Comparison · Pregnancy Smart
Skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy
How do the options compare?
The lens is a clinician's: guideline endorsement, pregnancy evidence, dosing, onset, and tolerability. Cost and formulation notes appear where relevant.
| Option | Studied pregnancy dose | Guideline support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol) | Any strength, prescription or over-the-counter | Generally avoid during pregnancy | MotherToBaby lists these among the topical medications generally recommended to skip for now. Absorption is low, but the caution follows oral retinoids' established risk. |
| Hydroquinone | Typically 2% and higher | Minimize or pause | Absorbs into the bloodstream at roughly 35% to 45% in studies, the highest of any ingredient on this list, so guidance says to limit exposure unless a provider decides the benefit is worth it. |
| Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide | Standard over-the-counter wash or leave-on strength | Generally considered fine | MotherToBaby notes that ACOG has suggested these as the over-the-counter acne options to reach for during pregnancy. |
| Chemical sunscreen filters (oxybenzone and similar) | As formulated in typical SPF products | Caution: consider switching | Oxybenzone has turned up in fetal and cord blood and has an epidemiologic association with a rare childhood intestinal condition that researchers say needs more study. A mineral formula sidesteps the question. |
| Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) | Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, worn daily | Preferred swap | Physical blockers that sit on top of skin rather than absorbing into it. MotherToBaby suggests a lotion over a spray to limit inhaling fine particles. |
| Azelaic acid | 15% gel, twice daily (studied regimen for melasma) | Considered a safer swap | Classified as preferred in pregnancy under the older FDA category system. A small study found 92.9% to 96.4% of participants saw pigment lighten or disappear using this regimen. |
- Topical retinoids, including tretinoin and adapalene, are generally recommended to be avoided during pregnancy, while benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid are the over-the-counter acne ingredients ACOG has suggested using instead, according to MotherToBaby. 1
- Hydroquinone stands apart from most other skincare actives because a 2% formulation showed systemic absorption of roughly 35% to 45% in human studies, which is why guidance says to minimize exposure in pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. 2
- The chemical sunscreen filter oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) has been detected in the blood of pregnant women as well as in fetal and umbilical cord blood, and maternal exposure has been epidemiologically associated with a higher incidence of Hirschsprung disease in children, though researchers describe this as a link worth more study rather than settled proof of harm. 3
- Mineral sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide is a recommended alternative to chemical filters during pregnancy, since these sit on the skin as a physical block rather than absorbing into it, and a lotion is preferred over a spray version to limit inhaling fine particles. 4
- Azelaic acid is described as preferred in pregnancy under the older FDA lettered category system, and in a small study of 28 pregnant women using a 15% gel twice daily for four months for melasma, 92.9% to 96.4% saw their pigmented patches lighten or disappear. 5
Which option makes sense?
The comparison above is intentionally evidence-first, not brand-first. Please consult your healthcare provider to translate it into a plan that fits your pregnancy specifics.
Disclosure: Pregnancy Smart makes pregnancy supplements, though not in this category. This comparison is a plain description of the pregnancy evidence, not a sales page.
Frequently asked questions
Is salicylic acid safe during pregnancy?
A normal-strength over-the-counter salicylic acid wash or leave-on gel is generally considered fine. It's one of the ingredients MotherToBaby notes ACOG has suggested as an over-the-counter acne option during pregnancy, alongside benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and glycolic acid.
Why is hydroquinone not recommended in pregnancy?
Hydroquinone absorbs into the bloodstream more than most other skincare ingredients, roughly 35% to 45% of a 2% formulation in human studies, which is unusually high for something applied to skin. That absorption profile is why guidance says to minimize exposure during pregnancy unless a provider weighs in.
Are chemical sunscreens safe during pregnancy?
Chemical filters like oxybenzone are absorbed in small amounts and haven't been well studied in pregnancy specifically, and oxybenzone has turned up in fetal and cord blood with an epidemiologic link to a rare childhood condition that researchers say needs more study. A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is the more cautious daily choice.
What acids can you use while pregnant?
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and azelaic acid at normal over-the-counter strength are generally considered fine, and azelaic acid has the most direct pregnancy-specific study behind it. Hydroquinone is the outlier to minimize, since it behaves differently in the skin than these other acids.
Do I need to throw out my whole skincare routine?
No. The list of ingredients actually worth pausing is short: retinoids, hydroquinone, and possibly chemical sunscreen filters. Cleansers, moisturizers, vitamin C, azelaic acid, and OTC-strength acids are generally fine to keep using. When in doubt, bring your full routine to your next prenatal visit or a dermatologist.
Related in the library
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Comparisons
Mineral vs chemical sunscreen in pregnancy
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Skincare while breastfeeding: what is safe
Comparisons
What helps melasma during pregnancy
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Is Permethrin Safe During Pregnancy for Lice or Scabies?
References
Topical Acne Treatments in Pregnancy: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/topical-acne-treatments-pregnancy/
StatPearls · https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539693/
NIH · https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11352589/
Screening Your Sunscreen During Pregnancy
MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/baby-blog/screening-your-sunscreen-during-pregnancy/
Azelaic Acid: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
NIH · https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11512533/
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.