Is makeup safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about makeup during pregnancy?

1. Metals including lead, aluminum, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and mercury have been measured in some lipsticks, eyeshadows, powders, and lotions as manufacturing contamination rather than added ingredients, and even concentrations within permitted regulatory limits still represent a real, if small, exposure worth taking seriously in pregnancy. 1
2. As of current review, no adverse pregnancy health hazards have been identified from typical exposure to parabens, sulfates, and phthalates in everyday cosmetics, and the practical suggestion for anyone who wants to limit exposure to these chemicals is simply to check a product's ingredient list. 2
3. Research on parabens and phthalates, both common in personal care products, has found some associations with placental measurements; one large cohort found phthalate exposure linked to a thicker, more circular placenta, an effect that showed up more strongly in male fetuses than female fetuses. 3
4. A study of women's knowledge and avoidance behavior around these chemicals found many were unaware which everyday products, including cosmetics and moisturizers, commonly contain parabens and phthalates in the first place, which is part of why reading labels matters more than judging a product by its marketing. 4
5. Because trace contamination can occur even within permitted regulatory concentrations, and because ingredient lists vary widely between similar-looking products, checking the label rather than relying on a category claim like 'clean' or 'mineral' is the more reliable way to know what a specific cosmetic actually contains. 1

Is makeup safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Nothing about the first trimester changes cosmetic safety specifically, though heightened smell sensitivity might make heavily fragranced formulas less pleasant to wear right now.
• Second trimester. This is a common time to reassess a routine if you're also thinking about skincare actives like retinol, since foundation and other base makeup are a separate, lower-concern category from active skincare ingredients.
• Third trimester. No new precaution applies as you get closer to delivery. If you're touching up makeup for photos or an event, the same general approach still holds: check labels if you're curious, and don't feel pressure to switch products that have always worked for you.