A Derma’s Guide to Pregnancy Skin Care: What’s Safe and What to Avoid

Pregnancy skin care can often feel complicated. Your hormones are changing rapidly, and your skin is responding—sometimes with breakouts, dark spots, or dryness you've never dealt with before. The products that worked before may not be safe anymore, and making sense of an ingredient list can feel like reading a foreign language.

The good news: you don't need to throw out your entire skin care routine. You just need to know what's on the label. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hazel Hao-Dy explains which ingredients are safe to keep, which ones to swap, and which to drop entirely during pregnancy.

But before you start swapping products, it helps to understand what's actually going on with your skin.

Typical Skin Changes You Might Experience

Your skin does a lot of adjusting when you’re pregnant. Hormonal shifts, physical changes, and increased sensitivity can all show up on your face and body—sometimes all at once. Here are the most common pregnancy skin problems and why they happen.

Acne breakouts happen.

If your skin is suddenly breaking out, hormones are likely the cause. “One of the most common skin issues in pregnancy is acne,” says Dr. Hao-Dy. “The increase in progesterone causes more sebum production, which leads to clogging and breakouts—even if you've never had acne-prone skin before.”

Dark spots and melasma appear.

Hormonal changes don’t just affect oil production—they also trigger hyperpigmentation. Dr. Hao-Dy notes that patients often experience a flare-up in melasma or increased dark spots, commonly appearing on the face, neck, or belly.

Sun exposure makes it worse, which is why sunscreen becomes especially important during this time—and according to Harvard Health Publishing, it’s the major exacerbating factor regardless of the underlying cause.

Stretch marks develop.

As your body grows, your skin stretches—and it can't always keep up. Physical stretching combined with hormonal changes disrupts collagen production, explains Dr. Hao-Dy. The result is stretch marks, most commonly on the stomach, breasts, and thighs. They’re not a sign that anything is wrong; they're just your skin responding to rapid change.

Safe Ingredients for Your Daily Routine

Safe ingredients like Vitamin C, Azelaic Acid, and Niacinamide help manage dark spots and pregnancy hyperpigmentation.

Not every product needs to go. Many effective skin care ingredients are completely safe to use while carrying your baby; you just need to know which ones to reach for. Here’s what Dr. Hao-Dy recommends, grouped by what your skin actually needs.

For dark spots and hyperpigmentation

If skin darkening during pregnancy or melasma is your main concern, Dr. Hao-Dy suggests three pregnancy-safe options: Vitamin C, Azelaic Acid, and Niacinamide. These ingredients brighten and even out skin tone safely. Vitamin C also doubles as an antioxidant, giving your skin added protection against environmental damage.

For Anti-Aging and Gentle Exfoliation

Retinoids are strictly prohibited throughout your pregnancy (more on that later!), but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on smooth, healthy skin. Dr. Hao-Dy recommends AHAs—specifically glycolic acid and lactic acid—for gentle exfoliation. They help with cell turnover, keep dry skin during pregnancy in check, and support an even pregnancy glow without irritating sensitive skin.

For Acne

Salicylic acid isn't completely off-limits—concentration is what matters. Dr. Hao-Dy clarifies that low-dose salicylic acid under 2% is considered safe for managing breakouts during pregnancy.

If you want one ingredient that works harder, Azelaic Acid is also a strong option. It targets acne and hyperpigmentation at the same time, making it especially useful if you're dealing with both.

For Sun Protection

No pregnancy-safe beauty products list is complete without a reliable sunscreen, and mineral formulas are the way to go.

Dr. Hao-Dy recommends sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Unlike chemical sunscreens, these sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays rather than being absorbed into the skin—an important distinction when you’re expecting. Daily sunscreen use helps protect against UV damage and supports a more even skin tone throughout pregnancy.

Skin Care Ingredients to Drop During Pregnancy

Reading the back of the label matters more now than ever. Some ingredients that are perfectly fine outside of pregnancy carry real risks to your little one. Don't use the following ingredients during pregnancy.

Retinoids aren’t safe for your baby.

Dr. Hao-Dy is direct on this one: “Avoid all retinoids—retinol, adapalene, tretinoin.” For pregnant women.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), topical retinoids are a form of vitamin A and belong to the same drug family as isotretinoin. Isotretonoin is a known teratogen that causes severe birth defects, including intellectual disabilities, life-threating heart and brain defects, and other physical deformities.

