12 Best Pregnancy-Safe Face Washes and Cleansers in 2023
A face wash is essential for your pregnancy skincare routine. As studies suggest moms-to-be become prone to acne during pregnancy, you should be careful about choosing a facial wash or cleanser while pregnant. Using the wrong face wash can lead to a handful of skin conditions ranging from pregnancy breakouts to hyperpigmentation and more. If you are struggling to find a face wash that is safe during pregnancy, you aren’t alone. But we have got some good news for you! In this post, we will share a list of some of the best pregnancy-safe face washes and cleansers available on the market.
There are also face washes specially formulated for different skin types. So whether you have oily or dry skin, you will find one that suits your skin type. Also, check out our curated list of acne-focused face washes for moms-to-be who often suffer from acne, face rash, and so forth.
Pregnancy-Safe Face Washes and Cleansers
Our Top 3 Picks
La Roche-Posay Cleanser
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If you are looking for a dermatologist-recommended face wash during pregnancy, there are a few out there. But none of them is so effective and famous as the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash. Formulated especially for normal to oily skin, the La Roche-Posay face wash has ingredients that are essential for healthy and beautiful-looking skin during pregnancy.
Free from chemical ingredients, preservatives, colorants, and fragrances, its gentle formula works fine for other skin types as well. The formula works like magic to cleanse your skin by removing dirt and excess oil without disturbing your skin’s natural protective barrier and pH.
Additionally, the non-comedogenic formula makes your skin feel clean and refreshed without leaving any pore-clogging residue. It’s been allergy-tested and dermatologist-tested for safety, which should give you peace of mind when shopping. Considering all of these, we think it’s a must-have product for your pregnant-safe skincare routine.
Cetaphil Face Wash
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You surely want a face cleanser that is gentle enough not to irritate your sensitive skin during pregnancy. The Cetaphil face cleanser comes with a gentle foaming gel formula that is specifically formulated to give your sensitive, combination skin a deep clean without over-drying your skin.
Worry no more about pregnancy breakouts. As an everyday cleanser, this product comes with a low lather formula that is free from chemical surfactants, which often trigger pregnancy acne. It also removes the excess surface oils, dirt, and makeup from your skin to give it a healthy glow.
This gentle skin cleanser makes your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed, and moisturized. Soap-free, paraben-free, and aluminum-free, it is one of the safest face cleansers you can try during pregnancy. In addition, this excellent face cleanser has a mild refreshing smell. Go for the fragrance-free version if you are sensitive to smell.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
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Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is one of the safe face cleansers we highly recommend for pregnant women. Why?
At first, it is formulated with a powerful herbal oil blend to gently cleanse your face. The gentle formulation lathers well to eliminate impurities and dirt from the skin. In addition, it is easy to wash off with just water. As a result, you will feel clean and refreshed without any funky residue on your face.
Moreover, it works as a relaxing facial mask if you leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing off, thanks to the addition of a few pregnancy-safe essential oils such as lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus. Its spa-like scent isn’t overpowering at all. However, practice precaution or avoid it completely if you are allergic to essential oils.
This versatile face wash helps add moisture to your skin so that your skin stays healthy and hydrated. Since a small amount goes a long way, you won’t mind paying the extra dime it costs.
Pregnancy-Safe Face Washes and Cleansers
Rated Highly by Parents and Experts
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Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
During pregnancy, most women suffer from breakouts due to hormonal imbalances. That’s why you need a face wash that is designed with keeping the fact in mind. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is such a face wash for pregnant women.
It features a gentle formula that is free from essential oils, sulfate and harsh cleansing agents. Yet the formula works better than most face washes on the market for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin! You will be glad to know that the formula is non-comedogenic and unscented. Also, it’s doesn’t contain toxic ingredients such as artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, glutens, or phthalates. No wonder why many dermatologists highly recommend this product.
