Pregnancy

Pregnancy skincare: what to shelve, what to keep

4 min read · MyBloomingBelly editorial

Your skin is having its own pregnancy: glow one month, breakouts the next, new dark patches, and skin that itches as it stretches. Most products are fine — but a few belong on the shelf until after breastfeeding.

Shelve these: retinoids in any form (the acne tablets isotretinoin/Accutane are seriously harmful in pregnancy and need a doctor conversation immediately if you were taking them; topical retinol and adapalene are also avoided as a precaution), hydroquinone (the strong fading cream — absorbs heavily), and high-strength salicylic acid peels. When in doubt, photograph the ingredient list and ask your doctor.