30 Best Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care and Beauty Products

A two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award winner, Cerave’s face wash is a drugstore classic that’s beloved by dermatologists. What makes it a standout is that it truly works for all skin types, whether you have sensitive skin (including eczema), dryness, acne or combination. So if your skin issues and needs change during pregnancy, then this face wash will be there for you along the way.

Many What to Expect community members say this face wash made a difference in combating pregnancy-related breakouts. “Switching to this [Cerave] cleanser cured my pregnancy-related acne,” one voter wrote. “I was probably drying out my skin excessively with a foaming cleanser, so this gentle and moisturizing cleanser was exactly what my skin needed.” 

It features a medley of hyaluronic acid (a water-loving molecule), ceramides and glycerin to nourish skin and leave it feeling soft. These ingredients also help protect the skin’s barrier no matter what elements you may be facing, from pollution to cold air. You also can’t beat the prince point! And since a little Cerave cleanser goes a long way, you’re truly stretching your dollar. Many community members agree this is a bang-for-your-buck cleanser that works.

Pregnancy melasma, i.e. pregnancy mask, is a common pregnancy symptom in which dark splotches appear on your face. There are a few ways to treat it, including using Olehenriksen’s Truth Serum. Featuring vitamin C, one of the best ingredients to help with brightening, the serum works to minimize the appearance of these spots. Using it in combination with a pregnancy-safe sunscreen is one of the best preventative measures when it comes to melasma.

This formula also features orange green tea extract to soothe skin and aloe juice to make skin feel baby soft. It’s light enough for daytime wear and glides smoothly onto the skin, so you can wear it with makeup, too. It checks the boxes for being cruelty-free, made without parabens, and sold in recyclable packaging.

Cetaphil is an affordable drugstore brand that’s backed by dermatologists and loved by What to Expect community members. (It took home Best Moisturizer in the 2022 Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Awards.) This moisturizer is also suitable for diverse skin types but especially for sensitive skin, since it’s considered a barrier cream that’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. In fact, it’s so gentle some What to Expect community members even use it on their kids. 

The uber-hydrating formula features glycerin, vitamins B5 (panthenol) and B3 (niacinamide), a cocktail that works to nourish skin and keep it healthy and soft. Bonus: It can be used on the face and body, reducing the number of products you need. A fast-absorbing lotion, you can slather it on and go about your day.

If pregnancy insomnia has you tossing and turning, it might be time to add this two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award winner to your routine. Neutrogeana’s oil-, dye-, and fragrance-free pick is beloved thanks to its light, gel-like consistency. It cools the area under the eyes while offering tons of hydration, which is why many What to Expect community members say it feels “fresh.” They also note how much brighter their skin looked after applying it. 

The cream’s hero ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a water-loving molecule found naturally in the body that attracts and locks in moisture. This helps hydrate, plump and smooth the delicate skin around the eyes. It is light enough to wear under makeup and ophthalmologist-tested, so you can feel comfortable dabbing it near your eyes. 

Finding a pregnancy-safe acne product can be challenging since classic acne-fighting ingredients, such as salicylic acid and retinol, are off the table. But The Ordinary’s serum contains niacinamide. A derivative of vitamin B3, this pregnancy-safe ingredient helps calm inflammation and brighten your skin. And according to our community members, it actually works. It’s no wonder it’s won Best Acne Treatment two years in a row. In addition to being effective, the Ordinary serum is vegan, and free of parabens, fragrances and oils. 

You’ll definitely want to follow this product up with a moisturizer to prevent dryness. And if you’re also using a vitamin C serum, alternate it with this niacinamide one, since cocktailing them can compromise the effectiveness of these potent ingredients. Instead, use one serum in the morning and another at night.

This product serves as a two-for-one: Put on a thick layer to use it as a mask, or slather a thin layer on to use it as a night cream. Both ways to use it offer tons of benefits. As a mask, the prickly pear and vitamin C work together to combat redness and brighten your skin. As a cream, the duo of hydrating squalene and hyaluronic acid hydrate your skin with clogging pores. 

The vegan formula also includes a blend of “superberries” to offer antioxidants that prevent tissue damage. The superberries also give the mask a light fruity scent, which some community members rave about. The mask works well for most skin types, too.

We’re all about simplifying your skincare routine during pregnancy, but you should never skip the sunscreen. During pregnancy, experts recommend using a mineral sunscreen, as it’s made without ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate. That said, mineral sunscreens are known to leave a white cast on the skin due to zinc oxide. 

People rave about Supergoop’s sunscreen because it applies on white to ensure you don’t miss a spot, but it blends into the skin seamlessly. Some of our community members even mentioned that the glimmery finish enhanced their pregnancy glow. They also raved over the texture calling it “lightweight,” “not sticky or greasy,” and “a smooth application.” With praise like that, you can see why it's won Best Sunscreen for the second year running. 

