14 Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Products the Experts Swear By

Hormones can have a big impact on our complexions, but during pregnancy and nursing the ebb and flow of your hormonal balance can be tough to navigate. Beauty-minded mommas may contend with problematic skin types that range from dry to blemish-prone extremes, with the extra risk of developing melasma, the "pregnancy mask." Part of the solution can be finding the right mommy- and baby-safe products to treat common skin issues. Tara Foley, the founder of green retailer Follain, explains, "With little to no regulation of the beauty industry in the United States, [most] brands contain some level of toxic ingredients which are absorbed through our skin and into our bloodstream and have been connected with everything from birth defects to uterine contractions." The risks are real, but don't let the challenges deter you. To help devise your mommy-safe regimen, Neal Schultz M.D., founder of Beauty RX, Tara Foley of Follain, and Lily Talakoub M.D. of McLean Dermatology Center have a few pointers for the ultimate guide to safe skincare and cosmetics for moms-to-be. Click through for their top tips and to browse their picks.

Respect the trifecta. "Every regimen needs three crucial components: an SPF, a glycolic exfoliant, and a topical antioxidant," Schultz says. But while pregnant and nursing, he advises that you rid your routine of ingredients like retinol and the skin-bleaching ingredient hydroquinone. Brit + Co Pick: Naturopathica Daily UV Defense Cream SPF 50 ($58)

Don't expect a pregnancy glow. Among women who have acne and get pregnant, "50 percent improve and 50 percent get worse — there's no way to predict which half you'll fall into. That's what makes daily glycolic exfoliation so wonderful for preventing and treating acne," Schultz shares. Breakouts or not, you'll derive plenty of benefits from the exfoliating acid, including a more even tone and a brighter complexion. Brit + Co Pick: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch ($13)

Glycolic acids are essential. If dry skin, melasma, and acne are your pregnancy problems, glycolic acid is the answer. Pregnancy-safe glycolic exfoliation helps prevent clogged pores, balance oil production, and clear up breakouts. According to Schultz, "The reality is, even before you get pregnant, [you should] use glycolic acid on a daily basis. It's the most important at-home ingredient. The Progressive Peel is the most versatile exfoliant in my line: Begin with the 8 percent glycolic serum before moving onto 10 percent glycolic pads after two weeks. Then continue every day." Brit + Co Pick: Beauty RX Progressive Peel At-Home Glycolic System ($98)

Get your vitamin C. The experts say topical antioxidants are an essential step in skincare, noting that a fat-soluble vitamin C, specifically, is the best for treating pigmentation concerns. Why? "It penetrates the skin better," Schultz says. "It also firms the skin by stimulating collagen production and evens skin tone by stopping the Tyrosinase enzyme from making melanin." Brit + Co Pick: Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum ($150)

Adjust your moisturizer. Seasonal beauty rituals are a good idea for a reason. Dry skin can vary by season, so make sure you have daily hydration that pairs well with the changing temps. Since you're going to be pregnant through multiple seasons, staying on top of your moisturizer is key. Brit + Co Pick: Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream ($60)

Pregnancy skin needs TLC. Don't let the added challenge of baby-proofing your regimen deter you. Foley reminds us that pregnancy is an especially important time to provide skin with clean, safe pampering and care. She adds, "Angry pregnancy skin needs to be maintained and regulated to prevent scarring, cracking, and fine line development." Brit + Co Pick: Soapwalla Pregnant Belly Oil ($32)

When in doubt, look for shorter ingredient lists. Follain adheres to a restricted ingredient list that makes it easy for pregnant customers to find high-quality products. "None of our products contain retinoids, tetracycline, hydroquinone, or benzoyl peroxide. When in doubt, [always] look to products with [the] fewest number of ingredients." Brit + Co Pick: Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil ($32)

Avoid synthetic fragrances. "I'm always surprised by the many pregnancy-specific products on the market that are packed with synthetic fragrance," Foley shares. (Synthetic fragrance is anything listed as fragrance or perfume without naming specific ingredients, she says.) The term, she says, is a "catch-all for hundreds of potentially unsafe ingredients — including phthalates, which have been linked to both endocrine disruption and infertility." Brit + Co Pick: Erbaviva Nursing Balm ($20)

Start small. If you want to make a shift to clean cosmetics, do it in manageable steps. "Always think of the cosmetics you wear most frequently and that cover the most skin. When trying, pregnant, or nursing, switch your daily essentials first. For some, that's concealer and blush; for others, it's foundation and mascara," Foley says. Brit + Co Pick: W3LL People Expressionist Mascara ($22)

Steer clear of known dangers. Anything with retinol, retinal, retinaldehyde, or tretinoin is strictly off-limits when pregnant or nursing. Talakoub explains, "Women assume that if it is [purchased] over-the-counter or sold at a skincare store that it is safe, and that is not always true. To be extremely cautious, soy products and those containing formaldehyde can [also] be avoided." Anti-acne ingredients like tea tree oil provide a safer solution. Brit + Co Pick: Basq NYC Anti-Blemish Daily Cleanser ($18)

Be extra-wary of acne medications and skin-lightening formulas. "Acne medications are often the worst culprits," Talakoub says. "However, skin-lightening and anti-wrinkle creams also contain harmful hidden ingredients in their solutions. Wrinkles do not worsen during pregnancy, but anti-wrinkle creams and treatments like Botox must be stopped while nursing." This serum, however, gets her stamp of approval. Brit + Co Pick: iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus ($148)

Know the difference between "clean" and "green." It's important to distinguish between clean — i.e., non-toxic products — and products in the plant-based, natural market. According to Talakoub, "Green and organic beauty products are not always safer, because botanical and plant-based oils can cause severe skin allergies if used improperly." Brit + Co Pick: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser ($76)

Be ready for the hormone rush. Hormonal acne and melasma are the most common pregnancy skin complaints. "These conditions are common with pregnancy and nursing because they are triggered by estrogen and progesterone, which are elevated [at these times]," explains Talakoub. Keep temperamental skin calm with this soothing, stress-reducing blend, packed with skin-balancing blue tansy oil. Brit + Co Pick: May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon ($180)

Vet your beauty brands. Talakoub warns that some green products don't have the same level of FDA oversight as other products, and may contain active ingredients that are not on the label. In other words, look into your preferred companies to find brands and retailers that you can trust, like Kjaer Weis. Brit + Co Pick: Kjaer Weis Cream Blush ($56)