Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine: A Trimester-by-Trimester Guide

Your skin changes during pregnancy — your routine should too

Pregnancy hormones transform your skin in ways you might not expect. Surging oestrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can trigger everything from acne to extreme dryness to melasma — sometimes all in the same pregnancy.

The good news: a simple, pregnancy-safe skincare routine can address every stage. Here is exactly what to use, when, and why.

Before we start: ingredients to remove now

If you are newly pregnant (or trying to conceive), start by removing these from your routine:

• Retinol / retinoids (all forms) — replace with bakuchiol or niacinamide
• High-dose salicylic acid (above 2%) — replace with azelaic acid
• Hydroquinone — replace with vitamin C + niacinamide
• Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone, octinoxate) — replace with mineral SPF (zinc oxide)
• Formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15) — switch brands

Not sure what is in your current products? Paste the ingredient list into our ingredient checker to instantly flag anything that needs swapping.

First trimester (weeks 1-12)

What is happening to your skin

• Nausea sensitivity — strong scents in skincare can trigger morning sickness
• Hormonal acne — progesterone surges can cause breakouts, especially along the jawline
• Oiliness — increased sebum production is common
• Sensitivity — your skin barrier may become more reactive

Your first trimester routine

Morning:

1. Gentle cleanser — fragrance-free, non-foaming (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or similar)

2. Niacinamide serum — controls oil, minimises pores, pregnancy-safe

3. Lightweight moisturiser — gel-cream texture if you are oily

4. Mineral sunscreen SPF 30-50 — zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

Evening:

1. Oil cleanser (if wearing SPF/makeup) — to dissolve sunscreen

2. Gentle cleanser — same as morning

3. Azelaic acid (if acne is active) — pregnancy-safe acne treatment

4. Moisturiser — same as morning, or slightly richer

First trimester tips

• Switch to unscented or lightly scented products if nausea is an issue
• Keep your routine minimal — fewer products means fewer potential irritants
• Do not pick at pregnancy breakouts — hyperpigmentation risk is higher during pregnancy
• Drink plenty of water — hydration starts from the inside

Second trimester (weeks 13-27)

What is happening to your skin

• The pregnancy glow — increased blood volume and oil production create that radiant look
• Melasma (pregnancy mask) — dark patches on cheeks, forehead, or upper lip (affects 50-70% of pregnant women)
• Stretch marks beginning — as your belly grows, skin starts stretching
• Spider veins — increased blood volume can make small veins visible

Your second trimester routine

Morning:

1. Gentle cleanser

2. Vitamin C serum — brightens skin, fights melasma, boosts collagen

3. Niacinamide (can layer over vitamin C or use a combined product)

4. Moisturiser with SPF or separate mineral sunscreen SPF 50

Evening:

1. Double cleanse (oil cleanser + gentle cleanser)

2. Azelaic acid — treats both acne and hyperpigmentation

3. Bakuchiol serum — pregnancy-safe retinol alternative for anti-ageing

4. Rich moisturiser — look for ceramides and hyaluronic acid

Body:

• Stretch mark prevention — apply a rich body butter or oil daily to belly, hips, breasts, and thighs
• Focus on ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid
• Massage the product in — this improves circulation and may help with elasticity

Second trimester tips

• SPF is critical now — melasma is triggered by UV exposure, and pregnancy makes your skin more photosensitive
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors — no sunscreen is 100%
• Vitamin C + SPF is the best combination for melasma prevention
• Start your body moisturising routine before stretch marks appear — prevention is easier than treatment

Third trimester (weeks 28-40)

What is happening to your skin

• Extreme dryness or extreme oiliness — hormones are at their peak
• Itchy skin — stretching skin on the belly can be intensely itchy
• PUPPP rash — pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (affects ~1% of pregnancies — see your doctor)
• Skin tags and moles — may appear or darken
• Swelling — fluid retention can make your face look puffier

Your third trimester routine

Morning:

1. Cream cleanser — extra gentle, hydrating formula

2. Hyaluronic acid serum — maximum hydration for stretched, dry skin

3. Rich moisturiser — cream rather than gel texture

4. Mineral sunscreen SPF 50

Evening:

1. Gentle cleanser

2. Bakuchiol or niacinamide — continue your anti-ageing safe actives

3. Overnight sleeping mask or heavy cream — lock in moisture

Body:

• Belly oil — apply morning and evening, massaging in circular motions
• Anti-itch — colloidal oatmeal-based lotion for itchy stretching skin
• Leg massage — help with swelling and circulation

Third trimester tips

• If your skin is extremely itchy all over (especially palms and soles), tell your doctor — this can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
• Keep it simple — you may be tired, so a 2-3 step routine is fine
• Lip balm and hand cream by your bedside — dry lips and hands are common
• Continue SPF daily — melasma can worsen right up until delivery

The universal pregnancy skincare checklist

No matter which trimester you are in, these rules always apply:

• Always wear SPF 30+ (mineral sunscreen preferred)
• Avoid retinoids in all forms
• Keep it fragrance-free when possible
• Hydrate from inside and outside — water + hyaluronic acid
• Check new products before buying — use our ingredient checker
• Consult your dermatologist if you develop severe acne, rashes, or melasma

Pregnancy-safe ingredient cheat sheet

After delivery

Once your baby arrives, your hormones shift again. If you are breastfeeding, continue your pregnancy-safe routine. If not, you can gradually reintroduce retinol and other active ingredients — start slowly, as your skin has been on a gentle routine for months.

Check our guide on is retinol safe during pregnancy for the full timeline on when to restart retinol.

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This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised skincare advice.