Last Updated on October 2, 2023
Which are the best pregnancy-safe body lotions?
Can you use the same moisturizer when you’re breastfeeding?
Let’s talk about what makes skin-care products safe to use when you’re expecting.
You have two points to consider.
Contents
If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.
Let’s begin with a body lotion designed specifically for pregnant women.
It’s ideal while you’re expecting and safe to use while you’re breastfeeding as well.
The manufacturer avoids ingredients that could harm the baby or irritate a mother’s skin. For example, they don’t use parabens, gluten, phthalates, perfumes, or dyes.
They screen out toxic ingredients, whether natural or artificial. Then, they allergy-test their products.
For best results, apply the lotion after bathing. Experts recommend moisturizing within a couple of minutes after toweling dry.
Then, the lotion will soothe the skin with chamomile and make it radiant with lemon oil. Vitamin E, meanwhile, promotes healing.
Vanicream’s body lotion is also safe to use on the face. It doesn’t clog pores.
It’s made for sensitive skin as it’s free of artificial colors and fragrances and also oil-free, masking fragrances, parabens, and formaldehyde. It doesn’t have lanolin, either. Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes scars and stretch marks less noticeable
This formula carries the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. It even comes in a pump-top bottle to prevent contamination.
The thick texture spreads easily and absorbs quickly. Many online reviewers swear by it, saying they won’t use anything else.
Why am I recommending fragrance-free lotions during pregnancy?
I know they aren’t inspiring, but they are less likely to complicate morning sickness. Also, artificial fragrances are one of the worst offenders when it comes to skin allergies.
Aveeno’s body lotion provides relief from itching and dryness for up to 24 hours after applying it.
It’s based on dimethicone, shea butter, and oats.
Dimethicone seals in moisture and reduces redness. Next, shea butter is an effective, lightweight moisturizer. Oats, of course, soothe irritation.
Eucerin’s body lotion is recommended by dermatologists. It helps the skin stay hydrated for 24 hours.
Similar to Aveeno’s product, it contains oats to relieve itchiness and dehydration. Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes scars and stretch marks less noticeable
Moreover, it’s fragrance-free and not greasy. It feels lightweight, and it sinks in fast. After a few moments, there’s no sticky residue.
Cetaphil makes more than one type of lotion. Some are formulated for extra dry skin, but this one is a middle of the road formula. It’s good for everyone.
It’s mild enough to use on the face as it’s non-comedogenic. It’s also fragrance-free and doesn’t contain parabens, either.
For 24 hours after you apply it, it continues to maintain healthy moisture levels. Part of its effectiveness comes from vitamins E and B5. Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes scars and stretch marks less noticeable
It also has macadamia nut oil instead of heavy petrolatum derivatives.
Users say it is genuinely unscented and a pleasure to use.
CeraVe’s daily lotion, unfortunately, contains parabens. They are preservatives that keep the formula fresh and prevent contamination. But they are also linked to endocrine disorders.
Ask your OB/GYN for their opinion about products with parabens. Also, you can check sites like the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database to learn more. The effects appear to be cumulative, so if this is the only product you use that contains parabens, it might not be risky.
Anyway, this is the perfect lightweight lotion if you hate thick, creamy, greasy body butter. It literally absorbs in seconds and smooths the skin without leaving a film.
It has no artificial fragrance so that it will never clash with your favorite perfume.
The controlled-release technology delivers hydration all day long. Part of the magic comes from three essential ceramides that CeraVe includes in all of their products.
Ceramides are a natural part of the protective skin barrier. They prevent moisture loss.
The formula also has hyaluronic acid, an outstanding moisturizer that holds 1000 times its weight in water.
Alba Botanica includes only vegetarian ingredients, never artificial fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.
Although it’s scent-free, the lotion contains potent natural extracts like shea butter, avocado oil, and aloe. We feel this is one of the best skin-care products out there.
While cucumber and chamomile refresh the skin, glycerin draws in moisture. Then, natural fruit oils seal in the hydration.
Neutrogena is another dermatologist-recommended brand.
