Pregnancy is a time of massive and insane changes. Everything is working overtime, and it can lead to changes in feelings, body, mind and soul. And, unfortunately, our skin is no different. We are more at risk for acne breakouts, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), dry patches and if you already have a pre-existing skin condition, there’s a risk of it getting worse. It’s largely due to the cocktail of hormones that run rampant during pregnancy, as hormones are our bodies’ natural signal to change. 

One study that surveyed pregnant ladies found 90% reported noticeable changes to their skin, so it’s important to have some strategies on hand to help you feel calm, protected and ensure its baby safe. After all, everything you put on your face can absorb into your blood stream, so avoiding certain ingredients is vital (and your prenatal specialist should let you know too) to ensure you aren’t exposing your baby to anything that can damage its development. 

So, we’ve put together a guide – for the main issues you might encounter during your pregnancy and our verified, soothing K-beauty favorites to get you through it, with confidence and all pregnancy-safe and soothing. 

Any doctor will tell you, but first and foremost it's vital to stop using Vitamin A derivatives even before you start trying for pregnancy. This includes retinol, retinal, retinaldehyde, Vita A, Vitamin A and bakuchiol (although it's not vitamin A, it has not been studied enough to be 100% certainly safe for pregnancy). There is a risk for birth defects and this is highest in the very first few days of pregnancy – so it's important to be proactive and safe.

Ok, if you are acne-prone – you might be freaking out right now. Your beloved retinol and your salicylic acid? Never fear, although you should avoid high doses, small amounts (such as in a cleanser) are ok. The golden rule is 1-2% is safe – which majority of products won’t have more than this as a rule, anyway. It does mean that high-level chemical peels are out – but if you have balanced cleansing, this shouldn’t upset your routine too much.

Although lower risk, oxybenzone (and octinoxate and camphor) have been associated with endocrine effects. Although the evidence still hasn’t been studied enough, it's worthwhile evaluating the sunscreens you are using and trying to switch to a mineral sunscreen (look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) as they aren’t absorbed into the skin and form a protective barrier. Always aim SPF+30 and higher to ensure good protection during pregnancy to reduce risks of hyperpigmentation.

Essential oils are present in a variety of our daily lives – to soothe, invigorate or brighten skin. But it’s vital to remember that essential oils are active the same as any medication and using the wrong one in high doses can be dangerous in pregnancy. 

There’s a large variety of essential oils that can be toxic to baby, trigger uterine contractions or lead to other poor side effects – so be vigilant (especially in the first trimester) and avoid where possible. Although it's unlikely that essential oils will be toxic through your skin – we've been cautious here and avoided any recommendations that include potentially damaging essential oils.

Especially important to avoid: aniseed, basil, clove, cinnamon, fennel, rosemary, wintergreen, mugwort, hyssop, sage, wormwood. 

It’s important to keep things simple. The safety of a lot of plant extracts and essential oils haven’t been tested in pregnancy (it’s one of the most under-tested areas of medicine!). Korean skincare loves essential oils, active ingredients and visible changes – so its important to be wary of what unwanted side effects could exist, especially in pregnancy. Best practice is picking simple products, minimizing your skincare routine and being vigilant.

During pregnancy, it's common to end up with dry patches of skin. Skin is stretching over time, skin gets thicker and loses more water on average. This can commonly lead to mild itchiness, but if it's more than a tiny bit annoying get it checked by your pregnancy doctor (as it can be sign of other things and it's good to be thorough). 

So, we’re looking for things to reduce dryness and itchiness – so its important to not take too hot showers or long baths (I know, it’s devastating!) as this dries out skin (that pruning effect you can see in your hands) and will cause more irritation in the long run. Invest in a creamy body soap and make sure you’re avoiding sulfate-based soaps (as this removes natural oils). 

With body lotion, after showering, dry your skin and try to apply a good lotion within the first 5 minutes. This helps seal in the moisture and stops the drying process to maintain body moisture in the long-term. You want to pick soothing products – such as shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. 

Our favourite body lotions include: 
Illiyoon Fresh Moisture Body Lotion 350ml 
Aestura ATO Barrier 365 Lotion 150ml 
Benton Ceramide Calming ATO Body Lotion 300ml 

If you are getting dry patches on your face – it's important to ensure you have a gentle cleanser on hand, limit massaging that area and use a good face cream as a ‘spot treatment’ (especially if the patches are uneven, you don’t have to moisturize your whole face if it's too occlusive). 

If you’re looking for a quick, pregnancy-safe skincare routine to nourish dry skin – we've got you covered! 

Cleanser: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel 100ml 
A soothing coconut-based cleanser that is mixed with gentle black rice extract and brightening ginseng. Designed to maximize hydration and is ideal as a pregnancy-safe cleanser. 

