As an expecting mom you need to be careful when searching for moisturizing anti-aging night serum. Did you know that lots of night creams contain harmful ingredients that pregnant women should avoid, because they can lead to severe health problems in their babies?! That’s why you need to look out for natural alternative.
I carefully studied ingredient list of 20+ moisturizers and here are the results of my research: 8 best pregnancy-safe night creams that are ultra gentle and really reduce the visibility of fine lines and dark circles.
Medically reviewed by Macy Tollefson – doula, breastfeeding specialist & prenatal yoga teacher
Many women experience ultra sensitive, dry skin and acne during their pregnancy, and want to use an overnight moisturizer to find that pregnancy glow. But it’s so important that you are careful when choosing which one you use.
Proper moisturizing throughout your pregnancy is SO important, but many night creams on the market contain nasty ingredients that are not safe for you or your baby. Popular ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acid are found in many of today’s “must-have” anti-aging skincare products, but they can actually lead to miscarriage and birth defects1.
I know it can be overwhelming finding overnight moisturizers that are REALLY safe and effective, so I’ve done the research for you. Keep reading to see my favorite non-toxic and best pregnancy-safe night creams.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. It contains affiliate links.
Recommended by 87% of verified buyers!Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best & Safe Night Creams For Pregnant Women
Are you looking for a great night cream to wake up your tired skin? Here are some of the best creams that moms-to-be can use throughout their entire pregnancy.
1. Beauty By Earth Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Night Cream
Beauty By Earth has created a unique formula that uses the power of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and squalane (first three ingredients) to really help support your skin health. It will leave your skin feeling balanced and bright!
This cream is packed with powerhouse ingredients, but here are some of the main stars:
- Aloe vera – ultra hydrating, protects skin’s moisture barrier.
- Hyaluronic acid – reduces redness, prevents and reduces visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Squalane – it mimics skin barrier, moisturizes and softens the skin, making it glowy. It also helps balance oil production, and also has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Green tea extract – it is non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog your pores, it helps with acne and makes your skin look younger.
- White tea extract – protects against skin damage, such as UV and wrinkles.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Extremely moisturizing and soothing
Thanks to squalane it helps to sooth irritated and dry skin, prevents from skin inflammation and helps to heal red itchy spots. Some moms with pregnancy eczema have been using this cream and rave about it because it’s soothes for sensitive skin.
2. Protects against wrinkles
There are many nourishing and anti-aging ingredients in this face cream, but one of the main ones are hyaluronic acid, green tea and white tea extract, which have amazing anti-aging properties.
3. Brightens dark circles & improves skin texture
This cream helps brighten the skin and give it a natural glow. It helps with any sort of dark spots, discoloration or pigmentation.
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Keep In Mind
1. Pricey
The good news is that little goes a long way, so one jar should last you for a few months!
2. Farmstead Apothecary Unscented Anti-Aging Face Cream
This face cream by Farmstead Apothecary is a great, fast absorbing formula that helps combat a number of skin conditions. It has anti-aging properties and balances oil production – making it great for acne prone skin.
This simple formula includes:
- Safflower oil – to lock in moisture.
- Jojoba oil – which softens the skin and dissolves sebum (oil) that clogs pores (leading to acne).
- Vitamin E – an antioxidant that helps tighten and firm the skin.
- Vegetable emulsifying wax – to help your skin properly absorb all of the rich oils.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Great for sensitive skin
This simple formula is made with no artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals or irritants. It’s also unscented and made without synthetic fragrances!
2. 100% plant-based
Now, not all “natural” products are necessarily safe for pregnancy, but this really one is! Rest assured that there are no unnecessary chemicals or harsh ingredients anywhere in this cream.
Keep In Mind
1. There are scented versions
The scented creams have different fruit extracts added for natural fragrance. Their formulas could be different, so be sure to double check the ingredients, if you choose to get a scented version! Personally, I recommend the unscented version.
