Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy and Safer Alternatives
Discover which skincare ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy and what natural, safe, and nourishing alternatives you can use to protect both your skin and your baby.
Fizyoterapist Nesibe Avşar 
Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it’s best to choose natural, chemical-free, and organic skincare products. Cleansers and personal care products used during this time should be free of fragrance, parabens, silicones, alcohol, and oxybenzone.
❌ Ingredients you should absolutely avoid include:
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Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives such as Retin-A, retinol, retinyl palmitate, and isotretinoin/Accutane)
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Hydroquinone
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Salicylic acid
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Benzoyl peroxide
⚠️ Due to active hormone fluctuations, it’s important to avoid moisturizers containing vitamin B5, as it may increase hair growth or unwanted facial hair.
You should also stay away from aromatherapy products that may harm the baby. In particular, avoid pure essential oils like basil, cedarwood, clove, cypress, fennel, juniper, rosemary, and thyme.
Always consult your physician before choosing skincare products during pregnancy.
✅ Instead, opt for nourishing and skin-renewing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
✅ Calming masks and products containing vitamin K can also be safely used.
☀️ For sun protection, choose mineral sunscreens with non-comedogenic and moisturizing properties, free from chemical filters, and with SPF 50 or higher. Always consider your skin type when choosing the texture and ingredients of skincare products.
In general, during pregnancy, it's safest to use water-based emulsions that are easily absorbed by the skin.
