Do you use anti-aging products or eye cream while pregnant? Make sure to read the ingredient list carefully, because lots of them can seriously harm the fetus! In this article I’m sharing my favorite safe eye creams for pregnancy that are free from dangerous ingredients.
The fact that you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you have to remove anti-aging products from your skincare routine. But you need to be more careful when choosing eye creams if you want to smooth out wrinkles and hide those dark circles after sleepless nights during third trimester (or with a colicky baby!).
The majority of the over-the-counter drug store or supermarket anti-aging creams contain retinoids. Basically, retinoids are a synthetic version of vitamin A, which doesn’t sound harmful – it even sounds healthy! But it can pose a serious danger to unborn babies.
The list of scary side-effects from retinol-use during pregnancy includes birth defects, premature birth or even miscarriage1.
To help you out, I’ve rounded up a list of the best pregnancy-safe eye creams, so you can continue caring for you skin (especially if it’s extra sensitive skin during pregnancy) without worrying about possible harm to your baby.
On this list you can be sure the creams do not contain harmful chemicals, like: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone or retinol.
If you’re an expecting mom, read on to see what are the best pregnancy-safe eye creams!
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. It contains affiliate links.
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Best Pregnancy-Safe Eye Creams
I’ve ranked the best pregnancy safe eye creams based on natural ingredients which are proven to help reduce puffiness, moisturize skin and make mama feel beautiful.
I know pregnancy sleep (especially during the third trimester!) can be a literal nightmare, so you might not be getting the shut-eye you need to look and feel your best. Using a safe eye cream for pregnancy can help you get that glow until you start sleeping better.
1. ACURE Radically Rejuvenating Eye Cream
This eye serum treats dark under eye circles, working to brighten the area around your eyes while reducing puffiness. It’s a premium quality eye cream that is also pregnancy-safe.
Before I share what it has, let me say what it doesn’t have: It doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates or mineral oil. It is allergy-tested (but not tested on animals) and is has a non-greasy formula.
This moisturizing eye cream for pregnant women contains:
- Cocoa butter and coconut oil – for hydration
- Acai fruit extract – for antioxidants
- Calendula extract – for soothing irritated skin
- Edelweiss extract – for firming skin and reducing fine lines
- Chlorella – this anti-bacterial and anti-viral powerhouse keeps away harmful bacteria
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
- Prevents fine lines
You’ve got to be consistent with it, but if you do the edelweiss extract will do its magic and encourage collagen production and increase skin elastin.
- Brightening
Mamas love this cream because it reduces dark circles, making eyes appear brighter, so you will look more awake, no matter how little sleep you managed.
- Treats under eye bags
Reduces puffiness for a smoother look under your regular makeup.
- Deep hydration
The first ingredients are all types of oils and butters, which make for serious moisturizing. All-in-all, they help develop that moisture barrier, a protective coating that keeps your under eye area hydrated.
Keep in Mind
- Takes some time to absorb
This is a thick cream, so you will need to do massage it in around your eyes. It shouldn’t feel greasy, but it will need some time to absorb if you’re using it in the morning.
2. Beauty By Earth Coffee Bean Under Eye Cream For Dark Circles And Puffiness
What I love about this eye-brightening cream is the organic and vegan ingredient list. It is hyaluronic acid-based, which helps the delicate skin around the your eyes retain moisture and appear smoother, fresher, even younger!
This cream contains:
- Cranberry extract – for skin elasticity
- Coffee seed extract – to reduce dark circles and make skin brighter
- Shea butter – for moisturizing
- Aloe vera – to reduce redness and soothe sensitive skin
- Witch hazel – to relieve inflammation
- Hyaluronic-acid-based ingredients – to retain skin’s moisture (which will reduce fine lines)
Reasons to Choose this eye cream
- Eye-brightening
Sleepless mamas rave about the effects of this eye cream to reduce under eye circles and really make the eyes look brighter.
- Organic and vegan
The organic, vegan ingredient list is something conscious moms love.
- Under make-up
It can be used under regular make-up, for an easy morning routine. For best results, the cream should be gently applied both morning and night.
| PRO TIP: This eye cream is for brightening, specifically. If you’re looking for something that also reduces wrinkles, reach for this Beauty by Earth’s Hyaluronic Eye Gel, a vitamin-infused serum that helps reduce fine lines around the sensitive eye area. The water-gel formula is is easy apply with a built-in steel roller ball applicator; just roll on and let the eye serum do its thing. |
Keep In Mind
- Jasmine oil
The only ingredient on the list that I don’t love is jasmine essential oil. If you’ve read my other posts, then you know this is one of the essential oils to avoid during pregnancy.
