How to choose safe skincare products for bub

Many mothers quite understandably worry that the skin care they use while pregnant or breastfeeding is safe for their baby, or not. To help you out, we’ve handpicked 11 of the best beauty products that we believe are perfect for pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond.

Our skin is our largest organ and while it has the wonderful ability to expel wastes and toxins via sweat, it also can work the other way – absorbing ingredients from product formulas and entering out bloodstream. Which begs the question, what is safe to use while pregnant and breast feeding?

Let’s look at some beautiful products that are safe to use while you’re in bloom!

1 Retreatment Botanics Instant Glow Face Mask, $65
This certified cruelty-free and vegan, natural, certified palm-oil free skin and body care collection was created by Olivia Newton-John and her team of experts at her Gaia Retreat and Spa in Byron Bay, together with leading skincare scientists. It relies on native Australian botanical extracts and Cellular Biomimicry, to give your skin the best protection against the environment possible. A nutrient rich clay mask, this pampering product contains citrus, patchouli and lavender essential oils, which are known to be safe for pregnancy and breast feeding, as well as natural fruit enzymes to clear away any debris that might cling your skin and leave you looking less than fresh. Apply for 15 minutes for illuminated, radiant skin.

2 Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, $18.95
Made from Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin, this multi-award-winning product is a super-dense balm that penetrates and seals in moisture, holding up to 200 times its weight in water. It can be applied to lips, skin patches, cuticles, nipples, nasal passages, and well, anywhere that you feel your skin requires some nurturing. It’s free from artificial fragrance, parabens, PEGS, minerals oils and sulphates, is cruelty-free and vegetarian friendly and of course, also made in Australia. 

3 Venustus Blessed Pre-Natal Serum, $69.95
Designed to be used after the first trimester of your pregnancy, this nurtures the skin and aims to help minimise stretch marks when applied daily. Essential oils of mandarin and neroli impart a sense of relaxation and uplift the senses when you’re feeling a little frazzled.

4 Original Mineral O&M Hair Colour and Care (pricing depends on your hair, its length and your salon)
Being pregnant or breastfeeding doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your strands. You can colour and care for them safely. O&M has developed in-salon lightening and colouring methods that are free from ammonia and as such gentle on your hair and your growing baby.

All O&M's lighteners are formulated to work gently and are especially beneficial to those with sensitive skin, fine and/or damaged hair. They can be used on or off the scalp and they work with the O&M Activator range, which has added nourishing benefits of avocado and macadamia nut oils, as well as native Australian ingredients lilly pilly and quandong to help strengthen and condition your strands.

5 KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr Pregnancy Essentials, $175,
Created by the supermodel and soon-to-be-mum-of-three, this trio comprises full sized Noni Glow Body Oil, Noni Glow Body Balm and Enriched Body Lotion. Miranda says, “This powerful trio is my go-to skincare essentials when I am pregnant. They keep my skin hydrated and smooth and help prevent me from getting stretch marks.” Step one is to warm Noni Glow Body oil between your palms and massage all over until well absorbed. Follow this with Noni Glow Body Balm, concentrating on any particularly dry areas, like elbows, knees or ankles. Finally, massage Enriched Body Lotion from top to toe to replenish, calm, and lock in all that moisture. For best results, use after showering or bathing. 

6 Raww Superfood Infused Beauty Kale’d It Nail Lacquer in Calling All Goji Berries, $14.99
Free from animal cruelty, the other thing you won’t find in this vast colour collection is a bunch of nasty chemicals. Think: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde Tosylamide, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Benzophenone-1, Talc, Fragrance, Animal Derived Ingredients and Parabens. Nope, not a one to be seen in these long-lasting polishes! Instead, you get a breathable, high-shine polish powered by kale protein to stimulate keratin production, for strong and healthy nails, and superfoods like acai berry, coconut, sweet orange and pomegranate oils to nurture nails as they add stunning shine and colour.

7 Life Basics Nail Polish Remover, $16.95
Vegan and cruelty-free, also absent here are Acetone and Ethyl Acetate, two toxins that can be harmful to you and bub. Formulated with the lowest levels of toxicity possible, it also contains organic calendula, aloe vera, castor seed oil and vitamin E to help soothe, protect and nourish both nails and cuticles.

8 EcoTan HEMPITAN Body Tan Water, $39.95
Skip the salon spray tan when you’re pregnant and breastfeeding – all those fumes aren’t good for you or your baby. Instead, smooth on this organic, natural tanning water. Made from hemp seed extract, cacao powder and Hyaluronic Acid (naturally occurring moisture molecules), you spritz a little onto a glove and then massage over your body to reveal a light, natural looking glow. Aussie made, certified organic, vegan, certified and cruelty free and gluten free, it ticks all the boxes for us!

9 Retreatment Botanics Calm Signature Blend Essential Oil, $39
With a 100 percent pure essential oil blend of sandalwood, patchouli, ylang ylang, lemon myrtle, mandarin and lime, this is the signature scent of Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat and Spa. When pregnant, essential oils are best used in smaller amounts than you would when you’re not pregnant and never apply them directly to your skin. Instead, use them in a diffuser or oil burner, to fill your home with a pure, calm scent that will soothe your soul and relax both you and your baby.

10 YOKA HEART Calm Balm, $25
We all know motherhood is meant to be filled with joy and love in abundance and for most Mums, it really is. However, few would deny feeling more than a little frazzled at times. Enter, Calm Balm, an ethical, vegan oil-based fragrance that has been infused with pregnancy- and breastfeeding-safe essential oils of frankincense, geranium, wild orange and lavender. Created by Perth-based Yogini, Karen Grant, who also happens to be a Reiki practitioner, Calm Balm is infused with the soothing energy of the blue crystal, Angelite, as well as ritual Reiki practices. So, as it imparts a beautifully subtle, natural and chemical-free scent to your skin, it also imbues a true sense of calm.

11 Skin Juice Mummy’s Tummy Wash, $25.50
This lush, creamy body wash is designed especially for mums-to-be. Free from SLS and other harsh sulphate detergents, it is dense in superfoods (think: aloe, white tea, pomegranate and cranberry) and is will gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of much-needed, naturally occurring hydrating oils.