover as you slumber. Ren's Overnight Recovery Balm is specially designed for those who suffer with redness, blotchiness, extreme dryness and irritation when it comes to their skin. And in fact their entire Evercalm range is completely free from known allergens and potentially detrimental ingredients. With its beautiful balm-to-oil texture, this overnight miracle replenishes your skin’s barrier and deeply moisturises thanks to skin-loving olive, almond, borage and linseed oils. Fast-absorbing and pillow-friendly, the formula doesn’t feel oily, greasy or heavy.

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You probably heard about the wonders of nipple balm long before you were pregnant because it's a bit of a cult favourite. Developed with midwives and pharmacists, this fragrance-free nipple balm provides care and protection for sore nipples, cracked skin and chafing, which, as you've likely discovered by now, doesn't just begin once your baby is here. The soothing balm contains organic calendula extract that is home-grown organically in Weleda’s Derbyshire herb gardens to strict biodynamic standards and does not need to be removed before breastfeeding.

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