7 Pregnancy Safe Makeup Loved By Our Editors (2024)
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
While pregnant, we know that the substances we consume are vital to our health. But we don’t often consider how topical products affect our babies too. Our skin absorbs about 60 percent of topical applications! So, parents-to-be must be extra vigilant in finding nontoxic skincare and cosmetics.
What ingredients should you look for when shopping for pregnancy-safe makeup? We’re glad you asked.
It can feel overwhelming to know exactly which ingredients to avoid. This Unclean15 list details the most harmful ingredients in cosmetics. We also recommend using EWG Skin Deep to search and confirm if the products you’re already using are safe.
Below are a few of the most used and best to avoid:
- Retinol or retinoids (vitamin A). Retinoids are in many anti-aging products. They can cause serious birth defects.
- Parabens. Preservative agents are often found in foundations and lipsticks. Researchers have linked parabens to neurological and developmental disruptions in babies.
- Fragrance. Synthetic scents often contain phthalates, which can cause reproductive malformation. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t always test essential oils either. These oils have a high concentration that can be dangerous to our health, even when used directly on the skin outside of pregnancy.
- Oxybenzone & Titanium Dioxide. Both are often found in sunscreen. The body can absorb these chemical fillers into the bloodstream and there are concerns they may be carcinogenic. Instead, choose a mineral sunscreen for the safest option.
- Sodium Benzoate. Unfortunately, this chemical is used in both coolants in cars and our cosmetics. There have been studies that show it can cause heightened rates of ADHD and inflammation.
Luckily, there’s a bright side. We’ve found brands offering pregnancy-safe cosmetics and skincare products that do not contain any of these ingredients. These companies provide natural and organic options that will keep you and your baby healthy.
Our criteria and methodology:
As a pregnant person, I researched and tested each of the brands by applying a full face of makeup (2–3 products per brand) that I wore for a long day. I’ve made notes on safety, sensitivity, and general ease of wear. We update this guide as we discover emerging favorites that meet the criteria below.
- SAFE | We’ve included EWG-certified brands on this list, all clear of the Unclean15 so you can be sure they’re safe while you’re expecting.
- PERFORMANCE | I examined the coverage, color match, and my overall skin health.
- AFFORDABLE | We’ve included brands that offer affordable makeup options. You shouldn’t have to break the bank to look and feel great while expecting!
While you’re getting your glow on, check out our guide to natural prenatal vitamins. Also, check out our favorite sustainable maternity clothes and nursing bras.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Skincare
1. Saie
Best For | Glowy “no makeup makeup” look
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Squalene, Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil
Prices Starting At | $15
What I Tried | Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation in 13 ($40); Glowy Super Gel in Starglow ($32); Cream Balm Bronzer in Light Bronze ($32)
Saie is one of those brands you can turn to and know you’re getting the best of the best when it comes to the health of the planet and our bodies. In everything they do, they’re committed to doing better. Their clean ingredients and low carbon footprint set high standards. Under the ingredients list on each product page, you can click on each ingredient and learn more about exactly what it is! (Not to mention, their packaging and branding is super cute.)
I went ahead and grabbed three of Saie’s most talked-about products to get the full “no makeup, makeup look” they’re known for. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The Glowy Super Tint foundation is now a go-to. The color is perfect; it feels lightweight and nourishing while offering buildable coverage. It’s made with Vitamin C and fatty acids, leaving the skin looking dewy and refreshed. Adding a drop of the Glowy Super Gel made with Squalene to my cheeks and eyes brightens and illuminates my skin. I’ve never tried a cream bronzer. But Saie put a “how to use” tab on the product page, which is helping me learn to build and blend it onto my face.
Also available at :
Sephora
Kohl’s
2. ILIA
Best For | Multipurpose products that are easy to use
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Natural & USDA-certified organic ingredients, mineral SPF.
Prices Starting At | $24
What I Tried | Super Serum Skin Tint in Ora ST6 ($48); Lightshift Cream Highlighter in Peachy Gold ($38); Multi Stick in Lady Bird ($36)
ILIA is a TGT fave. Their multitasking products use clean, organic, skin-friendly ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a tinted SPF serum or a Vitamin C formula, ILIA has it all. I tried the Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, Multi-Stick, and the Lightshift Cream Highlighter. The serum offers buildable coverage while also offering deep moisture. It’s made with a unique blend of niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. My skin felt amazing and looked more refreshed after using it. I chose the color Love Bird for the multistick and found it not to be as pigmented as I had hoped. But I love the easy application for face and lips. To finish my natural look with ILIA, I used the cream highlighter. The super-concentrated formula makes the shimmer stand out on my cheeks and eyes. It’s also made with green tea and squalane, love!
Also Available At :
Credo
Ulta
Kohl’s
3. Tower 28
Best For | Sensitive acne and eczema-prone skin
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Prickly pear, aloe vera, 100% mineral sunscreen.
