If you haven’t done it already, pregnancy is the perfect (and most necessary) time to make the switch to cleaner, safer beauty products. Not only is there a host of ingredients to avoid during pregnancy (like Retin-A, hydroquinone, formaldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acids) but you may find you’re more sensitive to products—even ones you’ve used for ages.

From hormonal shifts that wreak havoc on your skin to battling stretch marks and itchiness as your bump grows, pregnancy can feel like you’re living in someone else’s skin. When you start shopping for the right products to help mitigate these new and not-very-exciting issues, it can get overwhelming pretty fast.

Personally, I am a beauty product junkie. I love hunting down the latest lotions and potions that make you feel glowy and pampered. So when Courtney Klein and Grace Kapin— the women behind the dreamy maternity brand Storq—offered to tell me all about their favorite pregnancy-safe beauty products, I was all ears.

As mamas with first-hand experience as to what beauty products are safe and needed during pregnancy, and experts who regularly hear from their customers about products they’re loving and swapping out for their non-pregnancy-friendly items, they’ve offered up their best insights and product recommendations for mamas-to-be.

Motherly: Ok. Where do we even start?

CK + GK: Our hot take is that you don’t need to replace your entire beauty routine unless you want to. There are a few key things you’ll want to stay away from (retinoids and parabens, mostly), but other than that, how natural you go is a personal choice.

If you prefer to swap out a few of your regular essentials for options with fewer and/or safer chemicals, here are some of our favorite pregnancy-safe beauty products.

 

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

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A sunscreen that goes on like a primer. Silky smooth, zero white residue, legitimate spf rating and no gnarly chemicals.

$34

 

 

SUNDAY II SUNDAY Root Refresh Micellar Rinse

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Let’s be real. Showers don’t happen every day—especially once that babe arrives. Keep your strands looking fresh on those in-between days with this refreshing blend of apple cider vinegar and micellar water. Unlike powders, it won’t leave a white mess and doesn’t strip your natural oil.

$31

 

 

Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Kit

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Maybe it’s the pandemic, maybe we were just tired of having chipped nails all the time, but we have fully embraced a clean, natural nail. Pretty, easy and simple as can be.

$39

 

 

We wondered what other pregnancy-safe beauty wisdom Courtney and Grace might be able to impart. So we asked a few questions.

Motherly: Every mom’s skin is different—especially during pregnancy. That said, is there one universal product that every pregnant mama should keep in her arsenal?

 

Belly Oil

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CK + GK: Belly Oil . Important: This is not about avoiding stretch marks—especially because there’s really no proof out there that you can. It’s about comfort. Skin that is dry and stretching to accommodate a little person growing inside your body is extremely uncomfortable. This oil is designed to provide immediate relief and to make you feel good, plus it’s never greasy. Stretch marks, by the way, are a badge of honor. Just sayin’.

$38

 

 

Motherly: Summer can be rough. Any products you can recommend to help beat the heat?

CK + GK: Pop your body moisturizer in the fridge. Cool and refreshing and costs nothing extra.

Motherly: Investing a ton in all new beauty products can be out of reach for many. Are there any budget products you love that check all the boxes?

 

A red lip.

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CK + GK: Our go-to pregnancy beauty pick me up is a good red lip. Available at all price ranges, but we do particularly love this new one from Violette_Fr. Ilia has great options as well.

$25

 

 

Motherly: Do you have any favorite multitasking products?

 

Earth Tu Face Skin Stick

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CK + GK: For a multi-tasker we love Earth Tu Face Skin Stick . Keep it in your bag for lips, elbows, knuckles and anywhere else you’re feeling dry.

$34

 

 

​CK + GK: PS. Something we feel is pretty overlooked in the world of pregnant lady self-care is postpartum. Your body has a lot of healing to do after bringing a new baby into the world. Here are a few products we love that are designed to provide relief and keep you feeling human after giving birth to a human.

cleardot Motherly

Storq New Mama Care Kit

storq pregnancy safe beauty product picks 8 Motherly

Perfect for easing the transition into motherhood, this 3-piece set of all-natural beauty products promotes healing and provides relief from all kinds of postpartum discomfort. The kit includes nursing nipple balm, soothing perineal spray, and sitz bath soak all packaged in a drawstring bag.

$75

 

 

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