We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Pregnancy-Safe Skincare To See You Through The Next Nine Months And Beyond
Sound advice straight from the pros.
For many people, being pregnant can be the most exciting yet overwhelming experience. Considering your body is busy doing the hard (and magical) work of growing another human being, the last thing you need to worry about is your skincare routine. But since pregnancy does bring changes to the skin on your face and body, we went straight to the experts to find out what to expect and how to tweak your regime. Hint: it's all about streamlining.
How does pregnancy affect the skin?
'Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the condition of the skin and can lead to common dermatological issues such as melasma (hyperpigmentation) to occur,' says Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz, skincare educator and founder the CPD-accredited skincare education platform Skin Masterclass PRO. According to her, an estimated 50-70% of pregnant women experience melasma which 'can appear as pigmented patches on the face, or on the body.' It's perfectly normal to experience an onset of acne, too. 'Its primary cause is an overproduction of oil (sebum) due to increased hormone levels, especially in the first trimester.'
Consultant dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite agrees, adding that we can expect to see 'pigmentation over the face, breasts and abdomen, itching, rashes and an increase in stretch marks and benign growths such as skin tags'.
Best skincare for pregnancy
- Best milk cleanser: Lumene Oat Milk Oil Cleanser
- Best gel cleanser: Tatcha Matcha Cleanse
- Best essence: Rhode Glazing Milk
- Best moisturiser for dry skin: Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Cream
- Best moisturiser for sensitive skin: Embryolisse Lait Crème Sensitive
Should you use retinol during pregnancy?
Dermatologists agree that oral vitamin A medications - such as the ones commonly prescribed for acne - should be stopped immediately (in fact, reputable practitioners will ask you to stop taking them as soon as you plan to get pregnant, and some medications require a negative pregnancy test before it can be prescribed). 'High doses of vitamin A derivatives have been associated with an increased risk of birth defects when taken orally,' says Yilmaz.
The risks associated from topical retinoids is less clear, but 'many healthcare providers advise pregnant women to avoid them as a precaution,' she adds. Plus, most retinol products have not been tested on pregnancy skin, so its best to steer clear unless your healthcare professional says otherwise.
What skincare ingredients should you use instead?
The good news is, your skincare routine doesn't need a complete overhaul. In fact, it's good to keep it simple, according to Dr. Granite. 'It's the best way to help avoid potential skin reactions or sensitivity. Opt for a rich moisturiser for the body, a gentle foaming cleanser, moisturiser and SPF for the face,' she says, she also suggests avoiding hydroquinone (often found in prescription creams) and high levels (beyond 2%) of salicylic acid.
Yilmaz recommends gentle exfoliants such as 'glycolic acid or lactic acid in concentrations of 10% or less, or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid in concentrations of 2% or less' to slough away dullness. Niacinamide and vitamin C can do wonders to improve texture and brighten while formulas with sulphur and microbial properties can help with breakouts. 'Additionally, consider using products containing azelaic acid, which is effective in treating acne and hyperpigmentation and is generally considered safe during pregnancy,' says Yilmaz. Naturally-derived ingredients such as liquorice extracts and kojic acid will make a difference in terms of boosting radiance, too.
To nourish the skin, look to ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid alongside soothing ingredients such as colloidal oat to alleviate dryness and calm irritation.
Should you only use fragrance-free products?
'When it comes to fragrance, it's important to remember that skin during pregnancy can behave unpredictably and reactions may develop even when a fragrance or product was previously tolerated well before,' adds Dr Granite. 'Many may be prone to nausea with heightened sensitivity to certain smells, so tolerance for fragrance may also be diminished during pregnancy.' It goes without saying but when in doubt, always check with your GP.
Another common occurrence when it comes to pregnancy skin is cellulite and stretch marks; both are completely normal and there's no need to get rid of them unless you want to. 'Topical creams have limited efficacy when it comes to cellulite and stretch marks but can in some cases slightly improve their appearance. I generally recommend using simple emollients during pregnancy to support the skin barrier and skin health,' says Dr. Granite.
Read on for the best pregnancy beauty products...
More milk than oil, this is gentle formula for a morning cleanse or for removing light make-up (we suggest using on dry skin and removing with a soft flannel). As the name suggests, oat milk is the star ingredient, promising to maintain calm, soft skin.