While topical retinoids are applied to the skin and have lower absorption rates, ACOG recommends avoiding them entirely during pregnancy due to these severe risks. Because these teratogenic chemicals can be found in both prescription treatments and over-the-counter (OTC) products, you must read all skin care labels carefully.

Steer clear of hydroquinone for skin lightening.

Hydroquinone is a common treatment for melasma and dark spots, but it’s unsafe for pregnancy. A 2022 review in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology notes that your body absorbs hydroquinone at a high systemic rate, exposing the fetus to the chemical. So, you need to remove this from your routine while you’re pregnant.

Drop high-dose acne treatments.

Not all acne ingredients are off-limits, but strong chemical formulations are unsafe. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that salicylic acid at concentrations greater than 2% and benzoyl peroxide are ingredients you should avoid—as their safety hasn’t been fully established.

This lines up with Dr. Hao-Dy’s guidance: low-dose salicylic acid under 2% is considered safe for managing breakouts, but stronger formulations like peels or high-percentage spot treatments shouldn’t be used during pregnancy.

Stop using chemical sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreens aren’t definitively dangerous, but they’re not without debate either. A 2020 randomized clinical trial published in JAMA found that six chemical sunscreen ingredients—including avobenzone and oxybenzone—were absorbed into the bloodstream at concentrations that exceeded the FDA's safety threshold after just a single day of use. The study’s authors were clear that this doesn’t mean sunscreens are unsafe—but it does mean more research is needed.

Dr. Hao-Dy recommends erring on the side of caution and switching to a mineral sunscreen in the meantime. When in doubt, check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist before continuing use.

Where to Start if Your Routine Needs an Overhaul

Start your pregnancy skin care overhaul slowly. Swap out your harsh cleansers for gentle, doctor-approved options.

You don’t need to replace everything at once—only those that are harmful to your baby. Then build your pregnancy-safe skin care routine from there.

Identify Your Main Skin Concern First

Is it acne? Dry skin during pregnancy? Dark spots? “It really depends on your skin concern,” says Dr. Hao-Dy. Her advice: identify your biggest issue first, then make one or two targeted swaps from there.

Switch to a Gentle or Hydrating Cleanser

If your skin is getting drier or more sensitive, start here. Swap out any medicated or exfoliating cleanser for a gentle, fragrance-free formula.

Replace Retinoids with a Pregnancy-Safe Alternative

Drop retinoids immediately and replace with one targeted alternative—Vitamin C or Niacinamide for dark spots, AHAs like Glycolic or Lactic Acid help with texture and itchy skin during pregnancy, or Azelaic Acid for acne and hyperpigmentation.

Make Mineral Sunscreen Non-Negotiable

Apply broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide every morning—even indoors. Daily sun protection is especially important because pregnancy can make your skin more prone to discoloration.

When to Call Your Doctor

A good rule of thumb: if you’re unsure about a product, don’t guess. Bring a list of your current skin care products to your next prenatal checkup and go through them with your OB-GYN or dermatologist. This is especially important if you were managing an existing skin condition like melasma or acne that required prescription treatments before pregnancy.

Your doctor can tell you what’s safe to continue and what to change or stop—based on your specific situation, not general advice.

Your Skin Is Changing—Your Routine Should Too

Building a safe pregnancy skin care routine simply means checking your labels and swapping out harsh chemicals for gentle, doctor-approved options. Your skin is adjusting to new hormone levels, so giving it the right support keeps both you and your baby safe.

If updating your bathroom cabinet feels overwhelming, start small. Switch to a mild, fragrance-free cleanser today to soothe any new sensitivities, and review your remaining products during your next prenatal checkup.

Already found pregnancy skin care that works for you? Share your go-to products and tips with other expecting moms in the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group—your experience might be exactly what another mom needs to hear.

About Dr. Hazel Hao-Dy

Dr. Hazel Hao-Dy is a board-certified dermatologist dedicated to helping patients safely manage their skin health. She is an active member of the Philippine Dermatological Society and the Philippine Academy of Dermatologic Surgery Foundation, Inc. Backed by extensive local and international training in clinical and laser surgery, Dr. Hao-Dy currently practices and holds clinic hours at dermHQ and Yssabelle Aesthetics and Wellness.