Pregnancy-Safe Skincare: What to Use, What to Skip, and How to Build a Calm, Non-Toxic Routine
on November 15, 2024

Pregnancy-Safe Skincare: What to Use, What to Skip, and How to Build a Calm, Non-Toxic Routine

Pregnancy is a season for gentle, non-toxic, barrier-supportive skincare. Keep it simple. Be cautious with “actives,” fragrance, and anything that stresses your skin (or baby).🤰

 

Why pregnancy-safe skincare matters 

Your body is doing major work. Skin can become more sensitive and reactive, and what you apply can penetrate the barrier. During pregnancy many will see acne flares, hyperpigmentation, dryness, itchiness, and overall sensitivity thanks to hormones, increased blood flow, and immune shifts. The goal is to reduce irritants and endocrine disruptors, protect your barrier, and keep your routine calm and consistent.

Safe Pregnancy Skincare Essentials

First things first, let's talk about what's safe and what isn't. The keywords here are "gentle," "natural," and "non-toxic."Here are some ingredients and products you can safely use:

  • Hyaluronic Acid: Keeps your skin hydrated without any risk.
  • Vitamin C: Great for brightening and antioxidant protection.
  • Shea Butter: To nourish and protect.

What to Avoid (always):

  • Retinoids (often listed as retinol or retinyl palmitate): Known for their anti-aging properties, retinoids are linked to birth defects in high doses. (Retin-A, Tretinoin, RetinOL, with an O)
  • Salicylic Acid: Common in acne treatments, this should be used with caution.
  • Hydroquinone: Used for skin lightening, as it's absorbed into the body in significant amounts.
  • Phthalates, Parabens & Fragrance: These are often found in beauty/skincare products, which can disrupt endocrine function
  • Chemical sunscreens: mineral SPF only

 

Pregnancy Safe Skincare Routine

 

Safe to use:

 

 

 

 

  • SPF: non-toxic, mineral sunscreen for face/neck/chest

 

*See all of the pregnancy safe skincare here:

Pregnancy safe Vitamin A serums:

Note: The vitamin a (retinal) serums are formulated at low levels. Even at maximum usage they remain under ~300 IU/day—this is within a pregnancy-safe range. Many providers still advise avoiding topical vitamin A derivatives altogether during pregnancy. My take: if you choose to use any vitamin A, do it only with your provider’s blessing.  This is not medical advice and should be discussed with your doctor.

Products to avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding:

  • Skin Clarifier
  • Skin Defense
  • Bio Retinol

 

Empowering your skincare through pregnancy

This is a powerful, tender season. Your skin doesn’t need “quick fixes”—it needs support. With a non-toxic, barrier-supportive routine, you can stay hydrated, comfortable, and confident while protecting baby.

Need help building your exact routine? We offer personalized guidance to take out the guesswork and get you a custom routine designed for your specific needs.  

Book a skincare consultation