Little Bean is a pregnancy safe skincare app and pregnancy safe beauty app — a pregnancy-safer ingredient checker for makeup, skincare, and personal care products. Simply scan or type in an ingredient list and Little Bean tells you which ingredients may be worth avoiding during pregnancy, fertility treatments, breastfeeding, or the postpartum period — and why. The app is available for both iOS and Android.

Unlike generic ingredient apps that rely solely on automated algorithms, Little Bean’s database is expert-curated and reviewed by reproductive toxicologist Pauline Lelandais, PhD. Our assessments draw on peer-reviewed research from sources like PubMed, NIH, ACOG, and the European Medicines Agency — not just crowdsourced ratings. We explain the “why” behind each flag so you can make an informed decision without unnecessary panic.

Not at all. Little Bean is designed for anyone navigating a sensitive reproductive stage, including people trying to conceive, going through IVF or other fertility treatments, currently pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or pumping. Each life stage can have different ingredient considerations, and Little Bean helps you understand them.

Little Bean’s ingredient database is reviewed by Pauline Lelandais, PhD, who holds a doctorate in reproductive toxicology from Université de Rennes 1, with a specialization in women’s health and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Pauline reviews the scientific literature and translates complex toxicology findings into clear, accessible safety summaries you can actually use. Learn more on our About page.

Little Bean was founded by Mirte Maas, CEO of Little Bean App LLC. Mirte built Little Bean to solve a real problem she personally experienced — the lack of clear, evidence-based guidance on beauty products during pregnancy. You can read more about the founding story on the About page.

Little Bean is an educational tool, not a medical device or healthcare provider. It helps you understand ingredient labels and flag potential concerns based on current scientific evidence. For personal medical decisions — including what products to use during your specific pregnancy — always consult your OB-GYN, midwife, dermatologist, or other qualified clinician.

Several ingredients are widely recommended to avoid during pregnancy based on available evidence or a precautionary approach. These include retinoids and retinol, high-dose salicylic acid, chemical sunscreen filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate, certain essential oils, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Little Bean explains the evidence level behind each flag so you understand the reasoning, not just the verdict.

Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin, are well-established teratogens and must be avoided during pregnancy. For topical retinoids — like tretinoin, retinol, and retinaldehyde — systemic absorption is lower, but most dermatologists and OB-GYNs recommend avoiding them during pregnancy as a precaution. Little Bean flags retinoids and provides context so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.

Low concentrations of salicylic acid in rinse-off products are generally considered lower risk, but high-concentration leave-on products and peels are typically flagged as potentially worth avoiding. Little Bean assesses concentration and product type where possible to give you a more nuanced answer.

Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are widely recommended as the pregnancy-safer choice because these ingredients work physically on the skin surface and have low systemic absorption. Some chemical sunscreen filters, notably oxybenzone, may be flagged due to endocrine-disrupting concerns. Little Bean explains the precautionary reasoning behind each flag.

Many everyday skincare ingredients are considered safe, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, glycerin, ceramides, peptides, and azelaic acid. Mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are also widely regarded as pregnancy-safer options. Little Bean helps you quickly identify what is in your existing products without having to research every ingredient yourself.

Yes — that is one of Little Bean’s core use cases. If you have a product at home, you can type or scan the ingredient list directly in the app. You do not need a barcode or for the product to be in a pre-loaded database. This means Little Bean works for products from many brands, countries, and retailers.

Yes. Little Bean supports the breastfeeding and postpartum stage in addition to pregnancy. Some ingredient concerns differ between pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little Bean’s database accounts for these different life stages where evidence is available.

Yes. Little Bean includes considerations relevant to people trying to conceive and those undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a particular area of concern during fertility treatments, and Pauline Lelandais’s expertise in endocrine-disrupting chemicals informs this part of the database. If you are working with a fertility specialist, we also recommend discussing specific concerns with them.

Not always. Some ingredients that are flagged for pregnancy may be assessed differently during breastfeeding, and vice versa. Little Bean distinguishes between life stages where the scientific evidence supports different guidance. Where evidence is limited or inconclusive, we say so clearly rather than overstating certainty.

