My pregnancy-safe skincare routine, unpacked

Pregnancy, especially after a fertility journey, can bring a whole range of complex emotions with it. 

The rollercoaster that can come with the earlier days and weeks is something that the team here at TRB have a personal experience of – quiet excitement, hope and maybe even shock, which can also, for so many, be tempered by a whole load of underlying anxiety.

And whilst there’s so much we can’t predict in pregnancy, the personal care products we use are one area where thoughtful choices can help bring us a little more peace of mind.

When building out a pregnancy safe skin care routine​, the best tips come from real experts. So, we sat down with Gabi Day, personal care formulator and CEO and Founder of Bright Body, for her personal recommendations.

Bright Body’s carefully crafted, non-toxic products combine the best of modern cosmetic chemistry and ancient Ayurvedic herbalism to ensure safe, effective care during pre, post and during pregnancy. Every ingredient meets the highest safety standards.

Want to try Bright Body for yourself? TRB readers can get an exclusive 15% off the entire range on their first purchase with code TRB15. 

Now, over to Gabi.

Q: What kind of skincare concerns might we encounter specifically during pregnancy, and why?

Pregnancy can bring a slew of skin changes, largely driven by hormonal shifts. The most common concerns include:

• Hyperpigmentation and melasma – Often called the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma manifests as darker patches on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. Hormonal changes influence melanin production, making your skin more prone to pigmentation.
• Acne – Hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased oil production. Some people see improvements in their acne during pregnancy, while others develop breakouts for the first time.

Unfortunately, medical science has limited research into the specifics of why these changes occur.

But we do know that shifts in estrogen and progesterone play a role in altering melanin production, oil balance, and even inflammation.

Q: Are skincare products safe during pregnancy?

Generally speaking yes, as long as you follow your OBGYN and/or Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Specialist advice. 

Most skincare products are safe during pregnancy as long as you avoid a short list of certain ingredients known to cause harm.

Some active ingredients can penetrate deeper layers of skin and enter the bloodstream, potentially passing through the placenta. The depth of penetration depends on the ingredient’s molecular size – smaller molecules can go deeper. 

Always consult with your OBGYN or MFM specialist when in doubt.

Q: What are the most important ingredients to avoid in skincare during pregnancy?

Most OBGYNs and MFMs have a short list of ingredients to avoid. But interestingly, most aestheticians will have a longer list of ingredients to avoid. This is largely due to liability concerns, but it’s worth noting the differences in these lists based on your own risk tolerance.

OBGYNs, MFMs, and aestheticians agree that pregnant people should avoid:

• Vitamin A derivatives (like retinol, retin-A, tretinoin, Tazorac) – These have been linked to birth defects and developmental issues.
• Hydroquinone – Found in some melasma treatments, it has a higher absorption rate than other topical treatments, and larger concentrations could enter the bloodstream and reach the developing fetus.

Additional cautions from aestheticians include:

• Salicylic acid – Though commonly used for acne, it’s a BHA that penetrates deeply and should be avoided in larger concentrations.
• Benzoyl peroxide – Often used for acne, it’s better to err on the side of caution as it has smaller molecules that can penetrate the skin more deeply.
• Lactic and glycolic acid – Again, these smaller AHAs are more likely to absorb deeply.

Ultimately, how strict you are with these lists depends on you, your risk tolerance, and what you feel most comfortable with.

Q: Can you use retinol in pregnancy?

No, you shouldn’t use retinol from early pregnancy and onwards. Retinol and other retinoids are strongly linked to risks like miscarriage, birth defects, and developmental issues. 

Most of the research comes from oral retinoids, but because there’s no established ‘safe amount’ of topical retinol, it’s best to avoid it entirely during pregnancy.

How can we manage breakouts during pregnancy without retinoids?

Thankfully, there are gentler alternatives to retinoids. In short, it’s all about choosing different active ingredients!

