Suscríbete para recibir herramientas de fertilidad gratis creadas por expertos, guías fáciles de seguir, recetas saludables, novedades y mucho más. ¡Nos vemos en tu bandeja de entrada!
When you’re trying to conceive, much of the focus naturally falls on timing, hormones, and medical appointments. Daily skincare routines rarely feel like part of the fertility conversation, yet they represent one of the most consistent and intimate forms of chemical exposure in everyday life. Products are applied directly to the skin, often left on for hours, and used repeatedly over months or years.
There is no evidence that skincare products cause infertility or pregnancy complications. Human fertility research is complex, and most data on cosmetic ingredients are observational rather than causal. Still, research in reproductive and endocrine health has shown that some ingredient groups can interfere with hormone signalling or lack robust safety data in pregnancy. As a result, many clinicians recommend a precautionary, low-stress approach that focuses on reducing repeated, avoidable exposure where it is easy to do so.
Quick Answer: The skincare ingredients most commonly avoided during pregnancy include retinoids, hydroquinone, high-dose leave-on salicylic acid, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and certain chemical UV filters such as oxybenzone. These recommendations are precautionary, based on absorption potential and limited safety data, rather than evidence that skincare products themselves cause harm.
Skincare products differ from many other exposures because they are predictable and cumulative. The same moisturiser, serum, or sunscreen may be applied daily to the same area of skin, creating long-term, low-dose exposure. During pregnancy, when hormone regulation plays a critical role in implantation, placental development, and foetal growth, this cumulative exposure is why certain ingredients attract closer scrutiny.
This precautionary logic is similar to the guidance often discussed when exploring unexplained infertility or preparing for assisted conception, where the goal is not to eliminate all risk but to optimise the biological environment wherever practical.
No. Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives are routinely avoided during pregnancy.
High-dose vitamin A is a known teratogen when taken orally. Although topical retinoids are absorbed at much lower levels, safety data around pregnancy are limited. Because retinoids are not essential for skin health and alternatives are widely available, most clinicians recommend stopping them when pregnancy is confirmed or when actively trying to conceive.
Retinoids are commonly found in anti-ageing creams, acne treatments, and “skin renewal” serums, and may appear on labels as retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate, tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene. This guidance is often reviewed alongside broader fertility planning conversations, including how hormonal balance influences treatment outcomes during the IVF process.
It depends on the formulation and dose.
Low-strength, rinse-off salicylic acid products, such as cleansers, are generally considered low concern. The caution relates to high-dose leave-on products, including 2 percent BHA toners, spot treatments, and at-home chemical peel kits, which have greater absorption potential and limited pregnancy-specific data.
Because of this uncertainty, many dermatology and pregnancy guidelines suggest limiting or avoiding regular use of strong leave-on salicylic acid during pregnancy, especially when combined with other active ingredients.
Hydroquinone is effective for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma, but studies show it has relatively high skin absorption compared with many cosmetic actives. Due to limited pregnancy safety data, hydroquinone is generally advised against during pregnancy.
This is particularly relevant because pigmentation changes are common during pregnancy. Clinicians often suggest alternative approaches such as vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and diligent sun protection, rather than aggressive lightening treatments.
When people search for chemicals to avoid during pregnancy, they are usually referring to a small group of substances with either endocrine activity or limited reproductive safety data. In skincare, this typically includes:
Reducing exposure to these chemicals is considered a precautionary choice, not a medical requirement. This mirrors broader reproductive guidance that recognises both partners’ exposures, including how male fertility factors and sperm quality contribute to pregnancy outcomes.
Some preservatives slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde to prevent microbial growth. Formaldehyde is a recognised reproductive toxicant at higher exposure levels, which is why this ingredient group is commonly flagged in pregnancy guidance.
These preservatives are still found in some skincare and haircare products and may appear on labels as DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, or bronopol. Because they are label-detectable and avoidable, many clinicians consider them a sensible reduction target during pregnancy.
Sun protection remains essential during pregnancy, particularly as hormonal changes can increase the risk of pigmentation. However, some older chemical UV filters have demonstrated endocrine activity in research settings, leading to regulatory restrictions in certain regions.