For convenience, it comes in an easy-to-squeeze container. Also, it works with other skincare products as well. You might think that such a product would be expensive. That’s not the case. It comes at an affordable price.
InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser
Rich in natural ingredients, InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser is a versatile face wash you can try while pregnant. It works great for anyone wishing to look healthy, prevent breakouts, correct hyperpigmentation and skin tone.
If you give it a try, you’ll be amazed at how the product works on your dry skin without leaving residue or an oily feeling. Every time you use the cleanser, it will make your skin feel soft and clean. In addition, the cleanser works smoothly for sensitive, acne-prone skin as its natural formula is free from toxins.
From pregnancy-safe face serum, cleanser to facial toner, InstaNatural has a popular skincare product line for pregnant women. You can start with their Vitamin C cleanser. If it works well, you can add their other products to your pregnancy skincare regimen. Switching to InstaNatural will save you a lot of headaches and a few bucks as well.
CeraVe Facial Cleanser
CeraVe is a highly-rated facial cleanser that is available in a lotion form. This pregnancy-safe cleanser contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin that helps keep your skin hydrated while retaining skin moisture all day. In addition, this non-foaming cleanser penetrates deep into the skin to remove dirt, excess oil, and make-up.
This facial cleanser is ideal for different skin types. So no matter whether you have acne-prone, oily or sensitive skin, the formula works great.
Plus, it has no fragrance. So the non-irritating formula doesn’t leave a smell on your skin. Even better, it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that might damage the skin. Indeed, it’s been dermatologically tested, and thus every reason to consider it for your pregnancy skincare routine.
EltaMD Facial Cleanser
EltaMD has a gentle facial cleanser that’s sulfate and fragrance-free. It removes dirt and make-up from the skin while helping maintain the natural PH balance and optimal moisture level. This product is rich in antioxidants to reduce skin inflammation, irritation, or damage during pregnancy.
As stated by EltaMD, its formula consists of an enzyme and amino acid blend to produce a rich foaming action. The rich foam rinses of make-up, impurities, dirt from your skin and leaves you feeling fresh and squeaky clean.
Also, the formula reduces the damage caused by exposure to the external environment. The cleanser is gentle on all types of skin. You’ll love the fact that EltaMD is a dermatologist-recommended brand.
Bioderma Micellar Water Skin Cleanser
If you are looking for a face cleanser, mainly to correct or remove your makeup during pregnancy, you won’t find anything better than this Bioderma Skin Cleanser. Whether you have dry, sensitive, or oily skin, Bioderma Skin Cleanser does a fine job without harsh chemicals. It comes with a gentle formula that is free from oil, paraben, and alcohol.
Unlike most regular cleansers that dry your skin out, Biodermal removes your makeup, cleanses, then soothes your skin at the same time without drying out your skin. The application is easy and simple as it comes with an easy to dispense bottle.
Furthermore, it has a natural formulation that enhances your skin moisture level, making you feel confident and look radiant. And its non-irritating formula won’t trigger your acne-prone skin.
Recommended Pregnancy-Safe Face Washes and Cleansers
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Burt’s Bees Face Cleanser
For natural radiance and brightness during pregnancy, you need a natural face cleanser. Whereas it’s impossible to find a good natural skin cleanser on the market, the Burt’s Bees Face Cleanser stands out. It is an effective yet gentle skin cleanser that clears out impurities from your skin to give you a radiant glow. Loaded with nutrients and skin-friendly ingredients, it cleanses and nourishes your skin at the same time to keep it healthy.
One key ingredient is rice extracts, which provide moisturizing benefits and boost collagen production in the skin. In combination with skin-soothing aloe vera and rice extracts, the formula helps eliminate all dirt and make-up while ensuring the right moisture level for your skin. Dermatologically tested, you can use this product without worrying about your sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
Also, it doesn’t contain harsh elements that make your skin vulnerable to acne breakouts. Lastly, this cleanser comes in a good-sized tube and at a low price.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser
Looking for a pregnancy-safe exfoliating face wash? We recommend the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. First of all, it’s an exfoliating face wash trusted by thousands of women around the world. On top of that, it’s filled with clean, nutrient-rich ingredients so that it nourishes your skin while removing dirt and excess oil.
