Natural Skincare for Pregnancy and Babies: What Is Safe, What to Avoid, and How to Use It

Pregnancy is the moment when most people become more careful than ever about what goes on their skin — and what goes on their baby's skin after birth. The challenge is that "natural" and "safe" are not the same thing, and "natural" skincare products can contain ingredients with specific safety considerations during pregnancy. This guide covers the simplest, most verifiable approach: start with single-ingredient, anhydrous plant fats that have been used on pregnant and infant skin for generations across West Africa, understand what makes them appropriate choices, and know when to consult your healthcare provider. For a complete overview of what shea butter does for skin, see Shea Butter Benefits.

Healthcare provider disclaimer: Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy. Always consult your paediatrician before introducing new skincare products on newborn or infant skin. The information in this guide is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Individual circumstances, sensitivities, and medical conditions vary.

Why Anhydrous Ingredients Are a Common Choice During Pregnancy

When a skincare product contains water, it requires preservatives to prevent bacterial and mould growth. Preservatives — parabens, phenoxyethanol, and others — are among the skincare ingredients that many pregnant women prefer to minimise. This is not because they are definitively proven harmful — it is because many pregnant people prefer to reduce the number of complex synthetic compounds going on their skin during pregnancy, particularly in the absence of definitive safety data for topical exposure.

Anhydrous ingredients contain no water. No water means no need for preservatives. Unrefined shea butter, unrefined cocoa butter, and cold-pressed baobab oil are all anhydrous — single ingredients with no synthetic additives of any kind. The ingredient list for each is one item.

Commercial moisturisers are mostly water held together with emulsifiers and preserved with synthetic chemicals. They feel good immediately but the moisture evaporates, and the preservatives can irritate sensitive skin. Shea butter contains no water and requires no preservatives, delivering genuine occlusive moisture that does not evaporate. Its fatty acid profile closely matches human skin, which is why it absorbs genuinely rather than sitting as a surface film. Baraka's shea butter is hand-processed by women's cooperatives using traditional water-based methods — the same methods used for generations across West Africa.

The butters and oils used in these formulations have been applied to skin for generations in West Africa — including through the Harmattan season, when dry, dust-laden winds from the Sahara create exactly the kind of harsh, drying conditions that mature and sensitive skin faces year-round. Commercial skincare was not designed for this. African butters were. They contain no water, require no preservatives, and have fatty acid profiles that match human skin — which is why they absorb genuinely rather than coating the surface and evaporating.

Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy.

Which Baraka Ingredients Are Generally Considered Safe During Pregnancy

The following Baraka ingredients are generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. They are all plant-derived, anhydrous, free of synthetic fragrance, and free of preservatives and chemical additives.

Unrefined shea butter — Generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. A single-ingredient plant fat used on skin during and after pregnancy across West Africa for generations. Commonly used as a belly, hips, breast, and body moisturiser. For a complete guide to using shea butter during pregnancy, see Shea Butter During Pregnancy: What Is Safe and What to Expect.

Unrefined cocoa butter — Generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. One of the most traditionally used ingredients for pregnancy belly moisturising. Denser than shea butter — works well on very dry areas and for evening application.

Cold-pressed baobab oil — Generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. Fragrance-free, preservative-free, lighter than the butters. Works well on the face during pregnancy when shea butter feels too occlusive, and as a body oil alternative.

Cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil — Generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. Higher comedogenic rating than shea butter or baobab oil — may not suit the face for those with oily skin.

Shea oil (fractionated shea butter) — Generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. The lighter, liquid form of shea butter. Well suited as a facial oil or body oil during pregnancy.

None of these ingredients contain essential oils, synthetic fragrance, or chemical additives.

Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy. Patch test before first use.

How to Use Shea Butter During Pregnancy

Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inner arm. Wait 24 hours. Pregnancy can change skin sensitivity — even familiar ingredients may respond differently.

Apply to slightly damp skin after bathing. This is when skin is most receptive. The residual moisture helps the shea butter spread.

Warm between the palms first. Shea butter melts near body temperature. 10–15 seconds of hand warming makes it easy to apply evenly.

Press gently rather than rub. Pregnancy skin, particularly the belly, can be more sensitive. Pressing is more comfortable than rubbing.

Apply to belly, hips, breasts, and thighs. These are the areas where skin stretches the most during pregnancy.

Stretch marks. Shea butter does not prevent stretch marks — stretch marks are primarily determined by genetics and the speed of skin stretching. Regular moisturising supports skin comfort and suppleness. For a complete guide, see Does Shea Butter Help With Stretch Marks? For a DIY belly butter recipe, see DIY Stretch Mark Cream: A Natural Recipe Using Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter.

Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy.

What to Use on Newborn and Infant Skin

Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin. The case for the shortest possible ingredient list is stronger for newborn and infant skin than for any other application.

Unrefined shea butter and unrefined cocoa butter are both traditionally used on newborn and infant skin in West Africa — applied in very small amounts after bathing as a daily skin conditioner. No synthetic fragrance. No preservatives. No essential oils. One or two ingredients only.

General principles for baby skincare:

• Use the smallest amount that achieves the purpose — a very small pea-sized amount for each application.
• Patch test on a small area of baby's skin first and wait 24 hours before wider use.
• Do not apply to broken or irritated skin.
• No essential oils on newborn or infant skin.
• Start with one ingredient — shea butter alone — before adding others.

For a complete guide to using shea butter on baby skin, see Shea Butter for Babies. For a two-ingredient DIY baby balm recipe, see DIY Baby Balm: A Simple Natural Recipe for Sensitive Baby Skin.

