Hey Friends! Hope you all had an amazing and fun Labor Day weekend. I know from talking with my family and friends that skincare is a big topic that so many people are overwhelmed by especially during pregnancy. So I thought with my background and many years in the beauty industry I would give some helpful tips on what to use and not use while growing a tiny human. I will give you the specifics on what ingredients to stay away from and which ones you can use sparingly. By the end of this post you will have an idea of what to look for in pregnancy safe skincare. I am also going let you in on what I used while I was pregnant last year with Madison.
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Skincare is so important for so many reasons, it keeps your skin in good condition, fights wrinkles, and prevents acne. It can literally take any concern you have and with the right product fix it with constant repetition. It’s like magic.. not instant magic in most cases but magic nonetheless. A lot of women don’t know which products are pregnancy and breastfeeding safe so they stop doing it all together. A good skincare routine is the best confidence booster, so why should we stop for 9 months? Other women I’ve spoken to had no idea there were products not safe for them to use. This got me thinking, how many other women out there don’t know the products they should be using and staying away from while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Disclaimer before we get into it. I am no doctor – I have only been taught through my years of trainings being in the beauty industry and have researched on my own while I myself was pregnant. I do not have any studies to prove any facts so I strongly encourage you to do your own research as well if you have any questions. Consult your doctor on any and all products you are using or are thinking of using if you have any questions.
Ingredients to stay away from (again – consult your doctor):
- Retinoids (Retin-A, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate) – studies have said it could lead to birth defects
- Tetracycline – can cause possible tooth damage or permanent tooth discoloration
- Hydroquinone – linked as a cancer causing ingredient
- Tazorac and Accytane – derived from vitamin A, can cause birth defects
- Chemical Sunscreen – can interfere with the development of baby nervous system
Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide is said to be safe in moderation, but again consult your doctor before using.
I have links for where you can purchase any of these products in my Shop page as well as what I am currently using for my skincare routine here.
These are the products I used in the morning while pregnant and breastfeeding. (I will have other safe alternative products underneath each step) – in order of how I used them:
- Cleanse – Kate Somerville Eradikate Daily Foaming Cleanser
- Safe Alternatives: Origins – Checks and Balances, Fresh – Sory Face Cleanser, The Ordinary – Squalane Cleanser
- Toner – Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
- Safe Alternatives: Fresh – Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Toner, Belif – Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner, Caudalie – Vinoclean Moisturizing Toner with Rose Water, Kiehl’s – Facial Toner
- Serum – Sunday Riley Good Genes
- Safe Alternatives: Tatcha – Dewy Resurfacing and Plumping Treatment, Drunk Elephant – B Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- Moisturizer – Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Hydrating Cream
- Safe Alternatives: Tatcha – Dewy Skin Cream, Drunk Elephant – LaLa Retro OR Protini, Belif – True Cream Aqua Bomb
- Eye Cream – The Inkey List Caffeine and also Drunk Elephant C-Tango
- Safe Alternatives: Tatcha – Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream, Belif – Moisturizing Eye Balm, Kiehl’s – Creamy Eye Treatment
These are the products I used in the evenings while pregnant and breastfeeding. (I will have safe alternatives products underneath each step) – in order of how I used them:
- Cleanse – Lancome B-Facil Face
- Cleanse (again) – Kate Somerville Eradikate Daily Foaming Cleanser
- Safe Alternatives: Tatcha – Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, First Aid Beauty – Pure Skin Face Cleanser, Sunday Riley – Ceramic Slip
- Serum – Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
- Safe Alternatives: Sunday Riley – Pink Drink, Caudalie – Vinosource Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Herbivore – Cloud Jelly
- Moisturizer – GlamGlow Moisturetrip
- Safe Alternatives: Summer Fridays – Cloud Dew Oil-Free Cream Moisturizer, Kiehls – Ultra Facial Cream, First Aid Beauty – Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer
- Eye Cream – Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum and GlamGlow Brighteyes
- Safe Alternatives: Clinique – All About Eyes, Laneige – Water Bank Eye Gel, Ren – Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream
Face Exfoliator: Tatcha Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder
Face Mask: Algenist Alive Prebiotic Balancing Mask
Other miscellaneous pregnancy safe products:
Last thing that I used that helped in my pregnancy was the moisturizers to help prevent stretch marks. I barely got any other than ones I had from puberty as a child, I want to say I owe it to these creams I used. I used them religiously every morning and evening, also when I got out of the shower.
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter – I personally liked using this one more, I thought it felt more hydrating.
I hope this has helped some of you in some way! I would love to hear some of the products you have used and loved. Also any products mentioned here you’re wanting to give a try? Let me know! I’ll leave you all with a couple pictures I took during my pregnancy.
