Skincare During Pregnancy: What to Use and What to Avoid

Pregnancy can trigger or worsen pigmentation, acne, oily skin, hair shedding, rough bumps, and dry cracked heels. The safest approach is to simplify your routine, avoid high-risk actives, and choose targeted ingredients with a better pregnancy-safety profile.

Always check with your dermatologist or obstetrician before starting a new active, especially if you are treating severe acne, melasma, sudden hair loss, eczema, or cracked skin that bleeds.

Hyperpigmentation and melasma

Pregnancy-related pigmentation is common, especially on the face. The focus should be on gentle brightening, pigment control, and daily sun protection.

✅Use: azelaic acid, vitamin C, and dermatologist-approved thiamidol.

❌Avoid: hydroquinone, arbutin, retinoids, and kojic acid during pregnancy.

Recommended products:

• Anua 10% Azelaic Acid

• Eucerin Thiamidol Serum

Azelaic acid is a strong option because it can help with pigmentation, redness, and acne-prone skin. Vitamin C can support brightness and antioxidant protection. Thiamidol may help reduce dark spots, but because pregnancy-specific data is more limited than for azelaic acid and vitamin C, use it only if your dermatologist is comfortable with it.

Acne during pregnancy

Pregnancy acne can be hormonal, inflammatory, or linked to an underlying condition, so do not treat persistent or severe acne blindly.

✅Use: azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid under 2%.

❌Avoid: retinoids, chemical peels, and salicylic acid over 2%.

Recommended step:

• Consult your dermatologist to rule out underlying causes before starting treatment.

Azelaic acid is a good first option for acne with redness or post-acne marks. Benzoyl peroxide can be useful for inflamed breakouts. Salicylic acid should stay low-strength, preferably under 2%, and should not be used over large areas, under occlusion, or as a strong peel.

Hair fall during pregnancy

Hair shedding during pregnancy should be assessed properly, especially if it is sudden, severe, patchy, or associated with fatigue, low iron, thyroid changes, recent illness, or scalp symptoms.

✅Use: non-medicated peptide hair serums.

❌Avoid: minoxidil and finasteride during pregnancy.

Recommended product:

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Hair Serum

A peptide scalp serum can support the appearance of fuller, denser hair without using medicated hair-growth ingredients. It is not a replacement for medical treatment if there is iron deficiency, thyroid disease, alopecia areata, scalp inflammation, or postpartum telogen effluvium.

Chicken skin, cracked heels, and body hyperpigmentation

Rough bumps on the arms or thighs, dry cracked heels, and uneven body tone often need barrier repair more than aggressive exfoliation.

✅Use: urea up to 10%.

❌Avoid: retinol, strong lactic acid, and glycolic acid over 10%.

Recommended product:

• Cetaphil Pro Urea 10% Lotion

Urea up to 10% helps hydrate, soften, and smooth rough skin without relying on retinoids or strong acids. Use it consistently on rough body areas or heels, but avoid applying it to open cuts, bleeding cracks, or irritated skin.

Oily skin during pregnancy

Oily skin can usually be managed with a simple routine: gentle cleansing, light moisturising, and low-strength oil-control ingredients.

✅Use: azelaic acid and salicylic acid under 2%.

❌Avoid: retinoids, chemical peels, and salicylic acid over 2%.

Recommended product:

• CeraVe SA Cleanser

A salicylic acid cleanser can help reduce oiliness and clogged pores while being less intense than a leave-on peel. Start slowly if your skin is sensitive, and moisturise after cleansing to protect the skin barrier.

Pregnancy skincare should be targeted, minimal, and medically cautious. When in doubt, stop the questionable active and ask your dermatologist before continuing.