Pregnancy safe skincare can be super difficult and confusing. I have an entire guide devoted to what products are safe to use while pregnant including information on what ingredients to avoid while pregnant and a huge list of pregnancy safe skincare products. The list has gotten so large that I’ve decided to start listing brands in their own individual posts.
Here you’ll find every pregnancy safe skincare product from SkinCeuticals as of 4/7/2019. If it is not safe, I’ll tell you why. All of the products meet my pregnancy safe criteria. If they release a new product that is not listed here, please comment below and I will add it. Note I will link to every product directly to avoid confusion. You’ll know exactly which product I mean.
Please note, it can take up to an hour to review the ingredient lists of each product. I review with my own list of pregnancy safe criteria. I obtain my ingredient lists from the brands and major retailers (typically Nordstrom and Sephora), and I review the US versions. Please do not ask me to re-review the same products over and over, I do not have the time to do so, and many people have been rude about this. For more brands, please head over to the list of pregnancy safe products.
Pregnancy Safe Products from SkinCeuticals
• A.G.E. Eye Complex
• Antioxidant Lip Repair
• AOX+ Eye Gel
• Biocellulose Restorative Masque
• Body Retexturing Treatment
• C E Ferulic
• Clarifying Clay Masque
• Daily Moisture
• Epidermal Repair
• Equalizing Toner
• Eye Cream
• Hydra Balm
• Hydrating B5 Gel
• Hydrating B5 Masque
• Metacell Renewal B3
• Micro-Exfoliating Scrub
• Phloretin CF
• Phloretin CF Gel
• Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50
• Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50
• Phyto Corrective Gel
• Phyto Corrective Masque
• Redness Neutralizer
• Renew Overnight Dry
• Renew Overnight Oily
• Replenishing Cleanser
• Resveratrol B E
• Serum 10 AOX+
• Serum 15 AOX+
• Serum 20 AOX+
• Simply Clean
• Soothing Cleanser
• Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Not Safe for Pregnancy, Ok for Nursing
• Advanced Pigment Corrector: Salicylic Acid
• A.G.E. Interrupter: Salicylic Acid
• Blemish + Age Defense: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid
• Body Tightening Concentrate: Salicylic Acid
• C + AHA: Glycolic Acid
• Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• Conditioning Toner: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• Face Cream: Salicylate
• Gentle Cleanser: Glycolic Acid
• Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier: Licorice Root, Salicylic Acid
• LHA Cleanser Gel: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• LHA Toner: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid
• Light Moisture UV Defense SPF 50: Salicylate, Chemical Sunscreens
• Neck, Chest & Hand Repair: Salicylic Acid
• Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50: Salicylate
• Purifying Cleanser: Glycolic Acid
• Retexturing Activator: Glycolic Acid
• Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50: Salicylate
• Sport UV Defense SPF 50: Salicylate, Chemical Sunscreen
• Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30: Chemical Sunscreen
Not Safe for Pregnancy or Nursing
Note I’m including products with retinoids here, as those are a bit iffy. It depends on how conservative you want to be while nursing (still absolutely contraindicated while pregnant). Refer to my post on ingredients to avoid while nursing for more discussion.
• Discoloration Defense: Kojic Acid
• Emollience: Retinoid
• Eye Balm: Retinoid
• Phyto Plus: Kojic Acid
• Retinol 0.3: Retinoid
• Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream: Retinoid
• Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream: Retinoid
lpg says
April 30, 2019 at 3:56 pmSkinCeuticals
Renew Overnight Oily (2 fl oz.)
Is this ok…even though the key ingredients below say glycolic acid?
Thank you!!!
Key Ingredient(s): Herbal Extracts, Malic Acid, Squalane Oil, Essential Oils, Vitamin E, Dimethicone, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid
Ingredients
aqua / Water / Eau, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Vaccinium Myrtillus Extract, Stearic Acid, Squalene, Saccharum Officinarum Extract / Sugar Cane Extract / Extrait De Canne A Sucre, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Extract / Orange Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract / Lemon Peel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acer Saccharinum Extract / Sugar Maple Extract, Methylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange) Oil, Ci 17200 / Red 33, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben
15mins says
May 1, 2019 at 10:21 amThis was one of the products I had trouble with because it sure does say glycolic acid and malic acid in the key ingredients (I was looking on Derm store too) and neither are listed in the full ingredient list. I believe they’re referring to natural sources in the extracts, which isn’t regarded as enough to be unsafe and we ignore them. So I put it under safe 🙂
Robyn Leigh says
May 31, 2019 at 11:00 pmI was told glycolic acid is safe during pregnancy by a derm and ob
15mins says
June 1, 2019 at 7:50 amAll of the OBs I’ve talked to consider it something to avoid as it is highly absorbed (28% of topical glycolic acid in studies is absorbed systemically). There more discussion in my post on ingredients to avoid during pregnancy. As there isn’t hard data on safety the recommendation to avoid is made based on the absorption and some are more conservative than others. Note, I do list it in each product that has it, so if you feel comfortable with the ingredient that’s a decision you can make on your own.
