The Best Pregnancy-Safe Makeup Products You Need, According to Moms
Now that you’re pregnant, you’ve changed up your diet, ditched the rosé and bought a few maternity bras—but you’re not done yet. Turns out, some of your favorite makeup might not be safe for you and baby.
“There’s actually a pretty long list of products to avoid during pregnancy,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City and mom of two. Some beauty products may simply irritate your newly sensitive skin, but others can be outright harmful to a developing baby.
The good news? Your pregnancy-safe makeup trade-in may call for a spree at your favorite beauty retailer (it’s doctor’s orders, after all). Ready to get the lowdown on what’s safe and what’s not? Read on for the full beauty 411, then browse the best pregnancy-safe foundation, mascara, concealer and more.
Keeping track of all the lifestyle changes that come with pregnancy can be a big adjustment. Throw in having to overhaul your makeup routine, and the whole ordeal can seem overwhelming. We get it—and that’s why we’ve done the bulk of the work for you. To help you find the best pregnancy-safe makeup brands and products, we took the following steps:
- We surveyed over 350 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight on the ins and outs of makeup they’ve used, and what products they want in their pregnancy journey.
- We interviewed two dermatologists to understand exactly what’s safe for pregnancy, as well as specific ingredients to avoid.We also interviewed a beauty consultant to get an idea of their favorite pregnancy-safe makeup brands and why they loved them.
- To see how these products worked for a variety of parents-to-be, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked for in pregnancy-safe makeup.
- Moreover, we leveraged our familiarity with leading pregnancy-safe brands and relied on our experiences as new and expectant parents to identify the standouts in each category.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Best pregnancy-safe foundation
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Has active (safe) skincare ingredients
- Lightweight
- Not full coverage
- High price point
Sometimes when you’re feeling exhausted and depleted, you just need a foundation fix. In fact, 45 percent of moms-to-be who responded to our survey told us that they used foundation while pregnant. But some foundations may include no-go ingredients like retinol, or chemical SPFs. Whenever you need a boost, opt for our favorite pregnancy-safe option: ILIA’s True Skin Serum Foundation. You’ll love how it’s virtually weightless and provides a gorgeous natural, skin-like finish. Moreover, pregnancy-safe, active levels of niacinamide and allantoin smooth and soothe bare skin to give the ultimate pregnancy glow. It’s available in 30 stunning shades, so finding your match won’t take much effort.
Quantity: 1 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: Niacinamide, allantoin, aloe
Best pregnancy-safe concealer
- Brightens and illuminates under-eye area
- Hydrating
- Vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free
- Recyclable packaging
- Light coverage, according to parents
30 percent of moms-to-be who responded to our survey told us that they used concealer during their pregnancies. That’s why we consider Saie’s Hydrabeam Brightening Concealer a must-have for your beauty rotation. The pregnancy-safe formula uses tomato extract to brighten the skin—how deliciously cool is that? Other mild yet highly effective naturals—including olive-derived squalane, plant-derived glycerin and cucumber extract—lock in moisture and smooth the skin, all while increasing the radiance factor. And when you’re extra tired during the first trimester (and let’s be honest, the second and third trimesters too), this light-coverage concealer can “brighten your dark, dry or tired under eyes, and it’ll blend in like a dream,” says Rebecca Green, beauty concierge and founder of Bloom & Glow. In other words, it won’t settle into creases!
Quantity: 0.2 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: Olive-derived squalane and plant-derived glycerin, tomato extract, cucumber extract
Best pregnancy-safe tinted moisturizer
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Doesn’t leave a white cast or oxidize
- Reduces redness
- Can be greasy, according to parents
When you’re sporting a bump in the summer, breezy maternity dresses and refreshing mocktails aren’t the only things that’ll keep you happy. A great tinted moisturizer is the best kind of clean beauty product for moms-to-be during sunny weather—and 33 percent of our survey respondents agree. Our top pick is Tower28’s sunscreen-enhanced formula, available in 14 buildable shades, which gives us all the sunny vibes. With the active ingredient of non-nano zinc oxide, the 100 percent mineral sunscreen will protect your precious skin from UVA and UVB damage. Designed with sensitivity in mind, the tinted moisturizer is dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic (important in the warmer months, when pregnancy sweating is next-level), alcohol-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, vegan and cruelty-free.
