7 of the best pregnancy safe skincare products 2025
WHAT SKINCARE PRODUCTS SHOULD YOU AVOID WHEN PREGNANT?
Opinion is divided on what beauty products aren’t safe during pregnancy. But most experts agree that it is important to avoid anything containing Vitamin A because large doses have been linked to birth defects. Vitamin A is called retinol in the beauty world and is often found in anti-ageing and acne treatments.
Many liquid exfoliators and toners contain acids to encourage skin renewal but some of these acids are best avoided. This includes salicylic acid. Concentrations up to 2% are considered safe but many agree that it’s best to be cautious and avoid it altogether along with glycolic acid. But citric, lactic and azelaic acids are all fine to use.
Benzoyl peroxide is probably safe in small doses of 5% or less but if you don’t want to risk it and suffer from acne try products containing pregnancy-safe niacinamide.
What other skincare changes might I need to make during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the skin can become a lot more sensitive so many prefer to use organic and natural ranges which are less likely to irritate the skin. Melasma, also called the mask of pregnancy, is also very common and leads to dark patches on the face. This is due to a combination of being more sensitive to UV rays and pregnancy hormones. Wearing sunscreen daily can help with this and a physical zinc oxide sunscreen is often recommended.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PREGNANCY-SAFE SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
As long as you avoid the ingredients above, you can use your usual skincare products. But if you’re looking for something gentle, natural, or designed for pregnancy skin, here are some of the best to buy.
If you want to check any other products, 15minutebeauty.com is an excellent resource.
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 27 November 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. WELEDA SKIN FOOD
Weleda has some excellent products suitable for use in pregnancy but this is probably the most popular.
It’s a rich cream that is transformative on very dry patches of skin
100% certified natural and organic
Made with sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, wild pansy, chamomile, and calendula
Contains beeswax and lanolin so not suitable for vegans
Cruelty-free
2. neal’s yard mothers bath oil
Another brand with many excellent organic and natural skincare options.
This popular bath oil is made from natural and 79% organic ingredients.
Contains bergamot and ylang ylang essential oils.
Cruelty-free and vegan.
3. REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30
REN Clean Skincare products are excellent for sensitive skin as they don’t use any ingredients that have any history of irritating the skin.
They are mostly pregnancy-safe but check the ingredients first.
This pregnancy-safe zinc oxide facial sunscreen is mattifying and SPF30.
Vegan and cruelty-free.
4. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Azelaic acid is safe in pregnancy so this is a good alternative for skin brightening and improving skin tone and texture.
The Ordinary has many pregnancy-safe products just avoid the ones containing retinol, arbutin, and salicylic, malic, and glycolic acids.
Vegan and cruelty-free.
5. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
A popular fragrance-free and hydrating facial cleanser that has been developed with dermatologists and is very gentle on the skin.
Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
For normal to dry skin.
Not tested on animals.
Vegan.
6. Green People Scent Free 24-Hour Cream
Green People have some excellent pregnancy-safe skincare products that are great if you prefer to use natural and organic ingredients.
This fragrance-free day and night moisturiser is designed for very sensitive skin.
It contains plant oils to keep skin soft and hydrated and baicalin which has anti-ageing properties.
89% certified organic.
Cruelty-free and vegan.
7. Kiehl’s calendula herbal-extract toner
This alcohol-free toner may help if your skin has become more oily during pregnancy.
Contains calendula petals and great burdock root.
Suitable for sensitive skin.