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.
Today is about moisturizers because winter is here! And if you have dry or very dry skin, you may need to up your game to escape the stretchy feel or the flaky skin. A basic moisturizer is non-negotiable, no matter your skin type, and winter makes it even more crucial.
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 one single product as I did with 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 creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss. And thus, you will see more moisturizers for dry skin with petrolatum in them as a key ingredient than you would see in ones meant for oily skin types.
Just make sure it’s ‘fully refined’ or ‘white petroleum’, as unrefined petroleum jelly has toxins that make it unsafe to use.
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 the ingredient list may also vary by country. Hence, always check the ingredient list before using any product.
Best Petrolatum-Based Moisturizer for Dry or Very Dry Skin
Some of these products have propylene glycol in them, which, as used in cosmetics, is pregnancy safe. However, due to the preference of many to avoid this in their cosmetics, I have mentioned whether the said product does or does not contain propylene glycol.
Amazon Basics White Petroleum Jelly
- 100% petrolatum
- Helps protect very dry and chapped skin
- Comparable with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
Amazon Essentials Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream
- 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
Aveeno Skin Relief Intense Moisture Repair
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Non greasy
- With shea butter and non-GMO oats
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- No propylene glycol
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm
- Petrolatum percentage not specified
- Ultra soothing and relieves itching
- Steroid free
- Non greasy
- No propylene glycol
- 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
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin
- Petrolatum percentage not specified.
- 48 hours of hydration.
- Restores skin barrier
- With glycerin, niacinamide, and pathenol.
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- Contains propylene glycol
Curel Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion for Extra Dry Skin (fragrance-free)
- 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
Best Non-Petrolatum-Based Moisturizer for Dry or Very Dry Skin
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
- With oat and shea butter
- Non greasy
- Labelled non-comedogenic
- With organic oils (rose, seabuck thorn, rose) and beeswax
- Certified Organic
- Cruelty free
- Woman-owned and solar-powered business
- With squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid
- Rich cream texture
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance
- With hyaluronic acid and a prebiotic complex
- Supports skin barrier
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream
- 24-hour moisture for chronically dry skin, compromised barrier, or mature skin
- With butterlipd complex, zinc and copper gluconates
- Free of silicon and essential oils
Honest Beauty Deep Hydration Face Cream
- With shea butter
- Labeled non-comedogenic
- Cruelty free
- Light texture
- With squalane, glacial glycoproteins, pro-ceramides
- Hydrates and repairs the skin barrier
- With shea butter, vitamin B5, madecasosside
- Contains dimethicone
- Cream texture with matte finish
- No propylene glycol
Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
- With reishi mushroom, dipeptide, and lipids
- Labelled non-comedogenic
- No artificial dyes
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This post is in collaboration with Amazon, but all the product choices and opinions are my own.
