Is retinol 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 says retinoids should not be used during pregnancy, and lists over-the-counter retinol among the ingredients to avoid. ACOG also advises avoiding topical retinoids and reading labels, because some over-the-counter products contain them.
Sources split. MotherSafe (Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney) says the small amounts of vitamin A in cosmetics are acceptable. We show the more cautious AAD and ACOG advice.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQCleveland Clinic: RetinolMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)
What about breastfeeding?
Cleveland Clinic says providers believe the risk to breastfed babies from topical retinoids is low, since little is absorbed. Keep it off your breasts and ask your provider.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQCleveland Clinic: RetinolMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)
If you used retinol before you knew
This is common, and the sources are calm about it. MotherSafe, the pregnancy service of Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women, says vitamin A in cosmetics is generally present in insignificant amounts and minimally absorbed through the skin, and that the concern is mainly about large doses taken by mouth.
The closest studies are on tretinoin, a stronger prescription retinoid. MotherToBaby says those studies haven’t found more birth defects with proper use on the skin, though there are case reports, and absorption goes up on broken skin or large areas. Its general advice for any product used before you knew: the risk depends on the product, when and how much you used it, so call your provider rather than panic.
SourcesMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)MotherToBaby: Topical Tretinoin (fact sheet, July 2024)MotherToBaby blog: A Slippery Topic: The Use of Essential Oils during Pregnancy (2016)
What to use instead
A dermatologist in the AAD’s pregnancy guide suggests vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night, with a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. ACOG lists over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid and glycolic acid among the acne products that can be used. A 2026 review, as summarized in Dermatology Times, calls vitamin C, azelaic acid and niacinamide acceptable during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQDermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)
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
Is retinol safe to use while pregnant?
The AAD says retinoids should not be used during pregnancy, and lists over-the-counter retinol among the ingredients to avoid. ACOG also advises avoiding topical retinoids and reading labels, because some over-the-counter products contain them.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQCleveland Clinic: RetinolMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)
Is retinol safe while breastfeeding?
Cleveland Clinic says providers believe the risk to breastfed babies from topical retinoids is low, since little is absorbed. Keep it off your breasts and ask your provider.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQCleveland Clinic: RetinolMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)
Do the sources agree on retinol in pregnancy?
MotherSafe (Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney) says the small amounts of vitamin A in cosmetics are acceptable. We show the more cautious AAD and ACOG advice.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQCleveland Clinic: RetinolMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)
I used retinol before I knew I was pregnant. What now?
Stop using it and tell your OB-GYN. MotherSafe says vitamin A in cosmetics is minimally absorbed, and MotherToBaby says studies of tretinoin, a stronger retinoid, haven’t found more birth defects with proper use on the skin.
SourcesMotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)MotherToBaby: Topical Tretinoin (fact sheet, July 2024)
What can I use instead of retinol while pregnant?
The AAD’s guide suggests vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night, plus mineral sunscreen. A 2026 review calls azelaic acid and niacinamide acceptable too.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)
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.
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Retinoid or retinol?
“Retinoids” covers vitamin A-based skin products; retinoids should not be used during pregnancy.
- 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.
MotherToBabymothertobaby.org
- Topical Tretinoin (fact sheet, July 2024)
Only a small amount is absorbed when used as directed, more on broken skin or large areas; studies haven’t found more birth defects with proper use, but case reports exist; generally recommended not to use in pregnancy; stopping a month before trying to conceive may be suggested; breastfeeding not studied, amount in milk probably small.
- 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.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsacog.org
- Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
Over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be used; use of topical retinoids is generally avoided, and some OTC products contain them; isotretinoin should not be used; melasma and daily sunscreen.
Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org
- Retinol
Healthcare providers discourage retinoids during pregnancy; the risk to breastfeeding infants is believed to be low.
Studies and other sources
- MotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney): Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (2021)seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
Cosmetic vitamin A acceptable; tretinoin should not be used; salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid considered safe; hydroquinone avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding; sunscreens pose no risk. No mention of niacinamide.
- Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)dermatologytimes.com
Vitamin C, azelaic acid, niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide considered acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding; low-strength glycolic or lactic acid may be used with caution in pregnancy, superficial glycolic peels preferably deferred; salicylic acid peels avoided in pregnancy, particularly at higher strengths; medium-depth TCA peels deferred; deep phenol peels avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding (systemic toxicity, including heart rhythm problems); hydroquinone avoided; tazarotene avoided; injectables generally avoided or deferred in pregnancy, hyaluronic acid fillers may be considered while breastfeeding; reproductive safety data are limited.