Ingredients such as oxybenzone are commonly flagged, and many pregnancy guidelines suggest switching to mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as a precaution. This allows continued UV protection without increasing concern and aligns with fertility-care discussions around hormone-sensitive exposure pathways, including those explored in research on testosterone, stress, and hormonal balance.
Fragrance is not a single ingredient but a mixture that can include undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates. While fragrance is not inherently unsafe, daily use in leave-on products such as body lotion, face moisturiser, and deodorant can significantly increase cumulative exposure.
Many people choose fragrance-free or lightly scented versions of daily staples during pregnancy, while keeping fragrance in occasional-use products. This approach reduces exposure without eliminating enjoyment from personal care routines.
A pregnancy-friendly approach does not require discarding your entire bathroom cabinet. Most clinicians suggest starting with products that are used most often and left on the skin the longest, such as moisturisers, serums, sunscreen, and acne treatments.
Replacing products gradually as they run out helps reduce stress and expense. This measured approach is consistent with how lifestyle changes are typically discussed in fertility care, including during preparation for IVF treatment or early pregnancy monitoring.
Avoiding certain skincare ingredients during pregnancy is not a guarantee of outcomes, and it is not a moral obligation. It is a practical, evidence-informed way to reduce avoidable exposure during a hormonally sensitive period.
This guidance complements medical care rather than replacing it. Those navigating fertility concerns may also benefit from broader education on reproductive health, including how male fertility, sperm DNA fragmentation, and shared environmental exposures influence conception and early pregnancy.
The skincare ingredients most commonly avoided during pregnancy include retinoids, hydroquinone, high-dose leave-on salicylic acid, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and certain chemical UV filters such as oxybenzone. These ingredients are flagged due to absorption potential or limited pregnancy safety data.
No. Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives are not considered safe during pregnancy. High-dose vitamin A is known to cause developmental harm when taken orally, and due to limited safety data on topical use, most clinicians recommend stopping retinoids during pregnancy.
It depends on the formulation. Low-strength, rinse-off salicylic acid products are generally considered low concern, but high-dose leave-on products such as 2 percent BHA toners and peel pads are usually avoided during pregnancy as a precaution.
In skincare, chemicals commonly avoided during pregnancy include retinoids, hydroquinone, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, certain chemical sunscreen filters, and in some cases fragrance ingredients that may contain phthalates. The focus is on reducing repeated, avoidable exposure rather than eliminating all synthetic ingredients.
Yes. Vitamin C is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy when applied topically as part of a skincare routine. It does not interfere with hormone signalling and is often recommended as an alternative to retinoids for skin brightening.
Some chemical sunscreens are considered safe, but certain filters such as oxybenzone have shown endocrine activity in research. Many pregnancy guidelines suggest using mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as a precaution while maintaining adequate sun protection.
No. Pregnancy does not require stopping skincare altogether. The goal is to review ingredient lists and reduce exposure to a small number of flagged ingredients, particularly in products used daily and left on the skin for long periods.
Fragranced products are not automatically unsafe, but fragrance mixtures can include undisclosed chemicals such as phthalates. Many people choose fragrance-free options for daily leave-on products during pregnancy to reduce cumulative exposure.
Gentle facials are usually considered safe, but strong chemical peels and treatments using high concentrations of active ingredients are often avoided during pregnancy due to increased absorption and limited safety data. It’s best to check ingredient lists and consult a professional.
There is no evidence that skincare products alone cause fertility problems or pregnancy complications. Research has identified associations between certain chemical exposures and hormonal changes, which is why precautionary guidance focuses on reducing avoidable exposure rather than implying direct harm.
Understanding which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy allows for informed, proportionate decisions rather than rigid rules. By focusing on repeated, avoidable exposures and following precautionary guidance grounded in reproductive science, it is possible to support pregnancy health without turning skincare into another source of stress.
If you have doubt about use of any particular products, ask your medical care provider for personalised guidance.
At Conceivio, fertility and pregnancy care are grounded in science, compassion, and inclusivity. Whether you are preparing for pregnancy, navigating fertility treatment, or seeking clear, evidence-based guidance, Conceivio offers trusted resources to support informed choices at every stage of the journey.
