Expectant mothers have a lot to consider when it comes to their health and well-being, including the beauty products they use. With the skin absorbing approximately 64% of what it comes into contact with, it’s important to ensure that makeup is safe for use during pregnancy. However, finding pregnancy safe makeup can be a challenge, as not all brands are straightforward about their ingredients and potential risks.
To help ease the anxieties of expectant mothers, Sustainable Jungle has independently researched and compiled a list of makeup brands that are safe to use during pregnancy and won’t pose a risk of birth defects. This list includes products that have been tested on an as needed basis to avoid waste, and contains affiliate links for those interested in purchasing the recommended products.
What To Expect From The Best Makeup For Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a time of great joy and excitement, but it can also be a time of uncertainty and worry. Many expectant mothers are concerned about the safety of the products they use, including makeup and cosmetics. Fortunately, there are a number of brands that offer safe, all-natural makeup options that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Here are some of the best options available:
1. 100% Pure
100% Pure is a brand that is committed to providing safe, natural makeup products that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Their products are pigmented with only natural fruits and plants, so you won’t have to worry about coating your face in synthetic colorants. Their Fruit Pigmented line adheres to strict purity standards, utilizing pigments from only fruits, vegetables, tea, and cocoa—instead of synthetic and heavy metal-based pigments. This line includes pregnancy safe mascara, foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, concealer, primer, BB cream, tints, and blush. All of their products are processed completely naturally via “fermentation, distillation, and cold processing”, making them safe for mom and baby.
2. RMS Beauty
RMS Beauty offers a full line of pregnancy safe cosmetics that are free of soy, silicone, GMOs, and parabens. Their products are cruelty-free and only include consciously chosen natural and non-toxic ingredients, including ethical mica and titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide to highlight your pregnancy glow. They offer a healthy selection of nearly every makeup product you could need: natural lipsticks, oils, lip balm, mascara, eye polish, lip shine, cruelty-free concealers, powders, bronzers, and blush—to name just a few. When it’s time to take the makeup off, their Raw Coconut Cream is just about the best safe makeup remover for pregnancy available. It contains 100% raw, unrefined organic coconut oil—that’s it!
3. Dab Herb
Dab Herb is a zero waste beauty brand that offers a range of natural, safe cosmetics that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Their take on the best pregnancy makeup is that which is natural enough to eat. They offer products for eyes (liquid eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow), lips (lip gloss, tint, lip balm), and face (primer, contour powder, blush, cheek pinch, luminizer, concealer, moisturizer), as well as brushes and tools. They use mostly food-grade, certified organic ingredients that come from plant roots, leaves, petals, and seeds. To keep those plants healthy, Dab Herb packages in plastic-free containers and shipping materials (many of which are reused from their suppliers).
4. Axiology
Axiology is a brand that offers a range of natural, safe cosmetics that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Their products are made with organic, all-natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin. They offer a range of products, including lipsticks, lip crayons, and lip balms. They use only the highest-quality ingredients, including organic avocado oil, organic coconut oil, and organic grapeseed oil. Their products are also vegan and cruelty-free, making them a great choice for expectant mothers who are concerned about the safety of the products they use.
5. Elate Cosmetics
Elate Cosmetics is a brand that offers a range of natural, safe cosmetics that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Their products are made with organic, all-natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin. They offer a range of products, including foundation, powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipsticks. They use only the highest-quality ingredients, including organic jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, and organic castor oil. Their products are also vegan and cruelty-free, making them a great choice for expectant mothers who are concerned about the safety of the products they use.
6. HAN Skincare Cosmetics
HAN Skincare Cosmetics is a brand that offers a range of natural, safe cosmetics that are perfect for use during pregnancy. Their products are made with organic, all-natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin. They offer a range of products, including tinted moisturizer, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipsticks. They use only the highest-quality ingredients, including organic jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, and organic castor oil. Their products are also vegan and cruelty-free, making them a great choice for expectant mothers who are concerned about the safety of the products they use.
