Yes, you can wear foundation during pregnancy, says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, but with a few caveats. Avoid those with salicylic acid (often used in acne-prone formulas), chemical sunscreens and retinol (used in some anti-aging formulas), she says of finding a pregnancy-safe option.
What to look for in the best pregnancy-safe foundations
When looking for the best pregnancy-safe foundations, look at the ingredient list first to rule out some skincare no-nos. “If your foundation contains sunscreen, make sure that you’re looking for ones with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and not oxybenzone, a popular ingredient in chemical sunscreens,” Dr. Jaliman says.
“It’s also important to avoid foundations with retinol. Retinol should not be used during pregnancy.” Skin can get dry during pregnancy, so look for hydrating and plumping formulas, too.
The best pregnancy-safe foundations
Best overall
Daybird Tinted Skincare
Merchant
Daybird’s Tinted Skincare works overtime as a serum, moisturizer, sheer foundation and mineral SPF 50 sunscreen so that tired pregnant people can be one and done with skincare. It’s available in four shades and has good-for-your-skin ingredients such as niacinamide, which increases collagen production, and Bisabolol to reduce inflammation.
A powerful SPF 50 mineral sunscreen helps top it all off. The clean beauty, high-performing formula is weightless, easy to layer and looks incredibly natural on most skin types. It’s one of our favorite tinted moisturizers for before and after pregnancy, too.
Pros
- Four-in-one formula with serum, moisturizer, foundation and SPF 50
- Uses pregnancy-safe mineral SPF
- It comes in four shades
- Lightweight feeling
Cons
- Some say matching the color is harder than with other formulas
