If you're reading this, congratulations!
Whether you're expecting or currently breastfeeding, this is such a special season of life. Half of my clients right now are pregnant or breastfeeding, which is what inspired me to create this just for you.
My hope is to take the guesswork out of pregnancy skincare so you can feel confident in the products you're using. Beyond that, I hope this becomes a resource that continues to help women navigating pregnancy and breastfeeding for years to come. If this guide helps even one person feel a little more confident in caring for their skin, then every hour I spent writing it was worth it.
Pregnancy and postpartum shifts are crazy. What the female body can do to carry, grow, andbring a new life into the world is truly such a beautiful and powerful thing.
Along with those physical and emotional changes, your skin may go through a transformation of its own. You might experience that "pregnancy glow" in the beginning and now all of a sudden have acne spots, dry/dehydrated skin, or melasma (aka the pregnancy mask).
If you've been standing in front of your skincare shelf wondering, "Can I still use this?" or "Why is my skin suddenly changing?", you're not alone.
The good news is you don't have to guess. I'll walk you through which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, what you can ingredients to use instead that is safe, and share some of my favorite pregnancy-safe products along the way.
Here is What You Should Avoid When You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding:
Retinoids: Retinoids are an umbrella term for Vitamin A, so this is going to include your retinol, Retinol-A, Tretinoin, etc. They're amazing for treating acne, pigmentation, and signs of aging, but because they're linked to birth defects, and they should be completely avoided during pregnancy.
Hydroquinone: If you've ever been prescribed a cream for melasma or stubborn dark spots, there's a good chance it contained hydroquinone. It's incredibly effective at treating pigmentation, but because it's absorbed into the body at a relatively high rate, it's generally recommended to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Salicylic Acid in High Doses: Don't panic if your cleanser contains a small amount of salicylic acid! Low percentages (under 2%) are generally considered safe because they're rinsed off. It's the higher-strength versions (over 2%) in peels and spot treatments that you want to avoid during pregnancy.
Chemical Sunscreens: One of the easiest swaps you can make during pregnancy is your sunscreen. If it contains ingredients like oxybenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, or homosalate, choose a 100% mineral sunscreen instead.
Some sunscreens are hybrid meaning that there are both chemical and physical ingredients, so take one last look at the ingredient list. If your sunscreen contains both chemical UV filters (like oxybenzone or octisalate) and physical/mineral UV filters (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), it isconsidered a hybrid sunscreen. In this case, I treat a hybrid like a chemical sunscreen. It should be avoid it during pregnancy. During pregnancy, I recommend switching to a 100% physical/mineral sunscreen.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Safe Ingredients to Use Instead
BEFORE WE BEGIN
I want to mention that every pregnancy is different, and every person's skin responds differently. While the ingredients and products below are considered pregnancy- and breastfeeding-friendly, it's always important to discuss your skincare routine with your OB-GYN or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
This guide is intended for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice. I also recommend consulting with a licensed skincare professional to create a personalized routine based on your skin type, concerns, and goals, as the recommendations below are general guidelines and every person's skin is unique.
For Hydration: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Nourishing Beauty Oils
As your body changes during pregnancy, you may notice that your skin is dry, tighter, or more sensitive. You want to incorporate a humectant into your routine such as a hyaluronic acid that is going to attract and pull water into the skin, while ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. A nourishing beauty oil is the final step, which seals in the hydration, locks in that moisture, and leaves the skin smooth and satiny.
Lira Clinical Bio Hydra Infusion: this is like a big glass of water for your skin. It contains hyaluronic acid and silver ear mushroom (an ingredient 5x more hydrating than hyaluronic) along with soothing, calming, and anti-inflammatory skin.
One pump and can be used am and pm after cleansing.
Lira Clinical Mystiq iLuminating Beauty Oil : after hydrating your skin, it's time to lock all that moisture in with a beauty oil. Don't worry, this is a dry oil, so it absorbs beautifully into the skin without leaving behind that greasy feeling. Plus, the mastiha oil helps brighten and even the skin.
Massage 2-4 drops all over the skin. Can be used as a standalone serum after Bio Hydra Infusion or mixed in with your crème, SPF, or foundation.
Lira Clinical Bio Hydrating Mineral Masque: for an extra boost of hydration and to help calm the skin, use this mask 1–3 times per week.
