Sarah's Pregnancy Safe Routine

am ☀

pm ⏾

01. Cleanse

Balea MED Ultra Sensitive Wash Gel

I like to use a gentle cleanser in the morning, even though you technically don't need to cleanse in the am unless you feel very greasy or sweaty, it is fine to skip cleanser to keep the barrier calm.

When you do cleanse, keep it gentle and non-stripping. Since I am close to the German border I can easily get to a dm, I love their brand Balea for affordable skin and haircare. This Balea MED wash gel is boring in the best way, sensitive-skin friendly, and not trying to do too much.

02. Rose Water Spray

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

Mist after cleansing or as the first step if skipping cleanser. Damp skin makes the next watery layers spread more evenly, and the ritual part matters too: it makes the routine feel less like homework.

03. Vitamin C

BasicLab Vitamin C

This is a Polish brand that I'm trying out for the first time with this Vitamin C serum. Of course there are plenty of alternatives on the market, at various price ranges and stabilities. I will have to do a whole blog post on Vitamin C serums to explain, but in a nutshell, don't go for the cheapest option and make sure you keep it in a cool dark place. I keep this one in the fridge.

Vitamin C is the brightening and an antioxidant step in the morning routine.

Read my full positive review of this product here.

04. Azelaic Acid

ACM Azéane Cream 15% Azelaic Acid

Yes, azelaic acid is pregnancy safe! I use this one from France at 15%, but there are easier to get alternatives in the US at lower concentrations like The INKEY List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum Redness Relief Solution. In Poland they have a 20% OTC that I want to try once I'm finished with my tube of Azéane.

Use as the pigment, redness, and texture-support step after vitamin C if your skin is tolerating the combination. If skin feels reactive, use this less often or separate it from other actives. Consistency matters more than forcing it every single morning.

Read my full review on this product here.

05. Moisturizer

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Use only if skin needs it, especially in winter or when the routine feels a little too active. This is not mandatory every morning; it is the comfort layer when your skin is asking for one.

Keep it light so SPF can still sit properly on top.

Read why this cult cream won me over here.

06. Face Oil & Gua Sha

tarte Maracuja Oil

Use a face oil for slip, then gua sha with gentle upward and outward strokes. There are many gua sha shapes, but I like this kind of square shape best vs the triangle. I usually use a homemade blend but because of the essential oils I was using pure carrier oils during pregnancy.

This step belongs before SPF. Oil after sunscreen can disturb the protective film, so finish any massage before moving on to the final sunscreen layer.

07. SPF Eye Cream

Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40

Tap an even layer around the eye area before face SPF. The zinc-oxide eye sunscreen is a reasonable pregnancy option under current mainstream obstetric and dermatology guidance, while still giving this easily missed area dedicated protection.

The light peach tint can brighten the area but needs to work with your skin tone. As always during pregnancy, follow your own clinician's advice when it differs from general guidance.

Read my full glowing review on this product here.

08. Mineral SPF

Paula's Choice SKIN RECOVERY Daily Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

I was using the remainder of my beloved and discontinued Josie Maran mineral SPF during pregnancy. I am still looking for a worthy replacement, but I've linked a pregnancy safe mineral SPF here.

SPF is always last. Do not layer oil, moisturizer, or gua sha on top of this because it can interfere with the sunscreen film. If you can only do one thing in the morning, it is sunscreen. This is the non-negotiable step for dark spots, sun damage, and keeping the rest of the routine worth doing.

09. Lip Balm

Försvarets Hudsalva Original

I have always had a love/hate relationship with lip balm, my lips seemed addicted to it and yet still irritated. Then I discovered beef tallow balm, Hudsalva is great because it avoids the beeswax and petrolatum feel that can make lips angry instead of comfortable. I read an interview with Alicia Vikander who swears by it so I had to try it. It is sold at a pharmacy in Sweden and at Boots in the UK according to her.

I used to be able to find it on Amazon, but once that became unreliable I found this US-based option by Vintage Tradition.