Everything by Tatcha is pregnancy-safe, great news, as the brand is known for exemplary textures and ingredients that maintain skin brightness without aggravating it. If you're prone to excess oil production, this gel cleanser keeps the complexion balanced while antioxidant-rich matcha helps to take down any redness.
Hailey Bieber's Rhode is especially formulated to bolster the skin barrier with ceramides alongside a cocktail of zinc, copper and magnesium to plump and boost moisture. This milky hydrator acts as an extra layer of nourishment underneath your face cream, and also works as a lightweight moisturiser before your sunscreen in the daytime.
Looking for a luxurious blanket of hydration to treat your skin to? This nourishing moisturiser provides hydration through rosehip extracts and squalane while bistorta root (a perennial plant) extract plumps up fine lines. There's a gentle luminosity to the cream too, which leaves behind a lit-from-within effect to tired skin.
The high street is a treasure trove of skincare products for sensitive skin. Backstage make-up artists are big fans of the classic French Embryolisse for replenishing moisture into thirsty complexions, as it wears beautifully under foundation. This one is packed with shea butter, glycerin and aloe to soothe reactive skin and is even safe enough for use on babies.
Don't underestimate the powers of niacinamide and zinc when it comes to tackling blemishes and pores as it helps to take down inflammation and balance sebum production. This no-frills serum is also vegan and unscented.
If you're missing the smoothing, refining effects of your retinol, try this plant-based solution by Perricone MD. It uses bakuchiol to improve elasticity and protect against environmental damage while peptides help to soften the appearance of fine lines. There's also niacinamide here to ease inflammation and brighten, all without upsetting fragile complexions.
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
In her own pregnancy journey, Yilmaz has found this azelaic acid serum to be helpful with dark spots and pigmentation. It also contains low levels of salicylic acid to maintain skin clarity.
This face cream is described as a 'cuddle for your skin', and we're inclined to agree. Formulated by skincare expert Dr. Sam Bunting, this moisturiser contains calming panthenol, ceramides and glycerin; everything you need to protect delicate complexions from the elements. There's a richer version for drier skin types too.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50
The best way to stop dark spots in its tracks is to commit to a daily SPF regime. This one by La Roche-Posay goes on completely invisible and wears so comfortably, it almost feels like second skin.
For an instant skin pick-me-up, keep Caudalie's classic Grape Water in your arsenal. The minimal ingredients list makes it a winner for pregnancy skin. Stash it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
Dr. Alexis Granite's Joonbyrd bottles joy without discounting the importance of scientifically-proven ingredients. Little Love is brimming with restorative lipids to nourish, amino acids to bolster the skin barrier and prebiotic to support the microbiome. All that, plus a delicious, plush caramel scent.
Mama Mio Pregnancy Boob Tube
Packed with skin-kind ingredients such as squalane, aloe vera and shea butter, this bust cream by Mama Mio soothes chapped skin and restores hydration. The uplifting scent of mandarin and bergamot lends a sensorial touch too.
Fans of this vegan body moisturiser rave about its rich, velvety consistency which helps to take care of dry patches. It's water-free and brimming with rich plant oils to leave your skin feeling extra soft and supple.
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
If your skin is feeling especially parched, it's worth keeping this decadent night treatment on your bedside table. The balm-to-oil formula soothes inflammation and protects fragile skin using a potent blend of olive, almond and linseed oils alongside nourishing vitamin E. It's great for dry cuticles, elbows and flaky skin, too.
Hydrocolloid stickers are the easiest way to handle sore blemishes without further aggravating it. Just pop on after cleansing (ideally on dry skin so it doesn't slip and slide), and it'll help minimise the swelling.
Squalane is a molecule that occurs naturally in our own skin but diminishes over time. This oil made 100% from the ingredient is recognised by our skin and absorbed more easily. Use it on everything from your body, to your hair, to your face – it will help protect and renew the skin from within. We would bathe in it if we could.
This generous tub will keep your skin feeling comfortably soft all throughout your pregnancy. It's packed with ceramides to bolster the skin barrier and is completely fragrance-free, perfect if you're sensitive to scents.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
15 Of The Best Beauty Travel Sets For Summer
ELLE Edits: Best LED Face Masks For 2025
The 7 Best Salty Perfumes For Summer And Beyond
Here's Why You Should Probably Join Beauty Pie
