The Best Face Washes & Cleansers for Pregnancy (2021 Reviews)

November 26th 2021 in Pregnancy - 17 mins read

The Best Face Washes & Cleansers for Pregnancy (2021 Reviews)

You’re reading this article, so the chances are you’re pregnant. And if you’re pregnant, then you might have noticed a few skin changes. First of all, if your skin is already prone to breakouts, then it becomes even more susceptible. And secondly, skin sensitivity levels get heightened.

At the same time, the 8-9 months of pregnancy require you to use safe products to protect the health of your unborn baby. So it’s time to stop neglecting the part where you go through the list of ingredients and raise questions about them.

Let’s start with the best face washes & cleansers for pregnancy. It’s the first step you take toward acne-free skin during your child-bearing months. And even after childbirth!

The 15 Best Face Washes & Cleansers For Pregnancy

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil for pregnancy acne is a very popular brand. So why wouldn’t their Gentle Skin Cleanser be the top pick of the list!

The formula is non-irritating and sting-free. This is nothing but great news for those with delicate skin, meaning perfect for pregnancy. The cleanser makes sure the natural barrier of your skin is preserved. It also takes care of the moisture retention part.

The soap-free, gentle formulation is created by dermatologists just so you know. It’s safe to use on a daily basis, whether you have sensitive skin or not.

It’s a non-comedogenic skincare product. So if your oily or acne-prone skin is clogging your pores, then rest assured this cleanser doesn’t do that. It’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, which once again is the best for sensitive skin.

You can use it to remove your makeup as well. Many women already do that, pregnant or not. The creamy formula of the cleanser hydrates and soothes the skin without sucking up all the natural moisture/oil and destroying your skin’s natural pH level.

And lastly, Cetaphil cleanser works even without water. Isn’t that strangely amazing!

Medarma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Medarma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser

The special ingredient in the Medarma AG formula is glycolic acid. And nothing beats the gentle and safe exfoliating action of this particular acne-fighting and skin-hydrating ingredient. The facial cleanser consists of a pH-balanced cleansing as well as moisturizing system. That, just by the way, you can use on your face and body.

Let me make it clear that this formulation is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, soap-free, and free of artificial fragrances. This means it’s good for sensitive, delicate, and acne-prone skin.

But the most impressive quality is the cleanser’s ability to gently exfoliate all the dry and dead skin cells. It does an excellent job at hydrating and softening your skin, no matter how dry. I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that even excessively dry skin can lead to breakouts!

Expecting your skin to feel soft, clean, and refreshed after every wash is what you should demand here. And that’s exactly what you get!

Many women use the Medarma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser as a shaving cream as well. Particularly in sensitive areas like underarms, bikini line, and face. So you can kill two birds with one stone here. Meaning goodbye acne during pregnancy and goodbye skin irritation post-shaving.

Belli Anti-Blemish Acne Facial Wash

Belli Anti-Blemish Acne Facial Wash

Every best acne treatment safe for pregnancy should include the Belli Anti-Blemish Acne Facial Wash. And that’s because this product is specifically designed for targeting pregnancy-caused acne and hormonal acne.

The formula contains an effective combination of green tea, cucumber extracts, lemon peel oil, and lactic acid. Lactic acid is quite well-known for treating age spots and hyperpigmentation. It also corrects an uneven, dull complexion while reducing pore appearance. I mean not all pregnant women have glowing skin. So the ones that don’t can benefit from this.

The anti-blemish face wash is suitable for all skin types, not just acne-prone or oily. It’s a safe product many women already use for treating hormonal, pregnancy, and normal breakouts. Even sensitive skin is very likely to accept this antioxidant-packed formula. The antioxidants are a result of the inclusion of green tea by the way.

You already know what lactic acid does. As for lemon peel oil, it’s got skin-brightening and antibacterial properties. And cucumber extracts hydrate and soothe your skin. Only safe, effective ingredients are used, period. No harmful substances that might cause dryness and skin irritation.

Speaking of which, the facial wash is cruelty-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and allergy-tested. It’s the safest and most natural pregnancy-acne solution in my opinion.

