We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best pregnancy-friendly skincare products to tackle acne, dryness and melasma
For the ultimate pregnancy glow
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
We talk a lot about that pregnancy glow, but less about the skin challenges pregnancy can pose. From acne to eczema and melasma, fluctuating hormones can have a big impact on your skin, so you may want to add some of the best pregnancy safe skincare products to your routine.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know what’s best to use during pregnancy. That’s where the Good Housekeeping Institute comes in – we’ve tried and tested the best cleansers, best moisturisers for sensitive skin, best vitamin C serums and best body scrubs. And we've used all those results to put together a list of products to address the most common skin concerns women experience while expecting, while ensuring they're also pregnancy-friendly, of course.
The best pregnancy-safe skincare
Best body cream for soothing irritated skin
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 300ml
Read review
We’ve also spoken to Dr. Yuliya Krasnaya, specialist dermatologist at Evolution Aesthetics Clinic, to help inform and guide you on all things pregnancy skin.
Why does my skin change during pregnancy?
“Changes to your hormones, circulation, immune system and the increased weight of your growing bump can all affect your skin’s appearance and sensitivity,” says Dr Krasnaya. These are some of the most common skin changes you can experience during pregnancy.
Acne: With a surge in hormones – not unlike what we experience in puberty – that can encourage oil production, it’s not a surprise that breakouts and acne can be common in pregnancy. If this is a concern, head to our top-rated products for blemishes below.
Eczema: While some may find their eczema improves during pregnancy, for others it can worsen, and some can even experience it for the very first time. It causes dry, itchy red skin across areas including the face, wrists, ankles, elbows and knees. This is one for your doctor or dermatologist, but if your skin simply feeling more dehydrated, reach for one of our experts' best body oils.
Melasma: This is a form of hyperpigmentation, sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy” as it can affect up to 50% of pregnant women. It appears as blotchy patches on the face and is triggered by hormonal changes, which cause a temporary increase in melanin production. It usually fades after pregnancy, but if it's a concern, a vitamin C serum can help to brighten the complexion.
Stretch marks: These occur when the skin is stretched, which means that eight out of 10 women can experience them during pregnancy. While there’s no way to eliminate them, hydrating lotions and oils can help to reduce their appearance by evening out skin tone and supporting elasticity. You'll find our top performers below.
What products are good to use during pregnancy?
To keep skin plump and rejuvenated, Dr Krasnaya recommends an extra hydrating daily moisturiser. “Keep your skin hydrated with moisturisers containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid,” she recommends.
And, if you aren't already, ensure you're using a daily SPF 50 on your face, helping to protect against melasma and increased sensitivity to sunlight, which some women experience during pregnancy.
In general, can we assume that most skincare is safe to use during pregnancy?
It’s generally best to keep it simple during pregnancy as, due to hormonal fluctuations, your skin may behave differently to normal. Commonly used ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C, azaleic acid, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid are all considered safe for use during pregnancy.
Can I use retinoids while pregnant?
Most dermatologists wouldn’t recommend using retinoids, a type of vitamin A, during pregnancy. There's no conclusive evidence that they're unsafe; they just haven't been tested on pregnant women. For ultimate peace of mind, they're easily swapped out for the plant-based alternative, bakuchiol, which has the same gene expression as retinol, without running the risk of irritation.
Similarly, due to the lack of studies, some experts recommend caution around oxybenzone, an ingredient used in chemical sunscreens. If you prefer, you can use a mineral sunscreen instead.
How we test
The Good Housekeeping Institute has worked with over 300 panellists to find the top-performing face washes, best moisturisers for sensitive skin, best body scrubs, and best vitamin C serums for different skin concerns. Testers fed back on formulations, scent, texture and packaging, as well as overall performance. They also told us on how effectively the product treated any key skin concerns, such as redness, blemishes, irritation, itchiness, dryness and tightness.
We then pulled out the top-performers for tackling the most common pregnancy skin concerns, and our in-house expert vetted the ingredient lists to narrow down the ones that are also pregnancy-friendly. Read on for their top picks.
Always consult your GP or dermatologist if you have any concerns or questions about which products to use during pregnancy.
Best pregnancy-safe moisturisers
Score: 83/100
Eucerin UltraSensitive Soothing Care is a day and night cream that was developed to provide instant, long-lasting relief for hyper-sensitive skin, making it a good option for those affected by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
It doesn’t contain any fragrance, parabens, alcohol or preservatives, giving you a good dose of moisture without any irritation. Our testers scored it highly for its ability to provide long-lasting hydration and no one reported any reaction to the product, saying it left their skin feeling softer and smoother.
Score 83/100
Formulated to combat dryness and redness, Curél’s lightweight moisturiser uses ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture. As we produce ceramides naturally, this is a good, pregnancy-friendly option. It’s also free from colourants, alcohol and fragrance.