In addition to SPF 30 coverage, Supergoop’s sunscreen offers additional skincare benefits; it moisturizes the skin thanks to aloe leaf juice, and softens it with squalene. As with any SPF, apply it as the last step in your routine and re-apply it every two hours.

Created by super mama Rihanna, the Fenty Beauty foundation is available in 50 diverse shades from light to deep. The matte, long-wear formula has been celebrated for working in even the sweatiest situation to keep complexions shine-free. (Helpful, since pregnancy can be a particularly hot time!) What to Expect community members are aligned that this foundation offers good coverage, which could be needed if pregnancy acne hits. Note that the vegan formula is free of parabens and phthalates.

When applying this foundation, keep in mind, less is more as it’s considered a “buildable” formula to create a pore-less, air-brushed look. Pro tip: Shake the bottle well before using, and apply it with a damp makeup sponge for a dewier finish.

For those looking for a light and dewy moisturizer, Ilia’s serum skin tint is about to be your go-to. The serum-like foundation melts into the skin offering the prettiest tint of coverage. The cherry on top is that it also offers SPF 40 protection.

The formula is a concoction of skin-tightening squalene, texture-smoothing niacinamide and plumping hyaluronic acid. Community reviewers agree that this is a super-hydrating formula. It’s available in 30 different shades and is best for those seeking a glowy, sheer tint. Before applying, shake the bottle well and warm the serum with your fingertips.

You’ve probably heard of waterproof mascara, but what about waterproof concealer? A two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award winner, Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer can be worn all day; from prenatal yoga, to the office and dinner without needing a touch-up. Not only is that a testament to its sweat- and water-resistance, but also its ability to makes undereye darkness. 

“Nothing is able to cover my dark circles like Shape Tape,” writes one What to Expect community member. “[It] can be layered without looking cakey.” Similarly, other community members say  it glides on smoothly and instantly brightens their undereyes. 

To apply it, use the plush, doe-foot applicator or get out a wet beauty sponge and dab it on for sheerer coverage.

NARS blush-and-bronzer duet is the only cheek color you’ll need. NARS is known for its silky powders that create an effortlessly gorgeous glow, and this combo is no exception. Although it’s on the pricier side, What to Expect community members appreciate that it’s a two-for-one deal that’s easy to apply. Simply sweep the bronzer on the temples, under the cheekbones and the jawline, and swipe the blush onto your cheeks. 

These compacts are offered in two shades: Orgasm (blush) and Laguna (bronzer) for lighter skin tones, or Sin (blush) and Casino (bronzer) for deeper ones. Apply it with a fluffy bronzer brush and a more condensed blush brush.

It’s not easy to find a “cleaner” mascara, especially one that works without flaking. But this drugstore staple is a unicorn: CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara is free of parabens, sulfates, talc and mineral oil, while still being a high-performing mascara. It adds volume without clumping and helps lashes feel more conditioned thanks to argan and marula oils. Did we mention it’s vegan? 

What to Expect community members are in agreement: It really does make lashes longer and more voluminous. “It’s an easy full lash look within two swipes,” writes one community member. “The brush bristles are long enough to where you can apply without even needing to look at what you’re doing.” Many community members also appreciate how affordable it is, which is especially helpful since mascaras should be replaced every three months.

Ask experienced moms what to bring to the hospital for labor and delivery, and many will tell you lip balm. And some may specifically tell you to get Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Moisturizing Lip Balm, which won Best Lip Balm in our 2022 Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Awards. 

The formula is made from responsibly sourced beeswax (no phthalates or parabens in sight), and contains soothing vitamin E and peppermint oil for that extra little tingle of hydration. Many of our community members described themselves as Burt’s Bees “fans for life.” 

“I have used this product for years and it always protects my lips,” writes one community member. 

Our community members also boast about the balm’s natural ingredients, affordability, accesibility and skin-softening benefits. 

Even if you’re not a lipstick person, NARS’ lip pencil may convert you. A beloved lip product for decades, the velvet-like pencil glides on easily without transferring, so you don’t need a lip liner or to worry about it smudging. Available in a dozen colors that community members deem flattering, the pencil leaves a matte, pigmented look. And even though it’s matte, NARS’ lip pencil isn’t drying, as the formula is infused with nourishing vitamin E. Still, it’s recommended to hydrate lips before applying it. 

When you can’t be bothered to get your brows shaped, fake it with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Precision Brow Pencil. A two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award winner, this pencil-and-spoolie combo is easy to use, even if you’re a makeup beginner. Start by using the spoolie side to brush hairs up and into place. Then fill in sparse spots and define your arch with the pencil that What to Expect community members say is super precise. 