Quantity: 1 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: Zinc oxide, prickly pear extract, white sage extract
Best pregnancy-safe mascara
- Castor oil conditions lashes
- Made in a Fair Trade-certified factory
- Developed by dermatologists
- Some moms report smudging
It’s no secret that mascara can be magical, especially on rushed days when you want to quickly elevate your look. That’s why it wasn’t surprising that 48 percent of moms who responded to our survey told us they had a pregnancy-safe formula to use during their 9+ month journey. Enter: Well People’s Expressionist Pro Mascara. The plant-based lengthening formula glides on (and stays on) like a dream, leaving you with light, feathery lashes that aren’t clumpy or spidery. It’s free of harsh dyes (only pure mineral pigments here)—plus, there are no petroleum, parabens or other chemicals unsafe for moms-to-be. What’s not to love?
Quantity: 0.27 oz. | Notable ingredients: Castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, cellulose plant fiber
Best pregnancy-safe eyeshadow
- Long-lasting without creasing
- Washes off easily with water
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Very shimmery
- Packaging can squirt out too much
Green says she loves “a one-and-done eyeshadow look.” (Who doesn’t?) And RMS Beauty’s Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow definitely checks that box—as well as some others. “They’re the easiest cream shadows to blend, with the most gorgeous finish,” says Green. We’re obsessed with the dynamic, mixable shades that offer a luminous glow in seconds, using your go-to brush or your fingertips. And how about this bonus: Every cream shadow comes with a reusable key that you can attach to the end of the tube to roll up to push out every last drop.
Quantity: 0.28 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: Organic green tea extract, natural peptide quinoa extract
Best pregnancy-safe eyeliner
- Easy to smudge for a smokey finish
- Good for sensitive eyes
- Vegan
- Some moms report it wears off quickly
Jet-black eyeliner is always a makeup bag must-have. But switching things up and smudging some color on that lash line—well, it can be a stroke of genius. You can do just that with the Ere Perez Eye Pencil; it’s available in 10 standout crystal-inspired colorways, so you’re sure to find one that aligns with your style. Green gives it her stamp of approval, sharing that “it comes in an array of gorgeous shades, blends like a dream and also lasts all day.” The powerhouse botanicals at play are antioxidant-rich jojoba and coconut oils that nourish skin and rejuvenate your look with essential vitamins and minerals.
Quantity: 0.04 oz. | Notable Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba seed oil
Best pregnancy-safe brow product
- Castor oil helps support brow health
- Multiple shade options
- Blends easily
- Some moms dislike the packaging
Brows can make or break your look, but navigating their maintenance can be especially tricky when you're pregnant. Microblading and tinting aren’t advisable when expecting. In the meantime, you can try this game-changing product from Kosas to tame unruly brows. The dual-action micro triangle-tip pencil is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, silicone-free, mineral-free and devoid of any synthetic waxes and/or microplastics. The clean, vegan formula uses castor oil to nourish and protect your brows while adding natural-looking volume and definition. And once you’ve used the pencil, you can finesse, shape and sculpt with the built-in spoolie; the blending is unmatched.
Quantity: 0.002 oz. | Notable ingredients: Castor oil, panthenol pro vitamin B5
Best pregnancy-safe blush
- Available in shimmery and matte finishes
- Doubles as an eyeshadow
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Limited shades
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that this blush is talc-free (which isn’t always the case for powders) and the ingredient list only gets better from there. The all-natural pressed blush is formulated with soothing and oil-absorbing rice powder, then rounded out with antioxidants and plant and vegetable pigments (read: heavy metals aren’t an issue). It’s infused with argan oil and shea butter to hydrate and condition your cheeks, so your natural pregnancy glow shines through. Plus, it comes in appealing pink shades, so you can swipe some on and feel totally on-brand whether you’re getting ready for your baby shower or even just a Target run. What’s more, according to our survey, 37 percent of moms-to-be used blush during their pregnancies, confirming that this powder is a beauty essential.