Bella B Foaming Face Wash

Bella B Foaming Face Wash

How do I know this is the best face wash for pregnancy? It’s because the formula is packed with organic and natural ingredients like tea tree oil for targeting blemishes and oily skin.

The face wash contains not even a single cleanser unsafe for pregnancy. Meaning there’s no salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Even though effective acne-fighting ingredients, they’re just not safe for pregnant women.

The other ingredients included are acai berry, green tea, and pomegranate. These are full of antioxidants that protect your skin from any kind of damage. Then key emollients such as honey, aloe vera, cucumber, and shea are also added. And all of these ingredients are organic and/or natural.

It’s a paraben-free, hypoallergenic face wash that cleans and soothes your skin without causing any amount of dryness.

Lucina MD Nourishing Cleanser

Lucina MD Nourishing Cleanser

If you desire that ideal pregnancy glow, then you’ve got to choose a nourishing facial cleanser. And skincare brands like Lucina MD gives you the opportunity to do so.

It’s a very powerful cleanser that is also abundantly gentle. The product is specially created for women dealing with serious breakouts, pregnant women, and those more inclined toward using toxic-free skincare items.

But what about the formula makes it so effective against acne? It’s the inclusion of citrus. Not only does citrus smell refreshing and delicious, the natural ingredient also manages your sebum production to control acne as well as oily spots. These skin concerns are quite common during the 9 months of pregnancy.

What’s more is that the cleanser has wheat germ oil. Now this delivers potent antioxidant protection for preventing the formation of wrinkles. Wheat germ oil also contains a lot of Vitamin E and Vitamin F. These are nothing but essential nutrients your skin demands and even deserves.

What else is in here? Seaweed and grapefruit extracts for softening and hydrating your skin. That means higher chances of controlling the formation of wrinkles. And the list doesn’t end yet. The cleanser is also equipped with omega fatty acid-rich linoleic acid. What this does is improve your skin’s cellular function to increase glow and radiance during pregnancy.

To be honest, there’s not a single face wash on the list that’s as qualified as this one when it comes to nourishing your skin at the time of pregnancy.

Aleavia Purifying Organic Facial Cleanser

Aleavia Purifying Organic Facial Cleanser

If you’re on the lookout for the best organic products for pregnancy, here’s a facial cleanser you’re highly likely to consider buying. The Aleavia Purifying Organic Facial Cleanser gets rid of dead and dry skin cells. It even eliminates excess oil, which clogs your pores and causes breakouts, and toxins. This relieves skin irritation and retains your skin’s optimal pH level.

The special ingredient here is Acadian sea kelp. It’s nutrient-rich, no doubt about that. So kelp provides vital skin nourishment. Then there’s olive oil, the moisture-packed extra-virgin kind. Even aloe vera is included for soothing and purifying your skin.

Needless to say, this facial cleanser formula plumps up and balances the skin with nothing but organic, nourishing ingredients. You can use it during pregnancy for fading acne scars, fine lines, sunspots, pigmentation, redness, and other such common pregnancy-related skin concerns

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser

Neutrogena is a brand name synonymous with gentle skincare as well as daily skincare. So every such list of the best skin care products safe during pregnancy is incomplete with a Neutrogena creation. This Ultra-Gentle Facial Cleanser works the best on sensitive skin. It has the power to cleanse, moisturize, and soften without causing any irritation.

It’s a creamy formula that removes makeup, oil, and dirt. The cleanser can easily be a part of skin treatments for acne, rosacea, and even eczema.

The best part about Neutrogena products is that each one of them is created by expert dermatologists. So they’re non-comedogenic, meaning not pore-clogging, and also hypoallergenic.

The primary ingredient packed in here is polyglycerin. What this skin-nourishing formula does is hydrate your skin with the most amount of gentleness. On top of that, the use of zero soap, oil, parabens, and artificial fragrances just adds more value to the product.

The creaminess of the cleanser is proof that Neutrogena wants to make sure cleansing and moisturizing go hand in hand. The whole experience is incomplete without either.

