When you’re expecting, you’ll notice how sensitive your skin is due to the hormonal changes happening in your body. That’s why one of the things you should do when you learn that they’re pregnant is to evaluate your current skincare routine. Check if the products you have still address your skin concerns. Most importantly, check if they are pregnancy-safe.
In this article, you’ll read:
- What to avoid in a face wash
- What to look for in a face wash
- 6 best pregnancy-safe face wash for sensitive skin
Pregnancy can bring about a lot of changes in your body. Some pre-existing skin conditions can even get worse while you are pregnant. This is all caused by the changes in your hormones that also end up affecting the condition of your skin. However, there is no need to worry as most skin conditions during the duration of your pregnancy will disappear after you have your child.
While these changes in your skin may be a temporary side effect of having a bun in the oven, it’s still better to take stock of your current skincare regimen. Are the products that you are currently using enough to address your skin’s needs during your pregnancy? In this article, let’s take a look at some facial washes that are pregnancy-safe and good for sensitive skin.
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What to avoid in a face wash
First, it’s recommended to use gentle products without harmful chemicals. These chemicals may pose a risk to your little bun in the oven.
A good rule of thumb to follow in using skincare products while you’re pregnant is to use gentle products that are free from harmful chemicals.Anything that you put on your skin gets absorbed in your bloodstream so it’s better to err on the side of caution. It’s better to err on the side of caution and use products that won’t harm you and your baby.
Another thing that moms-to-be should take note of are the ingredients used in their skincare products. There are several ingredients that are not recommended to be used by pregnant women. Some of these ingredients are:
- Retinoids – While retinoids are a powerhouse in anti-aging skincare products, it may be better to lay off using products with this ingredient during your pregnancy. There have been studies that linked the probability of birth defects with high doses of retinoids.
- Tetracycline – Another ingredient to avoid as it can affect the development of your baby’s teeth and bones
- Phthalates – This ingredient is currently being researched for potentially having a role in in negatively affecting congenital reproductive health
While you’re at it, toss out products with DHA, hydroquinone, parabens, and retinol as well.
Face wash for sensitive skin | Image from iStock
What to look for in a face wash
Now that you know what ingredients to avoid, what should you look for when choosing a facial wash during your pregnancy? Some of the qualities to keep in mind are:
- Ingredients
- Make sure it only contains baby-safe products. Read the label and check. If possible, go for all-natural.
- Fragrance
- Some expectant moms cannot tolerate strong fragrances, so try to pick out those without heavy scents or or are fragrance-free.
- Added benefits
- Aside from cleaning your skin, most face washes have added benefits like moisturizing your skin and keeping it acne-free. Check out what other benefits it has to get the most value for your money.
6 best pregnancy-safe face wash for sensitive skin
Not all the facial washes included in this list are formulated for pregnant and lactating moms. Please read the labels carefully and seek your doctor’s advice before using.
The Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash is a gentle facial wash that is derived from natural ingredients. It leaves your skin feeling soft while washing out any dust, dirt and makeup residues.
Here are some reasons to use this product: First, Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash is free from harmful chemicals like SLS, alcohol, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Second, it only uses ingredients derived from natural sources like rice extracts for that natural glow. Third, it is easy to use, with a smooth texture that is not watery and foams easily. Finally, you can use this during pregnancy and while you’re lactating.
Undoubtedly, it lives up to its name as the perfect choice of facial wash to care for the skin of moms and moms-to-be!
Features we love:
- All-natural Ingredients
- Rice extract, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that gives the skin its natural glow
- Hydrolyzed collagen extract to moisturize and keep skin supple
- Free from sulfates and parabens
- Fragrance-free
- Moms that are worried about strong scents or having their skin triggered by strong fragrances can safely lather on this facial wash.
- Added benefits
- Hypoallergenic
- Suitable for all skin types
- Suitable for pregnant and lactating moms
- Price
If you’re looking for an all-in-one product that could help relieve sensitive skin on your face and body, a good choice for you is the Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash. This product has been around for a while and is a go-to product for people with sensitive skin.
An all-around product that has a pH level of 5.5 – the pH value of healthy skin. This works great for cleansing your face and body without drying your skin and causing irritation. In addition, just a little amount of product can also go a long way in cleansing both your face and body. Lather up with a loofah to easily use this product during a shower as vitamins that help keep the skin nourished and heals it as well.
Features we love:
- Non-toxic Ingredients
- No parabens, soap, and alkali that may irritate the skin
- Pentavitin, vitamins, and allantoin protect the skin from dehydration
- Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and biotin to enrich your skin
- Fragrance
- This liquid face and body wash has a clean, light scent that won’t irritate your nose.
