It’s a harsh reality of pregnancy: No soft cheeses, no sushi, no delicious wine. But if you’re going to commit to switching to organic chicken and steering clear of newly varnished furniture over the next nine ten months, you might as well go all in and invest in some all-natural beauty product swaps, too. We consulted Tara Folley, the founder and CEO over at clean beauty retailer Follain, to find the best and safest alternatives.
10 All-Natural Beauty Brands That Are 100 Percent Safe to Use When You’re Pregnant
Body Exfoliator: Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish
When you’re pregnant, your skin is ultra-sensitive (thanks, hormones), but you still need something to slough off dead skin. This sugar-based exfoliant is a two-for-one: It gets rid of flakes and moisturizes at the same time thanks to safe-to-use essential oils like coconut.
Herbivore ($36)
Face Exfoliator: La Bella Figura Purifying Manuka Mask
We repeat: Your hormones are raging. That means you should choose a facial exfoliant that isn’t all grit. Products that are honey-based are much gentler on your skin. It’s also a good idea to avoid retinols—which are commonly found in exfoliants—during this time since there’s a chance they could cause birth defects, according to the Mayo Clinic.
La Bella Figura ($60)
Face Cleanser: Josh Rosebrook Complete Moisture Cleanse
During pregnancy, a cleanser with a milkier, oil-based consistency (like this one) is going to be less irritating and harsh on your skin. It’s also a good idea to scan cleanser labels for the words “phthalate-free” since the bad-for-baby chemical has been linked to pregnancy loss, per a study by Harvard University.
Josh Rosebrook ($50)
Face Moisturizer: Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
In addition to being sensitive, your skin will also feel extra dry during this time. For hydration we love this light cream. Bonus: You’ll recognize every ingredient on the label.
Ursa Major ($48)
Shampoo: Intelligent Nutrients Pureplenty Exfoliating Shampoo And Density Building Conditioner
When you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to find hair care products that are free of sodium lauryl sulfate (aka the ingredient that causes shampoo to lather and foam) since it can cause extra irritation in already breakout-prone skin and sclaps. It also never hurts to choose a product that encourages hair growth post-delivery (like this density-building option) so you’re ready when you start to taper off those prenatal vitamins.
Intelligent Nutrients shampoo ($38) and conditioner ($43)
Lipstick: Ilia Arabian Knights
Here’s the thing about lipsticks: You’re actually ingesting them all day. (The color is on your lips, isn’t it?) In other words, why not go for a product that’s organic and mineral-based just to be safe. (FYI, even though this shade looks dark purple, it works on almost any skin tone.)
Ilia ($26)
Concealer: Rms Beauty “un” Cover Up
This option is based in organic coconut oil, so it’s super hydrating and good for your skin.
RMS Beauty ($36)
Foundation: Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation
The light and hydrating plant oils in this product are ideal for sensitive skin while the fine mineral pigments still provide the color and coverage you need. A pregnancy win-win.
Vapour ($44)
Blush: Kjaer Weis Cream Blush
The cream-to-powder finish makes this a popular choice for pregnant women looking for extra hydration in their skin. In fact, the entire product line is also known for its color consistency—something that can be hard to find in all-natural products.
Kjaer Weis ($56)
Mascara: Well People Expressionist Mascara
It goes near your eyes, so it’s never a bad idea to swap your regular tube for an all-natural brand (like this one, made with beeswax and algae extract).
Well People ($22)