Can I use retinol while pregnant?

Why should I avoid retinol?

Retinoids are avoided as a precaution, not because every topical exposure causes harm. Oral retinoid tablets use much higher doses and are known to cause miscarriage and birth defects. Topical creams and gels usually involve much smaller amounts, but absorption can differ between people. Reports include unaffected babies and case reports of birth defects, so a connection cannot be ruled out.2

What if I already used retinol?

Stop using the product and tell your obstetrician or dermatologist what you used, especially if it was prescribed. In the UK, topical retinoid exposure does not require extra monitoring for major birth defects. This is about skin applied products; oral retinoids are a different situation.12

What can I use instead of retinol during pregnancy?

For acne, azelaic acid is considered safe to use during pregnancy. Benzoyl peroxide is an option only in limited amounts, and salicylic acid only for a limited time. Avoid high dose salicylic acid above 2 percent unless your dermatologist advises you otherwise. Ask your obstetrician or dermatologist before starting an acne treatment.13

For dark spots or patches, dermatologists suggest vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid in the evening. These target pigment changes, so choose them for that concern rather than assuming one product replaces every use of retinol.1

Keep the rest of your routine simple: cleanse up to twice daily and after sweating, moisturize for your skin type, and protect your skin from the sun with shade, protective clothing and sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. During pregnancy, choose a physical sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The basic routine has three steps, a cast small enough to fit in one drawer.1

Pregnancy can make skin dry or sensitive. Use gentle products and look for fragrance free options; the American Academy of Dermatology also advises avoiding harsh ingredients such as alcohols and sulfates. Choose a moisturizer for your skin type; its name does not need an autobiography.1

Can I use retinol while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is different from pregnancy. Topical tretinoin is considered low risk for a nursing infant because little is absorbed through the skin. Keep treated skin from coming into direct contact with the infant, and do not apply tretinoin to the nipple or areola. This information is specific to topical tretinoin, not a blanket clearance for every cosmetic retinol product. Ask your clinician about the exact product before restarting it.4

Is bakuchiol safe during pregnancy?

Bakuchiol is described as a retinol analogue, but that description is not a pregnancy safety clearance. Do not assume it is safe during pregnancy just because it is presented as a retinol alternative.15

Can I use a retinol eye cream while pregnant?

No. An eye cream containing retinol is still a skin care product containing retinol, so avoid it during pregnancy. The area where you apply a product does not change its ingredient. Check the ingredient list rather than relying on the product name.1