3. Tree To Tub Daily Deep Hydration Ginseng Green Tea Moisturizer
Tree to Tub has created a deeply hydrating moisturizer, that is full of active ingredients to combat a number of skin conditions. Your skin will feel so nourished, hydrated and brighter when you wake up in the morning. It’s the ultimate spa in a bottle!
In this unique face moisturizer, you will find:
- Aloe vera – to soothe and hydrate.
- Rose water – calms irritation.
- Cocoa butter – deeply nourishing and hydrating.
- Green tea – antioxidant that brightens the skin.
- Tea tree – used for an effective acne treatment.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Anti-aging
The vitamin E helps reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines, while the Vitamin C gives you that youthful glow. This cream also helps combat dark spots and brighten the skin.
2. Great for sensitive skin
The aloe vera and rose water in this cream provide soothing care and help calm the skin from any irritation.
Keep In Mind
1. Lavender essential oil
This cream does contain lavender essential oil for natural fragrance. While lavender oil is considered pregnancy safe, some may find the addition of any essential oils irritating for their skin. If you have extremely sensitive skin, this may be something to consider.
4. Honest Hydrogel Cream
Honest offers a deeply hydrating pregnancy-safe night cream, that hydrates and smoothes your skin. Made with no artificial fragrances or harsh ingredients, this formula is a gentle way to pamper your skin during pregnancy.
Some of the key ingredients include:
- Hyaluronic acid – attracts and retains moisture.
- Squalane – moisturizes and softens the skin.
- Jojoba esters – deeply moisturizing.
- Apple fruit extract – anti-aging, antioxidant, skin smoothing and helps maintain skin elasticity.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Great for dry skin types
Dryness is no match for the moisture retaining effects of the hyaluronic acid combined with the other deeply hydrating ingredients. You’ll wake up with radiant, plump and soft skin, thanks to this creamy formula.
2. Anti-aging
In a study done by Honest, they found that 90% of participants said their fine lines appeared reduced, and their faces felt smoother after just one week of use.
Keep In Mind
1. Leaves a dewy finish
While it claims to be a lightweight formula, Honest says that this cream will leave your skin looking “dewy”. For that reason, this may not be the best option for moms with oily skin, or those who prefer more of a matte finish (although dewy finish shouldn’t be a problem since you’ll be using this cream before bed).
5. Honey Girl Organics Night Crème
This awesome night cream by Honey Girl is a great moisturizer to use during pregnancy. It is deeply hydrating and full of natural, active ingredients that fight all sorts of skin issues.
With a short list of natural ingredients, this moisturizer has:
- Honey – natural humectant (moisture attractor and retainer), nourishes skin and smooths texture
- Beeswax – helps lock in moisture and create an effective skin barrier
- Propolis – nature’s antibiotic, will help balance, soothe and heal problematic skin
- Royal Jelly – provides vitamins, minerals, with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it protects the skin from dehydration and reverses the aging process.
- Olive Oil – provides long lasting moisture, high in vitamin e and vitamin a
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Helps balance skin tone
The various anti aging ingredients helps soothe redness, fight hyperpigmentation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Put this on at night, and wake up to luminous, glowing, young-looking skin.
2. Deeply hydrating
This pregnancy safe night cream is so nourishing and designed to help lock in moisture. The higher concentration of beeswax in particular is amazing for protecting your skin barrier and seal in the hydration.
Keep In Mind
1. Not good for those who have bee or honey allergies
This formula contains several ingredients that are derived from bees, and would not be a good option for those with bee or pollen sensitivities.
6. Mad Hippie Triple C Night Cream
Made with natural and powerful antioxidants and adaptogens, this formula is designed to rejuvenate your skin AND protect it from daily stressors. This pregnancy safe night cream will give you a brighter and smoother complexion, without any harsh chemicals or ingredients.
This night cream has a long, powerful ingredient list, but some of the key components include:
- Vitamin C – brightens the skin and reduces discoloration.
- Reishi mushroom – a moisturizing adaptogen, antioxidant complex.
- Cloudberry – antioxidant that prevents skin from breaking down.
- Tumeric extract – antioxidant (with no yellow staining effect)
- Vitamin E – it tightens your skin and gives it that healthy plump feeling.
