15 Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreens That Derms *Always* Recommend

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

You already know that sunscreen needs to be a part of your daily skincare routine (...right?), but lemme remind you that the same rule applies to everyone—even if you're pregnant. Luckily, there are many gentle, effective, pregnancy-safe sunscreens on the market right now. But how do you know which sunscreens are truly safe for pregnancy and/or breastfeeding? Welp, keep reading: I'm about to break it down for you, with the help of four board-certified dermatologists (shout out to Marisa Garshick, Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, Mona Gohara, and Hadley King) and holistic healer and celebrity aesthetician Tammy Fender.

✔️ P.S. This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in May 2023 to add new pregnancy-safe sunscreens, complete with specs and reviews, and delete outdated oldies, just for you.

Keep scrolling for the full list of the 15 best pregancy-safe sunscreens of 2023, plus everything you need to know about shopping for SPF as a pregnant person and how to choose the perfect pregnancy-safe sunscreen for your skin type and concerns.

Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

"This broad spectrum SPF 50 is a great option for pregnant people with sensitive skin, as not only is it a mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide but is also free of fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde, and other preservatives that could potentially irritate the skin," says Dr. Garshick. "It's non-comedogenic so the formula is less likely to clog pores too."

THE REVIEW: "This is a staple in my morning routine," writes a tester. "It allows me to protect my skin and avoid any potential allergens since it has very simple, straightforward ingredients. I've never had any irritation from using it."

Daily Shade + Blue Light Defense Facial Lotion SPF 30

Dr. Garshick is a fan of this all-natural face sunscreen for pregnant women. "It contains SPF 30 and offers UVA/UVB protection, plus it contains hyaluronic acid and collagen to boost skin's moisture levels and ectoin to help shield skin from the harmful effects of blue light and pollution, says Dr. Garshick.

THE REVIEW: "This Andalou Naturals is perfect for everyday. It is hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft without any greasy film whatsoever," reads one tester's review. "This seems to do a fine job of protecting my face from the sun and I am out in the sun a lot!"

Prebiotix SPF 45 Glow

This pregnancy-safe SPF from Juice Beauty gives skin the dewiest glow whether you use it alone or layer it under makeup as a face primer. It helps blur rough, uneven skin texture, moisturize and soothe skin, and protect from UVA and UVB rays with SPF 45 and free radical-fighting antioxidants.

THE REVIEW: This feels more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen, writes a tester. It makes my skin super glowy and my makeup go on super well too. A new staple in my daily skincare routine."

Mineral Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Face & Body Stick

This convenient little sunscreen stick offers gentle—but effective!—sun protection (shout out to the formula's 21.6 percent zinc oxide) and a sheer, lightweight finish that legit glides onto your skin. It's even spiked with vitamin E, so you get a nice dose of hydration too.

THE REVIEW: "I cannot go a day without using this sunscreen. It's nowhere near as oily as many sunscreens I've tried—plus it doesn't sting my eyes," writes a tester.

One & Done Everyday Cream w/ SPF 40

The ultimate multitasker, this pregnancy-safe formula functions as a face serum, primer, moisturizer, and SPF in one to streamline your morning routine and keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and protected from the sun's harmful rays. And unlike many zinc-based sunscreens, this bb dries down to a totally clear finish—even on deep skin tones.

THE REVIEW: "I like how smooth this face cream goes on," reads a review. "There is absolutely no greasy after feel and it makes my face feel smooth and soft. And I love how it comes in a tube with a pump so you don't have to worry about too much coming out."

Tinted Skincare

Don't feel like layering your sunscreen under your foundation? This SPF 50 leaves your skin with the perfect tint, no greasy finish or awkward pilling included. And thanks to the formula's niacinamide and bisabolol, it's also great at improving your skin tone and texture and reducing inflammation. Prepare to make this one a staple in your summer routine.

THE REVIEW: "I put this on instead of my usual skincare routine and then exercised outdoors for several hours in the sun," reads one tester's review. "The product didn’t melt off, the SPF clearly worked, and it didn't make me break out like most foundations do!"

Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen

Don't feel like spending a ton of $$$ on your pregnancy-safe sunscreen? This drugstore sunscreen option is just as effective as the pricier ones, thanks to its mineral formula that's gentle enough for sensitive skin types. P.S. the smooth, non-greasy texture means this SPF is great for applying under makeup too.

THE REVIEW: "I have extremely sensitive skin, and can't wear any chemical sunscreen. I've tried many mineral sunscreens over the years, and this is my favorite. Lightweight, not greasy or oily, doesn't make my face shiny, in fact, it makes a lovely matte base on which to apply my foundation and other makeup," writes one tester.

Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide

Looking for a pregnancy-safe sunscreen that won't slide off while you swim? This formula offers 80 minutes of water-resistant coverage (after which you'll need to reapply it, ofc), SPF 50 protection, and gentle ingredients that won't stress out your skin. Dr. King also loves it for its aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E. And Dr. Garshick loves that the bottle changes color in UV light so you know when it's time to apply and reapply. Basically, it checks all of the boxes.

THE REVIEW: "I have red hair and very light and sensitive skin. I went to Hawaii two months ago, and I thought I would give this a try, and it was amazing!" explains one person who tried the product.

Mineral Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Unlike the chalky, thick formulas of your youth, this mineral-based pregnancy-safe body sunscreen is oil-free, fragrance-free, and super easy to blend. It's got a blend of antioxidants and plant stem cells to keep your skin feeling (and lookin') healthy, so don't be afraid to really slather it on.

THE REVIEW: "It's hard for me to find a body sunscreen that I am excited about, but I love this one for running outside. It has good value, feels clean, and is water-resistant for a reasonable time period. I can bring it to Hawaii and places that require mineral sunscreens," according to one tester.

Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35

I get it: Thick, creamy sunscreens aren't for everyone. This SPF serum is super lightweight, though—like, light enough that even sunscreen-haters will feel comfy wearing it daily. Bonus: There's no need to worry about a white cast with this pregnancy-safe sunscreen. It goes on clear and quickly dries down into a velvety finish.

THE REVIEW: "The best natural sunscreen I have used, EVER EVER. This isn't greasy and just disappears into the skin giving sun protection without the feeling of a layer of greasy shiny sunscreen. I will never be without this. I have crazy sensitive skin and this doesn't bother me at all," writes one reviewer.

Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield

There's a reason why pros (including Dr. Gohara) always recommend this brush-on sunscreen—it makes application a total breeze, thanks to the fact that you can easily reapply it throughout the day by quickly dusting it over your face (no makeup removal necessary). Dr. King loves that the brand is non-nano and rich in antioxidants. She prefers the "Deep" shade for darker skin types. TL;DR: This one deserves a regular spot in your pregnancy-safe lineup.

THE REVIEW: "This product is good for giving me much-needed sun protection throughout the day while also powdering my face as the sun eats away at my makeup. It’s easy to use and compact enough to carry around," one tester’s review reads.

Daily SPF Facial Sunscreen Lotion

Zinc oxide is combined with blue phytoplankton (which helps protects against blue light) and microalgae (which shields your skin from pollution and grime) in this ultra-lightweight sunscreen. Smooth it on your face every morning, and you'll be obsessed with how soft and silky your skin feels.

THE REVIEW: "I love that this mineral SPF is creamy and doesn't leave much of a white cast when blended in nicely. I have a caramel skin tone, and this leaves my skin glowy after application and not too matte," writes one tester.

Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30

Yuuup, your lips need sun protection too. The best thing about this pregnancy-safe option is that it's effective with a mild scent (so you won't hate wearing it on your lips), and it's equipped with SPF 30 protection. Heads up that it goes on a white, but it blends and dries down nicely (hint: a little goes a long way).

THE REVIEW: "Imagine my elation when I found out that not only was it scented, it's like a fruity tropical drink to boot! It's wonderful! Goes on smooth," one reviewer wrote.

Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder

Another area that's often overlooked when it comes to sunscreen? Your scalp, which burns just as easily as the skin on your face, FYI. This pregnancy-safe scalp sunscreen is a powder that's super easy to dab into your hairline (almost like dry shampoo) and it never leaves behind an awkward white cast (score).