The moisturiser scored joint top in our tests, with our panel saying it helped boost smoothness and provide instant hydration. It’s easy to apply, and our testers said a little went a long way – with any luck, the tub might last for the duration of your pregnancy.
Score: 82/100
Remember those beneficial ceramides we were talking about? Well, this moisturising lotion from CeraVe is packed with them, helping to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier.
It also contains hyaluronic acid, which works to lock in moisture and help boost elasticity, making it a good (and safe) choice for pregnancy.
In our lab tests, this lotion provided instant hydration to skin, which lasted over six hours, while most of the panel said it absorbed quickly and left their skin feeling nourished and soft.
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 300ml
Score: 82/100
Who doesn’t love oats? They’re great in your porridge, and apparently, they’re good for your skin too. They’re used here in the form of colloidal oats, an ingredient rich in nourishing lipids and proteins, which work to hydrate dry, itchy skin – making it a good option for those suffering from eczema (again, check with your doctor first).
Our panel praised this fast-absorbing lotion’s nourishing effects, and no one experienced any irritation. Most said they would continue using it after the trial.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Firm and Replenish Body Serum
Score: 80/100
This Aurelia probiotic body serum scored highest in our tests for its firming properties. Key ingredients include nourishing shea and cocoa butters for instant hydration, and vitamins A, E, D and omega 3 and 6, which help to improve skin elasticity, making it a great option for growing bellies. It also has a soothing rosemary scent.
Testers were asked specifically about this product’s effect on stretch marks, and the majority said they saw a reduction in the appearance of scars and stretch marks after four weeks.
REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream
Score: 77/100
REN has pregnancy-safe skincare at the core of its mission – the brand was born after the founder’s wife experienced skin sensitivity during pregnancy and couldn’t find safe, natural alternatives.
And this day cream from the Evercalm range delivered in our tests. Panellists suffering from irritated or itchy skin said the cooling and hydrating effects of the gel helped eased symptoms. In fact, the majority of our testers said they would swap out their current moisturiser for this REN option going forward.
Best pregnancy-safe skincare for blemishes
Score: 82/100
Much like its simple packaging, this pimple cream from Dr Barbara Sturm is a fuss-free, effective option for targeting blemishes. The stinky-ness of this cream can be attributed to its inclusion of shale oil – a sulphur-derived ingredient that helps to regulate excessive sebum production, which can lead to breakouts.
Our lab test results showed this is great at treating spots, with testers agreeing they saw a reduction in blemishes and redness after use. However, it may be best to approach this intense-smelling option with caution if you’re feeling nauseous...
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser with Niacinamide for Normal to Oily Skin 236ml
Score: 80/100
Like its moisturiser above, CeraVe’s cleanser boasts a pregnancy-friendly list of ingredients, including ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which deliver a gentle, refreshing cleanse.
Most of our testers agreed that this cleanser helped to control excess oil, which is quite common with the surge of hormones during pregnancy, leaving skin feeling restored and blemish free.
Best pregnancy-safe body scrubs
Score: 83/100
Melasma during pregnancy can also leave skin with dry patches. Enter No.7’s Gorgeous Glow Body Scrub, which uses walnut shell, almond oil, argan oil and rosehip seeds to leave your skin as smooth as a baby’s bum. It’s also hypoallergenic, so there’s little risk of further irritation to the affected area.
Our panel liked the long-lasting granules, which allowed thorough scrubbing, helping to remove the dead skin cells and leaving any dry patches feeling wonderfully moisturised.
The verdict on pregnancy-safe skincare
Free from fragrance, parabens, and alcohol, Eucerin’s Ultra-Sensitive Soothing Care night and day cream will keep your skin soft around the clock, without any irritation.
Experiencing some pregnancy pimples? Then pop on some of Dr Barbara Sturm’s Stinky Pimple Treatment, which works to regulate excessive oil that can cause breakouts.
Treat any dry patches with No7’s Gorgeous Glow Body Scrub, which gently lifts dead skin cells and leaves skin feeling soft.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
For over 100 years, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been trying and testing thousands of products to help readers make the right purchase. From the best fake tans to the best neck creams for firming and the best highlighters for a gorgeous glow, our team of specialist testers and writers know a thing or two about what makes a great skincare or makeup staple.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, worked closely with the testing team and spoke to dermatologists to bring you the best pregnancy skincare for every concern and budget. Her write-ups are informed by rigorous lab testing, overseen by Maria Kumar, our beauty testing manager. Maria develops strict protocols to assess each product against, and analyses the ingredient lists to ensure they’re pregnancy safe.
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
Best curling wands, tongs and wavers
Best Merit beauty products, according to editors
The GHI's best ever beauty tools revealed
10 best collagen supplements to buy now
