There's no such thing as "pregnancy-safe" skincare.

It's not a regulated term. Any brand can print it on a product with no testing, no standard, and no accountability. What actually matters is whether an ingredient can penetrate skin in sufficient amounts to enter the bloodstream and affect a developing baby. For the vast majority of topical products, that threshold is never reached. A few categories are the exception and that's what this guide covers.

Pregnancy has a way of making your skincare shelf feel like a minefield. You pick up your usual serum, Google one ingredient, fall into a rabbit hole, and put it back down. Most of the information out there doesn't help and catastrophises.

I'm Natassia, a cosmetic chemist and the founder of Conserving Beauty. I've spent years formulating skincare and creating beauty products from the ground up - so I know exactly what goes into a formula and why.

The ingredients with the longest safety track record are the plant-based, naturally-derived ones dermatologists have trusted for decades. That's the philosophy behind every CB formula and why our products have received over 200 unpaid dermatologist recommendations.

Here's what to avoid, what's suitable to use, and the products I'd genuinely recommend.

A note before you read

Always check with your doctor or midwife before changing your skincare routine during pregnancy. What I can offer is the science - not medical advice.