Are essential oils safe during pregnancy?
Tap your actives or paste a label. See what to avoid, with sources.
- 1Actives
- 2Sorted
- 3Your list
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Everything in this tool, in full
Educational, not medical advice. Every line below points to the source it comes from — bring it to your doctor.
What the sources say
The AAD names rosemary, basil, jasmine and sage essential oils among the ingredients to use sparingly in pregnancy and to discuss with your dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
If you use them, how
Mayo Clinic’s advice for pregnancy is specific. Avoid putting essential oils directly on your skin, where they can cause allergic reactions, irritation or sun sensitivity; they often need to be diluted in a carrier oil. Don’t swallow them while pregnant or breastfeeding, because there isn’t enough research to show it’s safe for the baby. And talk with your health care team before using aromatherapy, since the FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils used for it.
Why there’s so little data
MotherToBaby says that for many of these products there is simply no information on pregnancy. It explains what changes the exposure: use on the skin usually doesn’t lead to large absorption, but constant use, broken or irritated skin and large areas of the body all increase it. If you’ve already used an oil, its advice is to call your provider rather than panic, since the risk depends on the product, when you used it and how much.
SourceMotherToBaby blog: A Slippery Topic: The Use of Essential Oils during Pregnancy (2016)
Check your whole routine
One ingredient is a start. The pregnancy-safe skincare checker stamps every active you use — tap them or paste a label — each with the reason and its source. Educational, not medical advice.
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
MySkincare reads the products you already use and builds a routine for your skin. It doesn’t judge whether an ingredient is pregnancy-safe — for that, this page and your OB-GYN or dermatologist are the guide.
Questions people ask
Are essential oils safe to use while pregnant?
The AAD names rosemary, basil, jasmine and sage essential oils among the ingredients to use sparingly in pregnancy and to discuss with your dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
Can I use essential oils on my skin while pregnant?
Mayo Clinic says to avoid putting them directly on your skin, and to talk with your health care team before using aromatherapy. The AAD names rosemary, basil, jasmine and sage oils as ones to use sparingly.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Mayo Clinic News Network: Aromatherapy use and safety: What to know about essential oils during pregnancy (March 2024)
Can I swallow essential oils while breastfeeding?
No: Mayo Clinic says not to ingest essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding, because there isn’t enough research to show it’s safe for the baby.
Where can I check my whole routine?
Use the pregnancy-safe skincare checker: it stamps every active you use, with the reason and its source. It’s educational, not medical advice — bring the result to your OB-GYN or dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
Should not be used during pregnancy, because they can put your baby at risk of birth defects: retinoids (including OTC retinol and adapalene), hydroquinone, finasteride, spironolactone, tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline, and 5-fluorouracil cream. Use sparingly: salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%), benzoyl peroxide, parabens, phthalates, phenol, triclosan, some essential oils. Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30+. Vitamin C in the morning, glycolic acid at night. No mention of niacinamide.
Mayo Clinicmayoclinic.org
- Mayo Clinic News Network: Aromatherapy use and safety: What to know about essential oils during pregnancy (March 2024)
Avoid putting essential oils on your skin (allergic reactions, irritation, sun sensitivity); they often need a carrier oil; don’t ingest them while pregnant or breastfeeding; FDA doesn’t regulate aromatherapy oils; talk with your health care team.
MotherToBabymothertobaby.org
- MotherToBaby blog: A Slippery Topic: The Use of Essential Oils during Pregnancy (2016)
For many products there is no information at all; skin use usually doesn’t lead to large absorption, but constant use, broken skin and large areas raise it; risk depends on the product, timing and amount; if you used something, call your provider rather than panic.