Good news, mamas: there are pregnancy safe moisturizers that will leave your face and body feeling soft as a baby.
If you’re pregnant or trying for a baby, you should consider switching out your lotions. Exposure to toxic chemicals before conception and during pregnancy can have significant and long-lasting effects on reproductive health, according to both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Problems can include infertility, low birth weight, and preterm birth. While it’s important that we all avoid potentially-toxic ingredients, pregnancy is the time to start if you haven’t already.
Any ingredient considered an “endocrine disruptor” should be off limits. These can interfere with our body’s normal hormone function. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out a Dirty Dozen list of 12 endocrine disruptors to avoid. ACOG’s latest guidance also notes that personal care products may contain phthalates, linked to neuro-developmental conditions and to male reproductive problems, and recommends using fragrance-free products to avoid them.
If you’re ready to swap your current moisturizers for something that is pregnancy safe, we’ve chosen these effective options that all get a low-hazard rating from EWG.
Pregnancy Safe Face Moisturizers
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream
If you have dry or sensitive skin, try this gentle moisturizer. It works to reduce skin irritation and redness while using pregnancy-safe ingredients. It is also oil and fragrance-free! (2 on EWG)
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is enriched with vitamin E and B5 to keep your skin soft and moisturized. This moisturizer doesn’t leave a greasy residue; instead, it is fast-absorbing and has hydration that lasts up to 24 hours. (2 on EWG)
Honest Beauty Everyday Radiance & C Moisturizer
With a lightweight formula, the Honest Beauty Everyday Radiance & C Moisturizer will give you eight full hours of hydration. The product is completely free of parabens, phthalate, fragrance, and mineral oil. The only con is that the formula does have a watery consistency and may not work well on sensitive skin. (EWG Verified)
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Addressing acne while pregnant can be a little difficult as many acne-fighting products have very strong chemicals or ingredients. This moisturizer uses pregnancy-safe ingredients like azelaic acid, which helps kill the bacteria inside your pores, and helps clear acne and redness. (2 on EWG)
Pregnancy Safe Body Moisturizers
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Keep your whole body soft with this fragrance and steroid-free moisturizer. While this lotion is gentle enough to be used on any skin type, it mainly works to treat itchy or extremely dry skin. Moreover, this moisturizer has been clinically proven to keep you fully moisturized for 24 hours! (2 on EWG)
Earth Mama’s Belly Butter has used organic, pregnancy-safe ingredients to create a rich, long-lasting moisturizer made to treat sensitive skin. This moisturizer does have a subtle orange scent to it, which can be a drawback to some. (2 on EWG)
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
This dermatologist-recommended and clinically-tested lotion moisturizer will work to minimize any dryness and moisture loss on your skin. It’s completely safe for pregnancy as it is free of dye, fragrance, paraben, and formaldehyde. (2 on EWG)
Puracy Organic Hand & Body Lotion
Developed by medical professionals using clinical-grade ingredients, this lotion is 99.95% natural. Moreover, it is also free of parabens, fragrances, petrochemicals, and formaldehyde. (2 on EWG)
Acure Seriously Soothing 24hr Moisture Lotion
Filled with nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe, this lotion will keep your skin baby soft. The moisturizer works well for dry and sensitive skin and is free of mineral oil, parabens, formaldehyde, and petrolatum. (2 on EWG)