15 Best Tested and Reviewed Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

Bless Jesica Alba, the celebrity mother behind The Honest Company. Not only does this company have that California-cool aesthetic associated with its Hollywood A-list founder, but it walks the walk as a brand by moms, for moms (and babies to boot). Honest has a pregnancy-specific section on its website where you can shop knowing everything is deemed safe for expectant parents. It offers a robust range of body care products, from bath salts to belly creams and face washes, you can rely on for all nine+ months.

Earlier this year we reached out to The Bump readership and asked for your favorite pregnancy-friendly skin care brands. Jessie, who is currently pregnant and self-reported that she has combination skin, used "the whole Honest skin care line" and gave it a 5 out of 5 across the board when evaluating product feel on her skin, quality, effectiveness and value. Shelley (note: name has been changed), who is also pregnant and has oily skin, tested a range of Honest products, including the body lotion, face and body wash, body oil, bump butter and face wash, and spoke equally highly about the brand’s quality and effectiveness. "I've been really pleased with the Honest Company's products!” she says. “Mama's Gotta Glow body + face wash, which is designed for acne-prone skin, works like a charm at keeping my breakouts at bay."

Our product testers and survey respondents loved Honest products for being effective while offering a clean, gentle ingredient list at a reasonable price compared to other pregnancy-specific brands. So it’s no surprise that The Honest Company would be our overall Best of The Bump winner for pregnancy-safe skin care brand. (Head here to see all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

This water-based gel cream glides onto the skin and sinks in, filling your cells with hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid, a water-loving molecule naturally found in the body and known to be one of the most hydrating ingredients on the market. Hyaluronic acid creates a barrier, allowing the skin to hold in moisture, and our eczema-prone product tester saw the results, giving Hydro Boost Gel Cream 5 out of 5 for effectiveness. “My skin has been super dry with the weather constantly going from hot to cold, and this has been the only thing I’ve tried that prevented my skin from getting really dry throughout the day,” she told us. “I love this and will for sure continue to use it on a daily basis.”

The consistency is light enough for daytime use (yes, it can be worn under makeup), yet dewy enough to work overnight as well. If you’re finally taking that babymoon, this is the only face cream you need to pack. “It’s super easy to use, has stress-free packaging and you don’t need to follow any instructions on how to apply it,” said our tester.

It’s also cleaner than the typical drugstore brand pick because it’s oil-free, dye-free, fragrance-free and even vegan. “I only buy products that are fragrance-free, so I was really happy to see that Neutrogena has a fragrance-free product!” our tester said. “I was a bit nervous about this being a Neutrogena product since that’s not a brand that I normally gravitate towards, and I was so pleasantly surprised to see how clean the ingredients are. There’s a minimal list of ingredients and I love that there’s no added fragrance.”

Quantity: 1.7 ounces | Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

If you’re looking for a tried-and-tested toner, this one has been around for some time, and there’s a reason people keep coming back to it. Its hero ingredient, witch hazel, is one of the most effective ways to keep pores clear and unclogged. The organic, New England-harvested witch hazel in this product is truly a go-to for controlling shine and eliminating oil on the skin without drying it out.

This product is best for oily, acne-prone and combination skin, making it an excellent choice for anyone experiencing pregnancy acne. “It has helped me with my skin a bit,” our product tester said, “and I’m sure it can help others with theirs.”

“There’s no scent from the product, which I love,” she added, giving the toner 5 out of 5 for fragrance. “It makes it easy to apply without having a crazy smell lingering on your skin.” She also noted that the recently updated bottle is well-designed. “It’s a good size and easy to carry around if you were to travel with it,” she added. And when it comes to value, this toner is very competitive. “It’s a good price…. it does the job for anyone not looking to spend so much on a skin care product.”

Quantity: 16 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Witch hazel

At the risk of gushing, hyaluronic acid really is a rockstar ingredient—especially during pregnancy if you’re experiencing dry skin. The water-loving molecule attracts and locks in moisture, and this serum features a whopping 2 percent hyaluronic acid. And while it offers that good hydrating action, it’s made without the bad stuff like parabens, phthalates, oil, alcohol or silicon. It should work well for most skin types, from oily to sensitive and dry.

“In terms of ingredients, I appreciate that this product is vegan; I’m a mom to two doggies and love animals in general,” said our product tester. “I didn’t recognize many of the ingredients but appreciate the glycerin, which I know to be hydrating. I felt my skin looked and felt more hydrated after using this product.”

