My top 5 clean(er) skincare essentials
My love for clean skincare products began when Tyler and I started talking about growing our family (*happy tears). In preparation for baby, I ritually gulped down my prenatal vitamins, turned away from the occasional glass of wine, and completely transformed my skincare (& makeup) routine.
You might have heard that certain skincare products should be avoided in pregnancy: retinol, salicylic acid, and chemical sunscreens are all out! As I began to build my pregnancy-safe skincare routine, I learned that many (big name) products contain harmful, synthetic materials such as parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances.
I quickly realized that my pregnancy skincare routine was soon to be my forever skincare routine (although, I’ll probably bring back retinol when our baby making days are over). I fell in love with my clinically formulated serums, fragrance-free cleansers, and mineral sunscreens.
Before listing my current favorites, I’d like to share a website that was essential to me throughout my pregnancy journey (and still is today). 15minutebeauty.com is a “just for fun” website created by a pediatric doctor who is passionate about educating others on the science behind products.
She has a whole section dedicated to pregnancy safe skincare and makeup, listing products by brand and categorizing them as pregnancy-safe, nursing-safe, and not safe for pregnancy. Although the website is no substitute for medical advice, it’s a great place to start learning more about what ingredients to avoid in pregnancy.
My current skincare routine is both fragrance-free and *pregnancy-safe. However, please be sure to check with your OB-GYN or pharmacist before using any products (including mine listed below). I also found it good practice to email the company to confirm a product is safe for pregnancy (unless already noted in the description). Here are a few of my favorites!
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil*
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is my favorite night-time serum ever. Soon after I started using it, my husband and I went on a trip with his parents & my sweet mother-in-law noticed my skin was extra glow-y and asked if she could try some! From then on I knew it was a keeper. The lavender essential oil transforms my nighttime routine into a calming, spa-like experience. I always have the best night’s sleep when I use it! Squalane is another key ingredient that is known for it’s hydrating, anti-aging, & detoxifying properties. This explains my bright, glowing skin in the morning!
*There is some controversy surrounding the use of certain essential oils in pregnancy so please consult your OB-GYN or pharmacist to decide if you feel comfortable using this serum while pregnant.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cloud Cream Cleanser
This cleanser is a newer find for me, and it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon. When I was purchasing my second bottle, the cashier at Ulta told me she was going to buy it too, because my skin looked “bomb”! BOMB. I wasn’t wearing any makeup at the time, and I felt so confident! I love this cleanser because it’s fragrance-free, and application is a dream. The consistency reminds me of whipped marshmallow fluff (without the stickiness). A couple of key ingredients are hyaluronic acid - known for its hydrating properties, & coconut oil - a gentle, moisturizing cleanser.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
I had heard about Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum for years before finally deciding to give it a chance. At $169 a bottle, I wondered - is it really worth it? After using it for a few months, I can say that my skin is looking visibly brighter & my dark spots have faded, yay! More importantly, vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid are all working together to neutralize free radicals and protect my complexion from signs of aging. And because this serum is clinically formulated, it doesn’t contain any harmful additives like parabens, fragrance, or silicone. If you’re like me and prefer to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible, I’d say it’s definitely worth the price tag (*just don’t forget your sunscreen).
SkinPharm 100% Mineral Tinted SPF
Something I wish I could go back and tell my 14 year-old self: wear your sunscreen. Sunscreen is argumentatively the most vital key to anti-aging (& skin safety). Certain skincare ingredients such as retinol, alpha-hydroxy-acids, and hydroquinone can leave skin especially susceptible to UV radiation. I’ve learned it is good practice to always wear sunscreen, and to use alternate protection such as a hat or canopy if spending an extended amount of time in the sun.
I made the switch to mineral sunscreen prior to pregnancy & I love it! SkinPharm’s formula is lightweight, moisturizing, and doesn’t have a strong smell like most chemical sunscreens. Their 100% Mineral Tinted is my go-to on makeup-less days, and is the perfect amount of light coverage. I also wear it underneath makeup! Another mineral sunscreen that I use frequently (& is slightly more affordable) is Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer. I love its light and creamy consistency & dewy coverage.
Rodan & Fields Essentials Instant Makeup Remover Wipes
Lastly, my fragrance-free, cleaner alternative to Neutrogena makeup remover wipes! Rodan & Fields’ wipes score well with EWG (Environmental Working Group) & are pregnancy safe. I love that they’re super soft & because they leave no residue, there’s no need to rinse after use. They do a great job at removing my foundation, lip color, and mascara. They’re super handy when you’re in a rush (mom life), and are definitely one of my must-haves!
Skincare products can be a little like us - they take to some people and maybe not so much to others. These products have become my BFF’s & maybe they’ll become yours toot. But if not, I hope you’ll share a few of your skincare besties below. Always remember, you are one-of-a-kind, you are beautiful, and you are LOVED (thank you Jesus)! Linking all items below:
Update (9/20/22): I updated the title of this blog post to “clean(er)” skincare essentials because although these products are fragrance-free & *pregnancy-safe (please confirm with your doctor), some of them contain controversial ingredients that may not be considered “clean.” I’m newer in my nontoxic journey & feel comfortable using these products (they’re much better alternatives to the ones I’ve used in the past!), but would encourage you to research the ingredients of each to decide what works for you.
til next time,
Becks