Clean Beauty Buys for Pregnancy
Clean beauty products continue to be an industry focus as awareness of harmful additives found in everyday cosmetics spreads. Brands are prioritizing natural ingredients free of all the bad stuff (sulfates, parabens, phthalates—oh my!) while remaining committed to cruelty-free practices and little-to-no waste production. Browse our current obsessions that are better for you and your budding bump.
1. Olio e Osso Bel Corpo Body Oil
If you haven’t veered from lotion as your primary moisturizer and given body oil a shot, you’re missing out. Today’s formulas absorb well (like you can put on your jeans afterward well) and give your skin a lasting glow. This antioxidant-rich, plant-based blend of natural oils delivers on its promise to hydrate your skin and also works nicely as a face oil, if desired.
2. RMS “Un” Cover-Up Concealer
A fave amongst natural-minded makeup users, this creamy concealer builds in all-over coverage or can be utilized as a spot treatment for blemishes. Though light to the touch, it evens out skin tone and looks pretty close to flawless when coupled with the brand’s concealer brush (otherwise, just use your fingers). Offering a wide range of pigments and a good-for-your-skin formula, it’s an essential anyone will love. (If you want heavier coverage, they recently launched a foundation that’s worth checking out.)
3. Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo
Healthy haircare can be hard to find in the dry shampoo department with so many aerosols and even more questionable labels. Primally Pure’s dry shampoo shows your locks some love with arrowroot powder and kaolin clay for moisture-absorption and added texture; essential oils grapefruit, lavender and peppermint aid in cleansing, soothing the scalp and stimulating hair growth. Considering dry shampoo is a product we use every day, we can’t not afford to make the swap and use this dependable alternative. Bonus: They offer two versions for light and dark locks, which is much appreciated.
4. ILIA Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
If you’re a fan of tinted moisturizer or sunscreen but also want to sport a healthful glow, this multitasking product is a must! It requires a good shake before each use and may take a try or two to perfect your application, but the dewy coverage is 100 percent worth it. Plus, it adds extra SPF to your moneymaker, which is always desirable when it comes to your skincare routine.
5. MERIT Day Glow Highlighting Balm
Highlighters seem easy to use but can actually be a difficult look to achieve when applied over other makeup. This non-glittery balm has rave reviews for being user-friendly on top of foundation and flattering for daytime wear, illuminating the skin with zero sparkle—just the right amount of sheen.
6. Axiology Beauty Balmy Trio
Multi-purpose products are the absolute best in the beauty industry, and this pretty palette of vegan balmies packs a lot of use in its petite, zero-waste (and plastic-free!) packaging. Enjoy any 3-in-1 crayon as a matte lip balm, a creamy blush or a hint of eyeshadow. Their products contain 10 ingredients or less and are super easy to apply. (There’s really no messing it up—just keep blending!)
7. Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
If you’re bummed to have to forgo your retinol treatment for pregnancy and breastfeeding (that’s a long time!), bakuchiol retinol alternative may lessen the blow. This skincare formulation has shown promising results in clinical studies and has received praise from some dermatologists for being just as effective as retinol. It targets dullness, uneven skin texture, fine lines and dryness. It’s also gentler on sensitive skin.
(Tip: If you’re unsure about a retinol alternative but still want a few bells and whistles for your nightly routine, both hyaluronic acid (great for anti-aging) and vitamin C (a brightening agent) are safe during pregnancy—hooray!)
8. Elevé Cosmetics Lash After-Party Mascara
Clean ingredients don’t have to mean minimal looks for makeup lovers. This award-winning mascara adds dramatic buildable volume and length just like its counterparts—minus the artificial dyes, fragrances and hydrogenated oils. See how good it can feel and look to opt for this nourishing formula for your lashes.
9. Saie Sunvisor
This mineral-based zinc oxide sunscreen is sheer, never chalky and quickly absorbs whether being used alone or underneath additional products. It’s equal parts clean and silky for a dewy complexion that also keeps mom—and her patches of melasma—out of harms rays. We love layering it with a bb cream for lightweight coverage that protects and perfects.
10. Skylar Pink Canyon EDP
ICYMI: Certain perfumers have been added to the clean beauty brands list. Skylar uses eco-friendly ingredients to craft modern scents you can feel good about wearing, many of which are more light and airy versus overly perfume-y. This is good news for expectant women with queasy stomachs still looking for a quick spritz of something yummy for date nights.