- Added benefits
- Easy to use with a pump dispenser for easy, no-spill use.
- All-around skin protection. The Sebamed liquid face and body wash gently cleanses your skin while also enhancing the skin’s protective barrier and its natural healing process.
- Price
A holy grail product among beauty enthusiasts, the award winning La Roche-Posay is a gentle cleanser that works wonders in keeping the skin free from impurities while also retaining its moisture. This non-foaming cleanser has a milky and creamy texture that deeply cleanses the skin from dirt, makeup and other impurities while keeping the skin well hydrated!
La Roche cares about what’s going on in your skin microbiome so it infuses prebiotics into your skin to keep it healthy. It’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s money well spent with this amazing one-step cleansing product that keeps sensitive skin supple and nourished. Finally, this product has also been formulated by dermatologists under strict guidelines to maintain the skin’s natural barrier and pH level.
Features we love:
- Ingredients
- La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide and glycerin which work together to soothe and hydrate the skin while keeping it free from pore-clogging impurities.
- Paraben-free, Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Moms that are sensitive to fragrances can safely use this facial wash as it is free from fragrances.
- Added benefits
- Has a milky cream texture that leaves the skin feeling clean
- Maintains the skin barrier
- Non-comedogenic
- Suitable for different skin types
- Price
If pregnancy has worsened your issues with oily skin, you may be on the lookout for a facial wash that can effectively control oily skin while being gentle. A good choice for you is the Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser as this cleanser gently cleanses the skin and gets rid of excess oil while restoring and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. Additionally, it contains Niacinamide, a soothing antioxidant, this cleanser effectively removes excess oil. Also, it’s free from parabens, sulfates, and oils, too.
Features we love:
- Nourishing Ingredients
- 3 essential ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that work to repair and nourish the skin
- No parabens, sulfates, and oils
- Fragrance-free
- Added benefits
- Allergy-tested
- Non-comedogenic, non irritating, and non-drying
- Oil-control. The Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser ensures that your skin will be cleansed from impurities and excess oil without stripping your skin’s moisture.
- Price
If you’re looking for a facial wash that uses plant-based ingredients, then Burt’s Bees Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin is the natural choice for you! This facial cleanser is specially formulated to care for sensitive skin and to give you luminous and hydrated skin. In addition, Burt’s Bees calls this “the kindest cleanser" because it gently removes dirt without causing irritation.
Care and replenish your skin with nature’s finest ingredients, as this facial wash has been dermatologist tested to be hypoallergenic. It’s also well suited for sensitive skin and has no parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS. It also has a smooth and non-foamy texture that is easy to apply into the skin. Massage it into damp skin with a face cloth for the best results!
Features we love:
- Natural Ingredients
- Rice extracts and aloe that help calm and soothe the skin
- Cotton extract to make skin supple and protect it from potential irritants
- No parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS, or soap
- Fragrance-free
- Moms and moms-to-be can safely use this facial wash without worrying about harsh fragrances.
- Added benefits
- Gentle and natural cleansing. This facial wash combines all natural ingredients to give your skin the gentlest cleansing from dirt and impurities. You wouldn’t see any redness and irritation after using this facial wash.
- Hypoallergenic, determatologically-tested
- Price
If you’re concerned with minimizing blemishes, the Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser could be a great choice for you. This soap-free face and body cleanser helps keep your skin clear without stripping it of moisture.
This facial wash is especially formulated to minimize the risk of allergies and to not clog pores, which makes it a fantastic choice if you have problems with oily skin and blemishes. Finally, this is a soap-free cleanser that gently removes dirt and impurities without drying out the skin.
Features we love:
- Soothing Ingredients
- Gentle surfactants which helps cleanse the skin
- Comedoclastin derived from milk thistle to reduce blemishes
- Zinc gluconate to reduce redness
- Avene thermal spring water to calm the skin
- Soap-free, Paraben-free, Oil-free, Alcohol-free, Soy-free, Wheat-free, Mineral Oil-free, Animal derived ingredient-free, AHA/BHA-free
- Added benefits
- Clears the skin. This soap-free cleanser can help eliminate excess oils and reduce skin blemishes such as acne. For best results, you can incorporate this facial wash into your acne treatment and skin moisturizing regimen.
- Price
Price Comparison
Here’s a quick price comparison of all the face wash mentioned in this article:
| Brand |
Retail price
(Php) |
Volume
(ml) |
| Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash |
630 |
100 |
| Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash |
598 |
200 |
| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser |
1,699 |
400 |
| Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser |
1,273 |
355 |
| Burt’s Bees Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin |
833 |
170 |
| Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser |
1,150 |
200 |