That being said – it is the LAST ingredient on the list, so it has a very minimal amount (not like you’re diffusing your room with jasmine oil, don’t worry!). Still, I know some moms would feel more comfortable if another scent was used instead of this essential oil.
If you want to be extra safe, choose the Beauty By Earth hyaluronic eye cream instead.
3. Era Organics USDA Organic Rejuvenating Eye Balm
This eye balm is so good for sensitive skin, you may want to apply it to your entire face!
Era Organics eye cream is made with organic, plant-based ingredients and is USDA certified. Further, it doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates or harsh chemicals that can irritate the delicate skin around the eyes.
This eye cream contains:
- Organic papaya – to lighten skin and reduce under eye bags
- Pumpkin seed oil – full of antioxidants and protein-rich ingredient
- Jojoba oil – rich in vitamin B complex and vitamin E to reduce blemishes
- Calendula oil – which helps to heal irritation for sensitive skin
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
Era Organics’ eye cream is my pick for a plant-based anti-aging cream for your pregnancy-safe beauty regime.
- Reduces fine lines
For expecting moms seeking eye creams that can keep skin hydrated and reduce wrinkles and fine lines, this is the best! Moms raved about the improvement they found for their eyes after using this cream as part of their regular skincare routine.
- Great night cream
This eye cream is best applied at night, giving it time to work its magic while you sleep.
- Fragrance-free
Some eye creams may contain fragrances can trigger allergic reactions, but you don’t have to worry about that with this cream.
Keep In Mind
- Thick consistency
With several types of oils (sunflower oil, coconut oil, calendula oil, castor oil, shea butter, just to name a few) this eye balm is pretty thick, so I wouldn’t use it under makeup. Remember, its best as a night cream.
4. Mad Hippie Eye Cream
The Mad Hippie eye cream doesn’t promise instant results, but when used as your regular skincare routine – along with a healthy dose of their vitamin C cream – you can see an improved difference in overall puffiness and moisture around your eyes.
The ingredients are interesting, and distinguish Mad Hippie from other eye creams:
- Niacinamide – to halt signs of aging
- Hesperidin – a citris flavonoid that helps to brighten skin
- Licorice extract – to reduce under eye discoloration
- Caffeine – for reducing puffiness, especially for tired eyes
- Peptides – to smooth out wrinkles
- Argan oil – for hydration
- Ceramide – to create a lipid barrier that helps skin add moisture without feeling greasy
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
The Mad Hippie eye cream is my pick for a must-have daily moisturizer for pregnant women.
- Small but mighty
Don’t be afraid of the very small tube this eye cream comes in, a little goes a long way. Users shared that a tiny bit of cream is enough to use under your eyes, so the little tube lasts for months.
- Slow and steady
I don’t know about you, but I always doubt skin care products that promise to work “overnight”. Thankfully, this one doesn’t – it specifically says to use regularly for 50+ days in order to see a real improvement around your eyes. If you stick with it, you will notice how your skin is smooth and moisturized.
And those peptides are working to firm and plump up your skin, ultimately reducing wrinkles.
- Feels amazing
The non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores or look heavy under makeup, but will leave the skin around your eyes feeling wonderful.
Keep In Mind
- Keep it off eyelids
Remember to use this only on your under eye circles and crow’s feet, not on your eyelids. One mama shared that she accidentally used it on her eye lids and found a slight (and unpleasant) burning sensation afterwards.
- May not be ideal for sensitive skin
If your eyes are sensitive and easily dry out, please know this contains phenethyl alcohol, which can cause an allergic reaction or cause irritation to dry skin types.
5. 100% PURE Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
I love the smell of coffee in the morning! (even if it’s to massage around my eyes). This is one of two coffee bean eye creams that I recommend for pregnant women.
This pregnancy-safe eye serum contains:
- Green coffee extract and green tea – for a double-boost of caffeine
- Rosehip – for skin softness
- Antioxidant-rich vitamin C and moisturizing vitamin E
- Rosemary leaf (not the same as rosemary essential oil)
- Thyme flower and oregano extracts
Remember to rub the delicate under eye skin gently when applying.
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
- Caffeine reduces under eye bags and puffiness
Since you probably reduced drinking caffeine since becoming pregnant, you can benefit from the skin-boost without a risk to your baby. The coffee extract and green tea both help to alleviate puffy eyes. It’s a great “awakening” eye cream.
- Hydrates really well
For any moms with dry eyes, or if pregnancy-related hormonal changes have started making your eyes uncomfortably dry.
