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Pregnancy Safe Products from SkinBetter Science

Pregnancy Safe Products from Skin Better Science

Pregnancy safe beauty products 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.

Here you’ll find pregnancy safe products from SkinBetter Science as of 8/25/2021. If it is not safe, I’ll tell you why. All of the products meet my pregnancy safe criteria. Note I will link to every product directly to avoid confusion. You’ll know exactly which product I mean.

Don’t See Your Product? Read This Before You Ask About It…

Please read the Pregnancy Beauty Guide intro first, where you will learn which products you actually need to worry about (spoiler alert, you don’t need to worry about all makeup or hair products). I will not review products that fall into the “don’t worry about it” categories. If you want to ask about a specific product, I require that you follow these guidelines for asking about pregnancy/nursing safety. You can also learn more about how to use these pregnancy safety lists. I will delete questions that don’t follow the guidelines or are rude.

Pregnancy and Nursing Safe Products from SkinBetter Science

Cleansing Gel
Hydration Boosting Cream
Instant Effect Gel EYE
InterFuse® Intensive Treatment LINES
InterFuse® Treatment Cream EYE
InterFuse® Treatment Cream FACE & NECK

Not Safe for Pregnancy, Ok for Nursing

Alto Defense Serum™: Stem Cell (? not 100% sure, but labelled like it), Licorice Root
Detoxifying Scrub Mask: Glycolic Acid
Oxygen Infusion Wash: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid
Solo Hydrating Defense™ MEN: Licorice Root, Stem Cells (Not sure, but labelled like them), Salicylic Acid
sunbetter® SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Compact: Salicylate
sunbetter® SHEER SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick: Salicylate
sunbetter® SHEER SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion: Salicylate
sunbetter® TONE SMART SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact: Salicylate
sunbetter® TONE SMART SPF 75 Sunscreen Lotion: Salicylate
Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment™: Salicylic Acid

Not Safe for Pregnancy or Nursing

AlphaRet® Clearing Serum: Retinoid, Salicylic Acid
AlphaRet® Exfoliating Peel Pads: Retinoid, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid
AlphaRet® Overnight Cream: Retinoid, Glycolic Acid, Licorice Root
EyeMax AlphaRet® Overnight Cream: Retinoid, Gluconolactone
Even Tone Correcting Serum™: Arbutin
Intensive AlphaRet® Overnight Cream: Retinoid, Glycolic Acid, Licorice Root

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About Me

I’m a doctor, a mommy and a bit of a beauty addict. If you let me, I can take 2 hours to get ready in the morning. Really. I'm on a quest for faster beauty that works!

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30 Comments

  1. 9.27.21
    Jaimie said:

    Hi,
    I see that you listed the Interfuse Treatment Eye Cream as safe but it contains a neuro calming peptide which I saw that you mentioned in another post that there isn’t enough research on. So I’m just wondering if this product is actually safe or you are labeling it safe because there isn’t enough research on the neuro peptide?

    • 9.27.21
      Christine said:

      It’s technically safe based on current research, but neuropeptides seem iffy to me since we’re saying they absorb enough to cause effects locally, and how do we know they’re not going systemic and going to baby (they’re definitely going systemic if they’re absorbing deeply enough to cause those local effects). So, technically safe now, it would not surprise me if more evidence comes out at some point to make them considered unsafe.

      • 3.27.24
        Mandy said:

        What about for nursing? Would the neuropeptides be harmful in breastmilk for baby?

        • 3.27.24
          Christine said:

          We don’t think they get secreted across in breast milk, so should be ok for nursing. But also… likely not super effective in skincare, so if you’re worried I would just skp it.

  2. 12.19.21
    Luci said:

    Hi there, Skinbetter has recently added products to their line and I’m specifically wondering if the Techno Neck Perfecting Cream is safe for pregnancy.

    FULL INGREDIENT LIST:
    Aqua/Water, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglycerin-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Gluconate, Arginine, Heptapeptide-7, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 sh-Polypeptide-76, Hydrolyzed Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract, Adenosine, Carnosine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linolenic Acid, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Tocopherol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propanediol, Silica, C9-12 Alkane, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Triheptanoin, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Polyurethane-100, Lecithin, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

    Thank you for all you do! This is impossible to navigate…I’ve tried consulting 2 dermatologists and two REIs and I get conflicting responses.

    • 12.20.21
      Christine said:

      I would avoid this one in pregnancy due to the gluconolactone. Ok for nursing.
      This discussion isn’t 100% relevant, but is pretty similar to why you’re likely getting conflicting responses: Why does X Brand say this product is safe but you don’t think it is safe? (or Vice Versa)

      Note, this isn’t something we have great info on. Some of us in the medical field are more conservative than others (I’m conservative). But…. it’s a neck cream. It’s not something like chemo. There are many other neck creams out there. I would just get a different product. That’s my 2 cents.

