Our Favorite Pregnancy-Safe Foundations

 

During pregnancy, many expectant mothers become more conscious of the products they use, including makeup. This heightened awareness stems from the desire to safeguard the health and well-being of both themselves and their developing babies.

Dr. Heather Rogers, MD, explains that during pregnancy, the skin’s increased absorption of ingredients, attributed to the dilation of blood vessels, emphasizes the need for caution regarding the choice of skincare products. Notably, substances such as phthalates, salicylic acid, and retinoids warrant particular attention due to their potential risks. 

Given the potential harm certain chemicals may pose to the fetus or hormonal balance in pregnant individuals, it’s imperative to choose pregnancy-safe foundation formulas. These formulations should be meticulously crafted to exclude harmful substances and prioritize the safety of expectant mothers and their unborn babies.

 

Safe Makeup for Pregnancy

 

Key ingredients to avoid in makeup products during pregnancy:

• Retinoids: Medical research, along with recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), advises against the use of certain skincare products during pregnancy, despite their recognized effectiveness. This caution is rooted in the potential risks associated with their use during pregnancy. High doses of vitamin A, commonly present in retinoids, have been linked to an elevated risk of birth defects.
• Salicylic acid: Although frequently used for acne treatment, doctors commonly advise limiting the use of salicylic acid products to concentrations no higher than 2%.
• Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone, commonly utilized in skin-lightening products and melasma treatment, should be avoided during pregnancy due to its potential impact on fetal development. Research indicates that the skin absorbs approximately 35–45% of hydroquinone from these products. While this absorption level is unlikely to cause adverse effects, healthcare professionals advise against its use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Phthalates: These chemicals, commonly found in fragrances, should be avoided during pregnancy as they have been linked to hormonal disruptions. This is particularly crucial from conception to birth, known as the bean-to-baby phase, for optimal fetal development.
• Chemical sunscreen: Some chemical sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone (BP-3) and other “benzones,” as potential hormone disruptors that might present risks for pregnant individuals. BP-3 has been observed to cross the placenta and potentially elevate the risk of developing Hirschsprung’s disease. Mineral sunscreen formulations with ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are advisable as a safer alternative.

To ensure that your foundation is pregnancy-safe, Little Bean provides a convenient pregnancy-safe ingredient checker. This tool is available on both IOS and Android platforms, making it easy to identify any potentially harmful ingredients, such as hydroquinone, phthalates or high concentrations of salicylic acid, listed on the product, including those mentioned earlier. By utilizing this tool, you can ensure that the foundation you select is free from any harmful substances, offering reassurance for both you and your baby. You may also check out our blog post on pregnancy-safe makeup for additional tips and tricks to enhance your beauty routine during pregnancy.

What cosmetics should be avoided during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, it’s crucial to avoid cosmetics containing potentially harmful ingredients. These substances may be found in a range of products, from lotions to nail polish and foundation. Take extra caution with leave-on products that cover large areas of your body. Opting for a foundation specifically labeled as pregnancy-safe is a prudent choice to ensure caution. 

Thankfully, the market offers numerous pregnancy-safe alternatives for treating melasma. Among these, a popular recommendation from dermatologists is vitamin C serum. Among these, a popular recommendation from dermatologists is vitamin C serum.  Vitamin C not only possesses antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from environmental damage but also aids in brightening the complexion and reducing the appearance of dark spots, including those associated with melasma. 

Little Bean’s blog on pregnancy-safe vitamin C serum provides further insights into this alternative treatment option, offering expectant mothers valuable information on safe and effective skincare during pregnancy.

Consulting with a dermatologist or healthcare provider can provide valuable guidance on selecting safe makeup products during pregnancy, as companies do not always list the concentration of certain ingredients, like salicylic acid, on their product label. They can recommend formulas that meet safety standards and address individual skincare concerns.

