Your guide to pregnancy-safe skincare

Every product in the Antipodes skincare and haircare ranges is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Whether you’re looking to overhaul your skin routine or target particular concerns like redness, irritation, fine lines or dryness, you can create a personalised skincare ritual via the Antipodes regime builder to select recommended products.

We recommend:

• Eve Bio-Retinol Line Reduction Serum, $60 for softening fine lines. Notably, the formula includes bakuchiol, a widely used natural alternative to retinol, to stimulate collagen production.
• Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen, $62 for sun protection, with added plant and coconut oils for nourishing the skin. Importantly, it doesn’t leave a white cast.
• Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream, $72, for soothed, refreshed skin. The lightweight night cream works wonders overnight to reduce redness and calm irritated skin.
• Aura Manuka Honey Mask, $52, for brightening and hydration. Use it twice a week or whenever your skin is feeling parched or looking dull for just 15 minutes.

Editor’s note: According to the New Zealand brand, while some formulas contain low levels of fragrance components derived from essential oils, these amounts are far below those used for therapeutic purposes.

Available at:

• Antipodes
• Life Pharmacy
• Chemist Warehouse

Swiss skincare brand Weleda is used all over the world, with pregnancy-friendly bestsellers such as the Stretch Mark Body Oil, which has been a favourite for more than 20 years. The brand also has a baby skincare range to help protect your precious bundle’s skin.  

We recommend:

• Stretch Mark Massage Oil, $34.94, to nourish and hydrate the skin during pregnancy.
• Perineum Massage Oil, $34.94, for prenatal massage to support skin flexibility and help protect against tears and cuts during childbirth.
• Calendula Nappy Change Cream, $21.40, an essential item in your diaper bag to apply after changing your baby’s nappy, helping to soothe and protect delicate skin from irritation.

Available at:

• Adore Beauty
• Life Pharmacy
• Chemist Warehouse

Emma Lewisham skincare was created after its namesake founder was advised to avoid hydroquinone, a commonly used ingredient to address hyperpigmentation, during conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Lewisham set out to formulate luxury skincare products which were both natural and underpinned by scientific research, for people seeking efficacious yet safe skincare for concerns like hormonal pigmentation and anti-ageing.  

We recommend:

• Supernatural Vitale Elixir, $166, a topical alternative to anti-wrinkle injections for a lifted, smoother complexion.

• Skin Reset Serum, $160, for brightening dark spots, including hormonal and sun-induced hyperpigmentation, and evening skin tone.

• Supernatural Face Oil, $160, for softening fine lines, deep hydration, and supporting the skin barrier and healthy skin. The oil includes natural retinol alternative bakuchiol.
• The Pregnancy and Maternity Collection, $404. A luxurious gift for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, this trio of key skincare products (exfoliant, serum and oil) work together to target hormonal pigmentation and reduce the visibility of fine lines for a more radiant, fresh-faced visage.

A cult-favourite body oil with many applications that go beyond the fourth trimester, Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is used among mothers all over the world to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, with efficacy supported by clinical studies.

Today, you can choose between the original oil and Bio-Oil Natural. While the brand states that both oils are safe for use during pregnancy, the original formula includes both mineral and botanical oils, alongside a small amount of retinyl palmitate. Some pregnant women choose to avoid this vitamin A derivative altogether in favour of the natural version, which is made from botanical and essential oils, including rosehip, jojoba and pomegranate.

Editor’s note: If you’re breastfeeding, it’s not recommended to use either the original or natural Bio-Oil formulations on your nipples in case of ingestion.

Available at:

• Life Pharmacy

• Chemist Warehouse

Kiwi Lara Christie launched the natural pregnancy skincare brand Pure Mama in 2021. The brand is attuned to both physical care and emotional wellbeing of women during pregnancy and postpartum, openly acknowledging the emotional impacts of motherhood and dismantling misconceptions like the belief that C-section births are an ‘easy way out’ through marketing.

Pure Mama recently debuted the Complex Scar Serum, a first-of-its-kind formulation designed specifically to improve the appearance of C-section scars. As Christie explains, “A C-section is a major surgery. It deserves thoughtful, considered care. We felt there was a real opportunity to create something that supported women through this part of their journey in a way that felt both effective and emotionally supportive. Not just something clinical, but something they would want to use every day, a moment of care, connection, and restoration.”

The serum is made from targeted ingredients that support the skin as it heals over time, boost skin resilience and firmness, and improve the overall look and feel of the scar as it matures.

