Pregnancy comes with all sorts of surprises, and one of the most surprising to me was that it could actually make you more sun-sensitive, thanks to all those hormones. Because of this, a great pregnancy-safe sunscreen is a must-have item for all expecting moms. That's why I asked board-certified dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., to break down what's safe and what pregnant people should be looking for in a sunscreen.
What’s Safe for Pregnancy?
You might not realize this, but there are actually two different types of sunscreens — chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen — and according to Robinson, pregnant people should only invest in the latter. She explains, “Physical SPFs work by sitting on the surface of the skin and physically reflecting UV rays away. They aren’t absorbed into the skin like chemical SPFs are and are gentler on even the most sensitive skin types.” The physical sunscreen you choose should be at least an SPF 30, but 50 is better, she added.
Titanium Dioxide: Titanium dioxide in its purest form has been used in everything from toothpaste to printer ink. The nano form of titanium dioxide works as a physical sunscreen, bouncing the light off of the skin.
Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide isn't just a physical sunscreen — it's also soothing to the skin, frequently used in medicines for eczema and wounds. Combined with titanium, it makes a soft, powerful sunscreen.
Iron Oxide: Iron oxide helps prevent hyperpigmentation. Robinson tells Best Products that “for hyperpigmentation such as melasma, look for iron oxide, as it adds additional coverage against infrared and high-energy blue light, which can exacerbate melasma.”
What Should You Avoid?
Robinson says that pregnant people “should ideally avoid all chemical SPFs” (such as oxybenzone, octocrylene, avobenzone, and octinoxate), but “specifically oxybenzone.” Oxybenzone is absorbed into the skin and into the bloodstream, and this could be potentially dangerous for the developing fetus.
All of the pregnancy-safe sunscreens on this list have been carefully chosen to reflect the standards set forth by Dr. Robinson. They are all wonderful sunscreens that are easy to throw on and don't feel like you're being slathered in diaper cream, as so many physical sunscreens tend to do.
A favorite of both Dr. Robinson and myself, this titanium and zinc-based tinted pregnancy-safe sunscreen is the perfect all-in-one product. It provides sheer coverage with a luminous finish. It's SPF 30 and contains botanicals and vitamins to hydrate and smooth the skin.
It doesn't feel like you're wearing oatmeal paste, which is how I've often felt with mineral sunscreens. It's both soothing and moisturizing, and it doesn't clog my pores.
Oddly, it also smells really nice. Like, seriously good.
This is my go-to everyday sunscreen, and I absolutely love it. For years I used a combination of moisturizer and sunscreen, but it started irritating my eyes. This zinc-based sunscreen is soothing, smells great, and is completely invisible on the skin. It also has squalane, a sugar cane derivative that softens the skin — and I am telling you, it works.
The difference between this sunscreen and MD above is that it's not tinted, so you can use it right under your foundation without worrying about the color being altered.
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Affordable Tinted
Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, eucalyptus, and red algae
SPF 50
Benefits: Tinted
This tinted mineral sunscreen is not only packed with zinc oxide, but also with eucalyptus and red algae that fight free radicals and hydrate the skin.
People who love this sunscreen love this sunscreen. It’s even our deputy editor Joana Mascioli’s favorite sunscreen. She says, “This is hands-down the best face sunscreen I’ve ever used. It’s a tinting sunscreen that goes on creamy and comes in multiple shades to perfectly match your skin. I genuinely love my daily makeup routine and miss it on those summer days when I’m hitting the beach — but this sunscreen satisfies that beauty craving of mine and gives my complexion that little extra something without ever looking caked on or streaky. Honestly, once I discovered this product, I never touched another face sunscreen again — both during my pregnancy and after — and I hope I never have to!”
Clearly, its followers are die-hard, and it's easy to see why. It's affordable, smooth, soothing, and looks great on the skin.
Another squalane and zinc oxide mineral pregnancy-safe sunscreen, Pipette is a fantastic, more affordable option. It uses non-nano zinc and gooseberry extract, which they purport calms the effects of UV light on the skin.
We love this as a full-family option, and at 50 SPF, it's a solid choice for just about everyone.
This is easily one of the most-popular mineral sunscreens on the market. It's zinc-based, SPF 50, as light as a standard moisturizer, and it is truly sheer. You can use this all alone or under moisturizer, primer, or foundation. It's inexpensive and readily available with just one click.
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Best for Mattifying
Total Protection Sheer Matte SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush
If you're prone to oily skin, this mattifying sheer powder is the sunscreen for you. It's SPF50 thanks to a combination of zinc and titanium and comes with a super soft application brush.
Powder sunscreens are tricky because you can't always tell how much is on your skin. Therefore, they're best in a layer with another SPF below it. But this formula not only mattifies, but provides additional protection, which is great in the summer months when you might be sweating off your regular sunscreen and looking shiny.
This looks like makeup, but it's really not. It's more of a blotting powder with a sunscreen built-in, and it's pretty wonderful.
Winnie Harlow's line of skincare products is quickly gaining popularity — and we're big fans. The model made sure that every product in her line stands out from the competition, and this sunscreen is no different.
A combination of zinc and squalane with hyaluronic acid makes this a powerhouse of a product. It's also developed by a woman of color, who has gone to great lengths to ensure that this doesn't give a ghostly cast to the skin. But make no mistake, this is a sunscreen for everyone.
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Best Sport
Self Reflect Sport SPF 60 Triple Ceramide Moisturizing Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, triple lipid ceramides, cherry
SPF 60
Benefits: Leaves skin dewy and moisturized
Kinship takes sun protection seriously. This is a sport sunscreen designed to deal with water and sweat, which pregnant people happen to produce a lot of. It's a zinc-based formula with three different ceramide creams and vitamin C to leave skin gorgeous, moisturized, and glowy. It's perfect for a day at the beach or a trip to the gym.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Pep Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50
You already know that Clinique is one of the go-to brands for hypoallergenic cosmetics and sensitivity-friendly skincare. The same goes for their sunscreen — in a big way. This zinc-based pregnancy-safe sunscreen is so gentle that it can be used around the eyes even if you wear contact lenses, which very few sunscreens can claim.
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Contains Iron Oxide
Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 32 Tinted Sunscreen
Active Ingredients: Titanium, zinc, and iron oxide
SPF 32
Benefits: Tinted, good for sensitive skin
If you’re worried about melasma — or the “face mask of pregnancy” — you need Essential Defense. It has the iron oxide Dr. Robinson recommends that helps prevent dark spots from appearing. SkinMedica is made for post-procedure skin, meaning that it’s wonderful for your overly sensitive pregnant bodies that need a little extra tender care.
Cat BowenParenting EditorCat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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