Botox is out when you’re pregnant, as are other 'quick fixes' like chemical peels and microneedling. Fortunately, you have options and plenty of the non-invasive alternatives really do get results, with just little more effort.

Pregnancy-safe skincare alternatives to botox

First up, LED red light therapy is safe during pregnancy and comes with the added kudos of being NASA developed (not for space skincare, for growing plants in zero gravity). LED masks are so widespread now they’re practically a movie staple for comedy jump scares, with good reason, gorgeous they are not. They’re also not cheap, but are unfortunately one of those products where you really do get what you pay for. That said, you’re going to be pregnant for what feels like forever, so think of this as an investment.

‍

Why try this LED red light therapy mask?

Coming in at just under £400, CurrentBody Series 2 is the second generation of this red light therapy mask and one of the most powerful on the UK market with 236 bulbs giving a mix of red, near-infrared and deep near-infrared light.

‍

It’s lightweight and fits securely, which means you can wear it and still do stuff, though you probably don't want to venture outdoors. Its deep near-infrared bulbs are positioned to target age-prone-areas round eyes and mouth and, while it’s not Botox, regular use does show noticeable results in toning and tightening the skin on your face.

‍

The magic of LED multi coloured light therapy wands

Glass skin being down to genetics will always be a hill we’re prepared to die on, but that doesn’t stop us being obsessed with Korean skincare: it introduced us to serums, enough said.

‍

Korean super-brand Medicube has been delivering pro-skincare for non-pros since 2014 and it's known for combining dermatological expertise with tech, which gives its Age-R BoosterPro X an edge for targeted LED red light therapy, without the commitment of a full-face mask.

‍

Blessed by Hayley Bieber and (we think) the red light wand Olivia Munn was swanning around with in Your Friends and Neighbours, it gives you five LED wavelengths – including inflammation-reducing green light - and it looks quite cute, which can be said of about 1% of similar products on the market at the moment.

Oxygen Facials: the luxe end of pregnancy-safe skincare

One quick fix that is pregnancy-safe is the OxygenFacial. Full disclosure, the astonishing effects of this luxe treatment only last for up to about a week, but what a week. Not for nothing is it a pre-red-carpet go-to thanks to its fine line plumping, collagen stimulation, acne smoothing and skin tone regulation. There’s a lot to like about the instant glow it gives you too, and if you want to prolong the results combining it with a more regular Hydra Facial can help with that.

Step up your game with a pregnancy facial massage

Sarah Chapman facial massage is a step up from a straight facial that gives you the benefits of lymphatic drainage and improved circulation in one indulgent hour. Gentle exfoliation and double cleansing are part of the process too and the end result is good and glowy, with a side order of soothed. Plus, as well as being pregnancy-friendly to a fault, it releases muscle tension, which makes it pretty Botox-adjacent.

‍

Botox in a Bottle: the all-natural, non-invasive dupe

Spilanthol is marketed as natural Botox and it’s pregnancy-safe, just watch your brands. Doc Berger Effect Vit C & Spilanthol Serum gets called ‘Botox in a Bottle’ by its many devotees who swear that it reduces expression lines and prevents them forming again. It also comes with a heavy dose of Vitamin C and a high price tag, but can be used safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

‍

The best every day pregnancy-safe skincare ranges

Vitamin A is another no-no when you’re pregnant, even topically it poses a risk, so Retinol products top the pregnancy and breastfeeding blacklist.

‍

Some chemicals you don’t need to worry about in the UK, like Hydroquinine which is banned, so you’re unlikely to use it unwittingly. But there are a few other avoid-please chemicals like Benzoyne Peroxide that are widely used and mean you’re going to have to start reading those teeny-tiny ingredient lists very carefully. Good news is, you’re safe to use Glycolic Acid (normally found in exfoliants) in small amounts, and you can go crazy with the likes of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C.

All great info if you’ve time on your hands to curate the perfectly safe, customised pregnancy skincare regime. But, if you want to be on the super-safe side, and have better things to do than product testing, it’s worth thinking about some skincare brands that have created pregnancy-specific ranges for every day use and to target common skin concerns like pigmentation and hormonal acne.  

‍

Rowse delivers nature's very own Retinol dupe

A pregnancy range that has its eye on hydration, Rowse also lets you steer clear of Retinol without the sky falling in, courtesy of its Regenerate Night Serum which contains Bakuchiol - nature's very own Retinol dupe. As an added bonus the entire range comes in covetable apothecary-adjacent bottles, so if you find the pregnancy products effective you might be tempted to stay away from chemicals forever.

‍

Typology adds pregnancy-safe to its iconic product range

Typology also produce an entire pregnancy skincare range which, like all its products, is vegan, natural and sustainable. Yet again, the iconic packaging is another reason to love this French brand and, although it’s not cheap, if you buy online they slip free gifts in with your order.  

Paula's Choice is the top choice for skin sensitivity

Paula’s Choice is the brand that’s got you covered on the skin sensitivity front during pregnancy and includes a lightweight 30SPF mineral sunscreen that’s suitable for all skin types – a bit of a miracle if you’re one of the oilier types.

Trust The Inkey List to take pregnancy-safe skincare seriously

We always like The Inkey List for affordability and availability, and while it doesn’t offer a dedicated pregnancy range, it has done the curation for you and recommends a range of its products for day and night. Again, there’s a mineral based sunscreen here, they’re big on Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid and – as anyone with blemish-prone skin will tell you – their Niacinamide Serum is a wonder, and pregnancy safe.

Stick with your own, check the ingredients and one last little miracle to try

Check the ingredients on the skincare products you normally use because they could be safe to continue using during pregnancy. And if you want a fast glow for next to no money, we can highly recommend Boot’s Vitamin C Brightening Booster Serum. It really does work, and is completely safe, if you can get your hands on it: those in the know bulk-buy this one, it’s that good.  

‍