Pregnancy safe skincare: Best products to use and avoid in 2024
Here we’ve rounded up the best skincare products to use if you’re pregnant — including the body oil Sofia Richie Grainge loves.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
It goes without saying that pregnancy brings a lot of changes.
You’re growing new life so you can expect to feel all the things, plus, your body can undergo major changes besides your expanding bump.
For me, one of the most surprising changes was to my skin. As a seasoned beauty journalist, I was confident I had my skincare routine perfected after years of trial and testing.
But early in the first trimester, changes to my skin were among my first pregnancy symptoms. My body suddenly felt dry and itchy.
As for my face, not only could I not use retinol, which isn’t safe during pregnancy, but I couldn’t tolerate my favourite actives like vitamin C in high doses. Also, my skin became both oily and super dry at the same time.
It turns out I’m not alone, with Face Plus Aesthetics dermal therapist Yvonne Culhane telling news.com.au checkout it’s common to notice big changes to your skin during pregnancy.
“During pregnancy, hormonal changes can lead to various skin changes such as increased pigmentation, known as melasma or ‘mask of pregnancy’, stretch marks, acne, dryness, and sensitivity,” she said.
As someone who loves her beauty products but also needed to seriously overhaul her skincare routine, I’ve spent the last (almost) nine months trialling a bunch of different products to see what works best for my skin during pregnancy.
It goes without saying that you don’t need to make any changes to your current skincare routine or feel pressured to buy new products if you don’t want or need to.
Also, what worked for me may not work for you, and it’s OK to have days when you can’t even brush your teeth because toothpaste is making you nauseous.
Read on for my roundup of the best products, including the “luxe” TikTok-viral Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream that’s been praised by shoppers as “so hydrating” and perfect for giving you a “sexy glow”.
BEST PREGNANCY SKINCARE: EDITOR’S PICKS
KORA Organics Noni Glow Body Oil 100ml, $88 at Myer
Why we love it: Where do I start? It’s lightweight, smells like clean laundry and absorbs super fast
Things to consider: Expensive
Size: 100ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Noni extract, rosehip and sunflower seed oils
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’ve tried a lot of products this pregnancy and the KORA Organics Noni Glow Body Oil is top of my list. Why? A good body oil for your belly is essential during pregnancy to stop your skin feeling sore and itchy from stretching and this one ticked so many boxes. It has the most amazing, fresh smell that’s not overpowering, is super hydrating while absorbing into your skin easily. I’m not the only fan of it during pregnancy either, with Sophie Richie Grainge also singing its praises.
“I use Kora body oil because I don’t love overpowering smells,” she told Allure.
“It’s really light, it’s not sticky, and it’s made by my friend Miranda Kerr, so that’s nice”
FENTY SKIN Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream With Tropical Oils And Butters, $66 at Sephora
Why we love it: Makes your skin buttery soft while still feeling super lightweight
Things to consider: Some reviewers didn’t like the lack of scent
Size: 200ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Kalahari melon, sorrel, baobab, sunflower, rice bran, coconut, jojoba oils, shea butter and glycerine
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
After finding out the queen herself Rhianna swore by using this during both her pregnancies the Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream was top of my list of products I wanted to trial. It’s already got a cult following on TikTok and Instagram and I can say it definitely lives up to the hype. It has the most gorgeous whipped-cream like texture but still absorbs into your skin well. It’s one of the only moisturisers I used that gave me a full 24 hours of hydration and it also has the nicest ‘clean laundry’ smell. This cream paired with the KORA Organics body oil is hands down the best combo for the softest skin of your life, even if you’re not pregnant!
Habitual Beauty Rejuvenating Facial Oil 30ml, $120 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It’s so lightweight you can wear it during the day
Things to consider: Expensive
Size: 30ml
Key type: All skin types
Main ingredients: Bakuchiol, jojoba seed oil, squalene, inca oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’ve been a longtime fan of Habitual Beauty face oil, and I was confident it would work wonders on my skin during pregnancy – and I was right! Unlike other face oils, this one absorbs completely into the skin, leaving a glowy but not oily finish, making it suitable for both day and night use. When I used this face oil consistently I noticed my skin was more plump and brighter looking. It didn’t irritate my skin in the process meaning I give this product a big tick.