- Hyaluronic acid – for anti-aging boost.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Awesome for acne prone skin
While this cream is great for most skin types, it can be especially useful to treat acne. There aren’t many pregnancy friendly options to fighting acne, but the ingredients in this moisturizer works wonders on pimples, oily skin and other issues caused by hormonal changes.
2. It rejuvenates your skin
Tired looking skin is no match for the brightening power of vitamin C and antioxidants. The other moisturizing ingredients in this cream help protect the skin barrier, help with moisture loss and promote healthy skin. It will even help heal the skin from different skin issues like wrinkles, dark spots and even acne scars. It brightens dark marks caused by increased pigment production.
3. Non-greasy formula
I love the consistency of this cream, it feels a bit like pudding! It’s hydrating, but doesn’t feel too oily.
Keep In Mind
1. May not be good for extremely sensitive skin
While pregnancy-safe, this formula includes Phenethyl Alcohol, which can cause irritation for some.
2. Contains Stearic Acid
There is some debate on whether or not Stearic Acid is safe for pregnancy. Some dermatologists advise limiting the use of stearic acid when you’re expecting. It’s best to talk to your doctor to see if this is a good choice for you.
7. Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
This rich cream by Cocokind is perfect for moms to be who are struggling with very dry skin. It will give your dehydrated skin the deep hydration it’s craving, and you’ll wake up with your face feeling plump and fresh.
Ingredients:
- Plant-based polypeptide complex – supports collagen production and helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
- Squalane – prevents moisture loss and softens the skin.
- Watermelon seed oil – high in antioxidants, which protect the skin from aging.
- Shea butter – ultra nourishing and hydrating.
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Great for dry skin types
This rich formula will give you deep hydration that lasts all day long. Or, put it on before you go to bed and let your skin soak up all the moisture while you sleep!
2. Supports collagen production
There are a number of great ingredients in this cream that help with anti-aging. The peptide complex in particular helps your skin maintain it’s collagen and elasticity, while preventing wrinkles and fine lines from appearing.
Keep In Mind
1. This formula contains willow bark extract
Salicylic acid (which according to some experts should be avoided during pregnancy) is made from willow bark. However, products that contain willow bark have salicylates, but not salicylic acid itself2.
Besides, it’s worth to notice that recently lots of dermatologists actually say that salicylic acid is pregnancy-safe in low concentration. Do your research if you have any concerns, and always talk to your doctor before using a product with willow bark or salicylic acid.
8. S.W Basics Original Cream
This face cream may be simple, but it sure is powerful. This could be the ultimate addition to your pregnancy safe skincare routine, if you struggle with dry skin. It has the light scent of shea butter, but other than that, it’s completely fragrance free.
With just 3 ingredients, this cream has:
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
Reasons To Choose This Night Cream
1. Simple and safe
This cream has nothing to hide – what you see is what you get. If you are nervous about hidden chemicals, added fragrances or potential irritants, you won’t find any of that in here.
2. Deep hydration
The rich oils in this formula provide deep penetration and lasting hydration for your skin. If you use this as a night cream, you’re sure to wake up with soft and hydrated skin the next morning.
Keep In Mind
1. This moisturizer may be too rich for everyday use
All three of these ingredients create a thick, incredibly rich cream, which may clog your pores if you use it every day. With that being said, some moms to be may be experiencing extremely dry skin during their pregnancy, and this cream could be just the thing to soothe their dehydrated skin. Everybody is different!
Final Decision: What Is The Best Facial Night Cream To Use While Pregnant?
For a pregnancy safe night cream that is full of active ingredients, I’m choosing this Beauty By Earth Hydrating Night Cream as my favorite.
This night cream has lots of beneficial active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, green tea and white tea extracts, aloe vera and squalane. It will have your skin feeling brighter, healthier and smoother. You should also see a reduction in your fine lines and wrinkles after a few weeks of use.
Pregnancy-Safe Night Creams – FAQ
Choosing a moisturizer to use during pregnancy can be daunting. Here are answers for some of the most common questions around pregnancy safe night creams.
