Baby on board, actives on hold: the rundown on pregnancy-safe skincare
By Cat Norton
If your vanity feels like a minefield now that you’re pregnant, you’re not alone. The glow is real, but so are the breakouts, pigmentation, and “can I even use this?” moments.
Let’s simplify what’s safe, what’s not, and how to keep your skin calm while you’re expecting.
Common skin concerns during pregnancy
1. Pregnancy acne
Hormones can crank up oil production and inflammation, especially around the jawline.
Gentle support looks like:
- A mild, non-stripping cleanser
- Non-comedogenic moisturiser (yes, even for oily skin)
- Spot-treating rather than nuking your whole face
PRO TIP: Don’t DIY pregnancy acne with old prescriptions or chemist gels - many of these contain ingredients best avoided when you’re expecting. When in doubt, speak with your beauty therapist and doctor.
2. Pigmentation
Melasma and other pigment changes are common during pregnancy. They usually fade or soften afterward, but strict sun protection is your best friend here.
Gentle support looks like:
- Covering up in the sun
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or 50+, ideally mineral
- Gentle brightening actives approved by your skin expert and health provider
3. Barrier drama
If your skin suddenly throws tantrums at products it used to love, that’s normal. Pregnancy can make your barrier more reactive and your skin drier and itchier.
Gentle support looks like:
- Fragrance-free, barrier-supportive moisturisers
- Lukewarm showers instead of hot
- Fewer actives, more hydration
Ingredients to park until baby arrives
Not all ingredients are invited to the pregnancy party. With limited pregnancy-safe research, most advice takes a cautious approach.
Always check with your midwife, doctor or skin therapist, but most experts will generally have you avoid:
Retinols/vitamin A derivatives
This includes: retinols, retinaldehyde, tretinoin, adapelene, tazarotene, isotretinoin, retinyl palmitate, etc.
Try this instead: bakuchiol and glycolic acid like INSKIN.CO Bakuchiol and B3 Serum.
High-dose salicylic acid (BHA)
This includes: strong peels, high-percentage leave-ons (under 2% is considered pregnancy safe), oral salicycates
Try this instead: physical exfoliants like O COSMEDICS Exfoliating Cleanser.
Hydroquinone
This includes: pigment lighteners
Try this instead: vitamin C and niacinamide like NEUROCOSMEDICS Super Vitamin C or O COSMEDICS O-Biotics B3 Plus.
Chemical sunscreens
This includes: any actives other than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Try this instead: mineral sunscreens like O COSMEDICS Mineral Pro.
What about professional treatments – are any safe?
Short answer: yes, there are safe treatment options. But they need to be chosen carefully, by professionals who know you’re pregnant and understand your health history.
Many clinics will pause or avoid:
- Lasers and IPL
- Injectables (fillers, Botox)
- Deep or high-strength chemical peels
- Aggressive microneedling or resurfacing treatments
And instead lean into:
- Gentle, hydrating facials
- Mild enzyme or AHA exfoliation
- LED/light therapy protocols
Be sure to tell your skin therapist if you’re pregnant (even early on), trying to conceive, under the care of a specialist or on any prescription medications.
Supporting your pregnancy glow from the inside out
What you put on your skin during pregnancy is one thing, but how you feed your skin from the inside is just as important.
Natural wellness supplements can help support overall health, skin, hair and nails. Look for 100% active, additive-free formulas.
NOTE: Natural doesn’t automatically mean pregnancy safe. Any supplement you’re considering to support your skin health during pregnancy should be recommended by a professional beauty therapist and approved by your care team.
Your no-frills pregnancy-safe skincare checklist
Keep it simple by adhering to these reminders:
- Tell your pros everything. Let them know that you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.
- Simplify your routine. Fewer products, higher quality, more hydration.
- Avoid high-risk ingredients. Especially retinoids, strong peels, hydroquinone, and unsupervised acids.
- Love your SPF. Daily, diligent sun protection is your best defense against pregnancy pigmentation.
- Think holistic. Sleep (or lack of), stress, movement and nutrition all show up on your skin.