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser

Here’s another organic face wash that pregnant women can use on a daily basis. The Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser contains watercress and cucumber. The latter is for replenishing and hydrating the skin. As for watercress, it comes with antioxidants for protecting your skin from potential environmental damage.

The good part is that the formula is made for all skin types. And the fact that it’s also equipped with aloe vera. You might already know by now that aloe vera has the ability to moisturize and soothe your skin for providing that perfect radiance you demand during pregnancy.

 No gluten, no fragrances, no GMO, and no animal testing as well. Combine this with the vegan and organic quality, and you’ve got the safest and gentlest face wash you can rely on during those harrowing 9 months of your life.

Inn&Co Maternal Anti-Blemish Face Wash

Inn&Co Maternal Anti-Blemish Face Wash

How about you consider buying a face wash you can use during and even after pregnancy? Wouldn’t that be convenient instead of looking for two different products? In that case, make way for the Maternal Anti-Blemish Face Wash.

No doubt, this formula helps in fighting hormonal breakouts and acne. It even works wonders on sensitive skin if that’s what you’re thinking. No drying out the skin or irritation of any kind.

The ingredients used are both effective and safe. These include green tea and lactic acid. Along with plant extracts and botanical oils. All of them contain large amounts of antioxidants for balancing out your skin tone and texture.

Does the face wash have salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for treating and preventing acne? No, it does not. So what’s the safer substitute? Well, there are two. And they are lactic acid and green tea.

You’re looking at a plant-based, hypoallergenic formula that works just as effectively as regular acne-fighting facial cleansers.

Era Organics Natural Moisturizing Face Wash

Era Organics Natural Moisturizing Face Wash

Many of us prefer buying multi-purpose skincare products. In this context, it can be a face wash that also works as a body wash. If you’re that kind of a consumer, then you and I have a lot in common. And since we do, then how about you too get to know all about the Era Organics Natural Moisturizing Face Wash.

It’s nothing but great news to hear that there are formulas that don’t disrupt the natural pH balance of your skin. Much like this one! Plus, the face wash contains only hypoallergenic ingredients for gently cleansing dry, damaged, and sensitive skin.

What you’ll find here is a combination of aloe vera and manuka honey. Both are organic. They help in restoring your skin cells and providing the much-needed protection against free radicals. And this means anti-aging benefits are included too.

Now that you know the formula is effective, do you know whether it’s safe? Since no mineral oils, alcohol, and harmful chemicals are used, the safety factor remain uncompromised. Along with no parabens, artificial fragrances, and even animal testing.

In all, it’s a clean, organic face wash that pregnant women, non-pregnant women, men, and even children can use on a daily basis.

Christina Moss Naturals Organic Facial Cleanser

Christina Moss Naturals Organic Facial Cleanser

Can you expect a small-scale family-owned brand like Christina Moss Naturals to manufacture effective facial cleansers? Let alone for pregnant women! Quite surprisingly, the answer is yes. This organic formula is a very popular non-toxic choice for cleansing the face with.

Not every skincare product out there is going to leave your skin feeling fresh and moisturized. So the annoying task is trying to find one that does. But, thankfully, you don’t have to because I’ve done the needful for you.

The concentrated cleaning capacity of this facial cleanser is such that you only require a tiny amount for each wash. That much is enough for removing makeup, oil, and dirt. The bonus points here take the form of natural skin-nourishing ingredients. That work well on both women and men.

After only 10 days, you’re highly likely to notice a drastic improvement in your blemishes and acne scars. And that’s because there’s tea tree here. So skin rejuvenation is inevitable.

 On top of that, it’s gentle enough for daily use. With no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other such harsh or harmful substances. And if it matters, the tube is recyclable. Organic in every way possible if you ask me.

Mumsie Maternal Skin Care Acne Cleansing Face Wash

Mumsie Maternal Skin Care Acne Cleansing Face Wash

It’s a simple face wash made using simple ingredients. This Cleansing Face Wash consists of a special formulation that works the best on women dealing with hormone-triggered acne. Since it’s suitable for your pregnancy months, the product has no benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Many women use it post-childbirth too. And you don’t have to belong to a particular skin type category. The all-natural formulation is dermatologist-tested, thus good for all skin types.

