Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
A comprehensive guide to the skincare ingredients that experts recommend avoiding during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why ingredient safety matters during pregnancy
During pregnancy, your skin absorbs active ingredients that can enter the bloodstream and potentially reach the developing baby. While the skin is an effective barrier for most substances, certain ingredients have been shown to cross the placental barrier — and some carry documented risks.
The good news: most skincare products are perfectly safe. But a handful of well-studied ingredients deserve extra caution.
The "definitely avoid" list
Retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives)
Risk level: High
This is the most well-established concern in prenatal skincare. Oral retinoids like isotretinoin (Accutane) are known teratogens — they cause birth defects. While topical retinoids (tretinoin, retinol, retinaldehyde) deliver much lower systemic doses, dermatologists universally recommend avoiding them during pregnancy as a precaution.
Look for on labels: Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tretinoin, Adapalene, Tazarotene, Retinaldehyde
High-dose Salicylic Acid
Risk level: Medium
Low concentrations (under 2%) in wash-off products are generally considered safe. However, high-concentration chemical peels and leave-on treatments with salicylic acid should be avoided. Salicylic acid is chemically related to aspirin, and high systemic doses are associated with pregnancy complications.
Safe alternative: Glycolic acid or lactic acid (AHAs) are considered pregnancy-safe.
Hydroquinone
Risk level: Medium
Used for hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone has a relatively high systemic absorption rate (35-45%). While no human studies have shown harm, the high absorption rate concerns experts. Safer alternatives include vitamin C, niacinamide, and azelaic acid.
Chemical Sunscreen Filters
Risk level: Low to Medium
Some chemical UV filters — particularly oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) — have shown endocrine-disrupting properties in animal studies. While the evidence in humans is limited, mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are considered the safest option during pregnancy.
Filters to watch: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Avobenzone
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers
Risk level: High
Found in some hair treatments (Brazilian blowouts) and nail products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and should be avoided entirely during pregnancy.
Look for on labels: DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15
Ingredients that are safe during pregnancy
- Hyaluronic acid — a naturally occurring molecule, safe for all trimesters
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — safe and great for pregnancy-related skin changes
- Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) — safe topically at standard concentrations
- Azelaic acid — one of the few acne treatments considered safe during pregnancy
- Glycolic acid — safe in OTC concentrations (under 10%)
- Ceramides — skin-identical lipids, completely safe
- Mineral sunscreens — zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on the skin surface
How to check your products
The fastest way is to use our ingredient analyzer — paste the INCI list from the back of your product, and we'll flag any concerns in seconds. Every ingredient is scored against EU safety data and peer-reviewed research.
A note on evidence
Skincare safety during pregnancy operates on the precautionary principle: when evidence is uncertain, we err on the side of caution. Many "avoid" recommendations are based on animal studies or theoretical concerns rather than proven harm in humans. This is actually reassuring — it means the risk is likely very low, but we recommend safer alternatives where they exist.
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.