Quantity: 0.14 oz. | Notable ingredients: Argan oil, shea butter, acai fruit extract
Best pregnancy-safe bronzer
- Absorbs oils to reduce shine
- Semi-matte finish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Limited shades
Pregnancy in the winter can be fun when snuggled up under a blanket, binging shows and sipping fancy hot cocoa. Otherwise, it can be pretty dull. Your skin, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be. With Well People’s Superpowder Bronzing Powder, you can easily achieve that sought-after sunkissed look with just a few swirls and swipes. This everyday bronzer is dermatologist-developed, vegan and formulated without all the bad stuff—no talc, parabens, phthalates or other harsh chemicals. Plant-based ingredients team up to nourish and keep your skin looking fresh and fab, so you’ll be transported to the sun-streaming tropics in no time—if only in your daydreams. It’s no wonder that 26 percent of our survey respondents told us they used pregnancy-safe bronzers while pregnant.
Quantity: 0.17 oz. | Notable ingredients: Olive-derived squalane, niacinamide, organic cornstarch
Best pregnancy-safe lipstick
- Can be used on lips, cheeks and eyes
- Dewy finish
- Cruelty- and fragrance-free
- Some moms say it isn’t long-lasting
While 26 percent of survey respondents told us they used lipstick when expecting, we all know finding a pregnancy-safe option can be tricky. Most contain waxes that aren’t recommended for moms-to-be, along with other preservatives like benzyl benzoate (which can contribute to neurotoxicity). That’s why we like the ILIA Multi-Stick. The hydrating formula gives you that perfect flush of color when you want to up your everyday look. And with vitamin E and shea butter in the mix, you can be sure your lips (and cheeks and eyes!) feel well indulged. Plus, with a little one on the way, what better time than the present to start getting used to multitasking products?
Quantity: 0.15 oz. | Notable ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, orange peel wax
Best pregnancy-safe lip gloss
- Long-lasting hydration
- Plumping
- Vegan, cruelty-free and and gluten-free
- Sticky, according to some moms
When you’re pregnant, your lips may be more dry, cracked, dull or lackluster than usual. That’s why they should get all the care they deserve with a pregnancy-safe lip gloss. One alternative is Saint Jane Beauty’s Luxury Lip Oil, a silky, vitamin C-packed and exceptionally clean option. Count on it not only to quench your moisture-depleted pout but also to plump up your lips. It will glide on effortlessly and bring a wash of stunning color, while sunflower seed oil, chamomile and aloe nourish and heal. Pro tip: Bring the tube to the hospital when you deliver—the color payoff will shine in those first few family pics.
Quantity: 0.15 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: Chamomile, grapefruit seed oil, sunflower seed oil
Best pregnancy-safe nail polish
- Non-toxic
- Lasts long without chipping
- Convenient multipack
- High price point
Have you thought about giving up your manis for the next few months? Engelman says that’s totally unnecessary. Of course, you may want to avoid the nail salon because the fumes are intense, but you can still DIY a polish change at home. “Simply look for nail polishes labeled 3-Free or 5-Free, which don’t use formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals,” she says. Zoya nail polish goes above and beyond with a 10-Free formula that doesn’t include formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, parabens, toluene, camphor, lead or other harmful ingredients. (That’s why you often find Zoya in nontoxic nail salons.) There are literally hundreds of colors to choose from. No matter which hue you go for, expect each to glide on silky smooth. Even better, they’re one of the longest-lasting natural polishes in the pregnancy-safe makeup game.