Serum: Mary & May Multiple Hyaluronics Serum 30ml 
For a needed boost of moisture, hyaluronic acid is great! This serum contains 6 weights of hyaluronic acid in a refreshing, watery serum that is fragrance free and perfect for dry and sensitive skin alike. After cleansing skin, apply a few drops of this to problem areas and gently massage. Be sure to follow with a good moisturizer and the hyaluronic acid will draw the moisturizer deeper into skin to rid you of trouble spots! 

Moisturizer: VT Cosmetics Glucamune Cream 100ml 
This cream is the ultimate nourishing and soothing addition to a pregnancy skincare routine. It’s lightweight, creamy and has a base of snow mushroom extract which is deeply hydrating and refreshing for your skin barrier. This face cream will make quick work of any dry patches and soothe itchiness away in a flash. 

Treatment: Dr Althea Aqua Blue Hydration Mask Pack 
Looking for a little pick-me-up? Our choice is the soothing hydration mask from Dr Althea, with bamboo extract, blended with hydrating azulene, blue algae and is rich in plumping amino acids. The mask itself is extracted from oak wood to cool skin puffiness and is a perfect addition to an end-of-day relax session. 

This is the most common issue that arises in pregnancy and that’s the appearance of dark patches or spots. It’s a normal (and common) phenomenon, but it can make you feel a little self-conscious. Luckily, the best treatments for dark spots (niacinamide and vitamin C) are highly pregnancy safe! We’ve screened the following to be super safe for your pregnancy, as well as effective at lifting dark spots.

Cleanser: Missha Vita C Plus Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser  
Missha’s vitamin C line is the most calming on the market, with a lower dose of vitamin C that is melded into little liposomes for deep absorption. Not only does the vitamin C brighten, but it also contains niacinamide and tranexamic acid (which is safe in pregnancy too). It contains fresh orange and grapefruit extract for a little boost and is perfect for when your skin gets oily in pregnancy (its super cleansing). 

Serum: Arencia Red Smoothie Serum 30 
This serum is a lovely fruit-based concoction that contains brightening hibiscus, ginseng, black-current, mushroom and beetroot. It’s a little jelly-serum formula that goes on super cooling and is rich in niacinamide and arbutin – both of which are perfect to tackle dark spots.

Moisturizer: Abib Glutathiosome Creme Vita A Tube 
This cream is a nourishing boost to skin that contains glutathione, niacinamide and vitamin C as a powerful trio for dark spots. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly and using it consistently will help keep dark spots at bay. It’s also delightfully fragrance-free if smells are not your thing right now. 

Treatment: Nine Less B-Boost Kojic Acid Glow Toner Pads 
This is a refreshing toner pad rich in kojic acid, niacinamide and arbutin for dark spots, as well as boosting hyaluronic acid and panthenol to soothe pigmented areas. These can be used anywhere on the body – leave on for a few minutes for a little spot treatment that soothes and lifts dark spots. 

Sunscreen: Cos De Baha Mineral Sunscreen SPF+50 
It’s vital with hyperpigmentation to make sure you are sun safe, to minimize new spots appearing. If you are looking for a cost-effective and gentle mineral sunscreen (with no chemical sunscreen ingredients), the Cos De Baha one is has a great, neutral formula with limited cast and contains soothing vitamin E and balloon vine extract to calm your skin barrier. Safe for acne-prone skin, so even if you’re having oily, hormonal skin – it's got your back. 

Acne is a never-ending battle and occurs in up to 43% of pregnancies. So, even if its annoying – you are absolutely not on your own with this battle. The most common treatment (retinol) is off the table in pregnancy, and not just that – but a variety of essential oils (neem extract, licorice extract, rosemary, mugwort etc.) can be harmful and should be avoided! It’s important to pick a good cleanser and a refreshing serum to help balance your skin biome, to not only maintain hormonal spots, but also ensure nothing potentially toxic is being absorbed through your skin. 

Cleanser: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser 
This gentle, but deep cleanser is a perfect addition to combat and wash away acne spots. It’s mung-bean and plant-based extracts make it pregnancy safe, but it’s strong enough to gently exfoliate and refresh pores.  

Toner: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner 
Looking for a hydration boost, this toner is rich in soothing centella, probiotics, hyaluronic acid, trehalose and all that is needed for your skin to boost and hydrate. It’s perfect for an irritated skin barrier and to boost healing. 

Serum: Nine Less Molecule Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum 
A gentle exfoliating AHA that helps clear spots and improve skin cell turnover – while being safe for the whole duration of pregnancy. With hydrating panthenol and sodium hyaluronate, this serum is a deeply gentle, low-irritating formula with no harmful ingredients. Is perfect after a toner to gently exfoliate away excess skin cells to improve acne. 