THE REVIEW: "It’s easy to apply. It doesn’t leave your hair greasy. I have blonde hair so the tint blends in perfectly. The longest I have been in sun is 45 minutes...so far my scalp has not burned," according to one tester.

Anthelios Body and Face Gentle-Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

If you prefer a one-and-done situation, you can't go wrong with this gentle lotion that's easy to apply to your face and your body. The mineral blockers (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) and fragrance-free formula mean this bb is pregnancy safe, and it leaves your skin with a soft, non-greasy texture that's comfortable for all-day wear. Just don't forget to reapply it every two hours, k?

THE REVIEW: "I bought this particular sunscreen because I was looking for a mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin with high zinc oxide percentage and NO silicone in the ingredients list. I love how the product spread so effortlessly, no gritty, clumps, just smooth like butter on my skin," one tester’s review reads.

What's the best pregancy-safe sunscreen?

All of our experts agree that mineral (aka physical) sunscreens are the way to go if you're pregnant. "In general, I think mineral sunscreens are best for pregnant women, but also feel that for certain skin types (e.g., darker skin types), it may be hard to find a mineral sunscreen that doesn't make you look like Casper the friendly ghost," says Dr. Ip.

So if a pregnant person has a chemical sunscreen that they are extremely fond of, and if they find mineral sunscreens less compatible with their skin, then I recommend that they continue to use their preferred sunscreen," Dr. Ip says. "The rationale here being that any sunscreen use is better than NO sunscreen use."

And in addition to sunscreen, it's also important to cover up your skin—especially in the middle of the day—with a long-sleeve shirt or umbrella too, says Fender.

What to look for in a pregnancy-safe sunscreen:

Here's what to pay attention to:

Choose a formula made without nanoparticles.

"To make mineral sunscreens more cosmetically appealing, the particles can be micronized (made smaller)," says Dr. Ip. "There is still some [discussion] about how small is too small, and whether nanoparticles can again be absorbed by the bloodstream, so I suggest my pregnant patients avoid them."

Avoid irritants, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Because mineral sunscreens don't sink into your skin like chemical sunscreens, they tend to be far less irritating and sensitizing. "With mineral sunscreens, you really cut down the potential for any reaction," says Dr. Gohara. Dr. Ip agrees, "If you have sensitive skin, stick to mineral sunscreens; If you have allergies, stick to mineral sunscreens." "I also suggest pregnant people avoid any fragrances—you want to keep it as simple as possible," Dr. Gohara adds. Fender agrees too, adding that "from a holistic perspective, the fewer ingredients and the more natural, the better when pregnant."

Opt for a tinted formula.

Tinted sunscreens often contain ingredients like iron oxide, which can be particularly helpful for anyone dealing with melasma (a form of hyperpigmentation largely caused by hormones that's also called" the mask of pregnancy"), says Dr. Garshick. Iron oxides help protect skin from blue light (which can trigger melasma) and also help camouflage it's appearance.

Meet the experts:

• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan, New York and Clifton, NJ at MDCS Dermatology.

• Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, is a dermatologist and CEO of Vibrant Dermatology and Skin Bar MD in Boston, MA.

• Mona Gohara, MD, is a dermatologist and associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine practicing in Hamden, CT, and Branford, CT.

• Hadley King, MD, is a dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology in New York, NY.

• Tammy Fender is a holistic healer and celebrity esthetician based in South Florida.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skin stories that range from the best retinol eye creams to the best lasers for acne scars. She regularly works with the industry’s top dermatologists and aestheticians to assess new pregnancy-safe sunscreens and skincare brands.

Katherine J Igoe is a contributing editor at Cosmopolitan, and has eleven years of experience as a freelancer—with nearly five of those years writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, including stretch mark creams and water-resistant sunscreens. Her pregnancy-safe sunscreen picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts.

You Might Also Like

• Here’s What NOT to Wear to a Wedding

• Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You’ll Ever Try