VeriMomHIGH RISK
Should I Avoid formaldehyde During Pregnancy? | VeriMom
Reviewed by VeriMom Editorial Team · Last reviewed
ECHA regulatory hazard statements
- •H350
Products containing formaldehyde — check your shelf
These products list formaldehyde on their INCI. If one is in your routine, consider swapping it during pregnancy.
OLAY
38Olay Anti Wrinkle Cleanser
Image Skincare
38Image Skincare Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque
Prodermic
37Prodermic Fresh Clean
Belmed
37Shampoo Cabello Seco y/o Dañado
Delicadem
37Delicadem Sabonete Líquido Esfoliante
Wella
37Shampoo Cabello Seco y/o Dañado
Bourjois
37Envie de vitalité
BENZACARE
37BENZACARE Tiefenwirksames Reinigungsgel
Quimi Romar
37Crème lavante Jabon en Crema
Duo
36duo Brush On Striplash Adhesive White/Clear
What to use instead
Pregnancy-safe ingredients that serve a similar function:
Pregnancy-safe products to use instead
Products built around the safer ingredients above, scored "no known risks" or "low risk".
Mew mew tweet
100Mew mew tweet Cedar Spruce Baking Soda Free
Avero
100Avero Solid Deodorant
Unknown
100schmidts here now
Sustain Yourself
100Sustain Yourself Natural Deodorant
L'Occitane
100L´Occitane Powder To-mousse Facial Exfoliator
Bitamin
100Bitamin Natural Deodorant N'orange
Dr Teals's
99Dr Teals's Aluminum Free Deodorant Charcoal
900care
99Déodorant stick parfum embruns
HappySoaps
99Happysoaps Neutraal
bareMinerals
99Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Sources & references
Authoritative references used to score this ingredient.
Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to formaldehyde | VeriMom
Ingredients — Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
See also
FAQ
- Is formaldehyde safe during pregnancy?
- Harmonised CLP (ECHA Annex VI) lists formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) with carcinogenicity (H350), mutagenicity (H341) and acute/toxic/sensitisation hazards but does NOT include a harmonised reproductive classification (H360/H361). Therefore there is no regulatory harmonised evidence to support a reproductive hazard classification; dermal/topical exposure from cosmetics is low but measurable (formaldehyde is volatile and can be taken up via skin or inhalation). Sources: ECHA Annex VI (harmonised CLP), ECHA H-codes.
- Is formaldehyde safe while breastfeeding?
- No harmonised reproductive or lactation-specific classification in ECHA Annex VI; no regulatory designation as a developmental or lactation toxicant. Exposure from topical cosmetics is low but measurable; maternal systemic uptake could plausibly result in low-level systemic exposure, but authoritative sources do not classify formaldehyde for reproductive/lactation hazards. Sources: ECHA Annex VI (harmonised CLP), PubChem GHS/ECHA hazard information.
- Is formaldehyde safe for baby skin?
- Harmful skin effects (H314/H317) and respiratory toxicity are harmonised hazards, but there is no harmonised reproductive/developmental classification. Because infant skin has higher permeability and higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, measurable dermal absorption leads to increased exposure scoring (+1 versus adult). Additionally, formaldehyde is an established skin sensitiser/irritant (relevant to infant skin). Sources: ECHA Annex VI (harmonised CLP), ECHA hazard information.
- How does VeriMom score formaldehyde?
- VeriMom scores formaldehyde at 33/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.
- What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to formaldehyde?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to formaldehyde based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.
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Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Safety scores are based on publicly available data and may not reflect all risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.