Lots of changes occur during pregnancy, especially to your skin. Some are great (hello, glow!), and some are less so (looking at you, stretch marks. Depending on how your skin reacts to the unavoidable hormone surge that occurs during pregnancy, you may wind up with dry or greasy patches, dark spots, stretch marks, newly sprouted moles, an itchy belly and more. You may even find that your most beloved lotions and potions are suddenly too harsh for your now super-sensitive skin. The good news? Many of these pregnancy skin quirks fade away soon after baby is born.

In the meantime, however, it’s important to refresh your medicine cabinet with products that not only care for your skin, but don’t cause harm to your developing baby. Ready to get the scoop on pregnancy skin care dos and don’ts? Read on for some expert tips, plus our favorite pregnancy-safe product picks.

In this article:
Skin care ingredients to avoid when pregnant
Best pregnancy-safe skin care brands
Best pregnancy-safe skin care products

Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid When Pregnant

“It’s very important to avoid products deemed unsafe during pregnancy,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. “My patients usually know that they need to stop retinoids as soon as they get the positive pregnancy test, but we forget about some other toxic ingredients found in everyday beauty products.”

Here’s the deal: Topical treatments can potentially make it into your bloodstream, so choosing pregnancy-safe ingredients is essential. Some skin care products—especially if used in high concentration and with known teratogenic properties—can be absorbed into the bloodstream, explains Julie Russak, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. This can potentially impact baby’s development, so you’ll want to do your research and check in with your doctor before investing in products. Additionally, Engelman advises using caution when choosing fragranced products; they often contain harmful chemicals, such as parabens, benzene derivatives and aldehydes, that may be linked to cancer and nervous system issues. Moreover, added fragrances may irritate sensitive skin. Feeling overwhelmed already? Here, find a list of the main ingredients to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Retinoids. It’s recommended that products such as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A, retinols, retinyl palmitate and Tazorac be completely avoided. While very little of the ingredient gets absorbed into your skin, studies have suggested a possible link to birth defects.
Tetracycline. This antibiotic acne treatment can affect the development of baby’s teeth and bones.
Hydroquinone. Between 34 to 45 percent of hydroquinone—a skin-whitening agent—is systemically absorbed into your body when applied topically. While current studies don’t show a distinct link between hydroquinone during pregnancy and an increased risk of adverse effects, it’s best to avoid.
Salicylic acid. While local and limited use of topical acne-fighting products that contain up to 2 percent of salicylic acid are low-risk for baby, dermatologists still suggest avoiding it.
Benzoyl peroxide. The safety of using benzoyl peroxide to treat acne during pregnancy has yet to be established. Consult your physician before using products with this active ingredient.
Oxybenzone and octinoxate. These ingredients, often found in chemical sunscreens, can cause potential harm to the development of the baby’s nervous system. Engelman recommends a mineral sunscreen as a safe alternative.
Essential oils. Engelman advises pregnant people to avoid products containing essential oils, as some have the potential to induce uterine contractions.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Brands

Before we get into our list of the best pregnancy skin care, here are three of our favorite brands that cater to moms-to-be.

Juice Beauty: Juice Beauty offers organic, antioxidant-rich skin care—including a wide selection of products deemed safe for pregnant moms. From oil-free moisturizers and anti-wrinkle creams to acne treatments and complexion correctors, the gentle formulas cater to every skin type. Is it any wonder this brand won a Best of Pregnancy award in 2022?
Honest: Amp up that pregnancy glow with Honest. The line of pregnancy skin care includes cleansers, moisturizers, serums and eye creams—basically everything you need to build a daily self-care routine. Bonus: Get 15 percent off your purchase with code THEBUMP.
True Botanicals: True Botanicals creates vegan, cruelty-free and GMO-free skin care. Better yet, all of the products carry the Made Safe seal, meaning they’re free from over 6,500 toxic chemicals known to harm humans and the environment. Browse the brand’s curated collection of pregnancy-safe skin care products to find your perfect match.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

Think of pregnancy as a time to refresh your routine with new and improved skin care products specially created to pamper your changing skin. Here are some of our favorites that get the job done while keeping you and baby safe.

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About the experts:

Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of dermatologic surgery at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City. She earned her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Julie Russak, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. She earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Belly Butters, Oils and Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy

Best Natural Beauty Products to Use During Pregnancy

The Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen for All Skin Types