The Best Pregnancy Skincare Products, According To Dermatologists

Forbes

09-07-2025

As soon as you learn you're pregnant, there's a laundry list of things to avoid—and that includes specific ingredients in your skincare products. Lotions, cleansers and serums that were safe pre-pregnancy may now have to take a pause until your baby arrives. Fortunately, there are tons of great skincare options for pregnancy. The best pregnancy skincare is safe, gentle and effective. From the moisturizing Honest Hydrogel Cream to the highly praised EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen, there's a pregnancy alternative for every part of your skincare routine.
The best pregnancy skincare is both safe and effective. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
'People should immediately discontinue use of teratogens (ingredients that are known to cause birth defects) as soon as they find out they are pregnant. These include retinoids and retinols, high-dose salicylic acid and hydroquinone,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman. To find the best skincare products for pregnant people—and even those trying to conceive—I spoke with four dermatologists and other moms to learn about what ingredients to avoid and what brands they generally recommend.
Amazon Honest Hydrogel Cream
Pregnancy comes with a lot of skin changes, including what feels like perpetual dryness. Made with pregnancy-safe hyaluronic acid and natural squalane, Honest Hydrogel Cream delivers serious hydration without feeling greasy or heavy. The lightweight gel glides on easily and absorbs quickly, and Honest is a trusted brand designed specifically for moms and babies and came recommended by several of the dermatologists with which I spoke.
It contains two types of pregnancy-safe hyaluronic acid, squalene and jojoba esters to help keep your skin glowing and fresh. You can also rest assured knowing this vegan cream is dermatologist-tested.
Editor's Pick
Amazon Biossance Squalane And Marine Algae Eye Cream
This luxe but gentle eye cream from Biossance is a favorite among moms-to-be—and for good reason. The formula is pregnancy-safe, fragrance-free and packed with natural yet effective ingredients like squalane and marine algae, which can help smooth fine lines and hydrate tired eyes (hello, pregnancy insomnia). It's rich without being greasy and absorbs quickly, so you can swipe it on and move on with your day.
The buttery texture feels like a treat, and a little goes a long way—so while it's a splurge, it'll last through your third trimester and beyond. I used this eye cream during pregnancy and kept it in my rotation postpartum, because I loved it so much.
Amazon CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
If you're dealing with dry, sensitive or just plain itchy pregnancy skin, CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream is a safe and hydrating powerhouse that works overtime while you sleep. Made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, barrier-repairing ceramides and soothing niacinamide, it delivers moisture without any harsh ingredients and can feel relieving on uncomfortable stretch marks. It's also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so you likely don't have to worry about irritation or breakouts.
Dermatologist-developed and wallet-friendly, this night cream is a pregnancy-safe staple that earns high marks from expecting moms and skincare experts alike. The rich texture feels luxe going on but sinks in fast—no greasy residue here. Whether your skin's extra dry, starting to dull or suddenly sensitive, this cream seemingly does it all.
Editor's Pick
Amazon EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
Pregnancy skin is more sensitive to sun damage and hyperpigmentation, but expecting women should avoid chemical-based sunscreens. 'Chemical sunscreens that contain filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone are best avoided due to potential hormone-disrupting concern,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry of Los Angeles. 'When it comes to sunscreen, I recommend switching to a mineral-based formula that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These physical blockers sit on the surface of the skin and are not absorbed, making them ideal for pregnancy,' she says.
Berry likes this popular dermatologist-recommended zinc oxide sunscreen that's safe, sinks into the skin quickly and goes on completely clear. Thanks to its gentle ingredients and oil-free nature, it's also great for acne-prone skin. I use this as my daily facial sunscreen now after three pregnancies. I love how it isn't greasy or too thick and absorbs instantly.
Dermatologist Dr. Susan Massick, associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, recommends using mineral sunscreens 'with SPF 30+ for daily use or SPF 50+ for more intense sun exposure' and to reapply every two to three hours.
Amazon Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks
'Stretch marks are a very common occurrence in pregnancy, although not everyone will experience them,' says Massick. Although these 'tiger stripes' are an amazing testament to your changing body, they can also be uncomfortably itchy. Palmer's Cocoa Butter has been a tried-and-true go-to for decades for a reason: it's moisturizing, uses pregnancy-safe ingredients, is easily accessible and affordable. I used it with all three of my pregnancies as did all my expecting friends. The buttery feel of the cream helped keep the itchiness at bay and as an added bonus, it smelled delicious, even to a scent-averse pregnancy nose.