Pure Mama is also one of the only skincare brands offering medical-grade silicone strips for C-section care. “Silicone therapy has been widely recognised and used in clinical settings for years, but it hasn’t translated into everyday postnatal care in a way that feels accessible or considered for women. What we’ve seen is that postnatal recovery, particularly after a C-section, has historically been under-supported. There’s been a gap between what exists clinically and what is actually placed into the hands of women. We wanted to bridge that gap,” explains Christie.

We recommend:

• Belly & Body Oil, $74, for improving the visibility of stretch marks and smoothing skin texture.

• Nipple Butter, $44, an organic, baby-safe formula for soothing sore, dry nipples while breastfeeding, or as a hydrating lip balm.
• Silicone Scar Strip, $39, a washable, reusable solution made from medical-grade silicone to protect the area, retain hydration and support optimal C-section scar healing.

• Complex Scar Serum, $138, for scar refinement and recovery over time. Begin using this from 8–10 weeks post-C-section, after the original incision has healed.

Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics has been vetted and awarded the Sorette Seal of Approval, meaning its products have met the organisation’s science-backed product standards for pregnancy and postpartum skincare. Kora’s certified organic products are gentle enough to be used on irritated or sensitive skin.  

We recommend:

• Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Scrub + Mask, $88, a gentler alternative to chemical exfoliants that helps decongest pores, smooth the complexion and revive tired-looking, dull skin.
• Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum, $52, formulated with bakuchiol to improve the appearance of signs of ageing.
• Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Eye Cream, $102, for hydrating the delicate under-eye area, brightening dark circles, alleviating signs of fatigue and smoothing the skin before makeup application.
• Active Algae Minty Mineral Hydration Mist, $75, for instant hydration and a refreshing boost when you’re running hot, with a dewy finish. Keep it in your purse and spritz on the go.

Available at:

• Adore Beauty
• Sephora
• The Iconic

Focusing on acne-clearing and anti-ageing skincare acids, the majority of Australian-made Alpha-H’s skincare products are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

We recommend:

• Triple Action Cleanser, $63, for cooling the skin while removing excess oil.
• Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment, $85, Alpha-H’s bestselling product, made with 5% glycolic acid. It’s designed to accelerate skin renewal and reduce hyperpigmentation, including melasma, and uneven texture.
• Vitamin C Serum, $45, with 10% ethyl ascorbic acid for clearer, brighter skin. Don’t forget to use SPF to help further protect against hyperpigmentation.

Available at:

• Sephora
• Adore Beauty

Endota offers a selection of products crafted to replicate the restorative experience of its spas in the home.

The Mother & Baby range includes hydrating belly oils, nourishing nipple balms, and rich belly butters formulated to support skin elasticity during pregnancy, as well as gentle bath and body care suitable for infants.

We recommend:

• Hydrating Belly Oil, $45, a staple for nourishing stretching skin across your belly, breasts, thighs and buttocks.

• Moisture Rich Belly Butter, $45, for an added layer of hydration after applying the oil.

• Nourishing Nipple Balm, $30, to relieve sore nipples or dry, broken skin.

• Protecting Barrier Balm, $30, to soothe nappy rash.

• Gentle Baby Bath & Body Wash, $40, for gently cleansing baby’s delicate skin.
• Gentle Baby Lotion, $40, for a gentle massage after bath time.

Available at:

• The Iconic
• Endota

Luxury New Zealand-made bodycare brand Tronque is free of ingredients commonly associated with endocrine disruptors, which may affect hormonal function.  This makes it a considered choice for those taking a closer look at their bodycare ingredients while trying to conceive.

We recommend:

• Scar Concentrate, $160, for reducing the appearance of scars.
• Firming Butter, $130, for deeply hydrating the skin.
• Natural Deodorant, $50, a natural alternative to conventional deodorants.

All Trilogy products are safe to use during pregnancy, and its hero product, the certified organic Rosehip Oil, is a true multitasker for the face and body. It removes makeup, smooths fine lines, helps minimise the appearance of stretch marks and deeply hydrates the skin. If you’re pregnant, tired and short on time for a full skincare routine, this is the one product you can’t sleep on.

Editor’s tip: For an even quicker shortcut to glowing skin, use the Trilogy Instant Glow Rosehip Oil, made with responsibly sourced mica for a natural-looking, luminous glow.

Available at:

• Life Pharmacy
• Chemist Warehouse