Lanolips 101 Ointment The Original Multipurpose Superbalm, $18.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: No fragrance and ultra hydrating
Things to consider: Texture isn’t for everyone
Size: 15g
Skin type: Dry
Key ingredients: Lanolin
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I found my lips got super dry during pregnancy, as did my elbows, knees and in between my fingers. This was the best no-fuss product I used when I need some serious hydration — I just popped it on overnight where it was needed and woke up to dry patches feeling soothed and hydrated.
BEST PREGNANCY BELLY OIL
Before getting pregnancy, I always treated body care as a bit of an after thought. However, as mentioned, I really struggled with my skin feeling dry and itchy throughout my pregnancy. I’ve loved using belly oils everyday to help with this, plus I felt it was a really nice way to bond with the baby in the early days before I started to feel their movements.
Pure Mama Belly Oil 150ml, $69 at The Memo
Why we love it: Smells like an almond croissant and is seriously lush to apply
Things to consider: Dropper was fiddly to use and leaked
Size: 145ml
Skin type: Sensitive, pregnant and post-partum skin
Key ingredients: Coconut, almond, vitamin E and raspberry seed oils
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This product went viral when Kourtney Kardashian revealed it was her belly oil of choice during her last pregnancy. It’s easily the most luxe of the belly oils I tried and smells amazing. My skin felt lovely and soft after use and gave it a nice glow, too. The only downside for me was the dropper, it didn’t function very well and would leak while using it. But overall, this is a great product that’s also great value for money too when you consider how big the bottle is.
The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba 85ml, $33.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Deeply soothing for stretching skin
Things to consider: Takes a few minutes to absorb into skin
Size: 85ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’d previously used this jojoba oil on my face but have loved being able to use it on my belly during pregnancy. It’s a great no-fuss product that I found really calming on my skin if it was feeling irritated. It is quite heavy though so I could only really use it at night under my PJs as I was worried it would stain my clothes.
L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil 100ml, $75 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Lovely scent and how silky smooth it made my skin feel
Things to consider: Felt sticky after applying
Size: 100ml
Skin type: Normal to dry skin
Key ingredients: Sweet almond and sunflower oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’m a big fan of L’Occitane’s famous almond shower oil so I was super excited to try its body oil. It has the same amazing almond scent and I loved how the spray dispenser made it so easy to apply. Like the jojoba oil, this was on the heavy side and took a while to absorb into my skin.
Endota Organics Nurture – Hydrating Belly Oil, $35 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Affordable price tag
Things to consider: Not as hydrating as other oils I tried
Size: 80ml
Skin type: Pregnancy
Key ingredients: Argan, avocado and rosehip oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This Endota Organics oil is excellent value for money, smells amazing and I loved how the pump lid made dispensing product easy. It also absorbed really well into my skin, however, although I think it’s a good option for summer or if you’re on a budget, I didn’t think it was as hydrating as the other belly oils I tried.
Evereden Golden Belly Serum, $78 at Sephora
Why we love it: Soothing on itchy/irritated skin
Things to consider: Expensive for how much you get
Size: 50ml
Skin type: All skin types/pregnancy
Key ingredients: Marula oil, passionfruit seed oil and centella asiatica
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’ve never tried an Evereden product I didn’t like and this belly oil lived up to the hype. Its Golden Belly Serum has a cult following among beauty publicists and journalists, many of whom use it as their regular body oil even though they’re not pregnant.
BEST PREGNANCY BELLY AND BODY CREAM
Brillo Beauty – The Butter, $45 at The Memo
Why we love it: The smell, how it well it hydrated my skin and how fast it absorbed
Things to consider: I was sad when it ran out because I loved it so much!
Skin type: All skin types, pregnancy and post-partum
Key ingredients: Shea butter, betaine, sea buckthorn oil, vitamin E and evening primrose oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This came a close second to Butta Drop as my favourite body cream to use during pregnancy. It’s by Brillo Beauty, an Aussie brand founded by Bump Day Spa’s Tegan Natoli and beauty editor Leigh Campbell. Their products are all designed for use during pregnancy and post-partum while still coming in at a reasonable price point. I absolutely loved everything about The Butter, not least its gorgeously light orange scent and claylike texture that leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft. It’s recommended for use on your bump, hips and breasts but I was slathering this stuff everywhere, I couldn’t get enough of it.
