As an expectant mother, nurturing yourself and your growing baby becomes a top priority. Between pregnancy cravings and aversions, fighting fatigue, and all the crazy changes that happen, there’s a lot to stay on top of when you’re newly pregnant! 

Choosing safe skincare products to use during pregnancy may not be at the top of your list and with the influx of information available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when deciding which skincare ingredients are safe to use during pregnancy. The good news is you’re probably already using pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients in your routine and with a few easy tweaks, you can make sure you and your growing little one are safe for the journey ahead.
To see a full list of skincare products to use during pregnancy recommended by an esthetician, you can check out my list on my Amazon Storefront!

1. Vitamin C

At the top of the list of safe ingredients to use during pregnancy is vitamin C. A game changer for promoting a brighter complexion, vitamin C is a good skincare ingredient to use whether you’re pregnant, an acne-prone teenager, or battling signs of aging. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage that occurs from sun exposure and other environmental factors that lead to dull, dry skin and hyperpigmentation. This is especially crucial during times like pregnancy when our skin is already more vulnerable to outside stressors.

While vitamin C is mainly associated with brighter skin and reversing hyperpigmentation, it also helps improve skin elasticity, strengthens the skin’s natural barrier to promote moisture retention, and can even help boost the efficacy of your sunscreen. Even better, vitamin C is completely safe to use during pregnancy and can be used to combat common pregnancy symptoms such as melasma and hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C is safe to use, but depending on the strength and formula you choose, it can cause slight irritation. These days most vitamin C serums are formulated to be used every day, but I always recommend starting out slowly with vitamin C by applying it every 2-3 days in the morning or night on freshly cleansed dry face. Some of my favorite vitamin C serums are the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum, the Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum, and for sensitive skin types, the [SKIN&LAB] Vitamin C Brightening Serum for Face with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

2. Bakuchiol

Naturally derived from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, bakuchiol is an antioxidant most known for its anti-aging properties such as the ability to help improve skin elasticity in order to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. You may have seen bakuchiol being touted as “nature’s retinol” as an alternative that’s more gentle on the skin than traditional retinoids. Bakuchiol also has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin against free radical damage that causes aging, dull skin, and uneven skin texture. Lastly, it’s extremely gentle on the skin and safe for all skin types making it ideal to use in a pregnancy skincare routine.

Since retinol isn’t safe to use during pregnancy, bakuchiol is one of the best skincare ingredients to use as an alternative to retinol for your anti-aging needs. It’s not only safe for you and little one, but it’s gentle enough for sensitive and irritated skin, an all-too-common side effect during pregnancy. 

Chances are you’ve already come across bakuchiol in one of your skincare products as it’s a common ingredient in serums and moisturizers, but if you haven’t, my recommendation is to start with a serum like my personal favorite, the Neogen DermalogyNeogen Dermalogy 10% Bakuchiol Serum, or the Andalou Naturals Rejuvenating Serum. Be careful when choosing a product with bakuchiol during pregnancy, as many are blended with actual retinol. That being said, sometimes bakuchiol is referred to as “phyto retinol” or “plant retinol” so it’s important to check the product description and ingredient list. 

3. AHAs: Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Glycolic Acid

Next on the list for pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients are AHA’s or alpha hydroxy acids. AHAs are water-soluble acids that work as a chemical exfoliant to penetrate the upper layers of the skin and gently slough off dead skin cell buildup to reveal smoother and more youthful skin underneath. In doing so, they can break up pesky breakouts, improve uneven skin texture and tone, and even enhance the absorption of other skincare products you’re using. Unlike other chemical exfoliants such as BHAs like salicylic acid, AHAs have the unique ability to help bind hydration to the skin, making them ideal for all skin types, including those with dry and sensitive skin.

AHAs are one of the best ingredients to use during pregnancy since they target so many different skin concerns. And, since they’re so gentle, they can usually be used more often than other anti-aging and acne ingredients such as retinoids. Common AHAs you’ve probably heard of include mandelic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid, and they come in everything from cleansers and toners to serums and face masks. 

One thing to look out for when introducing AHAs into your skincare routine is the percentage it comes in. You can still use products containing a high strength of AHAs during pregnancy, but if you haven’t used them before, your skin could become irritated until it acclimates, so I recommend starting off slow with something like the COSRX AHA/BHA Treatment Toner that’s both hydrating and slightly exfoliating and safe for sensitive skin. If you’ve been using AHAs or want a product with a little more oomph to it, I recommend the CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment or the Alpha Skin Care Renewal Serum Concentrated with 14% Glycolic AHA. 

4. Sulfur

Next up for pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients we have sulfur (also spelled sulphur), a powerful antibacterial and anti-acne mineral that fights breakouts by destroying the bacteria that cause them in the first place. Sulfur can be an especially useful skincare ingredient if you’re dealing with cystic acne and battling large, painful cysts. Now if you’ve ever used a sulfur skincare product with sulfur before, you know they can smell, but the tradeoff is they are one of the best ingredients for acne and safe for pregnancy.  

