When you first find out you’re pregnant, adapting your skincare routine to your body’s changing needs is probably not the first thing on your mind. While you should definitely take as much time as you need to adapt to the other elements of your pregnancy, you’ll notice changes in your skin that may require swapping out some of your typical products.

Keep reading for an explanation of what’s going on with your skin during pregnancy, ingredients to avoid until you deliver, and the best pregnancy products we’d recommend. Let’s dive in!

PREGNANCY SAFE SKINCARE

While you may be familiar with the universally beloved “pregnancy glow” that many women experience, it’s important to give your skin a little extra TLC during this time.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who gets an “I woke up like this” complexion throughout all nine months, we applaud you. But, if you’re like many women, hormonal changes will affect your skin periodically throughout your nine months.

You may see bouts of dryness, darkening of the skin (called melasma), and even acne flare-ups. The most important thing as you modify your routine to treat these issues is to use pregnancy-safe products. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the ingredients you should avoid.

SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

However, while you may perceive your skincare products as topical solutions, the reality is that many of the ingredients can actually be absorbed into the body, potentially affecting both you and your baby. Here are the ingredients to avoid throughout your term.

CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS

As you probably know, if you have any interest in skincare, sunscreen is an absolute must year-round—pregnancy or no pregnancy. However, chemical sunscreens can seep into your skin and may affect your baby. Stick to all-natural solutions like straight zinc oxide until after the baby is born. Check out Suntegrity, it is our number one choice at Lilly.B.

HYDROQUINONE

Hydroquinone is a lesser-known skincare ingredient, but you may find it in products that lighten dark spots or contribute to an even skin tone. While it’s an effective skin-lightening agent, you’ll want to hold off on this ingredient while you’re pregnant. You can read more about it here.

RETINOIDS

Retinoids have had their time in the spotlight lately for prescription acne and a variety of anti-aging uses, but retinoids have been proven to increase the likelihood of birth defects in your baby. If retinoids are a part of your regular routine, stop using them as soon as possible after you find out you’re pregnant.

PHTHALATES

Phthalates are found in many skincare products, but they can also disrupt your endocrine sensitive which is crucial to a successful pregnancy. Make sure to check your makeup products and other self-care items too, as phthalates aren’t exclusively linked to skin products.

Note that this isn’t a comprehensive list of every single ingredient you should avoid—just the most common ones that you may find in your current product lineup. It’s always a good idea to ask your dermatologist about each product you’re using just to make sure it’s safe.

BEST PREGNANCY PRODUCTS

Now that we’ve covered the products you should avoid, you may be wondering what to replace them with. Many women like to give their skin—face and body—a little extra hydration throughout pregnancy using oils and moisturizers. This belly oil works especially well for the skin on your belly as it stretches to accommodate your growing little one.

If you have any other questions or need product recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to help however we can.