Neutrogena gently exfoliates your skin to make your skin feel soft and refreshed, thanks to the richness of hyaluronic acid. The formula is free of soap, oil, and paraben, which should give you the confidence to use it daily.
While other face washes try to keep your skin moisturized, this one boosts your skin’s hydration level. That’s why it is named Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. It comes with a pack of three at a very reasonable price. So you might feel it’s worth way more than its cost.
Christina Moss Facial Cleanser
Christina Moss has a natural facial cleanser that’s excellent for oily and dry, sensitive skin. This cleanser uses natural flower extracts and essential oils to clean makeup, oil, and dirt. Since it consists of natural and clean ingredients, this eliminates the possibility of drying out the skin or making it dull.
Free from chemicals, sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances and dyes, Christina Moss keeps your skin safe from the effects of these harsh chemicals. Not just a highly effective cleanser, it also works well as a moisturizer leaving your skin fresh and youthful.
Also, this gentle cleanser nourishes your skin with the right nutrients. So, it is less likely that the cleanser will cause any breakouts during pregnancy. The saponified formula also eliminates the slightest chance of clogging pores. It comes in a compact tube that makes the application easy. The good part is the tube is recyclable.
Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
Oil-based cleansing products aren’t great for your sensitive, oily skin. Thankfully, Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel comes with a water-based formula with vegan components for maximum skin tolerance.
Boscia’s vegan formula utilizes botanical amino acids that can go deep into the skin to cleanse pores. It also has a mild, natural scent that gives a nice clean feel. Furthermore, the cleansing gel is well-known for calming and soothing the skin.
Finally, the extremely gentle cleanser doesn’t contain alcohol, fragrance, paraben, or preservatives.
Pregnancy-Safe Face Washes and Cleansers
Questions & Answers
Is it safe to use a face wash or cleanser while pregnant?
Yes, you can safely use face washes or cleansers that contain pregnancy-safe ingredients. The good news is most face washes include safe and effective ingredients for pregnant women.
You will find some gentle and hydrating face washes that only contain natural ingredients. There are also some organic face washes for pregnant women. You can check all the ingredients listed on the product page. It’s worth investing in a good pregnancy-safe face wash, even if it’s a little pricey.
When it comes to shopping for pregnancy-safe face washes, a gentle and fragrance-free product should be your first pick. However, doctors advise against using products containing a handful of ingredients listed below.
What face washes or cleansers to avoid while pregnant?
Pregnancy breakouts are very common. Hormonal changes and usage of wrong skin care products most often cause these breakouts. You can’t control the first factor, but you certainly have control over the second one. Therefore, you should carefully choose a face wash during pregnancy. Make sure your chosen product doesn’t contain these ingredients.
- Beta hydroxy acid (BHA), Salicylic acid is a well-known BHA
- Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), such as Glycolic acid
- Parabens and phthalates
- Retinol and retinoids
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Formaldehyde
- Soy
Also, face wash with vitamin A is not ideal for pregnancy breakouts.
There are some brands that make products specifically targeted at pregnant women. Belli is one such brand, developed and approved by OB/GYNs, has a line of pregnancy-safe skincare products.
Conclusion
During pregnancy, many women suffer from acne due to skin sensitivity. Likewise, your skin can be oily or dry due to hormonal imbalances. However, you can still look good during this period by choosing a pregnancy-safe face wash. From our review, the best pregnancy-safe face washes should cleanse your skin without altering the PH balance and reducing moisture content. In addition, it should be gentle on your skin and ensure smoothness and radiance. Hopefully, you can now pick the right skin-care product out there with ease.