“The size is one fluid ounce, so it's perfect for any bathroom drawer, cabinet, or countertop,” she added, giving the product 5 out of 5 for ease of use. “The bottle is beautiful and clean, and the soft dropper top makes it easy to squeeze a drop onto your hand or directly onto your face.”

Plus, it’s not going to mess with your aesthetic if you forget to put it away (/#pregnancybrain). The style and design of the product (which earned another 5 out of 5 from our product tester) are “very simplistic and clean-looking—all white/clear packaging with a clear potion inside,” Julia said. “I appreciate the minimalism.”

Quantity: 1 fluid ounce | Active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5

Nothing quite replaces the power of retinol, but dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts swear bakuchiol comes close. Bakuchiol is a pregnancy-safe alternative to retinol that offers similar benefits without the same risks. Like retinol, bakuchiol—which is the star of this serum—helps fill in fine lines, improve skin texture and minimize pores. It’s balanced with niacinamide, which helps with evening out skin tone as well as tripeptide, another super hydrator.

Our product tester, who gave this product 5 out of 5 for effectiveness and ease of use, agreed that it’s something of a miracle worker. “[This serum] left my skin super smooth—it seemed brighter the few days I’ve used it,” she said.

Although the serum doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances, the natural ingredients give it a floral scent that our product tester adored. “I love the way this smells,” she told us, awarding 5 out of 5 for fragrance. “It’s floral but not heavy. It smells like lilacs or lilies of the valley, which happen to be some of my favorite flowers.” The vegan, cruelty-free formula is also free of essential oils, synthetic dyes, parabens, SLS, silicones, phthalates and sulfates, making it a great pregnancy-safe skin care choice.

Quantity: 1 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Bakuchiol, niacinamide, tripeptide

Juice Beauty is known to be an eco-conscious brand, and this eye treatment features certified organic ingredients, including antioxidant-rich jojoba oil, sustainably sourced moisturizing shea butter and nourishing evening primrose oil, creating a spa-at-home experience that feels absolutely wonderful.

Delivered in an airless pump container to help preserve the freshness of the ingredients, the consistency is that of a gel cream, making it both light and super hydrating. It helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and creases around the eyes, so if you’re struggling with pregnancy insomnia, this is a solid pick. “[During] pregnancy, I feel like my skin has become drier and more tired looking. This anti-wrinkle cream brings more life to my skin and brightens it,” said our product tester, giving the treatment top marks for effectiveness.

It’s also a winning choice if you’re not feeling fragrances this pregnancy. “The product really did not have a strong scent!” said our product tester. “This is a great thing because [during this] pregnancy, my nose has been so sensitive.”

Quantity: 0.5 ounces | Active ingredients: Jojoba oil, shea butter and evening primrose oil

We’ve named Honest the best brand for pregnancy-safe skin care this year—and this cleanser is a perfect example of why: It received a perfect 5 out of 5 across all categories from our product tester. The formula is gentle enough to use daily to wash away the day (and makeup!). It’s infused with calming ingredients such as chamomile and calendula extracts. Plus, it’s vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested, and comes in a 100 percent sustainable carton.

According to our tester, this cleanser is a must-try. “It was very easy and simple to use!” she enthused. “I loved it. I’ve been looking for a good pregnancy-safe gel cleanser for a while and this one did wonders. It made my skin feel clean and soft.”

Since Honest is more of a lifestyle brand than other drugstore brand competitors, it was no surprise that our tester dug the packaging. “The style and design are good,” she said. “I love the simple packaging, and it’s cute to keep out on the counter. It’s not bulky.” This is a product you won’t mind Instagramming when you photograph your shelfie.

That said, you’re not paying a massive price for a pretty package. “I feel like it came with a lot of product, and the size was great!” she noted. “A good money value for sure!”

Quantity: 5 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Chamomile and calendula extract

Using this milky body wash in the shower feels like a treat. It targets dry skin with a blend of omega-rich oils, including avocado, inchi and argan. It also features sweet almond oil (another soothing ingredient) and vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. “The product moisturized my skin,” said our product tester. “It left my skin feeling more hydrated as [my] dry skin has gotten more severe as I progress through this pregnancy.” I also tested this product when I was breastfeeding (which it’s also deemed safe for) and I agree with our tester’s experience: It was a truly luxurious experience, given how soft it left my skin.

