Parenting

9 Best Foundations That Are Pregnancy-Safe — From Light To Full Coverage

pregnancy safe foundation
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One major part of your beauty regimen that changes when you’re pregnant is your foundation: Finding a pregnancy-safe foundation becomes a must. Let’s rewind, though. There are a lot of things to account for when you’re pregnant; in addition to just general physical changes, you also have to be cognizant of what you put in and on your body, and that includes everything from your shampoos, sunscreen, face wash, and more. And while you may already be enjoying that pregnancy glow, you may also want to look at the makeup products you use daily, like your go-to foundation, to make sure they’re pregnancy-safe.

According to Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy, a primary care doctor at Doctor Spring, aside from eating, our bodies can absorb substances through the skin, which is why women who are expecting should be careful about the ingredients in their makeup. Parabens, for example, he says, are common preservative agents found in lipsticks and foundations to preserve shelf-life. But they are also associated with developmental issues in fetuses and linked to neurological and reproductive disruptions during pregnancy.

In addition to avoiding parabens, Jill Canes, a board-certified nurse practitioner (and mom to five boys!), says for pregnancy-safe foundations you should try to avoid products that include alcohol, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, BPA, triclosan, and DEP. She also recommends pregnant women avoid retinoids, as there has been a link between birth defects and high amounts of retinoid use.

Instead, she says to try non-comedogenic products (especially if you’re prone to breakouts) and you may want to avoid coconut oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil as these can clog pores. Canes says you might also want to try a BB or CC cream, which are gentler and moisturize the skin at the same time. Dr. Tripathy agrees with this advice, adding that all-natural BB or CC creams tend to have fewer, and often less harsh, ingredients than the typical foundation. If you have concerns or questions, speak with your health care provider.

With all that in mind, here are nine pregnancy-safe foundations to try.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Foundations

For more ideas to change up your daily routine, check out our other Beauty Must-Haves.

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