The pencil formula is vegan and made without parabens, sulfates and phthalates. It’s available in 12 different brow color shades from blondes to brunettes. Our community members rave about how seamlessly the product blends in to give you fluffy brows.

It’s clear that What to Expect readers love ColourPop’s eye shadows, with many saying the product blends easily due to the smooth texture, and offers tons of beautiful pigment. This particular palette features nine neutral hues, such as matte caramel, metallic gold and icy rose gold, in both creamy mattes and glimmering shades. Community members say the colors really highlight their eyes and the powder itself is long-lasting. At $14 a palette, ColourPop’s shadows are an affordable alternative that don’t sacrifice on quality. 

“Color pop eyeshadows are pigmented and at a really great price,” one community member wrote. “I prefer their shadows over some other high-end ones I’ve bought in the past.”

Mix and match the metallics and mattes to create anything from a bronzy cat eye to a clean, office-ready look. Or experiment with brushes: Try a denser brush for a pigmented look or a fluffier one for a more diffused style.

NYX’s waterproof liquid eyeliner stands out among others on the market. Its flexible, precise tip receives multiple five-star reviews from What to Expect community members and can create an array of looks. Press down harder for a thicker line or less so for a thinner one, which is perfect for creating those outer-eye flicks. 

“The felt tip never bends or gets dried up, and it always has a perfect flex to it, so it doesn’t drag and leave thick lines when applying,” one community member shares. 

Community members also say that it doesn’t drag and glides across the skin smoothly. This liquid liner does its job of staying put all day or night as a waterproof product should, but doesn’t dry out like some might. And it’s super affordable, so you can buy it in brown (for a softer vibe) and black (for a crisper line) without breaking the bank.

Get your hair in the best shape possible before the postpartum period, when likely it will go through some shedding. A two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award winner,  Olaplex’s duo is formulated to support and strengthen hair by repairing bonds, tackling heat damage and healing split ends. It also helps with frizziness, making it an excellent choice for curlier hair. 

What to Expect community members boast that the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner gave them soft, silky, “salon-worthy hair.” Many also appreciated how healthy their hair felt after, noting it was more hydrated and thicker. 

The vegan formula is safe to use on dyed strands and free of essential oils. The latter is important, as essential oils aren’t FDA-regulated and certain ones could pose a risk to your baby in the early developmental stages. 

Note that it does have a scent, but our community members overwhelmingly agree it’s a good scent.

Finding “clean” hair care products is a challenge, let alone ones suitable for natural curls. But Carol’s Daughter shampoo and conditioner, a two-time Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Award Winner, fits the bill. The vegan, paraben-free formula contains 98 percent naturally-derived ingredients and, most importantly, glycerin. Since curly hair requires more moisture, the glycerin works to improve your hair’s barrier functions to better lock in moisture. It works for hair types including 4C, 4B, 4A, 3C, 3B and 3A to cleanse the scalp and nourish curls.

The shampoo’s unique, sulfate-free micellar formula transforms from a water to a foam-y lather that you can work through the scalp. Once washed, use the thick, jelly-like conditioner that becomes a creamy texture upon contact with water.

A heat protectant should always be used before using hot tools on your hair, especially during pregnancy when everything is extra sensitive. Bumble and bumble’s mist works on diverse hair types to protect strands from up to 450 degrees of heat. The benefits don’t stop there: It also shields hair from UV damage and dehydration. 

If you don’t have time or energy to layer on more products, note this one helps with frizz, split ends and other damage. Because it’s free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates and mineral oil, you can use it during pregnancy without worry.

If there were ever a time to skip a shampoo and conditioner, pregnancy is it. After all, those hormones make you tried. So grab a shower cap and refresh your hair with Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo. This vegan option is perfect for prenatal as it’s free of sulfates, silicone, parabens and dyes. Featuring natural rice and barley starch, it absorbs oil to make your scalp feel refreshed. 

In case you’re a dry shampoo newbie, here’s how it works. Spray the fine powder eight to10 inches away from hair directly at the scalp in various sections and massage it in as you would regular shampoo. You can then brush it through and/or blast it with heat to style hair. Community members love that it doesn’t leave that telltale white trace of dry shampoo. But sensitive noses beware: It does have a strong scent of orange, lemon, lavender, rose and jasmine.

It’s common to experience itchy skin during pregnancy, and a nourishing body wash can help alleviate symptoms. Dove’s Irritation Care Body Wash, winner of Best Body Wash for a second year in a row, does just that. The formula includes probiotics and microbiomes to make it extra moisturizing, which is ideal for dry, sensitive skin. It’s even approved to use if you’re prone to eczema. The wash is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores, reducing the chance of pregnancy acne appearing on your body. It’s also fragrance-free, which sensitive noses will appreciate over the next nine months. 

