Which skincare ingredients should I be careful with during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, some skincare ingredients are usually set aside as a precaution. Topical retinoids such as retinaldehyde are generally paused during these times. Bakuchiol has no pregnancy or breastfeeding safety studies, so it should not be assumed safe even though it is sometimes presented as a calmer choice. With salicylic acid it is sensible to keep to low-strength leave-on products on limited areas and to avoid strong professional peels and broad-area use. Tranexamic acid has limited cosmetic safety data in these groups, so keeping the routine simple is wise. Gentler options that are often viewed as more reassuring include azelaic acid (the lactation database, LactMed, considers it a low risk to a nursing infant and not a reason to stop breastfeeding) and mineral zinc oxide sunscreen, which largely stays on the skin's surface. The concentration that matters for any of these is in the app. This is cosmetic reference, not medical advice, so always confirm your full routine with a doctor.