It has the power to calm down breakouts and even the itchy feeling at the time of pregnancy. The face wash may be simple but it’s super-effective. As an acne-fighter, it’s proof that facial cleansers without salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide are also very reliable.

Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial Wash

Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial Wash

Pregnancy deserves soothing and gentle skincare products. And, trust me, nobody understands this better than the brand Mama Mio. Their Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial Wash is a safe, light foaming cleanser for deep cleansing, balancing, and nourishing.

After all, the formula contains only mild exfoliants like organic omegas and tea tree extracts. These allow your skin to feel strong, clean, glowing, and gorgeous throughout your pregnancy.

But the key ingredients are coconut and lactic acid. The former is a safer, gentler alternative to sodium lauryl sulphate. As for lactic acid, it eliminates dead skin cells, thus getting rid of the very cause of acne.

Tea tree oil is also a crucial ingredient as it hydrates and soothes the skin. And also prevents blemishes.

Expect no nasty stuff like colorants, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, etc. here. The fact that it fights blemishes using gentle exfoliants as well as tea tree is not the only highlight of this show. The facial wash also balances your skin with the help of omegas.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk

Just the product title is enough to make you and I believe that we’re dealing with an exceptional formula. This Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk by Andalou Naturals infuses only the best of skincare that is good for both you and mother Earth. The brand manufactures some of the best body, skin, and hair care products.

This formula, much like the other Andalou Naturals creations, features advanced Fruit Stem Cell Science. The ingredients used are certified-organic. But what are they? The cleansing milk consists of probiotics along with resveratrol CoQ10. This blends with borage oils and apricot to cleanse impurities and makeup very gently. No doubt, the special formulation leaves your skin looking and feeling fresh.

But what is the advanced Fruit Stem Cell Science I was talking about earlier? It’s the brand’s very own defense solution packed with antioxidants. This defense is what supports and protects your skin to keep it healthy, revitalized, and youthful.

It certainly is a one-of-a-kind type of product that pregnant women are bound to keep using even after those 9 months.

Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash

Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash

There’s no sense in thinking the last pick on the list is any less competitive than the very first. There’s also no sense in thinking that a combination of face and body wash like this is an inferior or less effective product. The Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash gets rid of lipids that often clog your pores and cause breakouts. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.

What the formula also does is moisturize your skin for supporting the natural process of skin healing. It’s a dermatologist-recommended, hypoallergenic formula designed to treat skin conditions like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and many more. So, needless to say, pregnant women are likely to notice significant improvements in their skin.

The moisturizing ingredients include pentavitin and allantoin. Then there are vitamin-enriched ingredients like biotin, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B5.

Every product manufactured by Sebamed is delicately scented and paraben-free. So those with sensitive skin can also benefit from daily use. And since it’s a body wash as well, the formula is generously concentrated. This means a small amount goes a long way.

Causes of Acne Flare-Ups During Pregnancy

Hormonal fluctuations are the most common cause of breakouts at the time of pregnancy. Now this can be due to going off your birth control pills.

The thing about birth control medication is that it helps in stabilizing acne. It reduces the effect testosterone has on your skin. And that, in turn, contributes to reducing acne. So when you stop taking birth control pills, the level of testosterone increases. And so do sebum production, pore-clogging, and finally the number of breakouts.

But here’s the good news. Just 3 cycles without the pill are enough to allow your skin to stabilize. However, not all women dealing with acne during pregnancy are off birth control. Hormonal changes are part and parcel of pregnancy. So the very process of being pregnant gives rise to acne and drastic skin and hair changes.

Some of the most common skin concerns fluctuating hormones cause during pregnancy are as follows:

  • Brown patches or dark spots on the face. Dark spots appear on the inner thighs and breasts as well.

  • Stretch marks.

  • Spider veins.

  • Varicose veins.