JoJo says
July 18, 2019 at 1:50 amI was told Kojic Acid is safe to use during pregnancy and it can replace retinol products in brightening complexion.
15mins says
July 18, 2019 at 5:44 pmKojic acid can brighten the skin, but it is considered like hydroquinone and to be avoided during both pregnancy and nursing.
Farris Walling says
November 29, 2019 at 1:31 pmHello,
I’m also seeing lots of recommendation to use Kojic Acid while pregnant. Are you sure it’s on the not safe list?
15mins says
November 29, 2019 at 2:00 pmAll of the OBs I’ve talked to feel wary enough about it that they lump it together with other skin lighteners. A bit more in this post: skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, and info on how I add ingredients to the list a bit in this post: pregnancy beauty FAQ
There really isn’t safety data for that ingredient either way. I’m a pediatrician so very biased to the conservative side, but my feeling is why risk issues in your baby for slightly lighter skin for a few months? Especially when Vitamin C, which we know is safe, arguably works better anyways?
Natalie says
July 22, 2019 at 4:08 amHello,
I was just wonder why the equalizing toner from skinceuticles is on your safe list when it contains glycolic acid?
Is glycolic safe?
15mins says
July 22, 2019 at 11:31 amThat’s one of the instances in which the key ingredients listed aren’t correct, and likely refer to the acid being in one of the extracts. If you look at the complete list of ingredients you’ll see glycolic acid isn’t listed as an ingredient. There’s more about this in my pregnancy beauty FAQ.
Samantha says
July 29, 2019 at 7:26 amFirst, really appreciate what you have done here. I use the daily moisturizer and it is on your list of OK to use, however I was looking at the ingredients and retinyl palmitate is listed as an ingredient. From what I can tell based on limited research this is a form of Vitamin A (Retinol). What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Samantha
15mins says
July 29, 2019 at 12:53 pmAre you looking on the packaging? I’ve only seen the list of ingredients here, which is the product I’ve screened. It doesn’t have a retinoid. Note products sometimes change formulations or may vary by country. There are also sometimes very similar products with different names.
Liz says
August 1, 2019 at 12:07 amHi, i was wondering about the Clarifying Clay Masque which is on your safe list. It is marketed as a purifying mask with 5% hydroxy acid blend, noting key ingredients as Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Lactic Acid, Essential Oils, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Aloe Vera, Herbal Extracts, Glycolic Acid, Malic Acid. They appear to be listed as extracts rather than stand alone acids so am confused why it’s on the safe list if Glycolic etc are considered unsafe. Ingredients list is below:
aqua / Water / Eau, Kaolin, Bentonite, Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol Ceteareth-20, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil / Sunflower Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract / Sugar Cane Extract / Extrait De Canne A Sucre, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water / Orange Fruit Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract / Lemon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharinum Extract / Sugar Maple Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil / Rosemary Leaf Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract / Cucumber Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Curcuma Longa Extract / Turmeric Root Extract, Sclareolide, Rosa Spp / Rose Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Extract / Jasmine Extract
15mins says
August 1, 2019 at 4:23 pmThey aren’t listed in the actual ingredient list, they call them out as “key” ingredients as if they are there in large amounts. But they’re so little in extracts that we ignore them in there. Glycolic and Malic acid, if in high enough amounts and added on their own and therefore in the ingredient list, are ones I do recommend avoiding. But in extracts like this they’re not of concern.
Liz says
August 2, 2019 at 9:25 amThanks very much for the detailed explanation, your website is so helpful.
Annie says
September 3, 2019 at 4:36 pmCan you let me know if this product safe to use: Zn20 + SPF40 Light Moisturizer
Ingrediants:
Active Ingredients: 20% Zinc Oxide. Inactive Ingredients: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Methicone, Microcrystalline Wax, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Stearyl Dimethicone, Tetrahexadecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
15mins says
September 3, 2019 at 5:04 pmLooks ok to me
Hilda Engstrand says
October 23, 2019 at 5:59 amThis is the Ultra Facial Defense spf 50+ from Skinceuticals, sold in Europe:
Aqua, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat, Pentylene Glycol, Terephalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Aluminium Hydroxide, Tromethane, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Is it safe? Thanks so much, love your website.
15mins says
October 23, 2019 at 9:12 pmThis has chemical sunscreens, ok for nursing but not pregnancy
Erika says
October 24, 2019 at 3:25 pmHi,
On the Skinceuticals website it says that their Simply Clean cleanser has exfoliating hydroxy acids which I thought were not safe in pregnancy? Would you be able to advise? Below are the ingredients listed on their website:
Aqua/Water
Glycerin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Propylene Glycol
Cocamide MEA
Phenoxyethanol
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Benzoate
Caprylyl Glycol
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Saccharum Officinarum Extract/Sugar Cane Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water/Orange Fruit Water
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract/Lemon Fruit Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil/Orange Peel Oil
Limonene
Acer Saccharinum Extract/Sugar Maple Extract
Aloe Barbadenis Extract/Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Extract/Matricaria Flower Extract
Sodium Hydroxide
15mins says
October 24, 2019 at 7:27 pmThey’re included in the extracts, which don’t count for pregnancy safety as the concentration is so low. This list is fine
Anna says
October 29, 2019 at 1:23 pmHi there,
Struggling to find a pregnancy safe sunscreen in Europe. In Europe they sell the sunscreen MINERAL MATTE UV DEFENSE SPF 30:
Dimethicone
Titanium Dioxide [Nano]/Titanium Dioxide
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Dicaprylyl Ether
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Triethylhexanoin
Isohexadecane
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Aluminum Hydroxide
Stearic Acid
CI 77491
CI 77492
CI 77499/Iron Oxides
Aluminum Stearate
Silica Silylate
Alumina
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
PEG-8 Laurate
Aqua/Water
Laureth-4
Disodium Stearoyl
Glutamate
Tocopherol
Would this be safe? Thanks!!
