When you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant of course you want to make sure you are nourishing your body with only the best ingredients as you start to prepare for this special, yet nerve wracking time in your life. A pregnancy safe skin care routine might be the absolute last thing on your mind. It is something to consider, though, because like your body, your skin is going through lots of changes as well during pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to unexpected acne, dryness, or pigmentation (hello, melasma).
At the same time, unless you are already using clean, safer products some of the ingredients you once loved in your favorite skincare products may now be off limits.
Navigating pregnancy safe skin care doesn’t have to be overwhelming and you can still have glowing skin while keeping yourself and your growing little one safe.
Let’s dive into how you can protect your skin, your health, and your baby by using the best pregnancy safe skin care options. You’ll feel empowered and have peace of mind after reading this article. I got you, my friend!
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Pregnancy Safe Skin Care for Mom’s to Be
Let me first start by saying that I am not a medical professional and this is not intended as medical advice in any way. I am just your clean beauty bestie with some valuable information you might find handy but you should ALWAYS check with your doctor to find out what is best for you and your situation.
Sound good? Great! Let’s talk about some common skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy now that we got that out of the way, shall we?!
Common Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
When you’re expecting a child, the first step in pregnancy safe skin care is knowing what to avoid. Some of the most popular skincare ingredients, though effective, can pose risks to your baby and your health. You might be staring at your bathroom shelf suddenly feeling like you need to figure out which bottles are friend or foe.
Here’s the scoop: some popular ingredients in your fav serums and creams need to sit this one out at least for the next nine months, maybe forever if you want to switch to safer for the long term which I highly recommend. Your growing family will likely thank you for this, too! 😉
Here are some ingredients to steer clear of during pregnancy:
- Retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A): While these anti-aging superstars can work wonders for fine lines and wrinkles, they have been linked to birth defects, so, yeah, hard pass! You can avoid retinol altogether even when you aren’t expecting by using a plant based alternative called Bakuchiol.
- Salicylic Acid: This common acne treatment is found in cleansers and toners, but in high doses, it may cause pregnancy complications so it is best to avoid it.
- Hydroquinone: Used to lighten dark spots and pigmentation, hydroquinone can be absorbed in larger amounts through the skin, making it risky during pregnancy so it is best to avoid this.
- Phthalates: Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many beauty and personal products. In animal and human studies, serious reproductive and developmental dysfunction has been linked to phthalate exposure. Anything that messes with your hormones is a no-go in my book!
- Parabens: These can disrupt hormones and harm reproductive organs and have also been linked to causing cancer. Um, no thank you!
The good news? There are safe swaps, so no need to stress! Your skincare routine can stay on point and become just a little more baby-friendly.
Aside from Salicylic acid which is considered to be relatively safe, I would stay away from all of the above ingredients regardless of if you are pregnant or not. If it can impact your baby’s health then it can impact yours and why would you risk it when there are better, safer options out there available to you?
Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Ingredients You Can Trust
Thankfully, there are plenty of pregnancy safe skin care ingredients you CAN totally rely on and trust to keep your skin glowing while also keeping your baby safe during this incredibly important time in your life. It is time to talk about the goodies you can slather on your face without a care in the world.
These are the heroes of pregnancy safe skin care!
Here are a few tried-and-true pregnancy safe skin care ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid: This hydration powerhouse is completely safe for pregnancy and helps keep your skin plump and moisturized.
- Vitamin C: Not only is it safe, but vitamin C is great for brightening the skin and fighting free radical damage, which is especially helpful if you’re dealing with melasma which can pop up during pregnancy.
- Niacinamide: This multitasking ingredient helps with redness, dark spots, and even acne while being gentle enough for pregnancy.
- Zinc Oxide: Found in mineral sunscreens, zinc oxide is a safe option for UV protection without the harmful chemicals.
These all-star ingredients tackle everything from dryness to dullness, so you can focus on growing your tiny human without stressing over your skin.
You have enough to think about during pregnancy. You do not need to worry about your skin care on top of it. You are a gorgeous baddie and soon to be mama, don’t you forget! 🙂
Spoiler alert: There are all also clean ingredients to use all of the time even after pregnancy.
I use these daily myself.
Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Products You’ll Love
Now that you know which ingredients to look for (and which to avoid), let’s talk about the best pregnancy safe skin care products!
My favorite clean beauty brand that is definitely pregnancy safe as well is Counter! Have you ever heard of this brand? If not, get ready, you are in for a true treat when it comes to pregnancy safe skin care!