Expensive creams marketed for stretch marks are effective for hydration, but according to Massick, don't expect them to make the actual marks fade away. 'There is no magic cream that will prevent stretch marks, no matter what you read or see on social media,' she says. 'Save your money and use a regular moisturizing cream to maintain your skin's hydration.'
Amazon La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser
For many pregnant women, that ubiquitous pregnancy glow is actually excess oil thanks to hormones. The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser is gentle yet effective at keeping the excess shininess at bay without drying out your face. It's sulfate-free and oil-free and doesn't contain any harsh ingredients that could irritate sensitive pregnancy skin. It also contains prebiotic thermal water, ceramides and niacinamide—all pregnancy-safe ingredients that keep that glow, well, glowing.
If your skin tends to be on the more dry or sensitive side, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is another popular option.
Amazon The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Expecting a baby tends to increase oil production in a lot of women, and hormonal acne during the first trimester is a common symptom. Treating acne during this time can feel tricky, since there's a laundry list of ingredients to avoid, particularly ones that are found in lots of prescription oral acne therapies including spironolactone and oral tetracyclines. The dermatologists I spoke with say azelaic acid is safe for acne, which is the primary ingredient in this Ordinary cream. It's also alcohol-, oil- and gluten-free to prevent any further irritation on already sensitive skin—and it's extra affordable at around $12.
Editor's Pick
Amazon Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
Made for sensitive skin (aka pregnancy skin), Vanicream is a tried-and-true dermatologist-favorite brand that's been around for years. It's gentle on the skin, absorbs quickly and truly moisturizes. The pump bottle makes dispensing it quick and convenient, and the affordable price means you can really slather it on if you're feeling extra dry. The formula is fragrance-free, gluten-free, dye-free and essential oil-free. Since pregnancy is a time of common skin issues ranging from extra irritability to stretch marks and more, it's best to err on the side of caution when purchasing a new lotion and this one is just that: a simple, no-fuss moisturizing lotion. It also carries the Seal Of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and comes highly recommended by our own Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala who relies on it for her 6-year-old's sensitive and eczema-prone.
The Forbes Vetted baby and kids commerce team is comprised of professional journalists, editors and experienced product testers who are all parents ourselves. With so many options out there, we're dedicated to making the pregnancy journey easier by curating only the safest, most effective products for expecting and new parents. We've reviewed or tested everything from the best pregnancy pillows to the best maternity clothes. This story was written by Esther Carlstone a mom of three and longtime journalist with a focus on pregnancy, parenting and lifestyle topics. She's recently covered everything from the best infant life jackets to the best bottle sterililzers .
a mom of three and longtime journalist with a focus on pregnancy, parenting and lifestyle topics. She's recently covered everything from the to the . The editor of this story, Rose Gordon Sala , is a mom to three and experienced journalist and parenting editor who has extensively tested and researched baby and kids gear for years.
, is a mom to three and experienced journalist and parenting editor who has extensively tested and researched baby and kids gear for years. We consulted four dermatologists for this story: Dr. Asmi Berry, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles; Dr. Shoshana Marmon , a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College; Dr. Susan Massick , associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Dr. Dara Spearman , a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
To find the best pregnancy skincare, we combined expert medical advice with firsthand experience and online reviews from moms-to-be to make our selections. I only included products that are free from ingredients not deemed safe for pregnant women, including endocrine disrupters, retinoids and synthetic fragrances.
I focused on well-known, pregnancy-safe cosmetic and beauty brands recommended by our experts and other moms to narrow down our selection.
I spoke with four dermatologists to learn more about what ingredients to avoid, what alternative ingredients work well for certain skin issues, what common pregnancy skin issues are and what brands they generally recommended pregnant women using.
I used firsthand experience of products I used throughout my three pregnancies.
I polled other moms on their favorite products used during pregnancy and also took into account online reviews. All of the products on this list have garnered at least four stars out of five.
