Best Body Washes for Pregnancy

Looking for the best body washes for pregnancy?

Then let us help with our pregnancy safe body wash guide!

Proper skincare is essential, especially during pregnancy when your skin is more sensitive and prone to breakouts and problems. That’s why you want to be sure you’re using one of the best pregnancy safe body wash and not simply buying what you always buy.

Sometimes, what you always bought before isn’t so good for pregnancy.

Skin is porous, and it absorbs whatever you apply. That means you want to be sure to use body washes that only use pregnancy-safe ingredients. You might also notice that your skin changes during pregnancy. For example, it may become more oily, or it could become dry and flaky.

Using proper body washes for pregnancy help treat whatever problems you have and brings your skin to its healthiest form possible. So, if you’re on the search for a new body wash, make sure to keep reading and check out our picks for the best body washes during pregnancy.

And if you love this guide on the best body wash for pregnant women, then make sure to also check out our guides of best body lotion for pregnancy, best foundation for pregnancy, best pregnancy gifts for first time moms, and things new moms need for themselves. Or even our guide on the best self tanner for pregnancy.

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Best Pregnancy Safe Body Washes

1. Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash

Aveeno has been a trusted brand for years, so it’s not surprising that it made our list of the best body washes for pregnancy. Their Skin Relief Body Wash soothes dry and itchy skin, something many pregnant women experience.

At the same time, Aveeno used oats to help nourish your skin – like an old-fashioned oatmeal bath your grandma might have used for you. This product won’t bother or strip away the natural oils in your skin, creating a moisture barrier on your skin. As a result, your skin is left feeling smooth, healthy, and itch-free.

Aveeno added gentle and natural ingredients to this wash that nourishes your skin. So, the longer you use it over time, the healthier your skin becomes. Some of the ingredients even help to kick harmful bacteria off your skin.

Aveeno Skin Relief is allergy-tested, soap-free, and free of artificial dyes and fragrances. Many pregnant women note that this body wash helps eczema and other skin conditions, and it keeps your skin moisturized for up to 24 hours. 

What We Like:

• Unscented
• Perfect for sensitive skin
• Affordable
• Ideal for dry and itchy skin

What We Don’t Like:

• Some say it still has a scent
• Not ideal for oily skin

2. Avalon Organics Bath and Shower Body Wash

Avalon Organics is a well-known body and skincare product line, and their Nourishing Lavender Body Wash is perfect for pregnant women. Their formula contains aloe, plant proteins, and non-drying botanical cleansers that purify your skin while also replenishing and nourishing your skin.

Lavender adds a soothing, relaxing scent perfect for use before bedtime. You’ll find that it helps your body calm down before heading off to bed, and since many women experience sleep problems during pregnancy, that is precisely what you need.

All Avalon Organics products are vegan and cruelty-free, and NSF and USDA Organic certified. It doesn’t contain parabens, synthetic preservations, artificial dyes or fragrances, phthalates, or sulfates.

What We Like:

• Lavender Scented
• Vegan
• USDA Organic
• Free of Harmful Chemicals
• Ideal for All Skin Types

What We Don’t Like:

• The Scent isn’t Long Lasting
• Expensive

3. CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin

CeraVe is one of the leading brands for skincare, and for those suffering from dry skin, finding suitable body washes is difficult. That’s where CeraVe Body Wash for Dry Skin comes in clutch.

This body wash includes Cocamidopropyl betaine, a plant-derived cleaning agent. The properties help reduce irritation, and the foam booster cleans your body. Another one of the key ingredients – glycerine – keeps your skin hydrated for a prolonged period while protecting your skin from harmful aggressors.

Another benefit of glycerine is that it strengthens your skin tone, helping you look more natural and glowy – exactly how you want to feel!

CeraVe never adds sulfates or parabens to their products, and the National Eczema Association approves it. This body wash is simple and gentle for those with super sensitive skin, and it won’t cause extra flare-ups or itchiness. 

What We Like:

• Keeps your skin hydrated
• It helps you look glowy
• Approved by the National Eczema Association
• Great for dry skin

What We Don’t Like:

• It doesn’t rinse off easily
• Hard to squeeze out of the bottle
• High price for a small bottle

You may want to check out our CeraVe vs Eucerin review!

4. Jason Natural Body Wash

Jason offers nine different scents for their natural body wash, so if the coconut isn’t your favorite, that’s okay! You still have other options to try.

This body wash uses Vitamin E from infused, unrefined coconut oil and added shea butter to leave your body feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. It also contains antioxidant polyphenols, but Jason Natural Body Wash is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and petrolatum. In addition, Jason is a cruelty-free brand that never tests on animals.

