The Best Pregnancy Skincare As Recommended By Mums

Alongside birth plans, prams and baby clothes, there’s a lot to think about when pregnant, so let our CF mums take the stress out of your pregnancy skincare routine.

If you’re noticing that your skin isn’t acting quite like it was before you fell pregnant, worry not – that’s actually totally normal. In fact, your skin is likely to change throughout your four trimesters (post baby, too), with both benefits – aka the pregnancy glow – and some hurdles, such as your skin feeling more sensitive or blemish-prone due to hormonal changes and your changing shape.

For that reason, many mums and mums-to-be find they require slightly different pregnancy beauty products from the ones you commonly use. Plus, you might want to avoid some ingredients that haven’t been marketed pregnancy-safe, and, of course, enjoy some cosseting ways to safely pamper yourself during pregnancy too.

Below you can find expert advice on some pregnancy skincare dos and don’ts (although do ask your doctor if you have any further questions). Then, discover some personal advice from CF mums on their absolute favourite pregnancy-friendly products.

Firstly, what conditions can skincare help with during pregnancy?

“Pregnancy has complex and significant skin changes for most women,” explains the aesthetic doctor, Dr Maryam Zamani. These changes are classified into three categories:

1. Pigmentary changes

Changes in pigment are very common during pregnancy, due to an elevated level of hormones, says Dr Zamani. This includes hyperpigmentation, which is “an excess of pigment clusters that can lead to brown spots on the skin; and melasma (aka ‘pregnancy mask’), which is seen as an irregularly shaped brownish pigmentation on the face.”

Why does it happen? You can blame your hormones: “A rise in hormones, such as oestrogen, increases the output of melanin by the melanocytes [pigment cells in your skin that provide the brown colour], causing pigment to be increasingly deposited and become visible in your skin.” This can mean that “freckles, nevi, and scars can become darker in pregnancy,” continues Dr. Zamani. Another common condition is ‘linea nigra’ – “a hyper-pigmented line found on the abdomen, most commonly appearing during the second trimester.” These dark marks can often fade over time, post-pregnancy, but they can be annoying and quite noticeable if they do appear.

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2. Pre-existing skin conditions

Existing skin conditions can also be affected by pregnancy. “Some conditions, like allergic contact dermatitis, may improve, while others, such as candida infection or immune-mediated diseases, may worsen,” warns Dr Zamani. This is why it is so important to speak to your doctor about your skin if you have any concerns, as they will be best placed to guide you.

3. Pregnancy-related skin conditions

There are also some specific skin conditions to look out for during pregnancy that can present throughout your trimesters. The most common are explained below:

a) Eczema-like dryness

One of the most common conditions during pregnancy is called ‘atopic eruption’, which manifests as eczema-like dry lesions on the skin. It is associated with poor skin barrier function and dry, sensitive skin, with red patches and itchy bumps common on any part of the body.

Annoyingly, the risk of experiencing it during pregnancy does not seem to be dictated by whether you have an eczema-prone skin type before conceiving. If it does happen to you, help soothe the itchiness and soreness with nourishing moisturisers and serums for the face and body (our favourites are below). In particular, look for ingredients such as ceramides and plant or nut oils.

b) The itchy rash

‘Polymorphic eruption’ is an itchy rash that appears on the skin as a series of inflamed bumps, hives or darkened inflamed areas. It is most commonly seen on the abdomen and within stretch marks; usually appearing during your first pregnancy at the end of the third trimester.

It’s more common if you are having twins or triplets (if you didn’t already have your hands full!), and is thought to be caused by both hormonal changes and stretching of the skin. Normally, the condition is self-resolving, but by caring for your bump with nourishing stretch mark creams (also below), you may be able to lessen the symptoms.

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Skincare ingredients to phase out

It’s generally agreed that some ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy as well as during the time you breastfeed due to their potential (although arguably low) risks. Specifically, retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), which are increasingly found in products that smooth wrinkles and fight breakouts, are a key example. Instead, look to collagen-stimulating ingredients, such as peptides and bakuchiol, if you still want to gently treat signs of ageing such as wrinkles.

Equally, it’s probably a good idea to decrease your use of products with high percentages of certain actives. For example, salicylic acid, which is often found in blemish products and cleansers. This is because they can sensitise your already more sensitive skin during pregnancy. A better approach is to focus on soothing, nourishing creams for head-to-toe. Hydrators such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid can be great at this time.

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The best pregnancy-safe skincare

Need help building a pregnancy-friendly routine? Don’t worry help is at hand.

Here’s our curated list of pregnancy-appropriate beauty products, as recommended by our CF mums and mums-to-be. The aim: to soothe and improve your complexion, while also making you feel a little extra special during maternity.

For your bump

If your growing belly is feeling tight, itchy or sensitive right now, here’s our mum-approved bump care toolkit.

The aim: Care for your skin and your skin barrier, rather than trying to ‘prevent’ every stretch mark.