If you are postpartum and not breastfeeding, many pregnancy-specific restrictions no longer apply, and you may be able to reintroduce products you paused during pregnancy. Little Bean can help you understand which ingredients were flagged and why, so you and your doctor can decide together what makes sense for your situation.

The research on topical skincare and fertility outcomes is still emerging, and absolute claims would be an overstatement of current science. That said, several studies have raised concerns about endocrine-disrupting chemicals — including certain preservatives, UV filters, and fragrances — and their potential impact on hormonal systems relevant to fertility. Little Bean takes a precautionary approach for this stage and notes where evidence is limited.

No — Little Bean does not require a barcode. You can type or photograph an ingredient list directly in the app. This makes it useful for products from any brand or country, products you are researching online, or products where a barcode scan would not return a result.

Find the ingredient list on the product page or retailer listing, then enter it into Little Bean. Many beauty brands publish full ingredient lists on their websites or retailer pages. Little Bean will analyze the list and flag any ingredients of concern so you can make an informed decision before you buy.

Don’t panic. A flag means the ingredient is worth being aware of — not that you have caused harm. Little Bean explains the level of evidence and the nature of the concern so you can have a productive conversation with your OB-GYN, midwife, or dermatologist. Most ingredient concerns are precautionary rather than based on confirmed harm from normal topical use.

Little Bean is offered as a one-time purchase on both the App Store and Google Play. We chose this simple pricing model so users can access pregnancy-focused ingredient guidance without committing to a monthly subscription. Once downloaded, you can start checking the products you already own or are considering buying.

As a skincare ingredient checker for pregnancy and other reproductive stages, Little Bean’s database is curated and reviewed by a reproductive toxicologist drawing on peer-reviewed scientific literature and guidance from bodies like ACOG, the NIH, and the European Medicines Agency. That said, ingredient safety science evolves, and no tool can account for every individual’s unique health situation. Use Little Bean as an informed starting point, not the final word.

Little Bean is available on both major platforms:

Download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad
Get it on Google Play for Android

Little Bean’s ingredient assessments draw on peer-reviewed research from PubMed, guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Institutes of Health, and the European Medicines Agency, among other scientific and regulatory sources. Where guidance differs across sources or evidence is limited, Little Bean notes the uncertainty rather than presenting false confidence.

Pauline Lelandais holds a PhD in reproductive toxicology from Université de Rennes 1, with specialization in women’s health and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. She reviews the scientific literature behind Little Bean’s ingredient flags and translates complex toxicology findings into plain-language explanations. Having a dedicated expert — rather than a generic algorithm — means Little Bean’s assessments reflect the nuance and context that ingredient safety actually requires. Read more on our About page.

A precautionary approach means that when scientific evidence is limited, inconclusive, or mixed — but there is a plausible biological concern — Little Bean may still flag an ingredient rather than wait for definitive proof of harm. Pregnancy is a particularly sensitive window where erring on the side of caution is often appropriate. Little Bean always explains whether a flag is based on strong evidence, limited evidence, or a precautionary stance, so you understand the distinction.

No. Little Bean is an educational tool, not a healthcare provider. It helps you understand what is in your products and why certain ingredients may warrant attention. For decisions specific to your pregnancy, health history, or medical situation, please consult your OB-GYN, midwife, dermatologist, pharmacist, or other qualified clinician. Little Bean is designed to make those conversations more informed — not to replace them.

Little Bean’s database is reviewed and updated as new scientific research is published and as regulatory guidance evolves. Ingredient safety science is an active field, and our team monitors the literature to reflect meaningful changes in evidence. Check our blog for updates on ingredient research and app news.

Try not to worry. Most topical skincare ingredient concerns are based on precautionary reasoning or animal studies rather than confirmed human harm from normal cosmetic use. If you have used a flagged product and have concerns, mention it to your OB-GYN or midwife at your next appointment — they can help you assess your specific situation. Little Bean is here to help you make better choices going forward, not to cause anxiety about the past.