Is Using Perfume Safe During Pregnancy?

There are lots of things you’re told to avoid in pregnancy: Sushi, certain exercises and a laundry list of ingredients that may be harmful to you and baby—including many in your beauty repertoire. So how about your favorite fragrance?

Sure, a spritz of your signature scent can go a long way in making you feel good and more like your pre-pregnancy self, but is perfume safe to use during pregnancy? Unfortunately, the answer here isn’t black and white—and much of it depends on your personal comfort level. Here’s what the experts have to say about eau de pregnancy perfume.

Is Perfume Safe During Pregnancy?

Using perfume is generally considered safe during pregnancy, as long as it’s sprayed in moderation, says Sahar Wertheimer, MD, an ob-gyn in Beverly Hills, California. “There’s no conclusive evidence linking it to detectable birth defects or adverse pregnancy outcomes,” she says—and that’s true regardless of whether you’re using a spray or roll-on perfume.

Sara Twogood, MD, an ob-gyn in Los Angeles, agrees, adding that there are a few considerations to keep in mind and ingredients to look out for (more on that below).

Why Might Perfume During Pregnancy Be Harmful?

Some perfumes and synthetic fragrances can contain ingredients that aren’t exactly benign, including toluene, formaldehyde releasers, parabens, musks and phthalates—all of which may pose health risks inside and outside pregnancy.

Phthalates are often found in potent fragrances, like perfume, because they help the scent last longer. But these are "classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs),” explains Wertheimer. “These chemicals mimic hormones, potentially interfering with the body’s natural hormonal balance. Research has shown that prolonged or high-level exposure to EDCs is linked to rising rates of conditions like obesity, neurodivergence, PCOS, thyroid disorders, cancers and other health issues.” In fact, studies have suggested that phthalates used in cosmetic products could lead to preterm birth and other adverse effects in pregnancy.

That said, there isn’t enough conclusive data on the safety of phthalates, one way or the other. “If a woman has been using perfume or products with fragrance during her pregnancy already, she shouldn’t be concerned about a problem with the baby,” Twogood says. “Because of these theoretical concerns, if a woman is worried, I’d advise limiting the number of fragrant products she uses every day. If she loves her perfume, then continue using it, but potentially limit other fragranced products, such as lotions and deodorants.”

Aside from ingredients, another common problem with using perfume during pregnancy: It can make your already unpleasant symptoms even worse—think: sensitivity to smells, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting (like you need any more of that!) Of course, you don’t always have to be the one wearing the perfume during pregnancy to suffer these side effects. The Bump community member jinx75 says, “I work in a cubicle and have seven people on my team. One coworker in particular loves to bathe in perfume… Her perfume was annoying prior to becoming pregnant, but now it’s downright repugnant. I can’t imagine spending eight more months with a constant headache and nausea over it.”

How to Find Pregnancy Safe Perfume

Wondering how to find pregnancy-safe perfume? Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as it may seem, as more research is needed. For example, while initial animal studies point to potential downsides for using ingredients like diethyl phthalate (DEP)—the phthalate most commonly used in fragrance products—the FDA says it doesn’t have any known health risks.

Plus, laws make it legal to exclude select chemical compounds from ingredients lists. Under the FDA’s Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, manufacturers aren’t required to list the chemical compounds on their packages because fragrances are considered a trade secret. In other words, it’s hard to know for sure which fragrances have them and at what levels. Plus, “It’s not very easy to identify these ingredients in the ingredient list, as their chemical names are more detailed,” Wertheimer adds. For this reason, while it may seem extreme, Wertheimer says it’s likely safest to avoid fragrances and perfumes altogether.

If you’re not quite sure about going au naturel for the duration of pregnancy, she suggests using perfumes made from essential oils, or looking at websites to scan ingredients and determine if they use any EDCs. (One good one is the Environmental Working Group.) Twogood also recommends CAP Beauty, Credo Beauty and Detox Market as trusted natural beauty brands for phthalate-free beauty products.

To Sum It Up

Pregnancy can seem like an endless nine months of “don’t do this and don’t do that.” You want to keep yourself and baby healthy, but it can be hard to do that when research hasn’t clearly determined what ingredients are the biggest offenders. Both experts emphasize that while EDCs should be avoided, using perfume in moderation—so dab here and there—likely won’t jeopardize your health or baby’s wellbeing.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.