Always consult your paediatrician before introducing new skincare products on newborn or infant skin, particularly for babies with known skin conditions or sensitivities.

What to Avoid During Pregnancy and on Baby Skin

This guide does not provide a comprehensive list of ingredients to avoid during pregnancy — that guidance should come from your healthcare provider or midwife. General principles that apply to both pregnancy and baby skincare:

Synthetic fragrance: One of the most common reported irritants in skincare — avoid in both pregnancy and baby skincare formulations.

Essential oils: A separate category from base ingredients. Some essential oils are considered unsafe during pregnancy; others may be safe at specific dilutions. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils during pregnancy or on baby skin. None of the Baraka base ingredients contain essential oils.

Preservatives: Present in water-based products. Anhydrous products require none. Where possible during pregnancy and for baby skin, choose anhydrous single-ingredient products that require no preservatives.

Retinoids: Widely recommended for avoidance during pregnancy by healthcare providers. Not present in any Baraka ingredient.

Chemical sunscreen actives: Some are recommended for avoidance during pregnancy by healthcare providers — consult your midwife for specific guidance. Baraka ingredients are not sunscreen products.

For skin that is eczema-prone or reactive during pregnancy, see Shea Butter for Eczema-Prone Skin for guidance on using shea butter as a gentle moisturiser for reactive skin.

Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife for personalised guidance on what to avoid during your pregnancy.

Epistemic Transparency

The statements in this guide — "generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy" and "generally considered safe for topical use on newborn and infant skin" — reflect widely held general understanding of these ingredients' safety profiles for topical use. They are not clinical trial results. They are not regulatory approvals. They are not recommendations that override your healthcare provider's advice. Individual circumstances, medical conditions, skin sensitivities, and pregnancy-specific factors vary. This guide is educational. Your healthcare provider's advice takes precedence over any information in this guide.

Where to Source These Ingredients

Baraka's shea butter, cocoa butter, and baobab oil are all sourced directly through cooperative relationships in Ghana's Upper West Region, traditionally processed with zero chemical extraction at any stage. No synthetic additives, no fragrance, no preservatives. Browse the full Butters Collection and DIY Ingredients Collection. For accounts from people who use these ingredients during pregnancy and postpartum, see Baraka Customer Stories: How People Use Our Shea Butter and Why It Works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a skincare ingredient safe for use during pregnancy?

No single regulatory standard defines "safe for pregnancy" for topical skincare. The guiding principle is simplicity: fewer ingredients, no synthetic fragrance, no preservatives, no retinoids, no high-concentration chemical actives. Anhydrous ingredients — shea butter, cocoa butter, baobab oil — contain no water and therefore require no preservatives. Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy.

Which natural skincare ingredients are generally considered safe during pregnancy?

The following Baraka ingredients are generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy: unrefined shea butter, unrefined cocoa butter, cold-pressed baobab oil, cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil, and shea oil. All are plant-derived, anhydrous, and free of synthetic fragrance, preservatives, and chemical additives. Always consult your healthcare provider before introducing new ingredients during pregnancy.

Is shea butter safe to use during pregnancy?

Unrefined shea butter is generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. It is a single-ingredient, plant-derived fat with no synthetic additives, used on skin during and after pregnancy across West Africa for generations. Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing any new skincare product during pregnancy. Patch test before first use.

Can I use shea butter on my baby's skin?

Unrefined shea butter has a long tradition of use on newborn and infant skin across West Africa and is generally considered safe for topical use on baby skin. Apply a very small amount to clean, dry skin. Always patch test first. Consult your paediatrician before using new skincare products on babies with known skin sensitivities or conditions.

What skincare ingredients should I avoid during pregnancy?

This guide covers ingredients generally considered safe and does not provide a comprehensive list of ingredients to avoid — that guidance should come from your healthcare provider or midwife. Many healthcare providers recommend avoiding retinoids, high-concentration salicylic acid, synthetic fragrance, and chemical sunscreen actives during pregnancy. Essential oils require specific guidance from your healthcare provider or a qualified aromatherapist.

Why are anhydrous ingredients a common choice during pregnancy?

Anhydrous products contain no water and therefore require no preservatives. Products that contain water require preservatives to prevent bacterial and mould growth. Preservatives are among the skincare ingredients that many pregnant women prefer to minimise. An anhydrous product like unrefined shea butter contains no water and no preservatives — the ingredient list is one item.

Are essential oils safe to use in skincare during pregnancy?

This guide covers base ingredients only — shea butter, cocoa butter, baobab oil, and coconut oil. Essential oils are a separate category with specific safety considerations during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified aromatherapist before using any essential oil during pregnancy. None of the Baraka base ingredients contain essential oils.

What should I use on newborn skin?

For newborn skin, the shortest possible ingredient list is preferred. Unrefined shea butter applied in a very small amount and unrefined cocoa butter are both traditionally used on newborn skin and are generally considered safe. No essential oils, no synthetic fragrance, no preservatives. Patch test before first use. Consult your paediatrician before using any new product on newborn skin.

Does shea butter help with stretch marks during pregnancy?

Shea butter is commonly used as a belly, hip, and breast moisturiser during pregnancy. It does not prevent stretch marks — stretch marks are determined primarily by genetics and the speed of skin stretching. Keeping skin moisturised during pregnancy is generally recommended for comfort and suppleness.

How do I patch test a skincare ingredient during pregnancy?

Apply a small amount of the ingredient to the inner arm. Wait 24 hours. If there is no redness, irritation, or reaction, the ingredient is generally well tolerated. Pregnancy can change skin sensitivity. If any reaction occurs, discontinue and consult your midwife or healthcare provider.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.