What We Like:

• Multiple Scent Options
• Added Shea Butter
• No Harsh Ingredients

What We Don’t Like:

• Contains a Foaming Ingredient that May have Sulfates
• The scent may be too strong

5. Puracy Natural Body Wash

Puracy is a high-quality skincare line, and millions of users rate their products as top of the line. They use plant-based ingredients to create their natural, hypoallergenic body wash, including citrus and sea salt. It’s gentle enough that you can use it daily, perfect for all skin types.

Puracy relies on 99.3% plant-based ingredients with vegan cleansers to create the perfect foaming action and fruit and vegetable extracts to moisturize your dry skin. In addition, sea salt helps purify and balance your skin.

Something else to like about Puracy Natural Body Wash is that doctors and skincare experts developed it. They understand what your skin needs to be healthy, and this formula is free of sulfates, parabens, phosphates, petroleum, and artificial dyes.

Perhaps best of all, while the price may seem a bit steep, you receive two bottles rather than one, and they’re refillable, so you reduce your trash output! You’ll also be surprised at how far the foamy formula goes; you only need a little at a time.

What We Like:

• Hypoallergenic
• 99.3% Plant-based ingredients
• Free of harmful ingredients
• It comes with two bottles

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Some may think the scent is strong

6. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash

Another one of the best body washes for pregnancy is Vanicream Gentle Body Wash. It’s a gentle body cleanser enriched with natural ingredients that will clean your body safely. Vanicream uses coco-glucoside, a mild non-ionic surfactant that cleanses well.

Even if you have sensitive skin, this body wash cleans your skin well without causing further irritation. The formula is free from sulfate, parabens, gluten, and other harsh chemicals that may cause skin rashes. It is a lightly foaming gel without any scent.

Many women note that Vanicream helps keep their skin feeling soft and smooth. It won’t leave any oily residue or smell when using it either. This formula is ideal for dry skin, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. It’s also suitable for those who suffer from dry winter skin.

What We Like:

• Dermatologist tested
• Ideal for dry skin
• Free of harmful chemicals
• Unscented
• Great for eczema and skin issues

What We Don’t Like:

• Pricey
• Thick to rub in

7. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Wash

Alba Botanica is a popular body wash choice that will leave your skin clean and glowing because it’s made with volcanic clay. Volcanic clay attracts and absorbs the dirt and oil on your skin, and the added tropical fruit acids cause your skin to glow.

Alba Botanica offers many different scents, but the Hawaiian is a favorite. It is a mix of citrus, coconut, aloe, ginger, and orange. It’s light without being too overwhelming, and it’s made without any synthetic fragrances.

It’s important to note that this is a detoxifying product, so it’s not ideal to use every day. It could cause your skin to dry out faster, and no pregnant woman wants that. So, save this to use a few days a week, especially on those days when you’re extra sweaty.

What We Like:

• It offers a deep clean.
• Absorbs dirt and oils
• Great scent
• No parabens or synthetic fragrances

What We Don’t Like:

• May dry out your skin
• Not ideal for everyday use

8. Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash

Eucerin is a well-known skincare line, specializing in helping those with sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin. Their Skin Calming Body Wash is a highly-effective, safe body wash to use during pregnancy that works wonders, especially for mamas who have skin problems.

Eucerin uses a cleaning agent called glycine soja that helps to defend your skin against harmful UV rays and other environmental stressors. This body wash works well for those with dry and oily skin, and it has strong regenerative and restorative properties.

Glycine soja helps keep your skin moisturized and nourished all day long. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that help restore lost skin color, and an antioxidant ingredient called propyl gallate improves your skin’s moisture retention. In addition, this body wash contains menthol and oatmeal to give you a relaxing bath experience.

Eucerin doesn’t add any dyes or fragrances to this formula, and it won’t disrupt the natural balance of your skin. So you don’t have to worry about it furthering the irritation you have on your sensitive skin.

What We Like:

• Great for dry and itchy skin
• Helps moisture retention
• No added dyes or fragrances
• Good for sensitive skin

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Not ideal for oily skin

9. OGX Extra-Creamy Ultra-Moisture Body Wash

OGX Body Wash offers a safe formula to clean and nourish your skin while improving your skin’s elasticity. That keeps your skin looking young and vibrant and helps with the stretch marks that no one wants.

This formula is an ultra-hydrating blend that is gentle on your skin and provides more moisturization during pregnancy. If you have dry or dull skin, using the OGX Extra-Creamy Body Wash will cause it to become soft and smooth – exactly what you want.

It’s safe to use this body wash for all skin types, and one of the critical ingredients is coconut oil, an ingredient that women have been using for years. This ingredient moisturizes and hydrates your dry skin while keeping it safe from bacteria since coconut oil has antimicrobial properties.