- Lightweight formula
It quickly absorbs, allowing you to use is as a day or night cream while pregnant.
- Sensitive eyes
The mild formula is good for pregnant women with sensitivities or allergies.
Keep In Mind
- The scent
While there is no added fragrance, this eye cream naturally smells like coffee; if you don’t love this aroma, reach for another product.
6. BeeFriendly Face & Eye Cream All Natural USDA Certified
If dry skin is your issue, then this is the best product. This thick, nourishing cream uses raw honey to heal skin and beeswax to lock in the moisture. It can be used as a day or night cream.
There are no preservatives at all; just honey, beeswax, olive oil, vitamins and a few essential oils (all pregnant-friendly).
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
- Best for dry skin types
The honey and organic raw olive oil really work to improve dry skin.
- It’s an all-in-one product
It can be used around the eyes, for the entire face and neck to nourish skin, and ultimately, reduce fine lines (with that vitamin E).
- All-natural, organic ingredients
I love something that is simple to read and chemical-free, don’t you?
Keep In Mind
- Doesn’t help with dark circles or eye bags
This won’t reduce under eye bags or bright dark circles: it’s for dry skin, specifically, and gentle enough for your sensitive under eye area, too.
- Keep it in the fridge
Also, remember that because it does not have preservatives or harsh chemicals, some natural separation may happen. Some users keep it in the fridge to keep it fresher, longer.
7. True Botanicals Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream
With a name like “resurrection” I’m going to expect some big results. But this does not disappoint. According to a clinical study, 100% of women who used this cream reported improvement in skin’s hydration AND reduction of fine lines – that’s pretty amazing!
Now, the ingredient list is pretty long, but most of the items are natural-derived, botanical extracts, like:
- Jojoba oil and avocado oils
- Coffee extract and green tea – for brightening the skin around the eye area
- Licorice root – for soothing puffiness
- Tree bark extract and resurrection plant extract – which are proven to treat to cause of dark circles
Reasons To Choose This Eye Cream
- Reduces wrinkles visibility (REALLY!)
I will say it again: this eye serum is clinically proven to work! 100% of women reported more hydrated eyes, and after consistent 6-week use, showed results in regard to wrinkles around the eye area.
- Hydrating and helps to get rid of dark circles
This magical cream will not only make eyes hydrated, but will treat the cause of dark circles under the eyes, too. Treating at the source is really where you will see improvement.
Keep In Mind
- May not be good for skin that is prone to allergic reactions
One ingredient I don’t love is the phenethyl alcohol, which can cause allergies for some. If your skin type is sensitive to any form of alcohol, this may not be the best option for you.
- Pricey
It’s the most pricey eye cream on my list, but it’s also the MOST EFFECTIVE one!
8. Honey Girl Organics Face & Eye Crème (USDA Certified)
This is another cream in my ranking with honey-based formula. It can be used not only for eye area, but to moisturize the whole face.
Honey Girl Organics has a short (and easy-to-read) ingredient list, including:
- Olive oil
- Organic beeswax and honey – for moisture retention
- Natural vitamin E
- Essential oil: cinnamon, patchouli and lime
Reasons to Choose this eye cream
- For face and eyes
This nourishing cream can be used all over, from face, eyes and neck for the best improvement for your skin.
- Helps with acne blemishes
Are you looking for pregnancy-safe skincare products that can do it all: reduce wrinkles AND help you with pimples? The honey has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to reduce blemishes and clear up spots.
- Hydrating
The oil, beeswax and honey help for moisturizing mama’s pregnant skin without the use of any chemicals or unsafe ingredients.
Keep in Mind
- Formula may separate
Please keep in mind that the honey and oil will separate, especially if you don’t frequently use this cream. Consistency (and some regular stirring!) is key to keep the nice texture.
Pregnancy-Safe Eye Cream – FAQ
Now that you know you need to use pregnancy safe skincare, it can feel a bit intimidating to choose between products. Here are some answers to common questions to help you navigate the maze of what is really ‘pregnancy-safe’.
Is Eye Cream Safe During Pregnancy?
Knowing if something is pregnancy-safe is all about the ingredients list.
Harmful ingredients not to use during pregnancy include:
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Hydroquinone
- Formaldahyde (sometimes used as preservatives)
- Parabens
- Some types of essential oils (used as fragrance) – especially in the first trimester
- Phthalates
- Chemical sunscreens
- Retinol
Moms should avoid using retinoids during their entire pregnancy. It’s always a good idea to check all the ingredients of cosmetics when you are pregnant, to make sure you’re using only pregnancy safe skincare on your body.