Is It Safe To Use Face Cream During Pregnancy?
Yes! In fact moisturizing your skin throughout your pregnancy is SO important.
With that being said, there are many face creams that are NOT safe to use while you are pregnant. For example, you want to avoid retinoids and different types of chemical exfoliants, that are commonly used in skincare products.
Before you continue using your own products, double check the ingredients and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Keep in mind that proper hydration is crucial both during the day and night. Check out our list of the best facial moisturizers that are pregnancy-safe and lightweight enough for daily use.
Which Night Cream Is Safe During Pregnancy?
In general, the products with simpler, natural ingredients list, are the safest to use during pregnancy.
From this list, the safest (and still quite effective at reducing wrinkles) would be the Farmstead Apothecary Unscented Anti-Aging Face Cream. It’s a simple-ingredient cream, ultra hydrating and get’s the job done, if you are experiencing dry skin during pregnancy.
For more active ingredients, the Honey Girl Organics Night Creme is another one of the safest options (at least if you’re not sensitive to bee products).
What Creams To Avoid While Pregnant?
Many night creams contain active ingredients that are meant to treat your skin while you sleep. Unfortunately, a lot of these actives are NOT pregnancy safe.
Any creams and moisturizers that claim to “rejuvenate” your skin or leave you “glowing” often have chemical exfoliants or ingredients that promote cell regeneration.
Some of these common unsafe ingredients include3:
- Retinol (Vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, retinoids, tazarotene, isotretinoin etc.)
- Salicylic acid
- Benzyl alcohol (benzoyl peroxide)
There are many other ingredients that are up for debate on whether or not they are pregnancy safe, so always do your research and talk to your doctor before choosing a moisturizer.
Safe alternatives to common active ingredients:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
For a full breakdown of what products to avoid, check out our article: Skincare Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy.
Can I Use Olay Night Cream During Pregnancy?
You shouldn’t use Olay night cream during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are several ingredients in these creams that are NOT pregnancy safe. Here are some examples:
- Olay Total Effects 7 in 1: Contains avobenzone, isopropyl and phenoxyethanol.
- Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Moisturizer: Contains retinol, retinyl propionate and phenoxyethanol.
- Olay Firming Night Cream: Contains isopropyl palmitate, stearic acid and fragrance.
Is CeraVe Night Cream Pregnancy Safe?
CeraVe is a popular brand for people with sensitive skin, but their Skin Renewing Night Cream might not be the best choice if you are pregnant.
This formula contains some good, hydrating ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. However, it also contains phenoxyethanol, which is best to avoid during pregnancy4.
On top of this, it is also full of synthetic ingredients, silicones and chemicals. There are safer options available than this.
Article By Macy Tollefson
Macy Tollefson is a full spectrum doula, breastfeeding specialist and prenatal yoga teacher. She is passionate about guiding the modern mama on her journey through the beautiful (and wild) transformation of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Macy envisions a world where every mother has access to the resources she needs, and follows her intuition to make the best decisions about what is right for her and her baby.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. This article contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase through those links I may get a small commission, at no extra cost to you! This helps me run this website, so thank you!
References:
https://rarediseases.org/
https://www.drlauranicholas.com/
https://www.parents.com/
https://www.mustelausa.com/
Sources of pictures:
Pictures of Beauty By Earth cream belong to Beauty By Earth Brand. Source: https://beautybyearth.com/
Pictures of Farmstead cream belong to Farmstead Brand. Source: https://farm-stead.com/
Pictures of Mad Hippie cream belong to LittleBabyGear.com
Pictures of Tree To Tub cream belong to Tree To Tub Brand. Source: https://treetotub.com/
Pictures of Cocokind cream belong to Cocokind Brand. Source: https://www.cocokind.com/
Pictures of Honest cream belong to The Honest Company Brand. Source: https://www.honest.com/
Pictures of S.W. Basics cream belong to S.W. Basics Brand. Source:https://swbasics.com/
Pictures of Honey Girl Organics cream belong to Honey Girl Organics Brand. Source:https://honeygirlorganics.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