The Best Beauty Products to Use During Pregnancy
By Petra Guglielmetti
There’s nothing like pregnancy to make you suddenly start trying to decode labels on your beauty products. But when you’re beyond exhausted and your skin is freaking out in crazy, new ways, figuring out what’s safe and effective can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple place to start: These 16 skin, hair, and nail products are some of our favorites for use during pregnancy—and anytime, really. Not only do they give gorgeous results, they’re free of any iffy ingredients that might keep you up at night. If only we could promise as much once the baby arrives.
Cleanser: Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, $32, indielee.com
Indie Lee launched her natural beauty brand after overcoming a brain tumor and seeking new ways to minimize her exposure to toxins. But her skin care products have appeal beyond their eco-friendly origins. This ultra-gentle daily antioxidant cleanser leaves skin grime-free and supple and has a delightful, subtle strawberry scent.
Face Serum: Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex, $120, tataharperskincare.com
Like a magic potion for pregnancy’s wildly unpredictable skin, this botanical “multivitamin” doesn’t irritate, and it hydrates without causing greasiness or breakouts. Layer it under your moisturizer if your skin is very dry, or use it alone as a smoothing base for makeup and overall radiance booster. Another gem to check out from this luxury organic brand: the Restorative Eye Crème ($90, tataharperskincare.com).
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Moisturizer: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, $39, juicebeauty.com
Few BB and CC creams manage to score a mere one on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep toxicity scale like this formula does. One reason: Most multitasking tinted moisturizers include chemical or “nano” sunscreen ingredients. This one achieves its SPF 30 by using non-nano zinc oxide (which means no worries about it penetrating your skin and entering your bloodstream). And unlike some other natural tinted moisturizers, it looks totally natural too; choose from five flattering complexion-warming shades.
Hydrating Mist: Board and Batten Farm to Skin Calming Lift, $30, farmtoskin.com
A refreshing pick-me-up for use throughout the day, this moisture-boosting spritz contains aloe to soothe and cool, and it has a light rosewater scent. Stash it in your desk to pre-empt dullness and dryness, especially during winter.
Nail Polish Remover: Priti NYC Soy Nail Polish Remover Wipes, $10, pritinyc.com
There’s nothing like some acetone soaking into your cuticles to make you feel your first pangs of mommy guilt. These biodegradable wipes make the job of removing polish much less toxic-smelling yet surprisingly effortless. Easy single-use packets arrive packaged in a cute muslin satchel—so simple to toss into your handbag (and future diaper bag) for emergency chipped-paint removal.
Nail Color: Côte Five-Free Nail Polish, $16, coteshop.myshopify.com
We love this California-based nail brand for its high-performing polishes that aren’t just “five-free” (i.e., they don’t contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor, and formaldehyde resin) but are also made in America, vegan, and cruelty-free. The 109-color collection includes everything from sophisticated jewel tones to beautiful beach-chic neutrals.
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Face Wipes: Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial Swipes, $16, mioskincare.com
These gentle wipes are a godsend on nights when you’re too tired to do a proper wash (and, oh, there are many of those nights). Tea tree extract helps combat the pimple problem and oil overload, but skin never feels stripped or tight.
Sunscreen: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Fragrance-Free Mineral Sunscreen, $12, albabotanica.com
This mineral formula scored a two on the Skin Deep toxicity scale, making it one of the safer sunscreens on the market. The thick formula does take some effort to rub in, but once applied, it lasts for hours and resists water.
Redness Fix: VMV Hypoallergenics Red Better Flare-Up Balm, $50, vmvhypoallergenics.com
A gentler alternative to steroid creams (like hydrocortisone), this will become your go-to fix for all kinds of upset-skin issues: eczema, rosacea, inflamed pimples, etc. Bonus: It’s gentle enough to use for your future baby’s skin woes. Check out this brand’s hypoallergenic facial moisturizers for super-sensitive skin too.
»Shop more safe pregnancy beauty picks here.
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Photos: Courtesy of brands