The creamy body wash is known to lather well, so feel free to use it as a shaving cream, too. At $9 a bottle for 22 ounces, it’s an affordable and readily available option. 

We’re not surprised that What to Expect community members voted Cerave’s moisturizing cream the Best Body Lotion again. After all, the drugstore darling has continuously proven to work for dry, eczema-prone skin. The buttery formula consists of water-loving hyaluronic acid as well as three types of ceramides, all of which help strengthen the skin’s barrier to lock in moisture. Though the texture is buttery, it still absorbs quickly. Reviewers touted that it rubs in seamlessly and many appreciate that it doesn’t have any sort of odor. Because it’s so gentle, it can be used on the face or the body.

Bio-Oil’s body oil is as loved by Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian as it is by our community members. Part of that comes from its dual purpose: You can use it during pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks and then after to help reduce the appearance of scars. It features a soothing blend of vitamin E, chamomile and lavender oil. While this does mean it has a subtle scent, many voters described it as a “calming” one. It also helps with uneven skin tone and dark spots. 

If the idea of applying oil makes you nervous, note Bio-Oil’s formula doesn’t clog pores or stain clothes. 

For years, moms-to-be have sworn by Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks. (That probably explains why it won Best Stretch Mark Cream two years in a row!) The thick, hydrating body cream contains just about every moisturizing ingredient you could think of, including cocoa butter, shea butter and lanolin. It also contains collagen and elastin, which help to strengthen the skin as it stretches with your growing belly. 

While there’s no definitive research proving ingredients such as cocoa butter or olive oil can prevent stretch marks, it certainly can’t hurt to give your belly some extra moisture. Plus, many of our community members say it helped them prevent stretch marks while leaving skin nourished and “butter soft.”

Community members also agree that the coco scent is lovely and not too overpowering. 

It’s no secret swollen feet are a pregnancy symptom, sometimes causing women to change shoe sizes during or after those nine months. Soothe tired, achy feet by rubbing them nightly with Eucerin Advanced Repair Foot Cream. This brand has long been praised by dermatologists for having that ideal mix of ceramides to improve the skin’s barrier while also being stable for sensitive skin. Despite being super moisturizing, What to Expect Community members say it’s not greasy and absorbs easily. 

It also helps exfoliate feet due to alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) found in the formula. That said, AHA can make your skin more sensitive to UV light, so be sure to wear sunscreen — even on your feet — when they’re exposed.

Pro tip: Apply it nightly and put on a pair of cozy socks to seal in all of that nourishing moisture.

Breastfeeding mothers have praised Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butterfor years, but it’s not just for those who are nursing. The lanolin-free formula features a nourishing blend of olive oil, shea butter, beeswax and calendula flower extract to help sooth the pain caused by your ever-evolving pregnancy breasts. The soothing balm can be used on nipples (and doesn’t need to be removed before baby latches), as well as lips, elbows and other dry skin patches. 

The price point is fair for a jar containing 100 percent organic ingredients. Not to mention a little goes a long way, so it’s sure to last for months. Though it’s a balm, it melts and spreads upon contact into more of an oily serum. This is great for application, but it could stain your bras and shirts.

A manicure can be the perfect way to pamper yourself during pregnancy, though you’ll want to bring your own polish to ensure what you’re using is safe and non-toxic. Enter Sally Hansen’s good. kind. pure. Nail Color. Easily found at pharmacies, the polish’s formula is 16-free — i.e. it’s free from 16 toxic ingredients, including formaldehyde, silicone, synthetic fragrance, parabens, and more. The formula also includes sustainable bamboo to help strengthen nails and marine algae to keep them hydrated hydration. If you’re someone who likes to change your nail color frequently, you’ll be happy to know that Sally Hansen’s nail color is inexpensive enough that you can nab a few for the season. The offering features 59 shades, ranging from chic mauve pinks to trendy cool blues to vampy dark hues.

During a time when fragrance may not be your friend, What to Expect community members agree that Glossier You eau de perfume is amazing. The fragrance is subtle and smells different on everyone; like a shape-shifter that alters based on the wearer. In general, it is described as warm and woodsy with notes of pink pepper, iris, and abrox. It doesn’t leave a strange dried-down scent, and it layers well should you want to add other fragrances with it.

It’s debatable whether you need a “clean” deodorant during pregnancy, but many choose to swap theirs, since armpits tend to absorb more product. Native Sensitive Deodorant is a easy-to-find drugstore pick that’s free from aluminum, parabens, talc, phthalates and baking soda. Rather, it contains coconut oil and shea butter, two powerhouse hydrators. What to Expect community members actually praise the product for actually being able to keep body odor at bay.

They also love the fragrance of this deodorant: You can choose seven scents, including cucumber mint, coconut vanilla and sweet cinnamon. But there’s also an unscented version if you just can’t tolerate scents during pregnancy.