 

Pregnancy Safe Foundation

 

Here are some general guidelines on the pregnancy safety of certain foundation types, and what to watch out for:

• Liquid or cream foundations: This type of foundation typically offers medium to full coverage and is suitable for most skin types. These foundations can potentially contain retinoids or chemical sunscreen, although it’s less common compared to skincare products specifically formulated for those purposes. However, the concentration of retinoids in foundation products is typically lower than in dedicated skincare products. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to avoid cream foundations containing these ingredients during pregnancy to err on the side of caution. Fragrances are commonly added to liquid foundations to enhance their scent. However, synthetic fragrances may contain phthalates, which have been linked to hormonal disruptions and adverse effects on fetal development.
• Powder Foundation: Powder foundation provides a lighter coverage compared to liquid foundation and is ideal for those with oily or combination skin. It helps absorb excess oil and provides a matte finish. There is a belief among some that powder foundation may be considered safer during pregnancy because its ingredients are less likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream compared to liquid or cream foundations. However, it’s important to note that the safety of a foundation during pregnancy is not solely determined by its formulation or absorption rate. While it’s true that powder foundation sits on the surface of the skin and may have less potential for absorption compared to liquid or cream foundations, the safety of any makeup product during pregnancy depends on the absorption rate of its specific ingredients and the ability to pass through the placenta. Furthermore, the application method and potential for inhalation of powder particles should also be considered a potential risk.
• Mineral Foundation:  Mineral foundation is made from natural minerals and provides light to medium coverage. It’s suitable for sensitive skin types and offers a breathable, lightweight feel. Mineral foundation is often considered to be more pregnancy-safe compared to other types of foundation. This is because mineral foundations typically contain fewer synthetic chemicals and additives, making them less likely to irritate sensitive skin or cause adverse reactions during pregnancy. Additionally, mineral foundations often contain ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are natural mineral-based sunscreens. These ingredients provide broad-spectrum UV protection without the use of potentially harmful chemical sunscreen agents, making mineral foundation a safer option for pregnant women concerned about sun exposure.
• BB Cream and CC Cream: BB (Beauty Balm) and CC (Color Correcting) creams are multi-purpose products that combine skincare benefits with light coverage. They provide hydration, sun protection, and color correction, making them suitable for everyday wear.

Ultimately, when choosing a foundation during pregnancy, it’s essential to review the ingredient list carefully, opt for products formulated without ingredients such as phthalates, and consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalized advice. Additionally, practicing good skincare habits, including proper cleansing and sun protection, can contribute to overall skin health during pregnancy.

What foundation is safe during pregnancy?

Here are our top five recommended pregnancy-safe foundations, fully endorsed by Little Bean for use during pregnancy and nursing. Each of these foundations is meticulously formulated without synthetic fragrances (phthalates) or the key ingredients mentioned above that should be avoided during pregnancy.

• Milani 2-in-1 foundation + concealer: This foundation + concealer is cruelty-free and highly popular among Little Bean users. Customers appreciate its coverage, quality, and texture.
• Physicians Formula liquid foundation: This organic foundation offers weightless, light to medium coverage and is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut oil. Customers appreciate its moisturizing properties without leaving an oily sensation.
• Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation: This lightweight foundation provides medium coverage and is infused with niacinamide, making it suitable for all skin types. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and classified as clean beauty. Customers praise its exceptional finish, ability to even out skin tone without emphasizing wrinkles, and overall coverage.

Daytime with mineral sunscreen protection:

• Honest Beauty tinted moisturizer with spf 30: Infused with Vitamin C to improve uneven skin tone, this tinted moisturizer offers coverage and performance similar to concealer. Customers appreciate its ability to conceal blemishes and its natural-looking finish.
• bareMinerals powder foundation SPF 15: Known for its clean mineral formula, this lightweight foundation provides natural-looking coverage without harmful chemicals. Customers praise its appearance, coverage, quality, and lightweight feel. They find it evens out skin tone in a natural way without appearing cakey.

Three Safe Makeup Brands for Pregnancy

Here’s a list of established brands having a pregnancy-safe product line:

• Physicians formula: With a focus on natural and organic ingredients, physicians formula is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested.  Their makeup line is safe for use for pregnant individuals and provides high-quality, long-lasting results.
• The Beauty Counter: Committed to producing safe and clean beauty products. The brand prioritizes ingredient transparency and avoids using harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances in their formulations. Additionally, The Beauty Counter offers a range of skincare and makeup products that are specifically formulated to be pregnancy-safe, 
• Honest Beauty: Clean & conscious. This brand covers three full pregnancy-safe makeup routines for mamas to be on their website. 

