Finding beauty products safe for pregnancy was a big priority for me. Your skin is your largest organ, and some of what you put on it gets absorbed into your body. Some of it can even reach your baby.
The hard part is that there are so many products out there, and the labels don’t help. Plenty of products call themselves “natural” and still contain ingredients you’d want to skip.
Regulation doesn’t help much either. The European Union bans more than 1,600 ingredients in cosmetics, while the US bans or restricts only about a dozen. A 2022 law gave the FDA more oversight of cosmetics, but ingredient rules haven’t caught up yet, so you still have to do some of the research yourself. I’ve done a lot of it already, so hopefully this list saves you some time.
How I check products: When I’m not sure about something, I look it up in the EWG Skin Deep Database. I also trust retailers like The Detox Market, Honest Company and Goop (though Goop is pricey). You can find many of the products below on Amazon or at your local drugstore.
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Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
Since some ingredients can cross the placenta, these are the ones I steer clear of:
- Retinoids (retinol, retinyl palmitate, tretinoin): most doctors recommend avoiding them during pregnancy.
- Parabens: these preservatives show up in a lot of cosmetics and have been linked to hormone disruption.
- Phthalates and synthetic fragrance: “fragrance” on a label can hide dozens of chemicals.
- Formaldehyde: check nail polish and hair-smoothing treatments for it.
- High-dose salicylic acid and hydroquinone: ask your doctor before using either one.
- Lead: testing has found lead in many lipsticks, which is why I’m picky about lip products.
Hormone-disrupting chemicals can matter even in small amounts, especially during big stages of development like pregnancy. That’s why I’d rather be careful.
Nails
Polish
Suncoat Water-Based Nail Polish
SOPHi Water-Based Nail Polish
Zoya Nail Polish (Big 12 Free)
ella+mila Vegan Nail Polish
Aila Nail Lacquer
Nail Polish Remover
ella+mila Soy Nail Polish Remover, Unscented
Zoya Remove Plus
Studio 35 Beauty 100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover (at Walgreens)
Body
Body Wash
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Sugar Soap, Baby Unscented
Alaffia EveryDay Coconut Body Wash, Purely Coconut
Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
Body Lotion & Belly Butter
Earth Mama Belly Butter
Earth Mama Belly Oil
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Self-Tanner
Deodorant
Each & Every Natural Deodorant (EWG Verified)
Native Deodorant, Unscented
Face
Cleansers
ATTITUDE Pregnancy Foaming Face Cleanser (EWG Verified)
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
Face Lotions, Serums & Creams
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
Azelaic acid is one I wish I had known about sooner. Dermatologists often suggest it for acne and dark spots during pregnancy since retinoids are off the table.
Face Masks
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Hydrating Mask
Makeup
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
RMS Beauty UnCoverup Concealer
100% Pure Water Foundation
Kjaer Weis
Makeup Remover
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm
Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are my go-to while pregnant.
Badger Mineral Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Read this article to learn how to make sure your sunscreen isn’t causing more harm than good.
See also: Safe, Non-Toxic Sunscreens for Kids and Babies
Lips
FDA testing has found trace amounts of lead in most of the lipsticks it tested. The levels are low, but there is no known safe level of lead exposure during pregnancy, so I stick to these for lip products:
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tin
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lipstick
RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
100% Pure Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
Hair
Shampoo / Conditioner
ATTITUDE Pregnancy Shampoo and Conditioner
ATTITUDE Super Leaves Moisturizing Shampoo (EWG Verified)
Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo
John Masters Organics Shampoo
Hair Spray
Vanicream Free & Clear Firm Hold Hairspray
Dry Shampoo
Acure Dry Shampoo, Non-Aerosol
Teeth
Toothpaste
Davids Natural Toothpaste
Dr. Bronner’s Anise All-One Toothpaste
Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste is considered safe during pregnancy, so fluoride-free is a personal choice. Ask your dentist if you’re not sure.
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Beauty Products
If you are a Do-It-Yourself type, try out these homemade beauty product recipes from Mommypotamus and Wellness Mama:
Honey Face Wash • Turmeric Face Mask • Deodorant • Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
Anti-Aging Facial Moisturizer • Lotion Bars • Hair Strengthening Mask • Natural Teeth Whitening • Natural Shimmer Lipstick • Body Wash • Natural Mascara
I skipped homemade sunscreen here on purpose. There’s no way to know the SPF of a DIY recipe, so buy a tested mineral sunscreen instead.
I note EWG Verified status where a product has it. Ratings and formulas change, so check the EWG Skin Deep database for the latest. I’ll keep updating this list.
FAQ: Beauty Products During Pregnancy
Is it safe to use regular skincare while pregnant?
Most everyday products are fine, but avoid retinoids and check with your doctor about acne and skin-lightening treatments.
Is nail polish safe during pregnancy?
Look for formulas free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP, and paint your nails somewhere with good airflow.
How do I know if a beauty product is pregnancy safe?
Check the ingredient list against the EWG Skin Deep database, and ask your OB about anything you’re unsure of.
I’m not a medical professional, so please talk with your doctor before making changes to your routine.
Shop Beauty Products Safe for Pregnancy on Amazon
Hi! I have been using Alba herbal Healing body wash. I am 9 weeks pregnant and just saw that it has Cannabis Sativa in it. I’m worried that I thought I was using a safe product that maybe isn’t! Thoughts?
According to EWG’s Skin Deep (my cosmetic safety resource go-to), Cannabis Sativa is very safe! However, the use of cannabis oil when pregnant can be a controversial topic. In my opinion, there isn’t reliable information about the use of it during pregnancy. The potency of it in your body wash, as well as how much you use, would be important to determine how safe it is. I would consult your doctor. I’m not a medical professional, but I assume that in a body wash, the cannabis oil isn’t very potent, there is no THC, and not too much of it is absorbing into your skin… so in my completely unmedical opinion, I think you are okay.
This huge range of products would be really helpful for every pregnant woman. I will definitely recommend them. Thanks and keep sharing.