  • Dark line starting from the navel all the way down to your pubic region.

Ingredients in Face Washes Safe to Use During Pregnancy

The ingredients I’ve mentioned in the reviews section are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. But there are others too that rank as safe during pregnancy. These include the following.

  • Azelaic acid

  • Beta hydroxybutyric acid

  • Hydroxyacetic acid

  • Hydroacetic acid

  • Betaine salicylate

  • Dicarbonic acid

  • Tropic acid

  • Hydroxycaproic acid

  • Trethocanic acid

  • 2-hydroxyethanoic acid.

You should also know that soy-based formulas are safe for pregnant women. But if you’re dealing with dark skin patches or melasma, it’s best to stay away from soy as it tends to further darken the skin. The safe alternative, in this case, is active soy. Or choose skincare products that don’t contain textured vegetable protein, lecithin, and phosphatidylcholine.

Many dermatologists also recommend the use of OTC acne-fighting hydrocortisone creams. These have received the “green signal” for pregnancy. As for safe ingredients present in such steroid creams, they include triamcinolone, hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, desonide, and alclometasone.

Ingredients in Face Washes NOT Safe to Use During Pregnancy

If you’ve gone through the reviews of the best face wash for pregnancy discussed above, then you already know two common ingredients you should stay away from. The first is salicylic acid. And the second one is benzoyl peroxide. Along with these, even hydroquinone is not safe during pregnancy.

Apart from such ingredients found in brightening creams and acne-fighting cleansers, medical professionals also advise against the use of oral prescriptions for acne. They contain a lot of Vitamin A, which has a negative impact on your developing unborn baby.

Along the same lines, antibiotics like tetracycline should also be discontinued. They have the ability to get through your placenta and disrupt the healthy formation of your embryo’s bones and teeth.

By the way, even topical retinoids are packed with derivatives of Vitamin A. So steer clear of them till your precious muffin is out of your womb.

Safe Acne Treatment During Pregnancy – Useful Tips to Keep Acne Away

Are there natural ways of treating and preventing breakouts during the 9 months of pregnancy? Yes, of course there are. And you can speed up the effectiveness of these natural remedies by including one of the 15 baby-friendly face washes I’ve reviewed into your daily skincare routine.

For Acne

To Treat:

Soak a clean cotton ball in regular apple cider vinegar. Gently rub this soaked cotton ball on all your acne-prone areas of the face.

Another effective natural remedy involves the use of lemons and limes. Both are packed with alpha hydroxy acid, which is considered to be the best acne-fighting ingredient.

Even honey works as a matter of fact. Honey, after all, has antibacterial properties. Think of it as your very own homemade natural facial cleanser.

To Prevent:

Firstly, wash your face twice a day using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.

Secondly, if you have oily hair, then shampoo it daily. And make sure your hair doesn’t come in contact with your face.

Thirdly, no matter how bad the craving, don’t squeeze or fidget with your pimples. They leave scars that are difficult to get rid of.

And lastly, face wash or face cream, always buy oil-free and non-comedogenic formulas.

For Melasma

To treat melasma the natural way, the best ingredient is castor oil. You can combine it with lemon and honey for boosting effectiveness.

Even aloe vera gel works. This explains why there are so many facial cleansers and moisturizing lotions for hyperpigmentation equipped with aloe vera.

For Dryness

Dry skin during pregnancy is a very common concern. So consider using olive oil instead of your regular moisturizer.

Lactic acid-infused milk creams are also excellent exfoliators.

As for boosting skin hydration, nothing works better than yogurt.

The End

Hormonal changes due to an increase in androgen production compel your sebaceous glands to work in overdrive mode. And this gives rise to acne during pregnancy. With that, dullness and dryness also take form.

So if you wish to counterbalance these effects, you have to use a special formulation in the form of a facial cleanser. At the same time, this special formulation should also be baby-friendly in case its ingredients get absorbed into your skin to reach your placenta.

Keeping all this in mind, feel free to choose any one of the 15 face washes I’ve shortlisted. Your skin and your baby will be in good, safe hands.

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