'During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations—particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone—can cause a wide range of skin changes, including acne, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, spider veins, changes in hair growth and greater skin sensitivity,' says Marmon. This means you'll have to adjust your skincare routine to use products that are 'gentler, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic that support the skin barrier' and to avoid ones containing ingredients with potential risks. Ingredients to Avoid
All of the dermatologists we spoke to said pregnant women should avoid the following ingredients, so be sure to check labels carefully: Retinoids : Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin (which are common in many prescription acne medications like Accutane) 'are teratogenic and are to be avoided at all costs,' says Spearman who warns that they can possibly cause birth defects if taken during conception. Tretinoin and adapalene are both retinol ingredients to avoid. 'It is generally recommended to avoid even topical retinoids during pregnancy. When in doubt, however, discuss further with your OB/GYN and dermatologist,' she says. The American Academy of Dermatology Association also recommends avoiding all retinoids during pregnancy, along with additional ingredients, and so did the dermatologists we spoke to.
: Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin (which are common in many prescription acne medications like Accutane) 'are teratogenic and are to be avoided at all costs,' says Spearman who warns that they can possibly cause birth defects if taken during conception. Tretinoin and adapalene are both retinol ingredients to avoid. 'It is generally recommended to avoid even topical retinoids during pregnancy. When in doubt, however, discuss further with your OB/GYN and dermatologist,' she says. Tetracyclins: Found in prescription antibiotic acne medications, it's also best avoided.
Found in prescription antibiotic acne medications, it's also best avoided. Hydroquinone: 'Commonly used for dark spots, hydroquinone is also not recommended for pregnant people due to high systemic absorption,' says Berry.
'Commonly used for dark spots, hydroquinone is also not recommended for pregnant people due to high systemic absorption,' says Berry. High-dose salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide: Berry says these two ingredients are 'somewhat controversial.' 'While low concentrations in cleansers may be fine, it's generally advised to avoid them in leave-on treatments,' she says. If you have to use it, Massick says to use a less than 2% concentration product.
Berry says these two ingredients are 'somewhat controversial.' 'While low concentrations in cleansers may be fine, it's generally advised to avoid them in leave-on treatments,' she says. If you have to use it, Massick says to use a less than 2% concentration product. Essential oils: 'Fragrances can actually cause irritation even if considered 'natural',' says Massick. Berry reiterates 'essential oils, especially in high concentrations, can also be irritating or hormonally active and are best used with caution.'
'Fragrances can actually cause irritation even if considered 'natural',' says Massick. Berry reiterates 'essential oils, especially in high concentrations, can also be irritating or hormonally active and are best used with caution.' Chemical-based sunscreens: Avoid sunscreens with potentially hormone-disrupting oxybenzone and avobenzone. Safe Ingredients
The following ingredients are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy and many are great alternatives for products with ingredients you'll have to put a pause on for a while. Hyaluronic acid: Provides hydration
Ceramides: Helps restore and protect skin barrier
Squalane: An effective non-comedogenic moisturizer
Azelaic acid: Safe for acne and melasma
Niacinamide: An anti-inflammatory that can be helpful for acne or rosacea
Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps to brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation
Lactic acid: Safe in moderation
Colloidal oatmeal: Calming for sensitive or itchy skin
Aloe vera: Helps to soothe irritation and hydrates
Zinc oxide/Titanium dioxide: Natural and safe sun protection Fragrance-Free
'While some women may experience that pregnancy glow,' others may find their skin more sensitive,' says Massick, so you'll want to avoid anything that could possibly irritate your skin—or your extra sensitive nose. Look for skincare products that are fragrance-free, or at the very least, not scented with synthetic fragrances.
Which Skincare Brand Is Best To Use During Pregnancy?
'Rather than being lured by brand names or popular trends, focus on ingredients and safety profile,' says Massick. She recommends look for products that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. If you're oilier, consider oil-free products and sensitive skin formulations as well.
That being said, several of the dermatologists we spoke with recommended Honest, Biossance, CeraVe, La Roche-Posay and Vanicream.
What Skincare Should I Use While Pregnant?
The best skincare to use while pregnant are products that work for your particular skin type/issues that uses pregnancy-safe ingredients and is fragrance-free.
Is Vitamin C Serum Safe To Use While Pregnant?
Yes, Vitamin C serum is safe to use while pregnant. Vitamin C and niacinamide are great for brightening and calming the skin and can also help with sun-induced pigmentation. It can also support collagen production, according to Marmon.