Here are some good options:

• Mandelic acid – A large AHA molecule derived from almonds. Its size limits skin penetration, making it effective for smoothing, reducing inflammation, combatting acne, and brightening your complexion without causing irritation. 
• Azelaic acid – A wheat and barley-derived ingredient that combats acne and hyperpigmentation while soothing inflammation. Much like mandelic acid, azelaic acid is typically well-tolerated by most skin types, even mamas with sensitive skin.
• Plant enzymes – Natural exfoliants from sources like pumpkin, papaya, and pineapple. While they aren’t as effective for acne treatment as mandelic or azelaic acids, they are a gentle, multipurpose ingredient that can be safely added to a pregnant person’s skincare routine.

Q: Are essential oils safe during early pregnancy?

Generally, yes. When used externally in low concentrations, essential oils are safe – and the concentration of essential oils in most personal care products is low and therefore very unlikely to cause harm.

The main risks come from ingesting essential oils (not recommended for anyone, pregnant or not!) as well as using them in very high concentrations over large areas.

Q: Is it safe to use chemical exfoliants while pregnant?

The answer is that it depends on the chemical exfoliant! In general, it’s not recommended to use BHAs like salicylic acid. 

I’d recommend sticking with gentler AHAs like mandelic acid. As we discussed above, this is because they won’t penetrate the skin as deeply, but are still effective for smoothing skin and managing breakouts.

Q: What does an ideal pregnancy safe skin care routine look like?

Here’s a step-by-step of my own tailored pregnancy safe skin care routine, split into morning and evening rituals:

Morning routine

1. Cleanser: Choose a gentle, non-foaming formula to clean without stripping moisture. Taking it easy on your hormonal skin is a good idea in the long run.
2. Toner: Opt for an alcohol-free toner to balance your skin’s pH. Alternatively, leave skin damp after cleansing for better absorption of subsequent products.
3. Water-based moisturizer: Hydrate and prep your skin with a lightweight moisturizer.
4. Sunscreen: Use a non-comedogenic SPF to protect against hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Evening routine

1. Oil Cleanser: Remove makeup with a non-comedogenic oil cleanser.
2. Cleanser: Follow with your gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
3. Toner: Rebalance your skin’s pH or leave it damp for better absorption.
4. Chemical exfoliant: Use mandelic acid, azelaic acid, or plant enzymes for acne and pigmentation management (start slow when adding in active ingredients – use with one product every other night for a week before increasing frequency or adding other products).
5. Water-based moisturizer: Rehydrate your skin.
6. Oil-based moisturizer: Seal in moisture with a rich cream or facial oil.

Q: What were your go-to Bright Body products during pregnancy?

During my own IVF twin pregnancy (following 3 losses) I dealt with plenty of weird skin changes. 

To help manage my skin, the following products were my go-to’s:

• Ayurvedic Facial Wash – A creamy, anti-inflammatory cleanser.
• Ayurvedic Universal Toning Mist – Maintains pH balance and calms redness.
• Clear Skin Potion (15% azelaic acid) – A game-changer for breakouts.
• Illuminating Tonic (9% mandelic acid) – Tackles hyperpigmentation effectively.
• Hydrating Gel – A hyaluronic acid moisturizer to combat dehydration.
• Ayurvedic Facial Oil (Pitta formula) – Locks in hydration and soothes inflammation.

If I had to pick one hero product, it’s the Clear Skin Potion. 

I first developed this product while dealing with hormonal breakouts from my IUD (intrauterine device), and since then I’ve leant on it for healing my hormonal breakouts, whether they were as a result of my miscarriages, IVF, during pregnancy, or in the postpartum period. 

I’ve had so many customers tell me similar stories, too!

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to someone newly pregnant and feeling overwhelmed?

Take a breath, ground yourself, and ask yourself how you can keep things simple right now. 

For your skincare, when in doubt, just cleanse and moisturize, and use SPF during the day. If you’re dealing with breakouts, start with just one treatment product and see how that goes before you add in something else. 

My personal motto during my pregnancy was to ‘control my controllables’, and let go of the rest. It was really helpful as someone who has medical PTSD unrelated to fertility and was very anxious about miscarriage. 

Remember that managing your stress and practising self-love is more important than being “perfect” during your pregnancy – with skincare, or anything else.

We couldn’t agree more. If you’re keen to make the switch to pregancy safe skin care products, do have a look at Bright Body’s gorgeous, non-toxic range, and make sure you claim your exclusive 15% off your first purchase with code TRB15. 

You’ve got this!