This isn’t about stopping using all products, but finding pregnancy-safe alternatives. Example: avoid creams that include salicylic acid and use hyaluronic acid instead.
What Face Cream Ingredients Are Safe To Use During Pregnancy?
So now that you have an idea of what ingredients to avoid, let’s see the pregnancy safe alternatives: creams with ingredient lists containing hyaluronic acid, lactic acid or glycolic acid are safe alternatives, if you’re looking for pregnancy-safe eye creams or other products.
Choose natural ingredients like aloe vera, green tea or shea butter, which all help to keep skin soft and moisturized, and reduce puffy eyes, too. Look for these in a pregnancy-safe eye cream.
Is Burt’s Bees Eye Cream Safe During Pregnancy?
While, most of the ingredients in Burt’s Bees eyes creams are naturally-derived and very good for your skin (hello squalene!), they do include one preservative that is not known if it is safe during pregnancy or not: phenoxyethanol.
Unfortunately, phenoxyethanol is used in Burt’s Bee’s Sensitive Eye Cream, Renewal Night Cream, as well as in Hydrating Eye Gel.
Phenoxethanol is also found in the popular CeraVe Eye Repair Cream.
In the name of safety, I’d avoid using these creams during pregnancy and choose a different, confirmed pregnancy-safe cream, instead.
You can always try out Burt’s Bees creams after your baby is born.
Is Vitamin C Eye Cream Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, vitamin C eye cream is safe during pregnancy! In fact, Vitamin C is an excellent skincare ingredient2, which is safe to use during pregnancy.
What’s more, this natural ingredient is commonly used to address hyperpigmentation and reduce dark spots (are you one of mamas who got melasma during pregnancy?), so it’s a great ingredient to look for in pregnancy-safe face creams.
Is Retinol Eye Cream Safe During Pregnancy?
Retinol eye cream is not safe during pregnancy. Studies show that oral retinoids are very dangerous for a growing fetus and could even result in birth defects or miscarraige, therefore even topical use of retinol should be avoided until more research has been conducted.
What Are Retinoids?
Retinoids are a synthetic type of vitamin A that are popular for over-the-counter skin care or acne prevention products.
- For fighting acne
Retinol prevents breakouts by removing bacteria and dead skin with gentle exfoliation. As a gentle cleanser, they can make skin appear smoother, too.
- For pro-aging
Research shows that retinoids encourage the skin’s production of collagen, which makes skin look smoother and may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s easy to see why this simple ingredient is used all types of cosmetics, from eye cream to acne prevention. However, there is a dark side to retinol, too.
Retinoids – Why Are They Bad During Pregnancy?
They have lots of scary side-effects: birth defects, premature birth or even miscarriage.
Now, the jury is still out on the dangers of topical creams (ones that sit on the skin surface) containing retinol contributing to toxic levels of vitmain A in fetuses – basically, there isn’t enough data to determine what is a safe level.
Because we know that use of prescription-strength retinol (usually prescribed by dermatologists to treat cystic acne) ARE linked to serious birth defects, it’s a better-safe-than-sorry situation: avoid using retinol and other potentially-harmful ingredients, even in topical creams, during pregnancy.
While the amount of vegetables you eat containing natural vitamin A isn’t a concern (eat your spinach!), synthetic vitamin A can be absorbed through your skin and the safe amount for unborn babies isn’t yet known.
It’s better to choose a pregnancy safe eye cream or anti-aging cream instead of a cheap drug store brand which contains harmful ingredients like retinol.
Go for one of the pregnancy-safe eye creams mentioned on this list, instead. Stay safe, mama!
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. This article contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase through those links I may get a small commission, at no extra cost to you! This helps me run this website, so thank you!
References:
Pictures of Acure cream belong to Acure Brand. Source: https://acure.com/
Pictures of Era Organics cream belong to Era Organics Brand. Source: https://www.eraorganics.com/
Pictures of Mad Hippie cream belong to LittleBabyGear.
Pictures of BeeFriendly cream belong to BeeFriendly Brand. Source:https://www.instagram.com/beefriendlyskincare/
Pictures of 100% PURE cream belong to 100% PURE Brand. Sourcehttps://www.100percentpure.com/
Pictures of True Botanicals cream belong to True Botanicals Brand. Source: https://truebotanicals.com/
Pictures of Honey Girl Organics cream belong to Honey Girl Organics Brand. Sourcehttps://honeygirlorganics.com/
Pictures of Beaty By Earth cream belong to Beaty By Earth Brand. Sourcehttps://beautybyearth.com/
Other sources:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/
https://www.healthline.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