This soap does have a coconut scent. However, while it’s not overpowering or too strong, it is a scent that might not work for you while pregnant.

What We Like:

• Great Price
• Moisturizing & Softening
• Great for All Skin Types
• Uses Coconut Oil

What We Don’t Like:

• Scent May Bother Some
• May Contain Some Chemicals

10. Tea Tree Body Wash by Be-One Organics

Be-One Organics offers a body wash that works for all skin types, but it’s ideal for those who suffer from skin-related issues like chronic acne and eczema. The formula uses a combination of organic tea tree oil and organic peppermint oil, so you’ll feel refreshed and zingy when you get out of the shower.

Don’t worry; this doesn’t cause your skin to tingle, but you will experience a cooling sensation when using this. Also, Be-One used other helpful ingredients like organic aloe juice, coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil. All of these will leave your skin feeling soft to the touch and smooth.

This body wash is free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and artificial dyes. Instead, it’s made with 95% organic ingredients.

What We Like:

• Free of Harmful Chemicals
• 95% Organic Ingredients
• Great for Those with Acne and Eczema

What We Don’t Like:

• The Scent is Strong
• Not Everyone Loves the Cooling Sensation

11. Belli Beauty Skincare Body Wash

Belli Beauty creates a balanced, cleansing body wash that won’t strip the natural oils out of your skin. This is important because pregnant women tend to have dry skin issues anyway, so you want all the natural oils.

The Belli Beauty added cucumber, green tea extracts, and lavender essential oil. This combination of ingredients helps your body relax and offers antioxidant properties. In addition, the scent is light yet appealing without overwhelming you.

Belli Beauty avoids using any synthetic ingredients that might cause congenital disabilities or problems during pregnancy. It has been allergy-tested, and the formula is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfate, gluten, and dyes. Dermatologists recommend Belli Beauty for many skin types.

What We Like:

• Free of harmful ingredients
• Suitable for daily use
• Vegan Formula
• Cruelty-Free
• Naturally Scented

What We Don’t Like:

• Small Quantity
• Pricey
• May Irritate Your Eyes

How to Pick the Best Body Wash to Use While Pregnant

With all of these great choices for the best body washes for pregnancy, you may wonder how you are supposed to pick the right option.

Some factors contribute to finding the best option for you.

Consider Your Skin Type

One of the most important considerations is your skin type. While many body washes are ideal for all skin types, you want to look for body washes that will help you deal with these skin issues if you have oily or super dry skin.

You don’t want the body wash you select to worsen the problem.

Ideally, the body wash you pick will cleanse your body while moisturizing and nourishing your skin.

The Formula

Take a look at the formula of the body wash. Shower gels are typically best for those with normal to oily skin, and moisturizing body washes are ideal for those with normal to dry skin.

Look at the Ingredients

You should always look at the labels and consider the ingredients used in the body washes. It’s best to avoid harsh or potentially irritating ingredients; the more natural the ingredients, the better it is for you during pregnancy.

Not all body washes are ideal for pregnancy since some common chemicals will further irritate your skin or strip away your natural oils. Here are some of the chemicals you want to avoid in body washes.

Retinoids

This is a derivative of vitamin A, and too much vitamin A leads to congenital disabilities. This is most often seen in oral retinoids, but it’s wise to avoid as much as possible during pregnancy in all forms.

Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is often used to treat acne. Sometimes, it’s added to body washes, and studies show that it passes through the placenta and affects the growth of the baby along with the teeth coloring. So you shouldn’t use it during breastfeeding either.

Salicylic Acid

Here’s another ingredient that treats acne that is also linked to congenital disabilities and bleeding during pregnancy. It’s only present in small amounts in topical skincare products, but it’s advisable to stay clear of it anyway.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Products containing higher benzoyl peroxide concentrations are more likely to cause skin inflammation. Most body washes only have low amounts of benzoyl peroxide, and while it won’t do any significant harm to your baby, it is absorbed and may lead to inflammation.

Scented or Unscented

You may prefer a scented body wash when you aren’t pregnant, but many women have pregnancy noses. They have an increased sense of smell, so everything smells more intense, which may lead to nausea. If you have this issue, unscented body washes will be the best choice for you. 

FAQs about Body Washes During Pregnancy

Final Thoughts on Pregnancy Safe Body Wash

Not all body washes work for pregnancy, and you want to be sure you are using a wash that works for your skin type. These picks for the best body washes for pregnancy are all excellent choices, but make sure you pick the one that works the problems you have!

And if you love this guide on the best body wash during pregnancy, make sure to check out these guides on the best shampoo for pregnancy, best pregnancy safe makeup brands, pregnancy safe lash serum, and best face washes for pregnancy.