Quantity: 2 fl. oz. | Notable ingredients: N/A
Once your pregnancy is confirmed and you start making your way through the first trimester, your ob-gyn or midwife will likely provide you with an overwhelming number of handouts, one-sheets and brochures that review everything you should (and shouldn’t do) from now through delivery. If self-care is high up on your priority list, and you have a robust beauty routine, you’ll want to cross-reference your skincare and makeup arsenal with that pile of paperwork to determine what items may be off-limits for a while.
But a good general philosophy when making your pregnancy-safe swaps is that less is often more—particularly when expecting. “If the idea of swapping out all your makeup is overwhelming, focus on the cornerstones: a good concealer for undereye and spot coverage, a clean mascara and a hydrating lip color that will brighten up your complexion,” suggests Rhonda Klein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Green offers similar advice, telling us to “focus on your eyes and mouth, and prioritize safer makeup options for those. In particular, I’d recommend replacing all of your lip products with safer ones, because we literally ingest them.”
Additionally, now that hormones are running rampant through your body, your skin might start spiraling. That’s why you’ll want some hypoallergenic, extra-sensitive, non-comedogenic makeup in your kit. “Many expecting moms will experience hormone-induced acne, so it’s a good time to toss any skincare and makeup that isn’t oil-free and non-comedogenic,” Klein says.
Ingredients to avoid
There will always be question marks about how certain beauty products can affect a pregnant body and developing fetus. To simplify your search, here are some ingredients to look out for (and avoid) when you’re refreshing your vanity for pregnancy. And, as always, if you have a specific question about a product or ingredient, be sure to consult with your ob-gyn.
- Topical actives. Klein cites retinol and salicylic acid (over 2 percent) as two of the most important ingredients to avoid in your skincare and makeup while pregnant. “Topical actives like retinol and salicylic acid have the potential to be absorbed into the bloodstream and passed to the baby through the placenta,” Klein warns.
- Chemical SPF. For any of your foundations, skin tints or tinted moisturizers that contain SPF, check the ingredient list for oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate and avobenzone. “The chemicals in SPFs function by being absorbed into the skin to convert UV rays into heat and then release them,” Klein explains. “Most are linked to potential DNA damage and are classified as endocrine disruptors. Avobenzone in particular has been studied by the FDA and found to remain in the bloodstream (as trace amounts) and skin for weeks after being applied.”
- Formaldehyde. Engleman recommends that pregnant women seek out makeup products that are formaldehyde-free. “Surprisingly, some nail polishes and mascaras still contain formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer as well as other nervous system issues,” she explains.
- Alcohol and fragrance. Pregnancy hormones can impact skin and scent sensitivity, so it’s important to avoid common irritants like alcohol and fragrance whenever possible. “Ingredients like alcohol and fragrance are more likely to cause irritation on the surface of the skin,” Klein says. Green echoes this suggestion: “Look for makeup and skincare that’s completely devoid of fragrance, both synthetic and natural.”
- BPA, parabens and phthalates. These ingredients are also known to both irritate the skin and present a potential harm to baby, and both Klein and Engelman suggest avoiding them while pregnant.
You’ll also want to be on the watch for hidden dangers; for instance, you want to find color cosmetics without heavy metals. This can be tricky though; heavy metals, like lead, cadmium and mercury, are never purposefully added to beauty products. You actually won’t even find them listed as ingredients. Green explains that “due to the way natural pigments are mined and processed, they can be contaminated with trace amounts of lead and other heavy metals.” This is why you’ll want to learn about the brands you use while pregnant. “Certain brands take extra care in examining and monitoring their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes to reduce heavy metal exposure,” she says. Those are the ones you’ll want on your radar.
