Skincare while breastfeeding: what is safe

How do the options compare?

Options are compared on ACOG or MotherToBaby endorsement, size and quality of pregnancy-specific studies, dosing predictability, time-to-effect, and side-effect profile: the same axes an obstetric clinician would use.

• Topical tretinoin is considered a low risk to a nursing infant based on how the drug is expected to behave in the body, though it hasn't been directly studied during breastfeeding, and the guidance is to avoid applying it to the nipple or areola and to keep it off skin your baby might touch. 1
• Topical salicylic acid is considered safe during breastfeeding because it's unlikely to be meaningfully absorbed into breastmilk, with the same general caution to avoid areas of skin your baby could touch or lick. 2
• Only about 5 percent of topical benzoyl peroxide is absorbed through the skin, which is why it's considered low risk while breastfeeding, though the recommendation is to use water-based cream or gel formulas on the chest rather than ointments, since an ointment base can expose a nursing infant to more residue through licking. 3
• Topical hydroquinone hasn't been studied during breastfeeding, and some experts recommend against long-term use in nursing mothers specifically, on top of the general precaution to keep a baby's skin off any area where the product was applied. 4
• Most over-the-counter topical acne products are absorbed through the skin in only small amounts, so what's expected to pass into breastmilk is low, and the practical safety steps are the same across products: skip the nipple and areola, wash the applied area before a feeding, and wash your hands after applying anything. 5

Which option makes sense?

A comparison can include options that should be avoided or considered only in specific circumstances. Please consult your healthcare provider about the findings and cautions that apply to you.

Disclosure: Pregnancy Smart is a supplement maker. The options compared above sit outside our own product line; this page describes their pregnancy evidence on its own merits.