If you are pregnant, the safest skincare is simple moisturisers, gentle cleansers, SPF, and a few approved acne treatments. The products you must avoid are any products containing retinoids (like Differin or retinol serums) and any creams containing vitamin A, such as Bio-Oil Skincare Oil and Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel.
Many mums-to-be feel confused about skincare because advice online, on social media, and even from product labels can clash. This guide gives you a clear list of what is safe, what is not safe, and what you should check with your midwife or GP. All information here is based on NHS, MHRA, and UK pregnancy-safety guidance. It also includes real product examples available on UK Meds Online, so you know exactly what to pick.
Safe Skincare You Can Use During Pregnancy
1. Simple Moisturisers (Safest Option)
These products from UK Meds Online are safe because they contain emollients like glycerin, paraffin, and shea butter. These ingredients stay on the skin’s surface and do not affect the baby.
● Aquamax Cream: A gentle moisturiser for dry and itchy skin.
● Epimax Original Cream / Epimax Ointment / Epimax Paraffin-Free: Good for eczema flare-ups, dry skin and brings hydration
● Hydromol Cream, Hydromol Ointment, Hydromol Bath & Shower: Safe even for newborns.
● Oilatum Bath Soak and Oilatum Emollient: Helps dry skin without harsh chemicals.
● Zeroderm: Basic moisturisers with no risky ingredients.
Why are these safe?
They contain no retinoids, no strong acids, and no ingredients linked with birth defects. They only soften and protect the skin barrier.
2. Gentle Cleansers
A good cleanser for pregnancy should not sting, peel, or exfoliate heavily.
Safe choices include:
● CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
● Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
● Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash
These help clean the skin without stripping moisture.
3. Pregnancy-Friendly Acne Care
Acne can worsen during pregnancy, but some treatments are safe to use.
Safe (with simple care):
● CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser (2% Salicylic Acid)
This is a wash-off cleanser. UK pharmacy sources confirm it is suitable for pregnancy when used on small areas.
● Freederm Gel / Freederm Facial Wash
Has niacinamide, which is gentle and safe.
● Hero Mighty Patch (pimple patches)
Only hydrocolloid. No chemicals at all.
4. Scar Care That’s Safe
● Kelo-Cote Silicone Gel
Safe because silicone stays on the top layer of the skin.
● Derma Protective Plus Cream
A dimethicone barrier cream with no retinoids.
5. Safe Everyday Ingredients
● Niacinamide
● Hyaluronic acid
● Vitamin C
● Ceramides
● Shea butter
● Panthenol
● Zinc
● Aloe vera
● Mineral sunscreen filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
These are safe because they do not enter the bloodstream in harmful amounts.
Skincare You Should Avoid During Pregnancy
1. Retinoids (strongly unsafe)
Avoid all forms of vitamin A on the skin.
These include:
● Retinol
● Retinal / Retinaldehyde
● Adapalene (Differin Gel)
● Tretinoin
● Isotretinoin
● Retinyl Palmitate (found in many stretch-mark oils)
Unsafe products on UK Meds Online:
● Differin Gel (Adapalene): A retinoid used for acne.
● CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Contains retinol.
● Bio-Oil Skincare Oil: Contains retinyl palmitate.
● Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel: Also contains retinyl palmitate.
Why avoid retinoids:
Retinoids are linked to birth defects. UK pregnancy guidelines say not to use them when pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
2. High-Strength Acids and Strong Peels
Avoid:
● High % glycolic acid
● High % lactic acid
● High % salicylic acid peels
● Chemical peels done in salons
These can irritate the skin and may cause unnecessary risk.
3. Whitening or Lightening Creams
Anything claiming to “whiten” or “brighten fast” may contain hydroquinone, which should be avoided.
UK Meds Online does not sell hydroquinone, which is good.
4. Injectable or Strong Clinical Procedures
Not safe during pregnancy:
● Botox
● Dermal fillers
● Laser resurfacing
● Deep microneedling
● Strong chemical peels
● Tanning injections or bleaching injection
Products You Should Use Only After GP or Midwife Advice
Some treatments are allowed, but only with guidance.
1. Acnecide 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
Safe for many pregnant users because the body breaks it down, but it is still a medicine, so a GP should say how often you should use it.
2. CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser
Safe as a wash but should not be overused every day on large areas.
A Simple Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine
Morning
● Gentle cleanser
● Hydrating serum (niacinamide or hyaluronic acid)
● Moisturiser (Aquamax / Epimax / Hydromol)
● SPF 30+ (mineral preferred)
Evening
● Cleanser
● Acne treatment only if GP approved (e.g., Acnecide or salicylic cleanser)
● Moisturiser or emollient
Pregnancy-Safe vs Unsafe Skincare
|
Product Category |
Safe in Pregnancy? |
Examples from UK Meds Online |
Why |
|
Simple emollient moisturisers |
Yes (safe) |
Aquamax Cream, Epimax Cream/Ointment, Hydromol Cream/Ointment, Oilatum Emollient, Zeroderm |
These contain paraffin, glycerin, and shea butter, which stay on the skin’s surface and do not affect the baby. |
|
Gentle cleansers |
Yes (safe) |
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash |
Mild cleansers that do not exfoliate or use harsh acids. |
|
Low-strength salicylic acid (wash-off) |
Usually safe in small areas |
CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser |
A rinse-off 2% salicylic cleanser. Low absorption when used briefly on small areas. |
|
Niacinamide-based acne care |
Yes (safe) |
Freederm Gel, Freederm Facial Wash |
Niacinamide helps with redness and blemishes and is safe for pregnancy. |
|
Hydrocolloid spot patches |
Yes (safe) |
Hero Mighty Patch |
Contains no active drugs. Just absorbs fluid from spots. |
|
Silicone scar gels |
Yes (safe) |
Kelo-Cote Silicone Gel / Spray |
Silicone stays on the skin’s surface and does not enter the bloodstream. |
|
Benzoyl peroxide treatments |
Safe only with GP/midwife advice |
Acnecide 5% Gel, Acnecide Wash |
It can be suitable, but it should be used under medical guidance because it is a medicine. |
|
Retinoids / Vitamin A products |
No (unsafe) |
Differin Gel (Adapalene), CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, Bio-Oil Skincare Oil, Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel |
Retinoids, including retinyl palmitate, are linked with birth-defect risks and are not recommended in pregnancy. |
|
High-strength acid peels |
No (unsafe) |
High % glycolic/lactic acid peels (not sold on UK Meds Online) |
Strong acids can irritate the skin and have unclear safety data in pregnancy. |
|
Skin lightening creams (hydroquinone) |
No (unsafe) |
Not sold on UK Meds Online |
Hydroquinone absorbs deeply into the skin and should be avoided. |
|
Injectables/clinic treatments |
No (unsafe) |
Botox, fillers, deep microneedling (not sold on UK Meds Online) |
Not recommended due to insufficient safety data during pregnancy. |
Why UK Meds Online Is Helpful for Pregnant Users
UK Meds Online stocks many items that pregnant users can safely use, such as:
● Emollients for dry skin and eczema
● Gentle facial cleansers
● Pregnancy-friendly acne skincare
● Silicone scar treatments
● Wash-off salicylic acid cleansers
● Barrier creams for irritated skin
● Bath emollients and creams suitable for the whole family
All products come with clear labels, trusted brands, and UK-approved formulations. The site also avoids selling banned or unsafe items like hydroquinone and high-strength retinoids.
Conclusion
Pregnancy skincare doesn't have to be confusing. The safest approach is to use simple moisturisers, gentle cleansers, and safe acne products while avoiding retinoids and vitamin A products. The products sold on UK Meds Online make it easy because many of them are pregnancy-friendly, clearly labelled, and trusted across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use retinol while pregnant?
No. Retinol and all retinoids must be avoided.
2. Can I use Bio-Oil during pregnancy?
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil and Dry Skin Gel contain retinyl palmitate, so avoid them.
3. Can I use salicylic acid?
Small amounts in a wash-off cleanser are usually fine. Avoid strong leave-on products.
4. Is benzoyl peroxide safe?
Often safe in small amounts, but only with GP advice.
5. What is the safest skincare overall?
Simple emollients like Aquamax, Epimax, Hydromol, Oilatum, and silicone gels like Kelo-Cote.