Pregnancy-Safe Skincare: Skincare Swaps to Keep Your Glow

by Vulette Haines January 6, 2025

Newly pregnant and wondering how to adjust your skincare routine without losing your glow?

Pregnancy is a time of change - not just for your body, but for your skincare as well. With certain ingredients not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, it’s essential to reevaluate your routine and make safe swaps that still deliver results.

How I Switched Up My Skincare Routine for Pregnancy Without Compromising Results

This being my second pregnancy, I knew exactly what I needed to change in my skincare routine to keep it both effective and pregnancy-safe. Having learned from experience, I approached this journey with a clear plan: swap out products with potentially harmful ingredients, introduce gentler alternatives, and stick with staples that I trust.

Here were my three key focuses:

1. Remove harmful ingredients like retinol and high-dose salicylic acid.
2. Avoid potentially irritating ingredients that might trigger sensitivity.
3. Keep my skin hydrated and balanced to (hopefully) avoid unwanted breakouts.

With these priorities in mind, I’ve managed to maintain glowing, healthy skin through this exciting (and tiring!) time—proving that a few mindful changes can make all the difference.

Swap #1: Multi Fruit Acid Serum → Brightening Correction Peel

Reason for this swap: Salicylic Acid

I had been using the Clear Skin Multi Fruit Acid Serum as a gentle exfoliant to resurface my skin and keep it clear. However, during pregnancy, BHAs (Salicylic Acid) can sometimes be too harsh for sensitive, hormonal skin. Instead, I switched to the Brightening Correction Peel—an AHA/PHA peel that boosts radiance and curbs congestion without exfoliating too deeply into the skin. This helps keep my skin glowing, breakout-free and even-toned.

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Swap #2: Vitamin C Pro Super Serum → Vitamin C Ultra Serum

Reason for this swap: Needed a more gentle Vitamin C option

Vitamin C is a great ingredient for brightening and protecting the skin from environmental damage. However, during pregnancy, I wanted a gentler version. I swapped the potent Vitamin C Pro Super Serum for the Vitamin C Ultra Serum, which still delivers that brightening boost while being milder - safe for any possible skin sensitivity that pregnancy can cause. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for dull skin.

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Swap #3: Retinol Oil → Rebalancing Oil

Reason for this swap: Retinol / Vitamin A

Retinol is a big no-no during pregnancy because it can be harmful to the developing baby. I used to rely on Retinol Oil to smooth fine lines and boost cell turnover, but I had to find a safer alternative. I switched to the Rebalancing Face Oil, which is packed with anti-ageing ingredients such as bakuchiol, CoQ10 as well as calming Jojoba Oil and Hemp Seed Oil. It helps balance oil production and keep my skin soothed as well as helping fight the signs of ageing.

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Products I Continued to Use

Not all products had to go! Some of my trusted skincare staples were already safe for pregnancy and worked well in maintaining my skin’s health throughout this journey.

Age Reversal Eye Treatment Gel

Formulated with ceramides and peptides, making it safe and effective for reducing puffiness and fine lines without the use of retinoids.

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Hydrating Gel Cream

This daily moisturiser was already fragrance-free and packed with nourishing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It provides intense hydration for my super dry pregnancy-skin, felt light and dewy and gave my complexion that much-needed plumpness. Definitely a corner stone in my routine.

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Resurfacing Micro Dermabrasion Facial Exfoliating Scrub Scrub

Glycolic Acid may be too strong for some sensitive skin during pregnancy, but I felt I still needed a scrub every now and then to help remove build up.

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Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+

My favourite $20 SPF has remained a constant, as protecting my skin from sun damage is still super important during pregnancy.

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Bio Vitamin Oil

Pregnancy can lead to dry and itchy skin, so I continued using my body oil rich in natural plant extracts like jojoba and almond oil. It keeps my skin moisturised and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

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Why These Pregnancy Skincare Swaps Matter

Pregnancy can cause skin to react differently to your usual products, with increased sensitivity, dryness, or breakouts being common complaints. So it is important to adjust according to your own skin.

Switching up my routine took a bit of trial and error, but ultimately, I found that it’s possible to have a highly effective skincare routine that’s safe during pregnancy. With these thoughtful product swaps, you don’t have to sacrifice your skin’s health or glow while waiting for your little one to arrive.