Moisturizer: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream 
WIth 72% soothing centella, blended with hydrating agents (trehalose, butylene glycol, beta-glucan, ceramides) and brightening tranexamic acid, acne-reducing peppermint and refreshing ginger, this carefully formulated cream is pregnancy safe and soothing. This cream is ideal to help soothe irritated skin, whilst reducing acne and irritation. 

Treatment: Dr Melaxin Peel Shot Exfoliating White Rice Ampoule 
This rice-based exfoliant is a good exchange for your normal, stronger exfoliants. Its main action comes from gentle cellulose, which gently scrubs away dead skin cells and refreshes your skin barrier with brightening rice bran, floral extracts and plumping hyaluronic acid. It’s a good balance for acne, dark spots and dull/dry skin. There is a splash of BHA, but it's the smallest ingredient in the whole ampoule and well within safe limits. 

Looking for a little booster to help relax your mind, body and soul during pregnancy? These are our top-picks for safe and refreshing skincare for all pregnancies.

Derma:B Urea Foot Cream 80ml 
Struggling with sore, dry or swollen feet? Refresh, relax and smooth skin with the power of 9.8% urea, blended with refreshing glycerin and shea butter. A simple formula that makes a big difference, to help calm and refresh feet. 

Mary & May Premium Idebenone Blackberry Complex Essence Mask 
Refresh, brighten and glow with this soothing mask pack that contains high quality blackberry, blueberry and acai extracts to boost natural antioxidants and refresh fine lines. Perfect for the end of a busy day, with only natural fruit extracts, plumping amino acids and hydrating adenosine, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate.

Axis-Y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum 
Missing your favourite under-eye retinol cream? Soothe and refresh your eyes with the all-natural and refreshing power of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, plumping amino acids and calming fruit extracts from fruit, prune, grape, papaya, fig and more! It’s perfect to remove puffiness and dark circles from a poor nights sleep. 

Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask 
Looking for a night mask to brighten and soften skin? This overnight mask is simple, soothing and uses 68% rice extract to refresh skin, bring out a natural glow and gently hydrate. This rice mask is perfect to help relax skin and give you a simple moment of peace at the end of the day, whilst helping to balance skin at any stage of pregnancy. 

Axis Y Vita Glow Lip Oil ‘Dreamy Olive’ 
Struggling with dry lips? It’s a very common conundrum in pregnancy. Picking out a good lip oil, or jelly-like lip balm can make a massive difference. At home, you can use olive oil or petroleum jelly – but our pick is the clear and hydrating boost of Axis-Y's new lip oil formula. 

It's important to remember that skin changes are normal during pregnancy. It’s a time of tough changes and stressing over the ingredients in your skincare is the icing on the cake. At the end of the day, the data is not fully there over how skincare might affect your pregnancy. (We can only hope the science catches up so we know for sure). But if you are on the cautious side, take note of essential oils, retinol, BHA levels and chemical sunscreens. Stick to a simple and effective routine and don’t forget to take the time for a little extra pampering. 

Looking for your next relaxing moment of delightful peace? Shop our range of refreshing face masks to elevate your next home-spa moment. Shop top K-Beauty products on Arktastic.

What can’t be used in pregnancy skincare? 
There is a lack of studies specifically around pregnancy skincare and without data its good to be cautious. Generally, doctors recommend stopping all retinol/vitamin A based products to be cautious (especially in your first trimester) as well as avoiding potentially toxic products – including chemical sunscreens, high-dose BHA (>2%) and a variety of essential oils (especially mugwort, rosemary, tea-tree, hyssop, wintergreen, cinnamon, ylang ylang, sage and thyme). It’s best, for these reasons, to stick to simple and effective skincare and avoid experimenting with your skincare for the 9 months. If you are used to a more intensive skincare regime, be sure to check in with your GP or dermatologist to ensure you are in safe practice. 

What skin changes occur in pregnancy? 
There’s a huge cocktail of hormones that rise in pregnancy, with the most common outcomes including hyperpigmentation (dark spots or patches), acne, dry patches and appearance of rough skin and stretch marks. It’s important to always remember this is so normal that 90% of women note a big change during pregnancy. Don’t be over-reactive, keep your routine simple and only change out one product at a time. Invest in a good quality body lotion that you love and a nice mineral sunscreen to limit hyperpigmentation on your face. 

How to treat acne in pregnancy? 
A lot of our favorites to address acne (think retinol, tea-tree oil, mugwort) are not recommended in pregnancy. It’s best to address acne with a good cleanser that gently exfoliates and balances oils, a simple serum (without potentially damaging essential oils) and a lightweight moisturizer that helps reduce bacteria on your face, whilst boosting natural skin texture. The trick is deep cleansing (to improve cell turnover), a refreshing serum (such as glycolic acid or other AHA) and your favourite moisturizer.