In case you didn’t know, skincare is a HUGE deal in Asian cultures, and I am not mad about it. However, now that I’ve had two kids, I’ve had to majorly change my skincare routine to accommodate for my needs during pregnancy and while nursing. I am currently on my SIXTH YEAR of my pregnancy/nursing safe skincare routine. Here are my picks for the best pregnancy and nursing safe skincare products at Sephora. Two disclaimers: 1. I am not a dermatologist or OBGYN, please confer with a medical professional if you have questions about your skincare products. 2. This post includes affiliate links.

Ingredients to Avoid While Pregnant and Nursing

What makes a skincare routine safe for pregnancy and nursing? When I first got pregnant, I talked with my dermatologist. She told me that the most important thing was to avoid any retinol products, as that ingredient was linked to birth defects in certain situations. The second ingredient to avoid is salicylic acid. Although also potentially linked to birth defects, the evidence against salicylic acid was not as clear. My dermatologist’s opinion was that the low levels of salicylic acid in over the counter skincare were unlikely to cause problems. HOWEVER, it’s always better safe than sorry.

On that note, her advice to me was that less is more. I’m giving you a list of my favorite products that I used during pregnancy, but I actually tried to use as few products as I felt necessary to keep my skin healthy. As always, please consult with YOUR medical professionals, and you do what works for you.

Anyway, here we go!

My Favorite Pregnancy and Nursing Safe Hydrating Toners

One of my favorite gentle and hydrating toners carried at Sephora currently is the Laneige Cream Skin. It went viral on Tiktok years ago, and for good reason. It’s soothing, lightweight, and nourishing. My skin used to be oily, but now has become VERY DRY while breastfeeding. Unfortunately, one of my previous favorite hydrating toners is not longer carried at Sephora. I’ve tried a few others like the Mario Badescu, which I don’t recommend because it was drying, and the Caudalie, which I also don’t recommend because the scent was so strong, especially on my pregnancy-sensitive nose. I haven’t tried the other toners currently stocked, but if I was, I’d go for the Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner, as the ingredients look gentle.

My Favorite Pregnancy and Nursing Safe Exfoliators

My dermatologist told me that while BHAs like salicylic acid are off limits, AHA chemical exfoliants are fine to use. Out of all the AHAs, she recommended lactic acid as being the most gentle. It also tends to be hydrating, even as it exfoliates?! I currently use The Ordinary serum and have repurchased several times. On the higher end of the spectrum is Sunday Riley’s Good Genes lactic acid serum – much more luxurious; also much more expensive.

Pregnancy and Nursing Safe Skincare for Acne at Sephora

Sadly, I did NOT get that pregnancy glow for EITHER of my pregnancies. Instead, I got hormornal acne! Ugh! Here’s what I used to combat my newfound acne woes:

Sunday Riley Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask

This thing works wonders EVEN on hormonal acne. I put a little dot on, leave it for 10 minutes, and the next day the pimple has mostly shriveled up, or at least come to a head.

Niacinamide Serums

I was given the okay by my dermatologist to use products with niacinamide. I really enjoyed the Inkey List’s niacinamide serum, which is also very affordable.

Sephora now carries the Kbeauty brand Beauty of Joseon. I have used their Glow serums in the past and really loved them. This serum also includes niacinamide.

Pregnancy and Nursing Skincare – Dark Spot and Hyperpigmentation Treatments at Sephora

On top of hormonal acne, I also dealt with a little bit of melasma while pregnant. Hooray. After I had my second baby, I went to the dermatologist to get some of those spots lasered off. But in the meantime, I tried to keep the hyperpigmentation at bay with vitamin C serums.

Again on the affordable side of skincare, I really enjoyed the Inkey List’s Vitamin C serum. On the more high-end side, I loved Sunday Riley’s CEO 15% Vitamin C serum. I also tried Drunk Elephant’s Vitamin C serum, which I liked fine, but I just preferred Sunday Riley’s texture.

Just FYI, my current choice for vitamin C serum is not sold at Sephora. I’ve been using a very affordable one from Japan, which you can read about in my Japanese skincare post if you’re interested.

Anti-Aging Moisturizers While Pregnant and Nursing

Last but not least – anti-aging moisturizers. Alas, as I am still nursing, I still cannot use retinol products, which is the gold standard of anti-aging skincare. I also tried retinol’s supposedly more gentle alternative: bakuchiol, but I had a MAJOR skin reaction. BUT, one thing I COULD use was a peptide cream!

I absolutely loved the Drunk Elephant protini polypeptide cream. For a more affordable dupe, the Inkey List peptide moisturizer is also great. But my favorite peptide cream of all has got to be the Skinfix Triple Peptide cream.

And that’s it! Again, I’m not a doctor, so please consult with a medical professional before starting any new products. I hope this list is still helpful for you! If it was, feel free to let me know in the comments below!