Once you are pregnant suddenly you question EVERYTHING, and want to make sure anything you are putting on and in your body, is safe for the baby growing inside you. I know the feeling well. Luckily prior to pregnancy my skincare and makeup essentials were pretty ‘clean’. However, I did make a few swaps that actually improved my skin during pregnancy, and left me more glowy and with clearer skin than ever! This guide will help reduce any overwhelm you might be feeling and help you create your own pregnancy safe skincare and makeup routine!
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As someone with a background in nutrition and wellness, I’ve always cared about what I put in and on my body. But pregnancy has a way of making you pause and reevaluate everything — from your morning vitamin to the retinol you’ve used for years. Suddenly ingredient lists feel louder and labels feel that much more important and it’s really easy to worry about what you can and cannot use.
This is my guide to pregnancy safe makeup and skincare — what ingredients I chose to avoid, what I personally use instead, and how I simplified my routine without throwing everything away overnight.
As always, this is based on research, conversations with my OB, and my own comfort level. Every pregnancy is different, so use this as a thoughtful starting point — not medical advice.
I do utilize the blog 15 Minute Beauty, as well as a few dermatologists whom I trust online to create my pregnancy safe skincare and makeup cabinet. Some of the items I share 15 Minute Beauty avoids, but it’s really up to you to use your best judgment and speak with your doctor first!
Table of Contents
- My Skin During Pregnancy
- What to Avoid During Pregnancy
- My Pregnancy Safe Skincare Routine
- Pregnancy Safe Makeup
- FAQ
My Skin During Pregnancy
I wasn’t sure how my skin would be during pregnancy, as it was pretty clear before and I never really struggled with acne or hormonal breakouts. But you never know what will happen during pregnancy! I’ve found that my skin is clearer and brighter than it’s ever been and I feel so thankful! I attribute this to a few things:
- Luck (lol)
- Healthy and balanced eating habits — not a lot of processed foods, clean oils, limited fast food (hardly ever during this pregnancy actually!), and LOTS of fruits and veggies.
- Sticking to a skincare routine — because I wanted to make sure I was only putting pregnancy safe ingredients on my skin, I created a routine (which you will find out below) and stuck with it! I think there is something to say about not buying a lot of new products to try and constantly mixing things up. I plan to stick with this routine while I breastfeed and see how my skin continues!
What to Avoid During Pregnancy
Ingredients Commonly Avoided in Pregnancy:
- Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene)
- High-dose salicylic acid
- Hydroquinone
- Certain essential oils
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Always consult your OB — this is based on research and my own comfort level.
My Pregnancy Safe Skincare Routine
Morning Routine
- Gentle cleanser
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
- Mineral sunscreen
Evening Routine
- Makeup remover / Cleansing oil
- Exfoliating cleanser
- Toner
- Hydrating serum
- Eye cream
- Azelaic acid
- THICK moisturizer
Pregnancy Safe Makeup
I’ve kept my makeup pretty simple these days, as most days I am honestly not wearing any at all, but when I do, these are my go-to’s!
FAQ
Is retinol safe during pregnancy?
Most providers recommend avoiding topical retinoids during pregnancy.
Is vitamin C safe during pregnancy?
Yes, vitamin C is generally considered safe and is a great alternative to retinol.
Is salicylic acid safe during pregnancy?
Low concentrations in cleansers may be considered acceptable, but high-dose treatments are often avoided.
Do I need to replace all my makeup during pregnancy?
Not necessarily. Focus first on high-absorption skincare products.
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