Our survey shows that a majority of expectant mothers decided to change their makeup while pregnant. They highlighted a variety of reasons why they chose to swap their beauty products; here, find out why moms from The Bump community did so:
"I picked more organic/safe products. Also, my makeup was old, so I updated it to avoid bacterial issues." – Carolyn, expectant mom
"To make sure I was using cleaner products." – Stephanie, expectant mom
"Swapped to clean ingredients." – Tenley*, expectant mom
"I changed to a foundation of physical SPF rather than chemical." – Marin*, expectant mom
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
Feeling overwhelmed? Thankfully, if you’re beginning your pregnancy-safe makeup search, you don’t have to look too far. It’s an expanding market; you can shop online from many great brands and clean beauty retailers. Of course, even with the most stringent standards in place, you’ll still want to do your due diligence. Research individual products and peruse their respective ingredient lists; even the so-called cleanest of brands will occasionally use an ingredient that’s not recommended during pregnancy. That said, these beauty shopping sites have impeccable ingredient standards and unrelenting vetting processes, making their goodies worth your time and money. Here, a few of our favorites:
Credo takes the cake for the largest and most diverse assortment of beauty products. The retailer stocks over 130+ brands and 2,000+ products, all of which measure up to the Credo Clean Standard—a ridiculously high bar to meet. Everything you’ll find, from primers and eye palettes to bronzers and brow gels, have zero ingredients on Credo’s “Dirty List;” what’s more, they’re ethically sourced and sustainably packaged.
If being pregnant has completely re-routed your personal care journey, you’re bound to fall in love with The Detox Market. The clean beauty marketplace features tons of green-minded brands and high-performing products formulated with nothing that appears on their banned ingredients list. And they also have a really cool monthly Detox Box subscription that comes with a sampling of one or more of their iconic brands and $90+ worth of products to try.
This brand’s whole ethos speaks to us; it’s about finding products that aren’t just safe and healthy, but also efficacious and top-performing. “I love that their teams are out there doing the hard work; I can browse with ease and confidence, knowing that their selections check off all of my boxes,” says Green. Keeping your body and baby safe doesn’t have to come at the price of sacrificing any of your beauty ambitions.
Beauty Counter champions safety at its forefront. Every product is put through a meticulous screening and assessment process to evaluate potential dangers, including reproductive toxicity. Moreover, the brand is committed to transparency and shares a list of 1,800 questionable ingredients never used in their products or ingredients. Even their ingredient partners must follow preset safety standards to ensure quality and safety. Nevertheless, you’ll want to evaluate each Beautycounter ingredient independently. While many options are safe and effective, some of their skincare and makeup products may contain talc and other ingredients you might prefer to avoid during pregnancy and beyond.
This clean beauty brand takes a less-is-more approach to its formulations with over 35 EWG-verified skincare and makeup products guaranteed to be clean. Using ethically sourced and renewable botanicals, such as green tea, turmeric, pomegranate, rosehip oil and broccoli seed oil, Well People’s cosmetics offer healthier ingredients that don’t skimp on coverage, color and effectiveness.
Of course, beyond these pregnancy-safe makeup brands and marketplaces, you can also shop for pregnancy-safe makeup at Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom and other big-box retailers, if those are your usual beauty spots; just remember that their curated edits are a lot smaller than the diverse collections you’ll find at retailers with clean-mindedness woven into their mission-critical DNA.
About the writer:
Danielle Halibey is a contributing writer for The Bump, where she pens e-commerce content focused on baby and toddler gear, pregnancy and postpartum must-haves, and thoughtful gifts for everyone in the family. Over the last seven+ years, she’s become a trusted voice for new and expectant parents as they navigate the beautiful yet sometimes chaotic journey of raising little ones. No matter which publication she’s writing for (from Babe by HATCH to Cubby at Home), she delivers carefully curated product roundups highlighting the latest trends, safety considerations and value for money—all to help parents make informed purchasing decisions.
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.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. She earned her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Rhonda Klein, MD/MPH, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and partner and co-owner of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Conn. A mom of five, she earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s of public health from Columbia University.
Rebecca Green, is a beauty consultant and the founder of Bloom & Glow. A mom of three, former personal stylist and clean beauty aficionado, she has made it her mission to help busy moms build and master their dream beauty regimen.
The Bump January 2024 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of over 350 new parents from among The Bump community, and asked whether they used pregnancy-safe makeup, what type they used and what they did and didn’t like about it.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.
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