Please ensure to utilize our pregnancy-safe ingredient checker to review the ingredient list of each makeup product individually. Make your own informed decisions based on the product’s formulation (powder, liquid, etc.), as mentioned previously.

These brands have built a reputation for crafting makeup products that are both safe and effective, tailored to meet the specific requirements of finding a pregnancy-safe foundation. Their commitment to safety and transparency ensures that expectant mothers can trust the quality and integrity of their products.

We’ve curated our product recommendations to suit various budgets, acknowledging that not everyone can afford luxury items. Our selection includes options like Milani, starting at approximately $10 per bottle, and Ilja, which falls into a higher price bracket at $54. We intentionally excluded extremely high-end products because, based on our experience, the effectiveness of makeup, especially pregnancy-safe foundation, varies greatly depending on individual skin types. Most cosmetic brands offer concealers in numerous shades to accommodate diverse skin tones and undertones, typically ranging from 5 to 30 shades or more, depending on the brand. 

 

Cosmetic Brands Safe for Pregnancy

 

While “cosmetic brands” and “makeup brands” are frequently used interchangeably, subtle distinctions exist between the two. Cosmetic brands encompass a broader spectrum of products beyond makeup, including skincare, haircare, fragrances, and other personal care items. These brands are dedicated to enhancing beauty, promoting skincare, and catering to diverse beauty requirements.

Is Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream pregnancy-safe?

Yes. Our pregnancy-safe ingredient checker confirms that Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream contains no ingredients that are flagged for pregnant individuals. Customers say it feels luxurious and highly hydrating due to ingredients like hyaluronic acid. 

Here are some other Little Bean-approved favorite cosmetic brands:

• EltaMD: EltaMD comes highly recommended by skincare experts and dermatologists. Although they do not offer a traditional foundation, their tinted face sunscreen moisturizer delivers light coverage. This allows you to achieve a balanced skin tone while effectively safeguarding your skin from the sun.
• Kosas: Kosas is renowned for its clean beauty products, notably pregnancy-safe foundations crafted with nourishing ingredients suitable for sensitive skin. Their concealer offers medium coverage, praised by customers for effectively concealing dark circles, providing hydration, and seamlessly blending with the skin.
• W3ll people: Affordable clean beauty that is plant powered, cruelty free and EWG Verified. All Well People products are free from parabens, avobenzone, oxybenzone, GMOs, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, petrolatum, PEG, propylene glycol, mineral oil, talc, nanoparticles, as well as thousands of other potentially toxic ingredients. Such as their biocorrect concealer for medium to full coverage or bio powder foundation for light to medium coverage 

Please note: While all the specific products we recommend are 100% Little Bean approved for pregnancy safety, it’s important to recognize that not every product from these brands may be deemed 100% pregnancy safe. Being vegan or non-toxic does not guarantee pregnancy safety.

For example, salicylic acid is found naturally in the bark of the willow tree, but it can also be artificially manufactured. Doctors often caution against high concentrations of salicylic acid in skincare products for pregnant individuals due to its similarity to aspirin, which is derived from salicylic acid. In pregnancy, high doses of aspirin have been associated with complications such as fetal developmental issues and increased risk of bleeding. 

Therefore, even though a product may be labeled as “non-toxic” or “vegan,” it doesn’t always indicate safety during pregnancy. As Dr. Heather Rogers articulates, “Natural ingredients are those that exist in nature in the same chemical form.”

While each brand presents a distinctive array of pregnancy-safe foundations, they all prioritize safety, quality, and effectiveness. Expectant mothers can confidently select from these brands, assured that they are making informed and responsible choices for both themselves and their babies.Sources:

Retinoid or Retinol? | AAD

Is salicylic acid safe to use during pregnancy? | Medical News Today

Hydroquinone | NCBI

The Banned Sunscreen Ingredients and Their Impact on Human Health | NCBI