Their revitalizing body gel cream is based on hyaluronic acid. It absorbs instantly, which allows you to dress quickly.
It feels soothing on a hot summer day.
Furthermore, it’s free of artificial colors, alcohols, parabens, and oil. It never feels greasy or sticky.
How about a lotion that it’s so mild you could use on your baby? The Honest Company’s moisturizer is safe for your face, your body, and your child.
It’s based on plant derivatives like natural oils, essential oils, and other organic ingredients that make it non-greasy.
These include shea butter, jojoba, olive oil, aloe, calendula, and chamomile. Calendula and chamomile calm irritation and stimulate healing.
There are no artificial colors or fragrances, phthalates, parabens, silicone, or mineral oil in the bottle.
Puracy is an American company that listens to its customers and makes steady improvements in their products.
The current fourth-generation lotion formula has an improved natural odor as coconut oil was replaced with sunflower oil. This also reduces the nut content.
What’s more, you can try it at low risk as they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
For one, it was developed by medical professionals using clinical-grade ingredients. These include organic moisturizers like vegetable glycerin. As such, the formula is 99.95% natural.
And two, there are no harsh ingredients like parabens, fragrances, petrochemicals, or formaldehyde. It’s kind to sensitive skin.
Acure’s vegan body lotion is rich in natural moisturizers and emollients.
The creamy texture contains cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, and exotic plant oils. Ingredients like sea buckthorn oil and meadowfoam seed oil firm the skin and keep it supple.
The lotion alleviates dryness and calms the skin for a full day after you apply it.
Furthermore, it’s free of mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, and formaldehyde.
Burt’s Bees has an unscented lotion that’s 98.9% natural.
They say that it’s hypoallergenic. But what does that mean?
“Hypoallergenic” is a term that the FDA doesn’t regulate. It means whatever the company wants it to mean. In this case, the manufacturer says that the lotion is dermatologist-tested and clinically proven. We can hope that that means it’s just as safe and effective as they report.
In general, this company has a good reputation. And the label lists powerful natural ingredients like shea butter, chamomile, calendula, and St. John’s wort.
Reviewers say that it has a slight scent from the beeswax and olive oil. After it penetrates, it doesn’t sting but instead leaves the skin soft and comfortable.
Choose from fragrance-free and scented versions of this moisturizer. Kiss My Face bases them all on a healthy base of glycerin, olive oil, aloe, and shea butter.
There’s also grapeseed oil, an excellent anti-aging ingredient.
The formula avoids gluten, phthalates, and parabens, plus it’s certified cruelty-free.
Use it on your face or body.
Mineral Fusion points out that we need more nutrients. Conventional farming has depleted crops of the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.
That’s why they use organic ingredients in their body lotion. The components are packed with antioxidants that support cellular renewal to keep the skin young.
They never include gluten, talc, parabens, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Also, they do not test on animals.
Sebamed’s sensitive skin lotion has a fragrance. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you don’t mind how it smells and is perfect for dry skin.
Some fragrances are formulated to be safe for sensitive skin.
In this case, the lotion goes further to protect you against unwanted reactions. It’s pH-balanced and paraben-free.
I was also pleased to hear that it’s nearly 100% biodegradable and is best to avoid harming the environment and is safe for pregnancy skin.
It has allantoin and chamomile that calm the skin while glycerin restores moisture.
Palmer’s lotion is useful for stretch marks as well as the rest of your body. Please put it on areas like the abdomen, the chest, and the thighs.
Although you may be genetically prone to stretch marks, it can’t hurt to minimize the damage with this creamy moisturizer.
It contains cocoa and shea butter plus natural oils like coconut and argan to help the skin stretch. It also has collagen, lutein, and elastin to keep it supple.
No matter where you use it on your body, it should maintain moisture levels for 48 hours.
Fortunately, it’s free of mineral oil, phthalates, and parabens.
Skip the lotion and go straight to the basic ingredients that condition the skin. This product is a blend of several natural oils that reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier against moisture loss.