15mins says
October 29, 2019 at 2:23 pmIf this is the entire ingredient list then it looks fine
Anna says
October 30, 2019 at 7:12 amFab thank you!!
Erika says
October 29, 2019 at 3:30 pmHi,
I’ve just purchased Simply Clean cleanser from Skinceuticals and looked at the ingredients listed on the packaging and it seems different to the ones listed on their website. I wonder if it’s still ok to use, please advise. Below are the ingredients on the product:
Aqua/water
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Glycerin
Acrylates Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Sodium Chloride
Propylene Glycol,
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid,
Phenoxyethanol
Sodium Hydroxide
Disodium EDTA,
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis oil/orange peel oil,
Limonene,
Aloe Barbadensis Extract/Aloe Barbadendsis leaf extract,
Chamomilla Recutita Extract/Matricaria Flower Extract,
Citric Acid
Thank you in advance.
15mins says
October 29, 2019 at 8:00 pmThis looks ok!
Marissa says
November 2, 2019 at 4:53 pmHello!
First I wanted to say thank you so much for sharing so much information with us all. I appreciate it so much!
I had a question about what you said about the Emollience having retinoid in it. I use this product and am not yet pregnant but am trying so I am switching any products out that I need to. I was looking through the ingredients and didn’t see Retinoid in it so I wasn’t sure if I was looking at it wrong or it was called something else? Thank you so much for your help!
aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Sesamum Indicum Oil / Sesame Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil / Grape Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter / Mango Seed Butter, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Caprylic/capric Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract / Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Algae Extract, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract / Bitter Cherry Fruit Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Extract / Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil / Lavender Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil / Rosemary Leaf Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil / Apricot Kernel Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil / Peppermint Oil, Linalool, Mentha Piperita Extract / Peppermint Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract
15mins says
November 2, 2019 at 6:06 pmI have Emollience in my beauty closet and mine has a retinoid, but this list doesn’t. If you have this list then it is fine for pregnancy and nursing 🙂
Staci says
November 6, 2019 at 12:40 pmIs there any actual data regarding safety of kojic acid? Or is it lumped into unsafe category because it is a skin lightener? I have not been able to find any concrete data online – though many sites do say avoid in pregnancy/ breastfeeding.
What do you think about jessner peels while breastfeeding?
Thanks!
15mins says
November 10, 2019 at 7:54 pmI don’t know about Jessner Peels, as there are a lot of different brands and it depends on the brand.
There’s no data specifically for Kojic Acid, but as it works via the same pathways as hydroquinone (which does have data), it is recommended to avoid. Vitamin C also helps to lighten but is safe, so it isn’t just skin lighteners.
Fabiana says
November 12, 2019 at 3:16 pmHello,
I’m not pregnant yet, but I want this to happen at the next ovulation (within 10 days). Currently I’m using Glycolic Acid 10 Renew SkinCeuticals. Can I continue using and discontinue only when I am pregnant or should I cancel immediately? Is there any remnant of the product in our body?
15mins says
November 17, 2019 at 7:21 amI’d stop as soon as you start trying. We recommend behaving is if you’re pregnant as soon as you start trying to conceive
Nika says
November 19, 2019 at 5:36 pmI was wondering why the Retexturing Activator is on the list as having glycolic acid and not safe for pregnancy? I can’t find glycolic acid on the ingredient list on the website or on the packaging. Ingredients are as follows:
25% Hydroxyethyl Urea/Aminosulfonic Acid, Kombucha, Hyaluronic Acid
aqua / Water / Eau, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/xylinum/ Black Tea Ferment, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, D42446/2
15mins says
November 19, 2019 at 8:59 pmHmmm….. I thought for sure it had it in there, maybe there was a change? That list looks fine to me!
Nika says
November 19, 2019 at 6:09 pmI wanted to double check the Soothing Cleanser, as I believe on the packaging there’s an extra ingredient compared to dermstore:
KEY INGREDIENTS
Sorbitol Glycerin Orchid extract Cucumber extract Amino acid-based surfactant system
aqua / water / eau, sorbitol, glycerin, sodium cocoyl glycinate, peg-8, hexylene glycol, coco-betaine, sodium, hydroxide, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, disodium edta, sodium chloride, orchis mascula extract, cucumis sativus fruit extract / cucumber fruit extract
15mins says
November 19, 2019 at 8:51 pmLooks ok