Bangn Body Firming Lotion, $48 at Bangn Body
Why we love it: Fast absorbing and made my skin feel lovely and plump
Things to consider: Thick texture so was hard to dispense and rub into skin at times
Size: 150ml
Skin type: All skin types/pregnancy
Key ingredients: Shea butter, pineapple fruit oil and green coffee bean extract
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This is a cult product for a reason. It’s a great body moisturising option during the warmer months because it’s so fast-absorbing. Consistent use left my skin feel hydrated without that film of product residue you can sometimes get during summer and it also left it feeling more bouncy to the touch. You can also use this moisturiser on your face and as a primer, making it great value for money.
BEST PREGNANCY PRODUCTS FOR STRETCH MARKS
When looking for pregnancy skincare products it’s impossible to escape the barrage of products claiming to target and prevent stretch marks.
To be honest, I found it really disappointing to see how many products exist in this category when stretch marks are normal and caused by factors outside a person’s control, such as genetics.
Women shouldn’t be made to feel bad about stretch marks and pregnant women especially have enough to stress about. It’s for this reason you won’t find any products in this article that claim to treat or prevent stretch marks.
BEST PREGNANCY BODY WASHES
EVERYDAY By frank body Nourishing Body Wash, $14 at Frank Body
Why we love it: So gentle on skin
Things to consider: Doesn’t have a strong scent if you’re into scented body washes
Size: 360ml
Skin type: Sensitive/dry skin types
Key ingredients: Squalane, oat extract and avocado oil
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
My skin has been fussy when it comes to body wash but this frank body wash worked a treat. It doesn’t have a strong scent and I loved how calm and soothed my skin felt when I stepped out of the show. Plus the price tag is very reasonable!
Brillo Beauty – The Wash, $29 at The Memo
Why we love it: No scent and it didn’t dry out my skin
Things to consider: No added fragrance so it doesn’t really have ‘a scent’, so not for everyone
Size: 250ml
Skin type: All skin times, pregnancy, post-partum
Key ingredients: Enzymes, vitamin B5 and white tea extract
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This product ticked a lot of boxes for me – it lathered beautifully and left my skin feeling thoroughly clean without that tight sensation afterwards. However, its lack of fragrance is going to be divisive as while the scent it does have isn’t offensive, it’s also not exactly pleasant. My partner (who by default gets to try every product I try, what a lucky guy) really didn’t like the product’s lack of fragrance, but also take that with a grain of salt because he’s not pregnant and therefore not Brillo Beauty’s target market. I liked this product but think I’ll get the most use of it after having my baby when I will be steering clear of any products with strong fragrances to help with bonding.
BEST PREGNANCY FACE CLEANSERS
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, $28 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: How gentle yet exfoliating it is
Things to consider: I needed to use another cleanser first to remove makeup
Size: 100ml
Skin type: Sensitive, oily skin
Key ingredients: Plum water, mung bean seed extract
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
My skin has been incredibly oily during pregnancy, especially during summer. I loved this cleanser for helping to combat any oiliness without stripping my skin like other gel cleansers can. My skin felt soft after use and I never got that tight feeling.
Kose Cosmeport softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil 230ml, $18.99 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: It’s the best oil cleanser I’ve ever used
Things to consider: Lid doesn’t completely close once opened so can’t travel with it
Size: 230ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Sunflower seed and jojoba oils
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I bought this on the recommendation of my colleague Melody Teh who raves about it and can say it definitely lives up to the hype. Not only is it at a great price point but it’s easily the best oil cleanser I’ve ever used — it removes makeup and sunscreen seamlessly and doesn’t leave your skin with a filmy residue after washing like some oil cleansers do.
BEST PREGNANCY PIMPLE TREATMENTS
I previously struggled with breakouts throughout my teens and early 20s, but had gotten them under control for the last four years. However during my second trimester I started to get pimples around my mouth and chin.
“Skin breakouts during pregnancy can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, increased oil production, and changes in skincare routines or diet,” Yvonne said.
“These factors can lead to clogged pores and bacterial overgrowth, resulting in acne breakouts. Increased or decreased hair growth.”
tbh Skincare acne hack spot treatment (30ml), $29.95 at tbh Skincare
Why we love it: It didn’t irritate or dry out my skin
Things to consider: You only need to use a tiny amount or it will cause other products to pill
Size: 30ml
Skin type: Sensitive skin prone to breakouts
Key ingredients: Patented technology with bio-film
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Normally I love a good active but during pregnancy I’ve really had to steer clear of anything too strong or my skin will revolt. This pimple cream is amazing for anyone who also has sensitive skin, even if you’re not pregnant. Applying it every few hours or so on a pimple really helped speed up the healing time, plus it never caused my skin to sting.