The vegan formula features a citrus-forward fragrance, described as a mix of orange oil, bergamot, mandarin, may chang and lime (which I personally loved, but scent-sensitive mamas may feel differently). And if you’re environmentally conscious, know that the cruelty-free brand uses 100 percent recycled packaging, from the box to the tube, but doesn’t skimp on packaging quality. “Using the shower milk product was extremely easy,” she said. “The packaging was simple to use, as the product was easy to squeeze out of the bottle and apply to the skin. Storage was also simple.”

Although it’s a higher-end body wash, the Megamama Shower Milk is worth the extra cash. “I feel the value for money is good for this product as it’s effective and made with clean ingredients, making a woman feel good about using it during pregnancy and beyond,” our product tester said.

Quantity: 6.7 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Oils (avocado, inchi, argan and sweet almond) and vitamin E

One of our favorite baby brands also makes products for pregnant parents-to-be, including this body lotion that’s perfect for tired limbs. The paraben-free formula leaves skin feeling soft thanks to the hydrating duo of squalane and glycerin. It’s also hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free and EWG-verified.

But how does it feel? “I really like the texture of the lotion—it’s very light,” said our product tester, who found the lotion was a relief for her eczema-prone skin. “Left my skin feeling smooth, and for someone with sensitive skin, I appreciate that it’s hypoallergenic.”

While it’s free of synthetic fragrances, it does have a floral and citrus plant-derived scent. Those who are sensitive to fragrances may want to pick a scent-free option, but to our product tester, the smell was delightful and earned Pipette a 5 out of 5 for fragrance. “It smells good, and it feels good on the body,” our product tester noted. “This is one of my favorite things about this product. The smell is amazing!”

Quantity: 8 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Glycerin, squalane

To say that Biossance’s Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub performs well would be an understatement; our tester raved about it, giving it 5 out of 5 across all categories. “This worked amazingly on my skin!” she said. “It made it feel super soft and refreshed!”

Biossance is known for its dedication to clean ingredients, and this body scrub is no exception. It’s EWG-certified, vegan, cruelty-free and made without parabens, synthetic fragrances or PEG. What it does include is a pomegranate enzyme to dissolve dead skin, sugar crystals to polish it away and squalane, which is a nourishing superhero.

These top-notch ingredients work together to create a sensorial experience that our product tester thought was right on point: “The smell was great! Not too strong but the perfect amount, and wasn’t overwhelming,” she noted. “I loved the smell, and the feeling it gives your skin is super nice.”

Quantity: 6.76 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Pomegranate enzymes, sugar crystals and squalane

Pregnancy is a bit of an unpredictable journey, where you never know if your body will respond by having acne or dry skin. Fun fact: my skin changed by trimester! In the first one I had acne, and the second it got dry. Face oil is one of the best ways to add hydration back in, and sometimes it can even work for oily skin too (chat with your dermatologist if you’re not sure about your own skin type).

This vegan, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free pick is a blend of oils, including cucumber seed, hemp, jojoba seed and ginger root. Together, these ingredients plump the skin—filling in fine lines—while offering deep hydration and antioxidants. It comes in sustainable packaging and is made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone, talc, synthetic fragrances or gluten.

Our tester, who has oily and dry skin, said it gave her a glow and kept her skin feeling hydrated throughout the day. “It makes the skin shine,” she told us!

Quantity: 1 fluid ounce | Active ingredients: Chia seed oil, kiwi seed oil, passion fruit oil, papaya seed oil, algae extract and astaxanthin

If you normally swear by salicylic acid, then meet your new best friend for the next nine+ months: azelaic acid. While it’s not quite as effective at combating acne, azelaic acid is considered to be significantly safer for pregnancy. Azelaic acid is known for its brightening properties, and this formula also helps with uneven texture, dullness and acne. The gel-cream texture may seem more like a lotion but is meant to be used in place of a serum.

“Even after just a handful of uses, [my skin is] clearer,” our acne-prone product tester told us. “It absorbs super quickly and left my skin feeling very soft. I have a lot of texture on my cheeks, and this seemed to smooth that out basically after the very first application—just about immediately. With further use, it will prove to be a game-changer in my skincare collection! Also, I have sensitive skin and noticed no irritation whatsoever, not even near my eyes.”

With the effusive praise our tester gave this product, you might expect a hefty price tag, but this pregnancy-safe acne treatment earned a 5 out of 5 for value for money. The Ordinary has long been praised for producing high-performing products at competitive prices, and our product tester found that their azelaic acid suspension was no exception. “This brand overall is super affordable,” she said. “High-quality ingredients and a product for a great price!”