  3. 3.31.22
    Stacie said:

    Hi, would you please tell me if the new Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum is pregnancy and nursing safe? Thank you!!

    FULL INGREDIENT LIST:
    Aqua/Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorogenic Acids, Niacinamide, Lauryl Lactate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl Ester, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Carnosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Leaf Cell Extract, Crocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Plankton Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Arginine, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Polyglycerin-3, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextran, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

    • 3.31.22
      Christine said:

      Ok for nursing but not pregnancy due to licorice root, likely stem cells

      • 7.7.22
        Sadia said:

        Christine, which ingredient is questionable for stem cells in this? Thanks much

        • 7.8.22
          Christine said:

          The cell culture extracts, there’s a couple of them

  4. 5.27.22
    belinda said:

    I’m ignorant. Why do you always quote “licorice root” as stem cell. Is that the same? Do their products contain stem cells?

    • 5.27.22
      Christine said:

      I put the “problem” ingredient that put it in that category after each product, there’s a long list of them that are not safe for pregnancy. When something is also not safe for nursing, then I’ll list those ingredients first, followed by the ones that you need to avoid just in pregnancy. Licorice root is extract from licorice, it’s not related to stem cells at all. Discussion on the ingredients to avoid is here: skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

  5. 10.8.22
    DanaB said:

    Hi, doctor! Was wondering if Phytic acid is safe, which in Cleansing Gel?
    I was googlin it and it says to avoid it. Thank you!

    • 10.8.22
      Christine said:

      You can pretty much find info out there about avoiding everything possible, much of which isn’t based on much. It’s not considered an ingredient to avoid by the medical community. My list of ingredients that I screen out is very conservative and it’s here: skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy

      • 10.8.22
        DanaB said:

        Ok, thank you. I purchased it yesterday, but haven’t tried it yet. Pretty much my aesthetician gave me samples of what I can use. It was interfure lines, eyes, which on the list here are listed as safe.
        She also gave me Alto defense serum, which is listed to avoid during pregnancy. It’s just she only mentioned to avoid retinol big time, but nothing about licorice root or willow bark.

  6. 2.18.23
    Stacie said:

    Can you please tell me if the new Alto advanced defense and repair serum is pregnancy and nursing safe? Thank you in advance!

    FULL INGREDIENT LIST:
    Aqua/Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorogenic Acids, Niacinamide, Lauryl Lactate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl Ester, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Carnosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Leaf Cell Extract, Crocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Plankton Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Arginine, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Polyglycerin-3, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextran, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

    • 2.18.23
      Christine said:

      Ok for nursing but not pregnancy due to licorice root, stem cells

  7. 3.9.23
    SY said:

    Hello doctor!
    Is it safe to use skin better even tone correcting serum during pregnancy and nursing? Thank you!
    Aqua/Water, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alpha-Arbutin, Arginine PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ceramide NG, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid.

    • 3.9.23
      Christine said:

      Avoid in both pregnancy and nursing due to arbutin

  8. 3.11.23
    Brandy said:

    Is SkinBetter Techno Neck Perfecting Cream safe when breastfeeding?

  9. 3.16.23
    Janine said:

    Hi Doc! I was wondering if the even tone is now safe for breastfeeding? In the netherlands they told me in the store : yes. But now I question it, because you say no. Is something changed recently in this? Warm regards!!

  10. 5.12.23
    Kristina said:

    Hi! Can you please advise if skinbetters new product is pregnancy safe?

    Mystro Active Balance Serum

    Ingredients:
    Aqua/Water, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Diheptyl Succinate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Panax Notoginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Leaf Cell Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Thioctic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tribehenin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

    • 5.13.23
      Christine said:

      Safe for pregnancy and nursing

  11. 5.19.23
    Brittany said:

    Hi! Is their new product Mystro Active Balance Serum pregnancy safe? Thank you!

    Aqua/Water, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Diheptyl Succinate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Panax Notoginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Leaf Cell Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Thioctic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tribehenin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

    • 5.19.23
      Christine said:

      Safe for pregnancy and nursing

  12. 2.8.24
    Emily P said:

    Hi! What about the new Trio Luxe:

    Aqua/Water, Glycol Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Palmitate/Succinate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Carnosine, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Lecithin, Phytic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triacetin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid.

    Thank you!

    • 2.11.24
      Christine said:

      Safe for pregnancy and nursing