Counter has been leading the clean beauty movement for years and has some of the strictest criteria for quality and safety, not only paving the way for industry standards that exist today but also giving you safe, clean, and clinically proven skin care options.
Many conventional beauty products still use ingredients like retinoids, certain chemical sunscreens, and synthetic fragrances that aren’t recommended during pregnancy.
Counter Beauty takes the guesswork (and stress) out of it with their industry-leading ingredient standards.
Through Counter’s Never List, you can see exactly which ingredients they will never use in their products AND exactly which ingredients they will use. This transparency is so key especially when you are trying to make sure you are using pregnancy safe skin care.
You might be wondering how do I check if my skincare is safe during pregnancy? EWG Verified and their EWG Skin Deep database is a great place to start!
You can search actual products, brands, or ingredients in their database.
You will see that Counter products are EWG verified which means they have been vetted by one of the toughest independent safety watchdogs in the beauty industry for safety and transparency.
Building a Pregnancy Safe Skincare Routine
Building a simple, pregnancy safe skin care routine is key to maintaining your skin’s health over the next few months. Try to focus on gentle, nourishing, safe products and leave out any harsh or questionable ingredients.
This pregnancy safe skin care routine can also carry on after your baby is born and become your everyday routine.
Pregnancy is the perfect time to switch to safer skincare and makeup and stick with it even after because your health matters and as I may have mentioned before (I’m passionate about this, what can I say)!
Your growing family will surely thank you! 🙂
Here’s a sample pregnancy safe skin care routine:
Morning:
- Gentle Cleanser: Opt for a sulfate-free, paraben free, and fragrance-free formula. The Counterglow Silky Skin Cleanser is a great option to try.
- Vitamin C Serum: This will help brighten your skin and protect against free radical damage. The Counter All Bright Vitamin C Serum is a best selling favorite you are sure to love!
- Moisturizer: Look for one with hyaluronic acid for added hydration. Counter has a few different moisturizers you can try!
- Mineral Sunscreen: Choose a zinc oxide-based formula to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Evening:
- Gentle Cleanser: Stick with your morning cleanser to avoid irritation.
- Moisturizer: Finish with a heavier, nourishing moisturizer to hydrate your skin overnight.
Remember to keep it simple. Your skin might be more sensitive during pregnancy, so less is often more.
Addressing Common Pregnancy Skin Concerns
During pregnancy, many women experience skin issues they’ve never dealt with before.
Oh, the joys of being a woman, right?
The good news? You can manage these concerns with the right pregnancy safe skin care.
Here are some common pregnancy skin concerns and how to address them:
- Dryness: Gentle cleansers and hydrating moisturizers will be your best friends.
- Melasma (Pregnancy Mask): Melasma is the darkening of skin patches, particularly on the face. To manage this, use vitamin C for brightening and ensure you’re diligent about daily SPF use.
- Stretch Marks: While some stretch marks are genetic, keeping your skin hydrated can minimize their appearance. Look for belly butters rich in shea butter and coconut oil to keep your skin elastic.
Whatever your concern, be sure to always consult with your dermatologist or OB-GYN before adding new treatments to your pregnancy skin care routine.
Safe Sunscreen Choices During Pregnancy
Safe sunscreen is imperative at any time, but it’s especially important during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can make your skin more prone to sun damage, increasing your risk for melasma and other pigmentation issues. Not all sunscreens are safe for pregnancy or safe at all, unfortunately.
During pregnancy, you’ll want to use mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide. This is a physical blocker that sits on top of the skin to reflect harmful rays without the use of chemical filters, which may penetrate the skin and affect your baby.
Look for sunscreens labeled “reef-safe” or “mineral-based” to ensure they contain pregnancy safe ingredients. Always reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re spending extended time outdoors.
You Got This, Mama – Glow On!
You are now well prepared with the knowledge and peace of mind to crush your pregnancy skin care journey! I hope you now feel like pregnancy safe skin care doesn’t have to be complicated or scary. With the right routine, you can rock that pregnancy glow while keeping yourself and your little one safe from harmful ingredients.
Keep it simple, keep it safe, and when in doubt, ask your healthcare provider if a product is baby-friendly.
This is the time to focus on self-care—not just for you, but for your growing baby. Grab that hyaluronic acid, lather on your mineral sunscreen, and try to enjoy your pregnancy glow without a worry!
Most importantly, remember, you are growing an ACTUAL human right now so please, please give yourself some grace and self love regardless of what society, your mother in law, or that girl from high school tells you. 🙂
