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The Best Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products That Dermatologists Stand By

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James marcus

How We Selected the Best Skincare Products for Pregnancy

We researched all of the relevant skincare products available through major retailers, looking at ingredients, skin care efficacy and above all, safety. Our panel of experts included Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery and advisor of BioRepublic; Dylan B. Alston, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist for Intermountain Healthcare; and Geeta Yadav, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. They weighed in on what to look for and offered options for the best, safest products for every skin concern.

What to Look for in Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products

Ingredients

For pregnancy-friendly products, the crucial thing is to avoid a few specific ingredients. “The number one skincare ingredient to avoid is retinol, either in its over-the-counter form or in a prescription-strength retinoid product, such as Retin-A,” says Dr. Yadav. “This vitamin A derivative should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it can be harmful to the baby. Others that should be avoided include salicylic acid, a common ingredient in acne treatments.”

Science-Backed Claims

Look for ingredients that deliver on science-based claims, such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and cocoa and shea butter, according to our experts. Always check with your doctor if you’re trying something with an unfamiliar ingredients.

Fragrance

When you are pregnant, your sense of smell can be heightened. This can mean that smells that you never noticed before are right in your face and overwhelming, and it’s important to consider that when shopping for new products. Most of the time you might think it’s no big deal, but many pregnant people report gagging or becoming ill over a smell in the area, so you may want to stick with unscented products.

Your Questions, Answered

What skincare ingredients should I avoid during pregnancy?

You should always check with your doctor, but the big red flag during pregnancy is retinoids, according to our medical experts.

“The most important ingredient to avoid in skin care while pregnant are retinoids. This family of medications, often seen in anti-aging creams or serums are considered Category X,” says Dr. Alston. “This means they are well known to cause birth defects. There are many OTC retinoids available and even these should be avoided during pregnancy.” (Note: Other doctors we spoke to say there are some forms of retinoids that may be OK to use, but check with your own healthcare providers before doing so.)

While it’s important to be mindful, you don’t have to quit your skincare routine just because you’re pregnant.

“It is still OK to maintain a general skincare routine and continue with regular use of gentle cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen, though some prefer to opt for mineral sunscreens which are physical blockers containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. In general, [with] any product you are using, you should double-check with your obstetrician to make sure it’s considered safe in pregnancy,” Dr. Garshick says. There are also some pregnancy-safe options for breakouts and blemishes, so it is best to speak with a board-certified dermatologist to determine what would be best for you.

Is vitamin C serum safe during pregnancy?

All of our experts recommended products with vitamin C. It’s an effective ingredient that can also take the place of retinoids when it comes to treating dark spots and general skin-tone issues. It’s basically a safe swap for retinols and retinoids while pregnant or breastfeeding.

What skincare products do I need in pregnancy?

The short answer to this question, according to our experts: whatever products that work for you and are safe for the baby. But of course, always check with your doctor if you have concerns.

Why Trust Parents

Tanya Edwards is an experienced parents, food, beauty, and health journalist who has been writing and editing parenting and beauty stories for over a decade. She’s obsessed with ingredient lists and skincare that actually does what it promises, and loves to talk to experts about what products are best for every person’s body.

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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