Dermalogica Deep Breakout Liquid Patch, $48.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Super gentle and shrunk my pimples in a matter of hours
Things to consider: High price point
Size: 15ml
Skin type: Pregnancy and all skin types
Key ingredients: Colloidial sulphur, skin-mimicking film and niacinamide
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This is a seriously effective treatment because it’s essentially a pimple patch in a bottle. I was floored by how quickly this worked to shrink breakouts so even though it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth it in my opinion.
BEST PREGNANCY FACE EXFOLIATOR
Emma Lewisham Illuminating Exfoliant, $82 at Net-A-Porter
Why we love it: It’s one of the few physical exfoliators I can use that doesn’t cause irritation
Things to consider: Expensive, but a little goes a long way
Size: 100ml
Skin type: All skin types, breastfeeding and pregnancy friendly
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, willow bark, saccharide isomerate, vitamin C
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I haven’t had the best run with physical exfoliators — usually I find they make my skin angry and irritated. But after my skin became very oily during summer I decided to give it a go and I’ve been so happy with the results. My skin felt soft and exfoliated but not like it had been scrubbed to death. It is at the more expensive end price-wise but I found I only needed to use a tiny amount.
Medik8 Press & Glow 200ml, $65 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Very gentle while still getting the job done
Things to consider: Start slow as overuse can cause irritation
Size: 200ml
Skin type: Sensitive skin
Key ingredients: PHA gluconolactone, prickly pear extract and aloe vera
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’m a big fan of toner-style exfoliators but I’ve had to steer clear of most of my usual favourites during pregnancy because they’ve been too strong for my skin. This one by Medik8 still gets the job done but didn’t cause any irritation for me. While Medik8 recommends you can use this one twice a day, I found it best to use it (and most other chemical exfoliators) two to three times a week.
BEST PREGNANCY SERUMS
SumaNurica Nonapeptide Niacinamide Rejuvenating Serum, $169 at Myer
Why we love it: My skin was noticeably brighter after just two weeks of daily use
Things to consider: Very expensive
Size: 6x 10ml bottles
Skin type: All skin types, particularly dull or uneven skin tones
Key ingredients: Vitamins B3, B5 and C, nonapeptide-1
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Anything with niacinamide in it has been my best friend during pregnancy — it’s helped with any pigmentation or dull skin without causing irritation. I’d heard great things about SumaNurica and this serum didn’t disappoint, as I noticed a real improvement in my overall skin tone after just a few weeks of use. Yes, the price tag is a little scary but it’s for 6x10ml bottles while most serums tend to only come in a 30ml size so it actually works out cheaper than you think.
Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Concentrated Even Skin Tone Serum, 30ml, $150 at Net-A-Porter
Why we love it: It’s a one and done serum that addresses most key skin concerns
Things to consider: Expensive
Size: 30ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, ergothioneine and glycerin
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I’ve raved about this serum as it’s been a lifesaver during pregnancy. It’s a great all-in-one product that helps address pigmentation and brighten skin all while giving your face a big dose of hydration. It’s a product I’ll anticipate continuing to use after pregnancy, it’s just that good.
BEST PREGNANCY RETINOL ALTERNATIVE
I’ve been a consistent retinol user for the four years up to falling pregnant and can confirm, it’s amazing. While there are plenty of products out there claiming to be a retinol alternative I’m sad to report that nothing I’ve tried over the last few months really comes close to the real thing. Having said that, I liked using the following products and noticed improvements to my skin, just none of them mimicked retinol for me.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitamin A Face Oil, $148 at Net-A-Porter
Why we love it: It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly
Things to consider: Expensive
Size: 30ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, kalahari melon and vitamin E
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This is a seriously lush face oil that left my skin feeling super plump and overall better. While I don’t think bakuchiol stacks up to retinol even though it gets touted as an alternative, this is still a really nice product that made a noticeable difference to my face.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum, $119 at Sephora
Why we love it: My skin was visibly plump after consistent use
Things to consider: Expensive
Size: 30ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen and collagen booster
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This is another product I used prior to being pregnant and I loved the results so I was excited to try it again. It didn’t disappoint either, making my skin feel super plump, bouncy and giving me a nice glow. This would be a great option to invest in if you just wanted to use one serum during pregnancy as it ticks so many boxes.