Prices Starting At | $15
What I Tried | SunnyDays in Ocean Park ($32); BeachPlease Cream Blush in Power Hour ($20); JuiceBalm Lip Balm in Drink ($16)
Tower 28 focuses on making daily makeup for sensitive skin. We all need that, especially when pregnant. Their products follow the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Along with those prone to acne. They aim to remove harmful chemicals, dyes, or fragrances. Which can disturb those with sensitive skin and make skin conditions worse. Along with being earth-conscious through their recycled plastic initiatives. Tower 28’s products feel like a stroll through Southern California, which makes sense since the name is from a real lifeguard tower in Los Angeles.
I adore Tower 28’s bright and fun packaging, it makes the application more, well, fun. As someone with both acne and eczema-prone skin, I was excited to try the SunnyDays tinted SPF. I thought it would be more translucent like other tinted SPFs I’m used to. However, this one also acts as a foundation with medium/buildable coverage — a little goes a long way and I love it. It is a great option for days I’ll be in the sun for a long period of time but also want a little more coverage. I was surprised at how well the color matched my skin too! Next, I tried the BeachPlease cream blush. It is, without a doubt, my favorite blush ever. It’s highly pigmented and goes on easily to offer a pop of color to the cheeks. To finish off my SoCal beach look, I added the JuiceBalm. I love the bright color and nourishing vitamin E it’s infused with to give my lips both color and moisture.
Also Available At :
Credo
Kohl’s
Sephora
4. Honest
Best For | Vitamin C-infused CC Creams
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Avocado & jojoba oil, acai, pomegranate, mica.
Prices Starting At | $10
What I Tried | CCC Clean Corrective in Dune ($27); Bright Eyes Tinted Eye Cream in Sandstone ($24); Tinted Lip Balm in Blood Orange ($10)
Sustainability and safety are two main values behind Honest’s cosmetics. Their cosmetics are naturally made. They contain no talc, phthalates, or synthetic oils and fragrances. There are also over a dozen shades available. So, you can find your perfect, safe match. Purchases support the team’s commitment to social responsibility. They help mothers and babies across the U.S.
I tried the CCC Corrective Moisturizer and the Honestly Bright Eye Cream. This unique CC cream contains both vitamin C and SPF. This ended up being my top favorite CC cream. It’s a bit more full coverage than some of the other tinted creams, and the color was perfect for my skin tone. It’s one that I can wear alone without feeling like I need to add powders too. I also noticed a difference in my skin’s brightness because of the vitamin C. I haven’t used a tinted eye cream before this one and love how much more awake my eyes look. This cream will be my daily go-to in postpartum to help me look more refreshed and awake.
Also Available At :
Target
Ulta
5. Well People
Best For | Affordable, buildable products
Pregnancy-Friendly Ingredients | Organic, botanical, and plant-based ingredients.
Prices Starting At | $12
What I Tried | Bio Correct Concealer in 3N ($22); Supernatural Stick Bronzer in Light Tan ($22); Lush Tinted Lip Oil in Soft Peony ($12)
Well People commits to safe, clean, plant-powered, cruelty-free makeup. The brand has removed organic beeswax, pearl powder, and carmine from its formulas — and they are now 100% vegan! Over 100 of their products are EWG-verified and their boxes use FSC-certified paper. The brand is also exploring corn, sugar, and post-consumer materials for their containers for a bright future. With hydrating broccoli seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, and soothing mango seed oil, you can enjoy these clean, pregnancy-friendly beauty looks every trimester and beyond. Their products contain unique skin-nourishing ingredients like hydrating broccoli seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, and soothing mango seed oil to give your skin some extra love every trimester and beyond.
Concealer is a must-have in my daily skincare routine so I loved trying Well People’s full-coverage liquid version. The texture is lightweight, allowing for a buildable application. I noticed it shifted a bit throughout the day. But, it was easy to apply more as needed, especially with a CC cream. I was excited to try my first stick bronzer. I adore the color and easy, buildable application of Well People’s Supernatural Stick. Its formula of organic green tea and jojoba oil nourishes my skin. It gave my cheeks a natural-looking definition that lasted all day. To finish this minimalist makeup look, I used the Lush Tinted Lip Oil. Living in a dry place like Colorado, moisturizing lip balms are a must. I adore this one’s high-shine, non-sticky texture. That also improved my lip health since it’s made without mineral oil, BHT, or beeswax, but instead an organic, nourishing, botanical blend.
Also Available At :
Thrive Market
Target
Ulta
6. Ecco Bella
Best For | Refillable makeup with skin-healing ingredients
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Organic oils, vitamin E, green tea extract, and mica.