My favorite way to use sulfur in skincare is to use a mask like the De La Cruz Sulfur Treatment and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off. Not only is this less irritating for the skin, but by washing it off, you only have to deal with the smell for a small amount of time. For most skin types, sulfur is safe to use every day for breakouts, too. They’re especially useful as a spot treatment mask for stubborn pimples and painful cystic breakouts, which are especially common during pregnancy, as opposed to a full face mask. 

Another great option for a sulfur skincare product is a cleanser like the Honest Beauty Get Clarity Acne Cleanser which also contains pregnancy-safe AHAs. Sulfur cleansers can be used as often as you can tolerate them, which for most is every day, and since they’re rinsed off the smell is not an issue.  

5. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular skincare ingredients on shelves today and can be found in everything from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and even oral supplements. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring humectant produced by our own bodies that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in moisture. In our own skin, hyaluronic acid keeps our complexion plump and dewy, and when applied topically, can help do the same. 

This popular humectant is safe for all skin types and ideal for pregnancy, especially if you’re like me and start getting itchy and flaky skin! While Hyaluronic acid is mostly known for its moisturizing properties, it also helps keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay by plumping the skin, calms irritation and inflammation from acne, and is gentle enough for sensitive and dry skin types. 

Hyaluronic acid comes in all sorts of skincare products, and my recommendation is to use either a serum like the Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion or the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. It also makes a great addition to moisturizers and lotions like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer. 

6. Peptides

Similar to bakuchiol, peptides are gaining popularity in the skincare world for their myriad of skin-loving benefits including anti-aging, hydration, and improving skin discoloration. Peptides are fragments of proteins made up of amino acids that serve to repair and revitalize the body when damage occurs. Technically, there are over 7,000 unique peptides (that we know of!) produced by our own bodies, each with its own specific function. 

In terms of skincare, there are a few peptides specifically known to revitalize elastin and collagen production, improve skin barrier function, and boost hydration within the skin. Since they’re naturally produced by our own bodies, they are gentle and safe to use during pregnancy and make a great anti-aging alternative to retinoids. When it comes to choosing a skincare product with peptides, choose a serum whose ingredient list contains a name that ends in “peptide” or begins with “palmitoyl.” 

Peptides work best when formulated in leave-on serums and should cause no irritation to the skin making them safe to apply every day. My favorite anti-aging peptide serum that I’ve been using since before pregnancy is The Ordinary Buffet Copper Peptide Serum. For a peptide serum that also gives an extra boost of hydration, I recommend the Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum. For a more affordable option, the Timeless Matrixyl Synthe’6 Serum is a great addition to anyone’s pregnancy skincare routine. 

7. Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is another powerhouse ingredient safe for pregnancy that addresses common skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, dull and uneven skin texture, and even rosacea. Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin, making it particularly suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin types. Besides fighting acne, azelaic acid is mostly known for its ability to regulate melanin products in order to combat hyperpigmentation of all types including melasma, a common issue during pregnancy.

While azelaic acid is considered gentle and safe for sensitive skin, it’s important to ease it slowly into your pregnancy skincare routine if you’ve never used it before. I recommend starting with something like the Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum with Azelaic Acid and Sea Grape Caviar which contains a mild concentration of azelaic acid in addition to brightening vitamin C and antioxidants. If you’re a seasoned user of it and have particularly oily or acne-prone skin, then a serum like the Naturium 10% Azelaic Topical Serum or the Cos De Baha Azelaic Acid 10% Facial Serum with Niacinamide may be a better option.

8. Niacinamide

Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide is rich in antioxidant properties and offers a wide range of benefits for pregnant and nonpregnant women alike. This versatile ingredient is not only gentle, but aids in regulating excess oil production to minimize the appearance of pores, combat acne and breakouts, soothe inflammation and irritation, and help regulate moisture and hydration levels within the skin. 

Niacinamide’s biggest claim to fame is its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce redness and irritation, providing relief to sensitive and acne-prone skin common during pregnancy. Niacinamide has also been shown to strengthen the skin barrier to help maintain hydration and prevent moisture loss. It’s gentle and non-irritating, and you only need a small concentration of niacinamide to benefit from it. 

Niacinamide can be found in all sorts of skincare products, notably serums and moisturizers. One of my favorite niacinamide skincare products for pregnancy if you are acne-prone is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost + Niacinamide Serum. For those with especially sensitive or dry skin, the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum or the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum are great options as they have a lower concentration of niacinamide. 

Pregnancy-safe skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, and if you’ve read my other article on the top 8 skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, you should be golden! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to consult with your OBGYN or physician if you have questions about which skincare products are okay to use during pregnancy. 

Disclaimer: The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions regarding a medical condition.

All content is copyright © 2019-2023 Rebecca Claire Beauty. All rights reserved. Please do not use, take, copy or republish images or content without written permission. Rebecca Claire Beauty utilizes some affiliate links which may generate a small commission from clicks that result in a purchase.