Picking out pregnancy-safe skincare can seem complicated. I have an entire page on pregnancy beauty dedicated to which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or IVF.
Coming to an interesting tidbit: the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) has, for the first time, reported a higher birth rate among women over 40 (4.1%) than among teenagers (4.0%).
As someone who contributed to this statistic, finding pregnancy-safe anti-aging skincare beauty products was something I struggled with, and this post is bringing back all the memories of countless hours of sifting online for one!
Yes, there are pregnancy-safe anti-aging ingredients, and these are:
- Moisturizers (specifically pregnancy-safe moisturizers)
- Sunscreens (Physical- titanium dioxide, zinc oxide)
- Alpha hydroxy acid, low dose
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Peptides
- Vitamin C
I will link the article for those interested in more details here:
Ingredients to use or avoid in antiaging skin care during pregnancy & breastfeeding.
This post offers recommendations for products that combine the above ingredients.
For those wanting to incorporate individual ingredients in their pregnancy safe antigaing skincare regime, here are the relevant links:
- Moisturizer: Dry to very dry skin
- Moisturizer: Oily, acne-prone skin
- Moisturizer: Eczema-prone skin
- Sunscreens
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
All the items listed here are retinol-free anti-aging products.
Retinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy due to reports of fetal malformations.
As always, all my pregnancy recommendations (at the time of writing) are free of:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Triclosan
- Benzophenone 3 (also known as oxybenzone)
All of the above four are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and the reproductive and other biological processes that it regulates. - Added artificial fragrance
Unless specified as phthalate-free, artificial fragrances are a rich source of phthalates. They can also be a skin irritant, especially during pregnancy, when the skin becomes more sensitive due to hormonal changes. - Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers
These have been linked to cancer and are also known skin irritants.
*Always consult your treating doctor before starting any beauty regimen. They are the best people to guide you based on your needs and medical history.
Reminder: Companies frequently change their formulas, and ingredient lists may vary by country. Hence, always check the ingredient list before using any product.
Antiaging Creams- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
- With squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
- Ideal for dry, sensitive skin
- Labeled eczema-friendly
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
- With peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, & hyaluronic acid
- Non comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin types
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Overnight Cream + Mask
- Dual use as a night cream or mask
- With peptides & hyaluronic acid
- For very dry to dry, combination, oily skin types
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream
- With Mandelic acid (AHA) and Cica
- Non comedogenic
- For all skin types
First Aid Beauty- Firming Collagen Cream
- With glycerin, peptides, niacinamide, and collagen
- Gluten and nano-free
- Cruelty-free, vegan
- For dry, normal, & combination Skin
Honest Beauty- Ageless Firm + Smooth Cream
- With polyeptides, hyaluronic acid, collagen and shea butter
- Mineral oil-free
- Vegan, cruelty-free
- For all skin types
Naturium Multi-peptide Moisturizer
- With peptides, vitamin C, & panthenol
- Lightweight feel
- Gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free
- For all skin types
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
- Lightweight, non-greasy gel cream
- With peptides & hyaluronic acid
- Gluten-free, vegan
- For all skin types
Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore
- With ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Non comedogenic
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture
- For dry, dehydrated skin
The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer
- With peptides and shea butter
- Non comedogenic
- Vegan
- Best for dry skin
Antiaging Serums- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Biossance Rapid Plumping Serum
- With copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, & squalane
- Vegan
- For all skin types
- With vitamin C, lactic acid, and glycerin
- Targets fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture
- For all skin types
Honest- Ageless Firm + Smooth Serum
- With polyeptides, hyaluronic acid
- Also has vegan collages and shea butter
- Mineral oil-free
- Vegan, cruelty-free
- For all skin types
Naturium Multi-Peptide Advance Serum
- With copper peptides, ferulic acid, and collagen
- Gluten free
- Vegan, cruelty-free
- For all skin types
Neutrogena Collagen Bank Serum
- With peptides, vitamin C, & 2% PHA
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- For all skin types
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum
- Collagen boosting serum
- With peptides
- Gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free
- For all skin types
Olay Super Serum (fragrance-free)
- With lactic acid, peptides, glycerin, niacinamide, and salicylic acid
- All skin types
Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Serum
- With vitamin C, peptides, ferulic acid, Co-Q10
- For dull, uneven skin tone with signs of aging
- Cruelty-free
The Inkey List Peptide Collagen Serum
- With peptides, collagen, & hyaluronic acid
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- For all skin types
The Ordinary Multipeptide & HA Serum
- With peptides and hyaluronic acid
- Water-based
- Gluten-free, vegan, & cruelty-free
- For all skin types
This post is in collaboration with Amazon, but all the product choices and opinions are my own.
