Pregnancy Safe Toner: Do’s and Don’ts
Toners are a key step in many skincare routines, offering benefits like balancing pH, hydrating the skin, and controlling excess oil. Whether you’re targeting fine lines, dry skin, or oily skin, the right pregnancy-safe toner can make a noticeable difference.
However, during pregnancy, it’s essential to be mindful of your skincare ingredients. Some common toner ingredients may not be safe for expectant mothers, making it crucial to choose a pregnancy-safe toner that nourishes and protects without risk.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of pregnancy-safe toners, the ingredients to avoid, and the best options for 2025 and beyond—ensuring you can maintain healthy, glowing skin while prioritizing safety.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Toner During Pregnancy?
Using a toner during pregnancy offers several benefits, particularly when managing sensitive skin and hormonal changes. Pregnancy can disrupt the skin barrier, often leading to increased dryness, oiliness, or pregnancy acne. A well-formulated pregnancy-safe toner with natural ingredients can help restore balance, provide hydration, and support overall skin health
Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, advises, “If you’re trying to get pregnant, I suggest clearing up your skin care regimen at least six months before attempting to conceive”. This approach allows you to transition to pregnancy-safe products well in advance.
Using a toner during pregnancy can be a good idea for many women, especially those experiencing hormonal changes that affect their skin. Pregnancy-safe toners can help maintain the skin barrier, provide essential skin hydration, and balance your skin’s pH levels. Toners can be particularly beneficial during pregnancy when many women experience changes in their skin type. A gentle, alcohol-free toner can help remove excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
Many board-certified dermatologists recommend alcohol-free toners with hydrating and soothing ingredients, such as aloe barbadensis leaf juice and fruit extracts.
The best time to use a toner depends on your overall skincare choices and routine. If you use a gentle, hydrating cleanser, a toner can provide an extra layer of nourishment. If you use a foaming or exfoliating cleanser, a toner helps rebalance pH levels and prepares the skin for optimal moisturizer absorption.
The Best Pregnancy Safe Toners
For expectant mothers looking for fragrance-free products, here are some of the best choices of pregnancy-safe toners we’ve discovered:
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Paula’s Choice Enriched Calming Toner ($26) – This ultra-gentle toner soothes sensitive skin while providing deep hydration. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamins C, E, and B3 (niacinamide), it helps strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness.
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Heritage Store Rosewater & Hyaluronic Acid Toner ($24.49) – A natural, alcohol-free toner infused with aloe barbadensis leaf juice and botanical extracts. It hydrates and refreshes the skin while supporting a balanced complexion.
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Versed Baby Cheeks Hydrating Milk Toner ($17.94) – This milky, non-stripping toner removes hard water residue and traces of makeup while restoring the skin’s natural pH balance (5.0-6.0) for a soft, supple feel.
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Hebepe Green Tea Matcha Facial toner ($9.99) – A lightweight, antioxidant-rich toner featuring green tea extract, lavender, jojoba oil, castor oil, and snail filtrate. This mist hydrates, calms irritation, and nourishes the skin, making it ideal for pregnancy-safe skincare.
Each of these products provides hydration and nourishment without the risks associated with unsafe ingredients like retinoids, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or chemical sunscreens.
Which Toner is Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
Choosing a pregnancy-safe toner means knowing which ingredients to avoid and which are considered safe.. During pregnancy, dermatologists commonly advise it’s best to avoid toners containing beta hydroxy acids in large amounts, high concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, and any form of retinoids. These ingredients have the potential to be absorbed into the bloodstream and may pose risks to fetal development. Some skincare ingredients to avoid include:
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Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) – Commonly found in acne treatments, BHAs, like salicylic acid, can be absorbed into the bloodstream. While small amounts are generally considered safe, high doses have been linked to potential risks.
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Benzoyl Peroxide – Often used to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide is considered safe in small amounts, but some dermatologists recommend avoiding it due to its potential to cause irritation and dryness.
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Glycolic Acid – This exfoliating acid is effective for treating dark spots and fine lines, but high concentrations can be too harsh for sensitive pregnancy skin and may cause increased irritation.
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Topical Retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A, Tretinoin) – Retinoids are widely used in anti-aging and acne treatments, but they have been linked to birth defects and are strictly advised against during pregnancy.
While some skincare ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy, the good news is there are many safe and effective options that can help maintain a healthy complexion. Dr. Robert, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends, “Look for toners containing ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and kojic acid, as these can help address common pregnancy skin concerns without posing significant risks.”
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Vitamin C – Brightens skin, evens out skin tone, and provides antioxidant protection.
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Hyaluronic Acid – Promotes skin hydration and helps retain moisture, keeping skin plump and smooth. (Check here for some of the best hyaluronic acid for pregnancy products we have come across!)
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Azelaic Acid – Effectively treats pregnancy acne and helps reduce dark spots
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Kojic Acid – A natural skin brightener that can help with hyperpigmentation and melasma.
