Pregnancy brings many new experiences: first food cravings, first ultrasound, and first baby kicks. Most of these will be welcome firsts. But as your body grows each day, the influx of hormones will likely lead to changes in the largest organ in your body: your skin. Common skin concerns during pregnancy include acne, melasma, dry skin, and stretch marks. Treating these issues requires due diligence as certain ingredients are not safe to consume while pregnant. Ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol enter the bloodstream and can have adverse effects on a growing baby. The good news is there are easy substitutions and alternatives you can make to your skincare routine to address these concerns and accentuate the classic pregnancy glow to keep your skin happy.
It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor when trying any new product while pregnant or if you have questions about the safety of certain ingredients. Why? Because all people and all pregnancies are different. Discuss any concerns with your doctor to make sure you are clear.
Which Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
There are some common skincare ingredients best avoided while pregnant. Depending on the type of ingredient and the percentage of certain ingredients in skincare, different side effects can put your pregnancy at risk.
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, common ingredients in acne-fighting products, should be replaced with azelaic acid or niacinamide. You can also use glycolic acid or lactic acid as a replacement chemical exfoliator to make sure your skin is clear of bacteria and other impurities.
Retinol is another ingredient to avoid while pregnant. This ingredient is used to treat acne, as well as fine lines, rough texture, and uneven tone. You can replace retinol with bakuchiol or look for products with peptides, specifically anti-aging peptides, to address wrinkles with a pregnancy-safe alternative. Peptides actively communicate with your cells, signaling your skin to do things like produce more collagen and teach your skin to behave and appear more youthful.
Because hyperpigmentation and melasma can increase during pregnancy, it is especially important to wear daily SPF. However, many chemical sunscreens contain the ingredient oxybenzone, which is not pregnancy safe. Opt instead for a mineral SPF for daily protection and to prevent the worsening of melasma and discoloration.
How to Treat Your Skin During Pregnancy
“There are a few key things to remember when it comes to treating your skin during pregnancy,” says HydroPeptide Esthetician Allison Shoemaker. “The first step is using a gentle cleanser that won’t over-dry the skin.”
This ultra-gentle face cleanser and makeup remover whisks away impurities while protecting your skin’s lipid barrier. Foaming peptides create a moisture-rich lather without the use of parabens or sulfates.
“Moisture Reset Oil is naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory so it's great to moisturize and minimize breakouts,” Allison says.
13 precious oils make up this nourishing, quick-absorbing facial oil. Lock in moisture and strengthen your skin’s natural lipid barrier with this luxurious illuminator.
“It’s important to wear a mineral sunscreen every day to prevent melasma while pregnant,” Allison says. A hydrating sunscreen is even better to help keep your skin moisturized.
Solar Defense protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared rays while enriching the skin with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and a blend of calendula, cucumber, and acai extracts to protect against free radicals.
“Use our new product: Daily Drench booster to add hydration and to keep your skin barrier healthy,” Allison says. “CellRenew-16, our exclusive peptide, boosts natural defensins which are antimicrobial compounds in the skin.”
A unique treatment carefully formulated to deliver a thirst-quenching hit of triple hyaluronic acid for maximum hydration. CellRenew-16 signals your skin to make key elements for a healthy skin barrier. Hydrating peptides boost the skin's own hyaluronic acid renewal, resulting in a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
Pregnancy Safe Ingredients to Use as Alternatives
If you are looking for a cheat sheet for which skincare ingredients are safe to use while pregnant, we have compiled some common skin concerns with alternative ingredients to address them throughout your pregnancy.
Melasma and hyperpigmentation: vitamin C
Acne: azelaic acid and niacinamide
Resurfacing: lactic acid and glycolic acid
Dryness: hyaluronic acid
Anti-aging: peptides
How to Treat Stretch Marks
When it comes to stretch marks, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, whether or not you will get stretch marks while pregnant is mostly based on factors like heredity – so don’t put any undue stress on yourself by finding a magic potion to make them disappear. Stretch marks are nothing to fear or be ashamed of, they are proof that you worked hard for nine months to grow a healthy baby.
Genetics aside, it is always a good idea to keep your skin hydrated, especially when pregnant! Some key ingredients to look for include:
Hyaluronic acid
Lifting peptides
Try Firming Body Moisturizer, packed with ingredients that not only help diminish the look of stretch marks, scars, and discoloration but also deeply hydrate.
Pregnancy Safe Facials
Pregnancy is a great time to step up your self-care and treat yourself to some extra rest and relaxation. There are some professional treatments you should avoid, such as:
Micro-needling
Chemical peels
Microdermabrasion
However, there are many facials that are perfectly safe — and these services can even help improve some common skincare concerns that arise during pregnancy. These include:
Oxygen facials
Collagen-stimulating facials
Deep cleaning facials
Lymphatic massage
Make sure that the ingredients used during the facial are all pregnancy safe – your esthetician can easily check that for you.
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