7. Eco Minerals
Eco Minerals is a brand that offers a range of natural, safe cosmetics that
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Makeup Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy
Choosing safe makeup during pregnancy is crucial to ensure that you are not absorbing any potentially harmful chemicals that can affect the growing bundle inside. While most popular makeup brands use a variety of ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy, it can be challenging to identify which ones are safe to use. Here are some makeup ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy:
Beta Hydroxy Acids
Beta hydroxy acids are commonly used in anti-aging creams and can be found on ingredient labels as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, trethocanic acid, tropic acid, and salicylic acid. These acids can penetrate the skin and potentially harm the developing fetus.
Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is an emulsifier used in creamy makeup products. Any ingredient with ‘DEA’ in it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
DHA is used as a color additive in bronzer. Any ingredient with ‘DHA’ in it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde can be found in nail polish, blush, mascara, and lotion. Look for quaternium-15, hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM), imidazolidinyl urea, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate on ingredient labels.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is often found in lightening creams and brightening serums. It should be avoided during pregnancy.
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in makeup and have been associated with hormone and reproductive system issues, breast cancer, and other health problems. The most common parabens in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.
Retinol
Retinol is found in foundations and lipstick and can be listed on ingredient labels as Vitamin A, retinoic acid, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, isotretinoin, retinyl palmitate, and retinaldehyde. It is best to avoid using makeup products that contain retinol during pregnancy.
Toluene
Toluene is often found in nail polish and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Phthalates
Phthalates are petrochemicals linked to birth defects and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances contain hormone disruptors or phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive defects. Fragrance-free makeup products are the best option, followed by those scented with natural, organic essential oils.
Minerals
Minerals like mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide can replace otherwise toxic ingredients in chemical sunscreens. However, nanosized particles in minerals may be toxic due to their ability to pass through the skin barrier. It is best to stick to non-nano sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide during pregnancy.
In general, it is recommended to avoid using makeup products that contain ingredients that sound chemical. Instead, look for terms that are easily understood, such as shea butter, essential oils, avocado seed oil, cocoa butter, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid. If you are ever in doubt about the ingredients in your favorite makeup products, you can always look them up using the EWG’s Skin Deep database, which contains a concise toxicity rating.
How We Found The Best Pregnancy Safe Makeup Brands
When it comes to pregnancy, it’s important for expecting mothers to use makeup products that are safe for both themselves and their babies. To find the best pregnancy safe makeup brands, several criteria were considered.
Non-Toxic Ingredients
The most important criteria for pregnancy safe makeup is non-toxic ingredients. However, the term “non-toxic” is not regulated and is subject to greenwashing. It’s important to familiarize oneself with the major safe and unsafe ingredients found in cosmetics. Some of the common ingredients to avoid include parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Cruelty-Free and Vegan
In addition to non-toxic ingredients, it’s important to choose makeup brands that are cruelty-free and vegan. Animals should be protected from cruel cosmetics testing, and vegan options are preferred. However, some exceptions can be made for ingredients that can be harvested in a cruelty-free manner, such as beeswax and honey.
Palm Oil-Free and Ethical Ingredient Sourcing
Sustainable and ethical ingredient sourcing policies are also important to consider. Palm oil-free or responsibly-harvested sustainable palm oil at a minimum is preferred. Thoughtful packaging that is reusable, compostable, or recyclable is also preferred.
Final Thoughts on Beauty Products Safe for Pregnancy
While natural and non-toxic ingredients are best for pregnant women, it’s still possible to enjoy makeup during pregnancy. Pregnancy safe makeup brands offer natural ingredients that are safe for both mother and baby. These brands are also better for the environment and breastfeeding.
It’s important to share this information with other expecting mothers to help them choose the safest cosmetic and skincare products for themselves and their babies. By choosing pregnancy safe makeup brands, expecting mothers can enjoy the benefits of makeup without worrying about the potential harm to their babies.