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Glycolic Acid (in small amounts) – Provides gentle exfoliation to improve skin texture without irritating sensitive pregnancy skin.
Choosing a pregnancy-safe toner with these beneficial ingredients ensures that you are supporting your skin without exposing yourself to potentially unsafe ingredients.
Is Thayers Toner Safe for Pregnancy (and Beneficial?)
Thayers Witch Hazel Toner is a widely popular product that can often be found in TJ Maxx hauls and online beauty retailers. With thousands of customer reviews, this toner is praised for its ability to soothe the skin while reducing oiliness and irritation. Witch hazel, the main active ingredient in Thayers toner, is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy when used in moderation. Witch hazel has natural astringent properties that can help balance oil production and soothe irritated skin.
Which Thayers Toner Is Best for Pregnancy?
After reviewing Thayers’ toner lineup, we recommend the Unscented Witch Hazel Facial Toner as the safest option during pregnancy.
A quick scan of Thayer’s products with our pregnancy-safe ingredient checker revealed that many of their toners contain fragrance (parfum), which may include endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates. Since companies aren’t required to disclose the exact composition of fragrance due to trade secret protections, this makes it difficult to verify whether certain formulations are truly free from harmful additives.
Additionally, while some retailers claim that Thayers’ products are phthalate-free and paraben-free, we couldn’t confirm this information on the official Thayers website. The brand has recently reformulated its toners, but details on the new ingredients remain limited.
Given these uncertainties, the Unscented Witch Hazel Facial Toner stands out as the best choice for expectant mothers. It is:
✔ Free from added fragrances
✔ Made with 98% naturally derived ingredients
✔ Formulated with soothing components like witch hazel, glycerin, and aloe vera
What Do Customers Say?
Customer reviews for Thayers Witch Hazel Toner are overwhelmingly positive. Many users praise its gentle yet effective formula, including one pregnant reviewer who shared:
“I’ve been using Thayers toner throughout my pregnancy, and it’s helped keep my skin clear and balanced without any harsh effects.”
If you’re looking for a gentle, pregnancy-safe toner, Thayers is a solid choice, especially for oily or combination skin. However, if you have dry or sensitive skin, pairing it with a rich moisturizer is recommended to prevent dehydration. (Check out our previous blog post on pregnancy-safe moisturizers for dermatologist-approved options!)
How to Use Thayers Toner in Your Pregnancy Skincare Routine
To get the most out of Thayers Unscented Witch Hazel Facial Toner, follow these steps:
✔ Apply after cleansing, before serums or moisturizers.
✔ If you have dry or sensitive skin, start with every other day or as needed instead of daily use.
✔ Follow up with a pregnancy-safe moisturizer for extra hydration and skin protection.
By incorporating a safe and effective toner like Thayers into your routine, you can help balance your skin, refine pores, and maintain a healthy complexion throughout pregnancy—without exposing yourself to questionable ingredients.
Is Hair Toner Safe for Pregnancy?
While skin care products often take center stage, many pregnant women also wonder about the safety of hair toner. Hair toner is commonly used to neutralize brassy tones in dyed hair and enhance color vibrancy. Unlike facial toner, hair toner is usually applied in salons or at home as a rinse.
The safety of hair toner depends on its ingredients. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that using hair dye or toner in well-ventilated areas is generally not toxic for your fetus as only a small amount of chemicals from hair dye is absorbed through the scalp. Research on animals has shown that some chemicals found in hair products can cause birth defects when used in very high doses. However, studies on humans indicate that these chemicals are not easily absorbed into the body through normal use. The risk of absorption increases only if there are open wounds or infections on the scalp. This suggests that under typical conditions, the risk to human pregnancies from hair products is likely to be low.
If you are concerned, opt for pregnancy-safe alternatives, such as semi-permanent, ammonia-free toners or color-depositing conditioners. These products provide a safer way to maintain hair color without exposing yourself to unnecessary chemicals.
Final Thoughts on Pregnancy Safe Toners
Choosing a pregnancy-safe toner is an important part of maintaining a healthy skincare routine while expecting. By avoiding unsafe ingredients and opting for products with natural ingredients like , hyaluronic acidaloe barbadensis leaf juice, vitamin C, and lactic acid, you can support your skin without worry. Whether you’re dealing with hormonal changes, pregnancy acne, or dry skin, a well-chosen toner can provide the hydration and balance your skin needs.
Always check the product label and consult with a board-certified dermatologist or healthcare provider to ensure your skincare choices align with your pregnancy needs. With pregnancy-safe alternatives readily available, you can confidently enjoy your beauty routine while prioritizing your health and well-being.
Sources
13 Best Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products, Tested and Reviewed | The Bump (medically reviewed)
The Best Toners For Balanced Skin | Marie Claire
Skin Conditions During Pregnancy | ACOG
The 14 Best Brightening Face Masks, According to Derms | The Zoe Report
8 Benefits and Uses of Witch Hazel | Healthline
Safety of hair products during pregnancy | the College of Family Physicians of Canada