Quantity: 1 fluid ounce | Active ingredients: Azelaic acid

Micellar water is a longtime French beauty staple that’s recently become popular in the US. It’s perhaps the easiest way to take off makeup, since you don’t need to actually wet your face; just soak a cotton pad in micellar water, then gently swipe it over the eyelids and anywhere else you want to take off dirt or makeup. This pregnancy-safe skin care formula is also a wonderful way to add hydration to your skin.

Drunk Elephant’s micellar water features a blend of emollients to remove dirt, ceramides to add moisture to the skin barrier and antioxidant-rich wild melon seed oil. There’s also a medley of natural oils to seriously hydrate the skin. You can even use it on your lips to remove lipstick, and there’s no weird taste or smell.

I personally used this micellar water during my second pregnancy and can attest it is truly scent-free. I loved how soft and nourishing it left my skin. My skin tends to be more sensitive, so I would often use this in place of a traditional toner and as a makeup remover. It’s less greasy than a typical makeup remover, so you can wear it daily—and even under makeup.

The bottle is easy to use, and it’s pretty spill-proof. Just flip open the cap, turn it over and watch the milky drops pour onto a cotton pad. It’s a big bottle at eight ounces, so it can last for a couple of months. Plus, it’s a colorful addition to your cabinet thanks to its cheery orange details.

Quantity: 8 fluid ounces | Active ingredients: Ceramides, wild seed melon, vitamin E and oils (virgin marula, mongongo, baobab and passion fruit)

EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen has long been praised as offering not just mineral protection (thanks to 9 percent zinc oxide), but also skin care benefits. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) brings down redness or irritation, hyaluronic acid locks in moisture and vitamin E offers an extra boost of antioxidants. Influencers consistently highlight this sunscreen for its silky texture that easily blends under makeup—and our product tester loved it equally as much, giving the sunscreen a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness. “I loved how this felt on my skin and also protected it,” she said. “It felt way nicer quality than other pregnancy-safe products I’ve used in the past.”

It may not be the most interestingly designed packaging, but it’s also no-fuss. “It was easy to use, straight from the box,” Emily said, adding that the instructions were simple and easy to follow. As for value, “I do feel you get a decent amount of product for the price point, but it was a bit higher than I expected.”

While it is fragrance-free, our tester detected a hint of scent. “The smell was small,” she noted. “It didn’t smell as great as most of the other products I own, but it didn’t linger, which was nice!” Personally, I’ve used this sunscreen and haven’t detected much of a scent, so it really depends on your nose!

Quantity: 1.7 ounces | Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide (vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, lactic acid vitamin E

One of our favorite baby and postpartum brands recently branched into prenatal care with this body care set. It features four products: An in-shower lotion (similar to a body wash), a stretch mark balm, a chafe-preventing stick and a cooling leg and foot spray. It’s noteworthy that the formulas contain zero phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrances, dyes or alcohol.

Our product tester was a particularly big fan of the lotion, telling us, “It left my legs and belly the softest it’s been since I got pregnant. My legs were silky smooth and my belly felt so soothed.” She thought the anti-chafe stick “worked beautifully,” gliding on easily like deodorant and providing protection from irritation, and the leg and foot spray “soothed and cooled my feet and legs after a workout and at the end of a day, [during which] I spent a lot [of time] standing on my feet. I loved the cooling effect.” The only item in the box that received less than a ringing endorsement was the stretch mark balm, which she found difficult to remove from the packaging. But even then, “it worked so well once I finally got a little out of the tube. It would work even better with a better applicator.”

Since it’s offered in a bundle, it’s a great value and an awesome addition to your registry. “I absolutely love the packaging of this product,” our product tester said. “The box made it gift-worthy, and the packaging looks pretty on my bathroom vanity. I would feel so good about gifting this to a friend… I love the feel of the bottles too. They have a matte finish, which made the Bump + Body In-Shower Lotion much easier to hold in the shower.”

Quantity (lotion): 6 ounces | Quantity (balm): 2.5 ounces | Quantity (stick): 1.7 ounces | Quantity (spray): 3.5 ounces | Active ingredients (lotion): Shea butter and grapeseed | Active ingredients (balm): Vitamin E | Active ingredients (stick): Vitamin E | Active ingredients (spray): Vitamin E and squalane