As a beauty editor I’m pretty geeky about scientific data. I love reading case studies about how a product has performed, the science behind the latest aesthetic tweakments, and decoding an ingredients list to understand what makes a formula so potent. Simply put, digesting complex information while researching the stories that I’m working on doesn’t typically faze me. So it was to my enormous surprise that when I found myself expecting my first child back in 2019 I became immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information out there about what is and isn’t safe to do when you’re pregnant.
Putting my raging hormones aside, the volume of guidance online can feel near impossible to break through on a good day—let alone when you’re thinking about the safety of your unborn child. And when you throw an ever-increasing amount of social media ‘experts’ into the mix it makes deciphering what is fact and what is scaremongering a near-impossible task. As someone that tests products for a living, I felt incredibly anxious about what beauty products I needed to avoid during pregnancy and which ones were safe to use, and I’d hate for anyone else to experience this level of confusion.
(Image credit: @haileybieber)
Thankfully, a huge benefit of my work means that I have an array of experts on-hand to answer my burning beauty questions at all times—which is exactly what I did. And having gone on to have a second child in 2022, I now consider myself to be fairly well-versed about what constitutes a pregnancy-safe beauty routine. Ahead, I’ve crafted an expert-approved guide to the ingredients and beauty products that should be definitively avoided during pregnancy—and the products that might be beneficial to add to your prenatal beauty routine. Plus, the experts break down the changes that you might expect to see in your skin during your pregnancy so there are no unexpected surprises!
What are the most common skin changes during pregnancy?
Sure, we’ve all heard about the phenomenon of the pregnancy glow that many people are said to enjoy during the second trimester and beyond—although, disclaimer, I definitely did not glow in either pregnancy—but what other changes in the skin are common during pregnancy? “Numerous skin changes can occur during pregnancy, either as an intensification of existing skin conditions or as a result of the pregnancy,” explains Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Catriona Maybury. “In fact, in almost 90% of women, skin changes during pregnancy are due to increased hormone levels, which can lead to skin problems such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma.” And while these skin issues tend to resolve themselves in the postnatal period, it can be hard to know how to tackle them while you’re pregnant if you’re unsure what products are safe to use.
Which beauty products should be avoided during pregnancy?
All of the experts that I spoke to for this piece were in agreement that stripping your beauty routine back to basics is a good rule of thumb during pregnancy. However, if you are used to a pretty extensive skincare routine then it’s good to be aware of a few key ingredients that should be avoided entirely while pregnant:
1. Retinoids
Widely considered to be a gold-standard ingredient in tackling uneven skin texture, minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and improving firmness and tone, topical use of retinoids (including retinol, retin-A, tretinoin and adapalene) should be avoided due to the fact that they may contribute to high levels of vitamin A in the body which could cause issues.
2. Salicylic acid
While experts typically agreed that salicylic acid at low levels (around 2% or less) would likely be fine, for safety’s sake it is best to avoid this BHA entirely and switch it out for a safe-to-use AHA like lactic, glycolic or mandelic acid at a concentration of 10% or less.
3. Hydroquinone
This is a star ingredient for treating pigmentation, but using this to treat dark spots in pregnancy is a no-go as it absorbs through the skin.
4. Benzoyl peroxide
More often than not found in prescription skincare to treat acne and spots, benzoyl peroxide should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential health risks.
5. Formaldehyde
Typically found in some nail and hair products (it’s particularly prevalent in a lot of gel manicures) and some beauty treatments, like Brazilian blow-dries, our experts agreed that it was best to minimise exposure to this ingredient while pregnant.
6. Essential oils
There isn’t much research done around how the use of essential oils can affect a baby in the womb, which is why most experts agree it’s sensible to limit their use entirely while pregnant. “Especially tea tree oil and rosemary oil which have been linked to skin reactions and premature contractions,” explains dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite.
Which beauty products are safe to use during pregnancy?
Thankfully, there are still so many efficacious ingredients and beauty products that are entirely safe to use during pregnancy and mean that you don’t have to compromise on looking after yourself and feeling your best during this time. In fact, you might not even use any of the aforementioned ingredients to start with and can leave your routine exactly as it was pre-pregnancy. There are, however, some ingredients that our experts particularly rate for use while you are pregnant:
1. AHAs
“Generally AHAs such as lactic and glycolic acids are safe at lower concentrations during pregnancy,” explains Dr Alexis. Not only do they both offer gentle exfoliation, but they’ll leave skin soft and smooth too.
Paula’s Choice
6% Mandelic + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Skin Rocks
The Gentle Acid Toner
2. Vitamin C
A protective antioxidant that looks after skin health as well as brightening the complexion—it’s a great all-rounder that will help with that pregnancy glow if you aren’t already seeing it naturally.
Dermatica
Vitamin C 15%: Fresh Batch Ascorbic Acid
Pai
Stabilised Vitamin C 20%
Space NK
Vitamin C Complex Serum
3. Azelaic acid
“Azelaic acid is a multifunctional hero ingredient for many skin concerns, including acne and melasma,” says Dr Catriona. “It has antioxidant properties which help to brighten your complexion, as well as reducing the appearance of blemishes, dark spots and redness.
The Ordinary
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Cream
Q+A
Azelaic Acid Facial Serum
Paula’s Choice
10% Azelaic Acid Booster
4. Niacinamide
“Niacinamide is an active form of vitamin B3 and is clinically proven to have pigmentation-reducing properties of its own—reducing the transfer of pigment cells in the skin—and increasing ceramide production, which keeps your skin hydrated,” explains Dr Catriona.
The INKEY List
Niacinamide Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm
The Better B Niacinamide Serum
Beauty Pie
Superdrops™ Brightening Niacinamide (10%)
5. Peptides
Dr Alexis recommends seeking out skincare containing peptides which are safe to use during pregnancy and help to improve skin health overall—penetrating the skin to boost moisture, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and bolster the skin barrier.
Drunk Elephant
Protini Polypeptide Cream
Naturium
Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum
Ole Henriksen
Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser
6. SPF
Sunscreen is always important and continues to be so during pregnancy. “Physical blockers, which contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are the least reactive so often recommended for pregnant women,” says Dr Alexis.
Ultra Violette
Lean Screen Spf50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen Skinscreen Lean Matyfng Spf50+ 50ml
dermalogica
Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen Spf30
Supergoop!
Play Mineral Lotion SPF30
Of course, it goes without saying that if you have any concerns during your pregnancy or about the products that you are using then speak to a professional. “We always recommend speaking to your GP or dermatologist to ensure the products are appropriate for your specific skin concerns during this important time,” advises Dr Catriona.