It’s packed with antioxidants that rebuild skin structure and even the tone.
Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes scars and stretch marks less noticeable.
What’s in it?
For starters, it has calendula, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile oil. There are also vitamins E and A. (That last ingredient gave me pause as too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. Before using this product, please discuss it with your doctor.)
Andalou Naturals offers a variety of scented lotions with natural ingredients. I selected the Clementine Ginger version as it’s likely to help with nausea.
They call it an “energizing” lotion as it awakens the senses. Users say that the fresh fragrance is attractive yet fades fairly quickly and is safe for pregnancy skin.
Other vegan ingredients include organic aloe, apricot oil, and vegetable glycerin. Then, there are bioactive stem cells from Swiss Alpine Rose, argan, and Heirloom Apple.
Everything is designed around two goals: soften dry skin and nourish it back to health.
Just as important, there are no petrochemicals, artificial colors or fragrances, formaldehyde releasers, or parabens inside.
If you spend time outdoors, you’re better off with a pregnancy-safe moisturizer with SPF. This sunscreen doubles as a body lotion.
The moisturizing effects last for 24 hours after you smooth it into the skin.
This mineral sunscreen provides a high standard of protection against sun damage as it reflects both UVA and UVB rays. The former leads to premature aging, and the latter causes sunburn and also reduces dark spots and other skin issues for pregnant women.
You’ll need to renew it, though, if you spend time in the water and it contains low salicylic acid and is safe for pregnancy skin.
Fortunately, this is a Hawaii-compliant sunscreen. It’s reef-safe to avoid harming wildlife in natural waterways. Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes dark spots and stretch marks less noticeable
It’s fragrance-free and won’t clog pores. It’s even gentle enough to use on children. We feel this is one of the best skin-care products out there.
Get double the value by bronzing your skin with a lotion. You’ll look like you’ve been on vacation after a couple of days of using it.
The formula is suitable for all skin types and tones. It has a pale brown cosmetic bronzer to help you see where you’ve applied it. That will wash off the first time you shower. Interestingly, clinical trials show that it makes scars and stretch marks less noticeable
Meanwhile, your tan will gradually develop. DHA in the formula interacts with the proteins in the top layer of the skin to darken it. It’s safer than a spray tan as it’s less concentrated, and you won’t be inhaling the spray.
To protect your developing child, it is best to avoid retinoids and vitamin A derivatives in skin care products and cosmetics.
They might be listed as retinol, retinyl linoleate, or retinyl palmitate on the label.
These are anti-aging ingredients that could cause birth defects.
When in doubt, please speak to your OB/GYN about safe lotions to use during pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones may have made your skin oilier or acne-prone. On the other hand, you might be experiencing dry skin, especially on your belly. Even a great pregnancy pillow isn’t enough to overcome dry skin.
Apparently, most of them prefer to use benzoyl peroxide, but the safety of using benzoyl peroxide to treat acne during pregnancy has yet to be established.
Body lotion with a low concentration of salicylic acid unclogs pores to treat acne. And mild exfoliants like glycolic acid or urea to smooth rough skin.
When applied topically in limited amounts, these ingredients shouldn’t create a risk to your baby.
Also, body lotions with lightweight moisturizers like glycerin, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid are excellent for all skin types. They won’t clog pores, yet they increase hydration.
If you use a moisturizer with SPF, that will keep your skin safe from sunburn and premature aging.
Also Read: 28 Best Shoes for Pregnancy
Choose the best pregnancy-safe moisturizer to take good care of your skin and your baby.
It’s worth it to enjoy peace of mind and a more comfortable body.
I hope the reviews today helped you find something new to try. If you end up loving your new lotion, please come back and tell us about it.
Sources:
1. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/beauty/pregnancy-skincare-whats-safe-for-face-and-body/
2. https://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-pregnancy_1490031.bc by Karen Miles,
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114665/ by Pina Bozzo, Angela Chua-Gocheco, MD, and Adrienne Einarson, RN, in Canadian Family Physician,
4. https://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-pregnancy_1490031.bc by Karen Miles,
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