In a nutshell:
Based on feedback from a dermatologist, a survey of over 300 women in The Bump community and our team of independent product testers, we’ve chosen Biossance as the overall best pregnancy-safe skin care brand. Biossance stands out for its effective products made from high-quality ingredients, and their attractive, sustainable packaging.

In this article:
How we tested and chose the best pregnancy-safe skin care products
Best pregnancy-safe skin care products
How to pick pregnancy-safe skin care products
Skin care ingredients to avoid while pregnant
Frequently asked questions

When my partner and I decided to start trying to conceive, I went into something of a research frenzy. As any expectant parent quickly learns, pregnancy comes with an overwhelming list of dos and don’ts, from what to eat and drink to how to lie down in bed—and what’s safe to put on your skin. Some of this advice is backed by science, but plenty of it arrives unsolicited from friends, family and acquaintances with good intentions and, shall we say, questionable credentials. Parsing all that information can be exhausting.

When it comes to skincare, there are definitely some important considerations to keep in mind. Certain products that were safe and effective pre-pregnancy contain known teratogens (ingredients that can affect fetal development or cause congenital anomalies), which means experts advise saying goodbye to retinoids, salicylic acid and chemical sunscreens, just to name just a few. “If you’re trying to get pregnant, I suggest clearing up your skin care regimen at least six months before attempting to conceive,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Cross-checking your products against a list of unsafe ingredients is a great place to start, but pregnancy can wreak havoc on your skin care routine for other reasons too. For some, morning sickness transforms once-beloved scented products into gag-inducing stink bombs. In my case, I started breaking out on my forehead after over a decade of living a blissfully acne-free life, and none of my pre-pregnancy acne treatments seemed to help. It took patient experimentation to finally land on a regimen that came anywhere close to achieving that famed (but apparently elusive) pregnancy glow.

Thankfully The Bump spends countless hours interviewing experts and working with independent product testers to come up with tried-and-true recommendations for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. We’ve combined my own tests and experiments with findings from other product testers, feedback from hundreds of women in The Bump community and tips from dermatologists to bring you our picks for the best pregnancy-safe skin care products out there right now. Read on to discover our favorites, along with common FAQs and expert advice on how to build a pregnancy-safe skin care routine, no matter your specific concerns.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

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To help you find the best pregnancy-safe skin care products on the market today, we did the following:

We conducted extensive market research to shortlist 24 leading skin care products for testing, and then enlisted the help of 14 pregnant product testers (including me!), all of whom were in their second or third trimesters. They tried the products on their own skin and rated each based on effectiveness, ease of use, style and design, fragrance and value for money.
We consulted with a board-certified dermatologist to get the lowdown on what to look for in skin care products to use throughout pregnancy. Following their advice, we avoided any products that contained ingredients they advised expectant mothers not to use.
We reached out to The Bump Community and surveyed over 300 new and expectant parents about their experience with and recommendations for pregnancy-safe skin care.
We read research papers from medical publications and leading experts on the topic to better understand the ins and outs of specific ingredients.
To see how these products worked for a variety of expectant moms, we scoured forums and message boards and read user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked for in pregnancy-safe skin care.

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 Skin Care Products

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How to Pick Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

The best pregnancy-safe skin care products are gentle and nourishing but still effective. As you change up your go-to routine, Engelman recommends looking for the following:

Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers. These “offer a safe option as they exclude harmful chemicals,” she says.
Glycolic acid. According to Engelman, this ingredient “effectively tackles acne, hyperpigmentation and melasma while revitalizing dull skin.”
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is “a safe and effective antioxidant that works to brighten dull skin while adding an extra layer of protection from environmental damage,” she says.
Alpha arbutin. “Derived from plants, this ingredient effectively targets hyperpigmentation,” explains Engelman.
Shea butter. This rich moisturizer “works to alleviate dry skin, which is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It can also possibly reduce the severity of stretch marks when applied regularly,” Engelman comments.

Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant

Feeling overwhelmed? To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the main ingredients to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding. For more detail and additional info from industry experts, check out our deep dive into skin care ingredients to avoid during pregnancy.

Retinoids. It’s recommended that products such as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A, retinols, retinyl palmitate and Tazorac be completely avoided. “Evidence has linked retinoids to miscarriages, premature births and birth defects, making it crucial to steer clear of this ingredient in any form during pregnancy,” states Engelman.
Tetracycline. This antibiotic acne treatment has the potential to negatively affect baby’s skeletal development.
Hydroquinone. Studies show that between 34 to 45 percent of hydroquinone—a skin-whitening agent—is systemically absorbed into your body when applied topically. “Uncertainties exist regarding the complications associated with hydroquinone in pregnant individuals and newborns. Due to its high absorption rate, I recommend avoiding it during pregnancy,” says Engelman.
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. “Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be found in many acne treatments, but they encompass acids that can pose risks to an unborn baby,” states Engelman. Consult your physician before using products that contain it.
Certain essential oils. Engelman advises pregnant people to be wary of products containing essential oils, as some have the potential to induce uterine contractions. “However,” she adds, “there are a few that can be used, such as lavender and chamomile, which both promote relaxation.”
Parabens, benzene derivatives and aldehydes. Often found in fragranced products, these ingredients are linked to skin irritation and hormonal imbalances. As a result, Engelman advises avoiding them during pregnancy.

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About the writer:
Niki Achitoff-Gray is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s the former editor-in-chief of Serious Eats and has over a decade of experience in digital media. In addition to working with multiple outlets to develop product review protocols and best practices, Achitoff-Gray studies product design as a part-time student at Parsons School of Design. Her research into pregnancy-safe skin care began while pregnant with her first child, who was born in May of 2024.

Interested in becoming a product tester for The Bump? Head here to apply.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Pregnancy-Safe Makeup Products You Need, According to Moms

Top 6 Annoying Pregnancy Skin Issues, and How to Deal

The Mask of Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know About Melasma

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