Pregnancy Safe Makeup Can Be A Minefield. Let Us Help.
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Time to read 5 min
Bet you didn’t think you’d be Googling ‘pregnancy-safe makeup’ three months ago? But here we are. We’ll be the first to admit—what you can and can’t do during pregnancy is a total minefield.
But stick with us, because toxic free beauty is worth swotting up on —especially with studies flagging the risks of certain cosmetic ingredients. Research from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warns that some common beauty additives could impact organ health, reinforcing the need for safer formulations during pregnancy.
The good news? The beauty world has finally started to clean up its act. Parabens, aluminium chloride, and other questionable ingredients have been phased out, meaning bronzer, blusher, and lipstick can stay firmly in your routine even with two pink lines on a pregnancy test.
Trending in Pregnancy & Baby
But it’s not just about what you put on your skin— how you take it off matters too. From pregnancy-safe cleansers to non-toxic hand wash (for getting foundation off your hands without the harsh stuff), we’ve rounded up the best beauty brands that actually deliver. Scroll for our must-haves, including picks from SBTRCT, Reia and The Sabi Collective below.
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The trending pregnancy-safe make up brands you need to know, now The Glamorous Choice: Charlotte Tilbury The Glow Getter Brand: ILIA The Clean Celebrity Choice: RMS The Twenty-Something Brand (that looks good on everyone): RARE Beauty The Convenient Choice: Merit The One Everyone is Talking About: JONES ROAD The Vegan Cult Brand: KOSAS Frequently Asked Questions
Before we dive into our pregnancy-safe makeup edit, a quick note: the evidence on specific product safety during pregnancy is limited. That’s why most experts (and us, too) take the better-safe-than-sorry approach.
With that in mind, here are the ingredients to scan your beauty labels for—and skip until after birth.
- Retinoids
- High dose salicylic acid
- Hydroquinone
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde
- Chemical sunscreens
- Topical products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid are considered relatively low risk, just don't use them in high doses.
Pregnancy-safe Makeup Brands You Need to Know
Beauty Director Katy YoungBeauty Director Katy Young shares her favourite low tox beauties
The Glamorous Choice: Charlotte Tilbury
Any cosmetic lover worth her salt will own something from British make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury’s eponymous brand. Head here if you like a full face of, good, make-up, or perhaps fancy an in-store make-over for that eventual night out. *Provided your bump can handle the journey there.
If you try one thing: The Pillow Talk Collection. The perfect shade of buffed pink for lips and cheeks.
The Glow Getter Brand: ILIA
Ilia is a leader in the clean beauty movement and known for the way it adds a natural hint of flush or blush to skin, cheeks, and lips, in even the most amateur of hands.
If you try one thing: Super Serum Skin Tint, because there isn’t anything this perfecting, protecting and glow-getting wonderstuff isn’t doing. Go lightly and build up.
The Pregnancy Safe Lipstick Choice: RMS
Created by make-up Rose Marie Swift in 2009 when she became frustrated with not being able to offer her celebrity clients (Cate Blanchett, Gisele and Kate Bosworth) any natural choices, RMS is super clean and super colourful. Her cult classics include her concealers and cream colours.
If you try one thing: Her Lip2Cheek is a great little two-in-one for freshly, flushed effect.
Pregnancy Safe Skincare
The Twenty-Something Brand (that looks good on everyone): RARE Beauty
Made for teens, adopted by everyone else. In part because it’s so clean, but mostly because her formulas and shades are so flattering. Rare Beauty wont disappoint. It's why, the internet is obsessed with asking 'is rare beauty pregnancy safe?'. The answer? Mostly. A few of their body products contain Gluconolactone, while a couple of facial products use Salicylate - neither ingredient is considered safe for pregnancy, but is OK for nursing. Our advice?Check with the brand before doing a 4am haul.
If you try one thing: The Effortless Bronzer Stick, Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush or the Positive Light Under Eye Brightener. I couldn’t choose just one.
The Convenient Choice: Merit
Designed by an uptown New Yorker, Merit was created for busy women (when are you ever busier than with a baby?). The balmy and finely milled textures mean everything can be applied directly from the pot, or by fingertips, for perfect make-up on-the-go. Employ this line now and it will put you in good stead for when babe arrives and you still need to look polished in 30 seconds flat.
If you try one thing: The Bronze Balm, and a slick of the bitten-lip red Aperitif Lipstick.
Little extras
The One Everyone is Talking About: JONES ROAD
If you liked Bobbi Brown, you’ll love JONES ROAD. Created by Bobbi herself, this is her great comeback, with the juicy cheek colours, superfine powders, easy-to-use pens and the glossy foundations she always wanted to create. Better on dry to normal skins however, as textures can be rich.
If you try one thing: Love it or hate it, her best seller is the What The Foundation (which some skin will find heavy, others will adore). Or play safe with her punchy Lip and Cheek Sticks.
The Vegan Cult Brand: KOSAS
Described as ‘next level clean’ KOSAS make-up looks after our skin just as it does our planet. Don’t let its Gen Z packaging (or the sheer weight of its offering) put you off its highly considered formulations and finishes which suit even the most sensitive of skin.
If you try one thing: Its base perfecting Setting Powders and concealers are of cult status.
Pregnancy safe handcare
Frequently Asked Questions
What does non-toxic mean?
Non-toxic skincare and makeup aims to be made from clean and natural ingredients. They should not contain any synthetic ingredients or ingredients that could harm your health.
What products are safe to use in pregnancy?
Most makeup and skincare products are safe to continue using while pregnant, though you may find that your skin changes quite a bit during pregnancy. There are some ingredients you should avoid, such as retinols and salicylic acid. To find out more, ask your midwife.
Buy only what you need, rent the rest
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Final word
During pregnancy, skin and hair can react differently to beauty products normally used.
If you're worried about what's lurking in your makeup bag, cross check the ingredients with this helpful list from Holland & Barrett
NCT maintains an up to date list on the beauty and wellbeing products you can and should not use in pregnancy.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. For The Creators has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
As told to Ellie Walker-Arnott
Ellie is a writer and mum of two. Her work has been published in Time Out, Netmums, CN Traveller, Daily Mail, Metro and more.
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