Esmi Skin Minerals Afterglow Rejuvenating Bakuchiol Serum, $65 at Esmi Minerals
Why we love it: Deeply nourishing and soothing
Things to consider: On the heavy side
Size: 30ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, blue tansy, blue camomile, prickly pear catcus
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I was keen to try this after finding out it was one of Sephora’s most popular retinol alternatives. It’s a lovely nourishing facial oil to wear overnight that left my skin looking refreshed the next morning. I will say the oil is very heavy so you only need to use the smallest amount and I wouldn’t wear this during the day either.
BEST PREGNANCY FACE MOISTURISER
Skinstitut Moisture Defence – Oily Skin 50ml, $41.30 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Lightweight – absorbs almost instantly into my skin
Things to consider: Might not be hydrating enough for dry skin types
Size: 50ml
Skin type: Oily
Key ingredients: Bioactive complex, superox-C
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
I find a lot of moisturisers can feel tacky on the skin, but not this one from Skinstitut. My skin has been super oily, especially during summer, so this was the perfect daytime moisturiser. It absorbed almost instantly into my skin and layered well under my sunscreen and makeup. There was no pilling or tackiness which is such a win.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural 72-Hour Hydration Face Crème, $165 at Net-A-Porter
Why we love it: It transformed my skin overnight by making it super plump
Things to consider: Expensive but a little goes a long way
Size: 50ml
Skin type: All skin types
Key ingredients: Gigartina stellata, bakuchiol, collagen and saccharide isomerate
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
In case you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of Emma Lewisham — every single product I’ve tried from the brand has exceeded my expectations. This is a lush overnight moisturiser that feels like it should be double or triple the price as it left my skin feeling plump and hydrated the next day. It also didn’t feel heavy on my skin after applying and absorbed quickly.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING PREGNANCY SKINCARE
When choosing what skincare to include on this list, we evaluated several factors:
Ingredients: As well as avoiding products containing retinol, skin during pregnancy can change. Your body (and particularly your bump) can become more dry and itchy, while your face can be more sensitive to actives. This was front of mind when choosing what products to add to this article.
Price: While value for money is front of mind, we also favoured products that can deliver real results or even better, replace multiple products, to help simplify your routine.
Skin type: Generally speaking, skin during pregnancy tends to be more sensitive and prone to breakouts. We looked for products that were either formulated for pregnancy or sensitive skin.
Size: When it comes to beauty, size really does matter, particularly for body products. Some products might seem like good value for money but can actually end up costing you more in the long run as you can run out quite quickly if you’re using it all over your body and it’s less than the average.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best skincare products for pregnancy we tested countless well-known brands and products at different price points over several months including during the first, second and third trimester. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best pregnancy skincare from premium to budget to help you find the right one for you. We also enlisted the expertise of Yvonne Culhane, a dermal therapist with over 20 years of expertise, to answer frequently asked questions about skincare during pregnancy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO USE DURING PREGNANCY?
“Some of the best skincare ingredients during pregnancy include hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to address pigmentation and inflammation, and natural oils like jojoba or argan oil for moisturiser,” Yvonne said.
WHAT SKINCARE INGREDIENTS SHOULD YOU AVOID DURING PREGNANCY?
“Skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy typically include retinoids (like retinol), salicylic acid in high concentrations, hydroquinone and certain essential oils like rosemary or peppermint which can be too stimulating,” Yvonne said.
Yvonne Culhane
Yvonne Culhane is a highly experienced dermal therapist and beauty therapist with over two decades of expertise in the beauty industry. Her holistic approach blends personalised treatments with a deep understanding of systemic factors affecting skin conditions. Collaborating with diverse professionals and continuously updating her knowledge in bioscience and dermal science, Yvonne creates tailored treatment plans, empowering clients toward optimal skin health.
More skincare content:
Best eye creams for dark circles
More Coverage
Best moisturisers for dry skin
Cult serum that gives you an ‘instant glow-up’
Save your hard-earned cash on your favourite brands and retailers by checking out the news.com.au Coupons page where you can find deals on your favourite beauty brands like FOREO, Charlotte Tilbury, Naked Sundays and more. Also make sure you never miss a sale by signing up to our free shopping newsletter.