Pregnancy skincare ingredient checker.
Type an ingredient to see what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a published clinical review say about using it in pregnancy. For a whole product, use the VeriMom checker linked below.
A form of vitamin A taken by mouth. ACOG says it may cause severe birth defects and should not be used while pregnant. Source: ACOG.
A prescription topical retinoid. Absorption through the skin is low, but ACOG says it is generally recommended that topical retinoids be avoided during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
A topical retinoid. ACOG says it is generally recommended that topical retinoids be avoided during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
A topical retinoid. ACOG says it is generally recommended that topical retinoids be avoided during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
ACOG notes that retinoids are also found in some over-the-counter products and advises reading labels carefully; topical retinoids are generally avoided in pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
ACOG says this antibiotic can discolour the fetus's teeth if taken after the fourth month and can affect bone growth while it is taken. Source: ACOG.
ACOG says medications that block specific hormones are not recommended during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Source: ACOG.
An estimated 35% to 45% is absorbed through the skin. The review found no increased risk in the one study available but recommends minimising exposure until more is known. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
On ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
On ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
Topical salicylic acid is on ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
On ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. Source: ACOG.
Not detected in plasma after topical use; a surveillance study of 647 women with first-trimester use reported no increased risk of malformations. Prescription only, so ask your doctor. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
Not detectable in serum after topical use, according to the review. Prescription only, so ask your doctor. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
The review found these act locally with minimal systemic levels and did not identify a pregnancy concern. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
An estimated 0.5% is systemically available after application to the skin, according to the review. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
The review found the amounts in consumer products that reach the skin act locally, and did not identify a pregnancy concern. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
Detected in the skin only after high concentrations were applied for several hours, according to the review. Source: Bozzo et al., Canadian Family Physician 2011.
Not in this short reference. Check it in VeriMom's database of 28,000+ ingredients ↗
This tool is educational and does not replace your midwife or doctor. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
How to read the labels
| Label | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Usually avoided | ACOG says it should not be used, or that avoiding it is generally recommended, during pregnancy. |
| Minimise | A published review recommends limiting exposure because a meaningful share is absorbed. |
| Can be used (ACOG) | On ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. |
| Low absorption | The review found minimal absorption into the body after use on the skin and no identified concern. It is not a guarantee of safety. |
Why a short list is not enough
A typical moisturiser has 20 to 40 ingredients, and retinoids hide behind names such as retinyl palmitate or hydroxypinacolone retinoate. Checking one name at a time is slow and easy to get wrong. This page is a reference for the ingredients people ask about most. For the product in your hand, a label scan is faster and covers every line of the list.
Read more in our guide to pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients, or see how the pregnancy skincare apps compare.
Questions, answered
Is retinol safe during pregnancy?
ACOG says the amount of a topical retinoid absorbed through the skin is low, but that it is generally recommended these medications be avoided during pregnancy. That includes retinoids in over-the-counter products, so read labels.
Is salicylic acid safe during pregnancy?
Topical salicylic acid is on ACOG's list of over-the-counter acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy, along with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid and glycolic acid.
Can I use benzoyl peroxide while pregnant?
Yes, according to ACOG, topical benzoyl peroxide in over-the-counter products can be used during pregnancy.
Is hydroquinone safe in pregnancy?
A review in Canadian Family Physician reports that 35% to 45% of hydroquinone is absorbed through the skin and recommends minimising exposure during pregnancy until more data are available.
How do I check a whole product, not one ingredient?
Paste the full ingredient list into VeriMom's free web checker, or scan the label with the VeriMom app. It checks every ingredient against a catalogue of 28,000+ and shows the evidence for each flag.
What if an ingredient is not on this list?
ACOG's advice is to ask your obstetrician-gynaecologist before using an over-the-counter product with an ingredient that is not on its list. A pharmacist can help too.
Sources
- ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy (FAQ)
- Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician 2011;57(6):665–667
Sources last checked on 11 November 2026.