The routine: From the time you find out you are pregnant, it’s time to start a consistent, daily body care routine that focuses on hydration. A rich, pregnancy-safe cream like Little Butterfly London Stretch Mark Butter can deeply nourish stretching skin as your bump grows. Or, if you prefer a whipped, comforting texture, Weleda Stretch Mark Body Butter is ideal for massage, boosting circulation while keeping skin soft and elastic. Then, for an extra cocooning layer, especially at night, smooth on Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm, which can be particularly effective at soothing the tight, uncomfortable feeling many mums experience during the second and third trimesters. Finally, don’t forget that your boobs are growing alongside your belly. Mama Mio Pregnancy Boob Tube is formulated specifically for the bust area, helping maintain moisture and comfort as your body changes.

For sensitive skin

If you’re struggling with hormonal breakouts right now, don’t stress – our mum-approved essentials can help.

The aim: Focus on nourishing and soothing your skin rather than ‘fighting’ blemishes.

The routine: Choose a super gentle fragrance-free product like Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, which has been credited by countless mums for ‘transforming troublesome skin’, leaving your complexion clean but not stripped. Beauty gadgets can also be a great way to control breakouts (as well as concerns such as hyperpigmentation and fine lines) while you take a necessary break from actives such as retinoids. The Lyma Laser – which is safe for use during pregnancy – comes highly recommended. Then, lock in moisture with a really good moisturiser that’s formulated for sensitive complexions, such as QV’s Moisturising Cream For Sensitive Skin, and finally don’t forget your SPF. Your skin can be more sun sensitive during pregnancy, but to avoid irritation, make it fragrance-free and gentle, such as Ultra Violette’s Clean Screen Sunscreen SPF30.

For pigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is such a common nemesis during pregnancy, but hormone fluctuations can cause uneven pigmentation at any time, so consistency is definitely the right approach here.

The aim: Build a brightening, pigment-perfecting routine that you can rely on through pregnancy and beyond.

The routine: While retinols are off the cards when you’re expecting, other skin brightening ingredients are not, and they can be seriously effective. A favourite of the CF team is the vitamin C serum from Paula’s Choice, as it is not too harsh or drying. Or, try Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic to help with melasma. A good tip is to apply it only to the dark patches to minimise their appearance. Another great ingredient is niacinamide, which is also safe to use in pregnancy according to the FDA. Beauty Pie has some great drops that will help keep dark spots at bay and even out skin tone. Lastly, there’s azelaic acid, which has been proven to help reduce melasma and will also help with blemishes and breakouts. The Ordinary has a really good cream to try.

For dry, itchy skin

It is not just the skin on your body that might need some pampering – your face can become dry and itchy during pregnancy too. Here’s how to sort it:

The aim: Calm, soothe and support your skin with products that lock in moisture throughout the day, and give you a healthy-looking glow.

The routine: Look for daily products you can slot in at the end of your routine to really seal in hydration. Oils are great, such as Kichi Forever Oil, which is best used when a few drops are pressed onto a damp face. This will help reinforce your moisture barrier and relieve that tight, uncomfortable feeling. If oils don’t appeal, try Kiehl’s rather wonderfully named Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream. Formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal, it’s particularly good for providing long-lasting relief from skin discomfort and dryness. If it is only certain areas that are particularly irritated (think around the nose, chin or flaky patches), reach for La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. It’s a cult favourite for soothing stressed skin. Finally, for a dewy boost, press in a few drops of Biossance 100% Squalane Oil. Squalane mimics your skin’s natural oils, helping to soften roughness and restore glow without feeling heavy.

For tired faces

Pregnancy can leave your complexion looking a little dull, puffy, or just… exhausted. Even if you’re getting sleep (or trying to), hormones and lifestyle changes can take a visible toll.

The aim: Refresh, de-puff, and boost radiance with gentle tools and targeted treatments.

The routine: Turn looking after your skin into some much needed pampering time, by giving your face a mini massage with Omorovicza Derma Globes. These cooling globes stimulate circulation, reduce puffiness, and leave skin feeling lifted and invigorated. Next, target the delicate eye area, where dark circles can really give tiredness away, with By Terry Global Eye Serum, which helps smooth, hydrate, and brighten tired eyes. For the occasional hormonal breakout, gently spot-treat with Mighty Patches to keep blemishes under control without irritation, and then weekly, enjoy a gentle brightening mask, such as the pregnancy-safe Evolve Radiant Glow 2-in-1 Mask Scrub that can boost your mood as well as your skin glow!

Our founder’s tried-and-tested routine

For some more inspiration on a pregnancy-friendly routine that really works these are CF’s founder Sheena’s favourite products that she has used throughout all three of her pregnancies. She was advised on them by the brilliant skin expert, Dr Jo Mennie and the routine has served her skin so well that she still uses it post-pregnancy

The routine: For skincare, Sheena loves the Revision Gentle Cleansing Lotion, Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Advanced Firming Daily Treatment and a non-tinted SPF, HydroPeptide Solar Defense. She would highly recommend including supplements as well, for your skin, general wellbeing and healthy growth of the baby. That includes Choline 350mg, Vitamin C 500mg, Vitamin D 2500 IU (a liquid form is the best), Zinc 10mg (which is especially important when breastfeeding) and additional methylfolate 400ug from the supplement brand Cytoplan. All are easy to get hold of – Holland & Barrett or your supermarket should stock them all.