Is triclosan safe during pregnancy?
Tap your actives or paste a label. See what to avoid, with sources.
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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 lists triclosan 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)
Where triclosan still turns up
Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient. The FDA says it has been added to some antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes and cosmetics, and also to clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys, which the FDA doesn’t regulate. The CDC adds mouthwashes, deodorants and acne medications to the list.
SourcesFDA: 5 Things to Know About TriclosanCDC National Biomonitoring Program: Triclosan biomonitoring summary (reviewed April 2017)
Out of soap since 2016
In a 2016 final rule, the FDA said 19 active ingredients, including triclosan, can no longer be marketed in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic washes: hand soaps, bar soaps and body washes. Manufacturers hadn’t shown they were safe for daily long-term use or any better than plain soap and water. The rule doesn’t cover hand sanitizers, wipes or soaps used in hospitals. The FDA’s advice is simple: wash with plain soap and water.
SourcesFDA: 5 Things to Know About TriclosanFDA consumer update on antibacterial soap and its 2016 final rule (current as of December 2024)
What’s known about safety
The FDA says short-term animal studies linked high doses to lower levels of some thyroid hormones, but that the meaning for people isn’t known. The CDC says triclosan can be absorbed through the skin, that the effects of low levels in people are unknown, and that in animal studies it wasn’t considered to cause birth defects at doses that weren’t already toxic to the mother.
SourcesFDA: 5 Things to Know About TriclosanCDC National Biomonitoring Program: Triclosan biomonitoring summary (reviewed April 2017)
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 triclosan safe to use while pregnant?
The AAD lists triclosan 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)
Is there still triclosan in antibacterial soap?
Not in over-the-counter consumer soaps and body washes: a 2016 FDA rule ended its use there. It can still be in other products, such as some toothpastes, where it must be listed in the Drug Facts box.
SourcesFDA: 5 Things to Know About TriclosanFDA consumer update on antibacterial soap and its 2016 final rule (current as of December 2024)
Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap?
The FDA says it has no evidence that triclosan in consumer soaps and body washes gives any benefit over washing with plain soap and water.
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)
US Food and Drug Administrationfda.gov
- 5 Things to Know About Triclosan
Found in some antibacterial soaps, body washes, toothpastes and cosmetics, and in clothing, kitchenware and toys; no evidence it beats plain soap and water; high doses lowered some thyroid hormones in short animal studies, significance for people unknown.
- FDA consumer update on antibacterial soap and its 2016 final rule (current as of December 2024)
19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in OTC consumer antiseptic washes; makers didn’t show they were safe for daily long-term use or better than plain soap and water; hand sanitizers and wipes not covered.
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.
Studies and other sources
- CDC National Biomonitoring Program: Triclosan biomonitoring summary (reviewed April 2017)cdc.gov
Used in soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, acne medications and deodorants; can be absorbed through skin; human effects at low levels unknown; not considered teratogenic at doses toxic to the mother in animal studies.