Free pregnancy safety checker for beauty, food & drinks

Vitamin A derivatives are widely paused in pregnancy.

ACOG-aligned guidance typically recommends avoiding topical retinoids in pregnancy because oral retinoids are known teratogens and topical forms are treated cautiously. Many people also phase them out while TTC.

Common swap: Azelaic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide, or vitamin C depending on your goal.

High systemic absorption makes this a common avoid.

Hydroquinone has unusually high absorption through skin. Most clinicians recommend skipping it in pregnancy; arbutin is often treated cautiously because it can release hydroquinone.

Common swap: Niacinamide, azelaic acid, or vitamin C for tone concerns.

Concentration and leave-on vs rinse-off matter.

Low-strength rinse-off products are often considered acceptable; high-strength peels and heavy leave-on use are where caution rises. Oral salicylates are a different category entirely.

Common swap: Azelaic acid or gentle AHAs if you want a cleaner pregnancy profile.

Often accepted as targeted spot treatment.

Many clinicians accept OTC benzoyl peroxide in pregnancy when used sparingly on spots rather than all-over daily. Avoid nipple/areola area while nursing.

Common swap: Azelaic acid for broader daily use; keep BPO for stubborn spots.

One of the most commonly kept pregnancy actives.

Topical niacinamide is widely considered compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding for barrier support, oil balance, and tone.

Common first-line pregnancy acne / tone option.

Azelaic acid is frequently recommended in pregnancy for acne and pigmentation when retinoids are paused.

The chemical filter that draws the most pregnancy debate.

Not universally banned, but many clinicians default to mineral SPF in pregnancy because oxybenzone shows up often in endocrine-disruption discussions.

Common swap: Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide mineral SPF.

Usual pregnancy-default sunscreen filter.

Mineral filters sit on the skin and are the lower-friction choice for many pregnant people, especially tinted zinc for melasma.

A black-box label term — optional exposure is worth reducing.

Fragrance blends are rarely fully disclosed. The practical issues in pregnancy are nausea, irritation, and concern about some phthalates historically used in scent.

Common swap: Fragrance-free lotion, wash, and detergent for daily leave-on products.

Common guidance centers near 200 mg/day in pregnancy.

ACOG and NHS commonly point to about 200 mg caffeine per day in pregnancy. Energy drinks and guarana blends deserve extra caution beyond the caffeine number alone.

Common swap: Decaf, half-caf, or herbal options your clinician is comfortable with.

Caffeine plus stimulants with thin pregnancy data.

Most guidance recommends avoiding energy drinks in pregnancy because caffeine often comes bundled with taurine, guarana, and other stimulants.

Listeria risk is the core concern.

Unpasteurized soft cheeses are classic pregnancy caution foods. Pasteurized hard cheeses are generally treated as fine — read the label.

Common swap: Pasteurized hard cheese or clearly labeled pasteurized soft cheese.

Heat until steaming to reduce Listeria risk.

Cold deli meats and refrigerated pâté are caution foods in pregnancy unless reheated until steaming hot.

Raw fish is discouraged; cooked rolls are the usual workaround.

The concern is bacteria and parasites in raw seafood, not soy sauce. Fully cooked or vegetarian rolls are common alternatives.

Skip the high-mercury species; keep lower-mercury fish.

Salmon, sardines, anchovies, trout, and shrimp are commonly encouraged; shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and bigeye tuna are usual avoids.

No known safe amount in pregnancy.

Standard obstetric guidance is to avoid alcohol in pregnancy. Nursing guidance is more nuanced and should be individualized with a clinician.

Often acceptable after first trimester with good ventilation.

Many clinicians are comfortable with occasional coloring later in pregnancy, especially highlights with less scalp contact. First-trimester caution is common.

Lotion on intact skin is usually treated more gently than spray mist.

Topical DHA on intact skin is often considered acceptable; inhaling spray-tan mist is the bigger practical caution.

Natural is not automatically pregnancy-safe.

Some oils are discouraged in pregnancy, especially in high doses or when ingested. Treat them like actives, not harmless vibes.

Common brightening swap when retinoids are paused.

Topical vitamin C is generally considered acceptable in pregnancy and is often used for tone and antioxidant support.