Lira Clinical Bio Caviar Crème:if your skin is feeling dry or you're noticing pigmentation, this crème does both. It delivers deep hydration while azelaic acid helps reduce the appearance of redness and uneven skin tone.
Apply one pump am and pm after serums.
For Acne & Redness: Mandelic Acid & Azelaic Acid
Mandelic acid is what I call the "5 star hitter". It works on multiple levels to help correct skin changes that occur during pregnancy. It's a larger molecule meaning it won't penetrate deep into the skin and making its great for sensitive skin. It helps kill that bacteria that causes acne, brighten the skin by fading dark spots and melasma, gently exfoliates, and unclogs and improves texture.
Mixi Mandelic 5% serum:Start low and slow.
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- Weeks 1-2: Use one pump 2-3x / week
- Weeks 3-4: Use 1 pump every other night if skin is not red, irritated, or dry
- Month 2: Use 1 pump every night
- Week 6-8: Use 1 pump morning and night.
For Pigmentation and Anti-aging: Vitamin C and Peptides
I know, I know, we get so sad we can't use our retinoids and that means our botox and filler are on hold now. I love PRO f irming serum to replace retinoids. Here are also some products to help with pigmentation and melasma. You want brightening ingredients and vitamin c to support the skin.
Lira Clinical PRO Firming Serum: this is what you're swaping your retinoid for.It is packed with peptides. Think of peptides like your skins cheerleading tell ing it to produce more collagen and elastin. This is going to help with fine lines and wrinkles, brighten, and tighten the skin to maintain skin correction.
Use 1-2 pumps to fully absorb and follow with serums, moisturizers, and/or SPF.
Lira Clinical PRO Lite: using it during pregnancy acts as damage control to prevent hormonal pigment from sinking deep into your skin, making it much easier to clear up after birth. This serum helps prevent and improve the appearance of pigmentation while promoting a brighter, more even-looking complexion.
Use 1-2 pumps morning and/or night.
Lira Clincal PRO Brite Serum: this serum is packed with powerhouse brightening ingredients like tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin C, and mastiha to help target stubborn pigmentation, including melasma. Using it during pregnancy provides a completely safe way to target and shut down stubborn hormonal melasma pathways before the dark pigment can permanently settle into your skin layers
Use 1-2 pumps morning and night and can be used interchangeably with PRO Lite.
PRO Exfoliating Masque - for extra brighten, a masque you can use 1-3 weekly and add in as a little self-care
Physical/Mineral SPF to Protect and Prevent:
You're going to want to reach for a physical/mineral sunscreen. This sits on top of the skin compared to a chemical sunscreen which is absorbed into the skin and bloodstream.
Again, take one last look at the ingredient list. If your sunscreen contains both chemical UV filters (like oxybenzone or octisalate) and mineral UV filters (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), it's considered a hybrid sunscreen. I treat a hybrid like a chemical sunscreen and it should be avoid it during pregnancy. During pregnancy, I recommend switching to a 100% physical/mineral sunscreen.
Mixi Skincare SPF 50: if you are experiencing breakouts from pregnancy, this is for you. This is oil-free, hydrating, and won't clog your pores.
Lira Clinical Classic Tint Solar Shield SPF 30: If you are experiencing pigmentation, melasma, or anti-aging. This spf is also skincare in a bottle with Vitamin C to brighten, hydrating and healing ingredients, and it's tinted to even out pigmentation on the skin.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy may change your skin, but it doesn't mean you have to stop caring for it. With the right pregnancy safe ingredients and a personalized routine, you can continue support your skin during these changes for healthier skin throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Remember, every pregnancy and every person's skin is unique. What works for someone else may not be exactly what your skin needs.
Ready to take the guesswork out of pregnancy skincare? Click here to book your consultation, and together we'll create a customized routine designed specifically for your skin. If you're simply looking for pregnancy-safe skincare products, you can also shop my favorite recommendations linked throughout this guide.
Wishing you a healthy pregnancy, a smooth postpartum journey, and many beautiful moments as you embrace this incredible chapter of motherhood!
Until next time,
Stay Barefaced
Providing customized facial treatments for acne, pigmentation, anti-aging, and bridal skin prep facials designed to deeply clean, clarify, decongest pores, reduce inflammation, and support healthier, more radiant looking skin throughout the Milford, MA community, including neighbors in Town Center, Wharton Road, Peppercorn Hill, Whitehall Estates, Ravenwood, Legacy Farms, and Valleywood.
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