My Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine & Feeling Like Myself Again

Trigger warning: This post contains brief mentions of pregnancy loss.

TL;DR: 

I was thoughtful about skincare during my first pregnancy, but after two miscarriages, I brought an extra layer of caution to my second. I focused on keeping things simple, safe, and pregnancy-friendly: gentle cleansers, brightening serums, mineral SPF, and a pared-back nighttime lineup. Here’s what worked—and what I avoided.

Pregnancy after loss is complicated. You’re grateful, terrified, protective, and (if you’re anything like me) clinging to anything that makes you feel like yourself. Skincare may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but it gave me a sense of normalcy when everything else felt fragile. It was a ritual I could still control, still enjoy, and still turn to on the days I felt overwhelmed or disconnected from my body.

So when I got that positive test after two miscarriages, I didn’t overhaul everything, I simplified. I tried to stop worrying about my aging skin and pigmentation (key word: try) and adopted a routine that felt safe, grounding, and maybe even slightly indulgent. Something that reminded me I was still me, as I navigated this new (and honestly kind of scary) chapter.

The Ground Rules: What to Avoid While Pregnant

There’s no universal standard, but here are the most commonly flagged ingredients during pregnancy—and why they matter:

• Retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives) Examples: Tretinoin, Differin (adapalene), Retinol, Linked to potential birth defects when taken orally; generally advised against topically during pregnancy.

• Salicylic Acid (in high concentrations) Examples: Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant, Clean & Clear acne cleansers, Low concentrations in cleansers (<2%) may be OK, but higher strengths or leave-on treatments are best avoided.

• Benzoyl Peroxide Found in many acne treatments like Proactiv and Neutrogena spot treatments Limited safety data, so most OBs recommend skipping it.

• Hydroquinone A skin lightener often used for pigmentation Example: Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum Absorbs at high levels and lacks solid pregnancy safety data.

• Essential Oils Watch for: clary sage, rosemary, peppermint, cinnamon Some can trigger uterine contractions or skin sensitivity. Always check your labels—natural doesn’t always mean gentle.

• Chemical Sunscreens Ingredients to avoid: avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate I switched to mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead.

👉 As always, check with your OB or dermatologist. This is just what worked for me.

AM Routine

1. Splash of Cold Water + Facial Mist I love starting the day with a splash of cold water—no cleanser. Then a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir for a little spa moment. Dreamy. Since my PM routine during pregnancy wasn't filled with actives, I loved keeping this first step simple!

2. Serums

• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum – a gentler vitamin C alternative that helps brighten and even tone

• NEOGEN H2 Dermadeca Serum Spray – contains vitamin C and centella; calming and hydrating

3. Eye Creams

• Elensilia CPP Collagen 80 Eye Cream – hydrating and non-irritating

• Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream – includes niacinamide for a brightening boost

4. Moisturizer

• Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream – lightweight and nourishing

• Weleda Skin Food Day Cream – The lightweight, face-friendly sister to the cult-classic Skin Food

5. Sunscreen

• Caudalie Vinosun Protect Brightening Mineral SPF 50 Zinc-based, fragrance-free, and packed with niacinamide. No white cast—just glow.

PM Routine

1. Double Cleanse

• Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil or Prequel Oil Cleanser

• Followed by Neogen Real Fresh Foaming Cleanser

2. Treatment (Pigmentation & Fine Lines)

• Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum – brightens gently with licorice root

• Or: NEOGEN Bakuchiol Serum – a pregnancy-safe retinol alternative. Not as strong, but a gentle and effective option

3. Eye Cream

• Biossance Marine Algae Eye Cream – lightweight, hydrating, and soothing

4. Moisturizer / Overnight Mask

• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask – an MVP, not just for flights; hydrates, soothes, and doubles as an overnight mask.

• Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask – antioxidant-rich, works beautifully after vitamin C in the AM or as a nourishing night treatment.

5. Facial Oil/Barrier-Boosting Hydrator (optional)

• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane – technically not a traditional “oil,” but acts like one as the last step. Locks in moisture and strengthens the skin barrier.

Body Care During Pregnancy

Because your belly deserves all the love and attention too!

• Body Wash: Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash – nourishing and spa-like

• Moisturizer: Weleda Skin Food Body Butter – thick, rich, and made for dry, stretching skin

• Stretch Mark Cream: TriLASTIN Maternity Stretch Mark Prevention Cream – hands down the best I’ve used. I stayed stretch-mark-free through both pregnancies.

Final Thoughts

My second pregnancy, after two losses, changed a lot about how I approached skincare… and honestly, everything else too. I wasn’t trying to protect some old routine or preserve a version of myself; I was focused on feeling safe in my body again—and keeping my baby safe in said body.

So I scaled things back (which, for me, is saying something) and let go of the pressure to chase perfection. Was it still tempting to order every trending TikTok serum or spiral over missing out on each new K-beauty sleeping mask? Absolutely. While my husband definitely appreciated the break from constant delivery boxes, I realized there was power in consistency. Gentle, boring, steady care. And weirdly, that felt kind of radical in an age of rapid trends and maximalist routines.

I didn’t need a 10-step lineup to feel like I was keeping up—just a few products I could trust and recommend, and the reminder that sometimes doing less really is the right move. Even if “doing less” still somehow involved two eye creams and a mist that smells like a vineyard spa in Provence. 😉

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What products helped you feel grounded during pregnancy or postpartum?

Or—if you've been through pregnancy loss—what helped you reconnect with yourself again? I'd genuinely love to hear, so please comment below! 💬