The best pregnancy-safe moisturizers for dry to very dry skin: petrolatum-based and petroleum-free picks for a barrier that stays hydrated.
Navigating pregnancy-safe skincare can be complicated, but as a medical doctor with a focus on cosmetic ingredient safety, I’ve simplified the search for you. Visit my Skincare During Pregnancy: Begin Here guide for a full index of ingredient safety reviews, pregnancy and IVF-safe recommendations, and doctor-vetted product guides.
Today is about moisturizers. A basic moisturizer is non-negotiable, no matter your skin type. If you look up “pregnancy-safe moisturizer,” there are so many options to choose from, which makes it overwhelming, exactly what I went through during my pregnancy.
These posts on pregnancy-friendly moisturizers are something I prize and value above many of my other recommendations, as I don’t think I spent as much time looking for any single product as I did for a basic moisturizer.
This post features two types of best moisturizers for pregnancy: petrolatum-based and non-petrolatum-based.
If you are wondering, petrolatum (or petroleum jelly) is safe while pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is also a very effective moisturizer for dry skin, as it forms a protective barrier that helps prevent moisture loss. And thus, you will see more moisturizers for dry skin with petrolatum as a key ingredient than you would in those meant for oily skin types.
Just make sure it is “fully refined” or “white petroleum,” as unrefined petroleum jelly has toxins that make it unsafe to use.
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Clean and Conscious
What these recommendations avoid
As always, all my pregnancy recommendations (at the time of writing) are free of:
Parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and benzophenone 3 (also known as oxybenzone). All four are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and the reproductive and other biological processes 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 skin becomes more sensitive due to hormonal changes.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers. These have been linked to cancer and are also known skin irritants.
Retinoids. These vitamin A derivatives can cause abnormalities in multiple organ systems.
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. Always check the ingredient list before using any product.
Looking for a complete regimen? If you need help layering your products, check out my step-by-step Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine for Dry Skin (Under $50) to keep your skin barrier completely hydrated on a budget.
The Picks
Best petrolatum-based moisturizers for dry or very dry skin
Some of these products have propylene glycol in them, which, as used in cosmetics, is pregnancy-safe. However, since many people prefer to avoid it in their cosmetics, I have noted whether each product does or does not contain propylene glycol.
- 100% petrolatum
- Helps protect very dry and chapped skin
- Comparable with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Not tested on animals
- Compares well with Cetaphil moisturizing cream
- No propylene glycol
- 30% petrolatum
- With avocado oil and shea butter
- Non-sticky
- Easy, mess-free usage
- No propylene glycol
*A favorite: this is always in my bag and perfect for top-ups on the go.
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Non-greasy
- With shea butter and non-GMO oats
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- No propylene glycol
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Ultra-soothing and relieves itching
- Steroid-free
- Non-greasy
- No propylene glycol
*My go-to when my kid has eczema flare-ups, and perfect if you suffer from dry skin with eczema.
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- With ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Controlled release for all-day hydration
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- No propylene glycol
- 71.5% petrolatum
- Soothes extremely dry skin, cracked heels, hands, lips, and chafing skin
- No propylene glycol
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- 48 hours of hydration
- Restores skin barrier
- With glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- Contains propylene glycol
*A personal favorite: this is the one I use in winters, and the only moisturizer rich enough for me to use with a topical retinoid (not pregnancy safe).
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- With ceramide complex
- Non-greasy and fast-absorbing
- No propylene glycol
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- Labeled gluten-free
- Free of botanical extracts
- Contains propylene glycol
The Picks
Best non-petrolatum-based moisturizers for dry or very dry skin
- With oat and shea butter
- Non-greasy
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- With organic oils (rose, sea buckthorn) and beeswax
- Certified organic
- Cruelty-free
- Woman-owned and solar-powered business
- With squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
- Rich cream texture
- With hyaluronic acid and a prebiotic complex
- Supports skin barrier
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- 24-hour moisture for chronically dry skin, a compromised barrier, or mature skin
- With a butter-lipid complex, zinc, and copper gluconates
- Free of silicone and essential oils
- With shea butter
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free
- Light texture
- With squalane, glacial glycoproteins, and pro-ceramides
- Hydrates and repairs the skin barrier
- With shea butter, vitamin B5, and madecassoside
- Contains dimethicone
- Cream texture with a matte finish
- No propylene glycol
- With reishi mushroom, dipeptide, and lipids
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- No artificial dyes
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is petroleum jelly (petrolatum) safe to use during pregnancy?
Yes, petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly, is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also a very effective moisturizer for dry skin, since it forms a protective barrier that helps prevent moisture loss, which is why you will see it in more dry-skin moisturizers than in those meant for oily skin.
What should I check on the label before using a petrolatum-based product?
Make sure it is labeled “fully refined” or “white petroleum.” Unrefined petroleum jelly contains toxins that make it unsafe to use.
Is propylene glycol safe in a pregnancy moisturizer?
Yes. Some of the picks in this post contain propylene glycol, and as used in cosmetics, it is pregnancy-safe. Since many people still prefer to avoid it, each product in this post is noted as containing it or not.
What ingredients do these moisturizer recommendations avoid?
All the recommendations in this post are free of parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and benzophenone 3, added artificial fragrance, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, and retinoids.
Do I still need to check the ingredient list myself?
Yes. Companies frequently change their formulas, and ingredient lists can vary by country, so it’s important to check the ingredient list before using any product, even one recommended here.
Sponsored post: This post is in collaboration with Amazon, but all the product choices and opinions are my own. See our disclosure.
Questions about moisturizing dry skin in pregnancy?
If you would like a quick, doctor-vetted review of a moisturizer’s ingredient list, or help choosing a rich option for dry to very dry skin, I would love to help.