Prices Starting At | $15
What I Tried | FlowerColor Foundation in Natural ($33); Vegan Good For You Gloss in Power ($22)
Ecco Bella fuses science and beauty with a line of USA-made cosmetics for the face, eyes, and lips. Each formula combines plant-based ingredients to both treat and protect your skin. Want to be safe and sustainable? Opt for Ecco Bella’s refillable compacts to cut down on excess packaging and waste.
Ecco Bella’s products topped the list as some of my favorites. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a makeup brand claiming their makeup could actually help heal skin while also offering coverage. But this liquid foundation is incredible. It’s a very full coverage option that stays on all day. It’s infused with aloe and natural clay that truly nourishes the skin. It doesn’t have that cakey, heavy feeling that most liquid foundations do. I was also amazed at how long it lasted given its a natural foundation. I’m also obsessed with the lip gloss. It’s made with flowers which offer a rich pigment and act as more of a lip stain than a gloss. I love the buildable, long-lasting color.
7. RMS
Best For | Wildcrafted, herbal-infused, full-coverage makeup
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Non-GMO, free from nanos, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, and organic ingredients where possible.
Prices Starting At | $15
What I Tried | UnCoverup Concealer in 22 ($39); UnCoverup Cream Foundation in 22 ($58); Legendary Serum Lipstick in Eve ($35)
For over a decade, RMS Beauty has been setting the standard for clean cosmetics. They’re known for their inclusive, long-lasting foundations and concealers. They won’t irritate the skin. They hand-select and formulate all their products. They use raw, food-grade, organic, wildcrafted, natural ingredients. Ensuring they’re safe for pregnancy and beyond.
I tried RMS’s award-winning UnCoverup Concealer and Cream Foundation. This line is special because it’s made with nourishing skin oils, like buriti and organic coconut oil. Along with RMS’s signature adaptogenic herbal blend. Offering the skin a super-hydrating yet full-coverage finish. The concealer has a light yet full coverage effect that works well under the foundation. Applying the highly concentrated foundation, however, required a wet brush. It took a lot of time to master. What this means is you only need a tiny amount so it will last a long time. The color was perfect and I loved the full coverage that lasted all day. To finish the look off, I tried the Legendary Serum Lipstick in Eve. I adore this color and the mattifying effects. It’s my new everyday go-to as a pregnant person looking to feel her best.
Also Available At :
Dermstore
Ulta
Thrive Market
8. Juice Beauty
Best For | Farm-to-beauty
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Plant-derived phyto-pigments, USDA-certified organic ingredients.
Prices Starting At | $12
What I Tried | Stem Cellular CC Cream in Desert Glow ($40); Phyto-Pigments Light Diffusing Dust in Sand Light ($30); Lip Crayon in Pink Mauve ($22)
If you want clean beauty that goes the extra mile, try Juice Beauty‘s PHYTO-PIGMENTS™. With plant-based formulas, these products are antioxidant-rich, vegan, and free from synthetic coloring. Cold-pressed organic oils make these super moisturizing. They also give a vibrant color and illuminate your skin.
I tried the Stem Cellular CC Cream and Light-Diffusing Dust. I’ve been wanting to experiment with CC creams as a busy mom to a toddler and another baby on the way. This cream felt like silk putting it on and smelled like natural botanicals, and a little goes a long way. I got it in Desert Glow, and it ended up being a little light for my complexion. But I loved using the Light-Diffusing Dust to add smoothness and decrease the shine over top of the cream. Both of these products offer light coverage so they’re best if you’re looking for a quick and natural look.
Also Available At :
Grove
Target
Ulta
9. Luv & Company
Best For | Melanin match foundations
Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients | Vegetable oils & wax, shea & cocoa butters, herbs, mica.
Prices Starting At | $24
What I Tried | Melanin Match Liquid Foundation in LY10 ($49); Single Ladies Pressed Eyeshadow in Blossom ($24)
Luv + Co. is the inclusive and nontoxic cosmetic line we’ve been waiting for. This Black woman-owned and run brand is best suited for melanin-rich parents-to-be. You can find a range of cruelty-free, natural, mineral makeup. It includes highly pigmented lipsticks and rich brow pomades. They will instantly elevate your look.
With a wide range of skin tone options, I was a little nervous if I’d be able to get the right match. And, in the end, the color was a few shades too light for my skin tone. You might have to try more than once to get your match. The texture of the foundation is also different than anything I’ve used — it’s quite liquidy at first and requires a lot of rubbing in but then once on, it dries more into a powder. It’s very buildable but you have to be quick before it dries. It’s likely suited better for a different skin texture. However, I loved their eyeshadow for a natural yet elevated everyday look. It’s also made with 75% organic ingredients, perfect for those with sensitive eyes like me.
Also Available At :
Beautyologie
Courtney Jay is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is also a yoga instructor, health enthusiast, and sustainable fashion advocate. You can find more of her writing and take one of her online yoga classes on her website, Coincide.
