Is it safe on skin in pregnancy?
Which ingredients are usually avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and — just as usefully — which are routinely considered fine.
What this cannot tell you
- This is general information, not advice about your pregnancy. Your clinician or midwife decides.
- Very little cosmetic ingredient testing is done in pregnancy, so most guidance is precautionary rather than evidence of harm.
- Oral and topical exposure are different questions; this covers topical use unless the note says otherwise.
Educational information only. Not medical advice. A verdict here is a reason to patch test or ask a clinician, never a diagnosis.
Every ingredient we flag under this question
8 of 403
‡Cinnamon Oil Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Oil
A strong essential oil generally avoided in pregnancy.
‡Clove oil Eugenia Caryophyllus OilClove oil is generally avoided in pregnancy.
‡Coal Tar Coal TarAvoided in pregnancy.
‡Oregano Oil Origanum Vulgare OilA strong essential oil generally avoided in pregnancy.
‡Retinal RetinaldehydeA retinoid. Avoided in pregnancy on the same precautionary grounds as retinol.
‡Retinol RetinolRetinoids are avoided in pregnancy; oral isotretinoin is a known teratogen and topical use is treated cautiously by extension.
‡Retinyl Palmitate Retinyl PalmitateA retinoid ester. Avoided in pregnancy on precautionary grounds.
‡Thyme Oil Thymus Vulgaris OilA strong essential oil generally avoided in pregnancy.