Korean Skincare During Pregnancy: Which Actives to Check
The clearest advice from medical sources is to avoid retinoids in pregnancy. UK guidance says retinoid creams and gels should not be used, and US dermatologists say most experts recommend stopping tretinoin and adapalene. Most other Korean skincare steps (cleansers, essences, moisturisers, sunscreen) are not addressed in the sources used here, so check any active ingredient with your midwife, GP or pharmacist.
BSc Cosmetic Science · 12 years in Korean skincare · Former K-beauty product consultant
Published October 2026 · Last reviewed October 2026
TL;DR — Quick Summary
- ✦Retinoids: UK guidance (UKTIS, October 2024) says retinoid creams and gels should not be used in pregnancy.
- ✦US dermatologists (AAD) say most experts recommend stopping tretinoin and adapalene, and that tazarotene must never be used in pregnancy.
- ✦Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide: the AAD describes limited use as generally considered safe, but advises talking to your obstetrician or dermatologist first.
- ✦Azelaic acid is thought to be safe according to the AAD, based on animal studies.
- ✦It is likely to be safe to simply stop acne treatment during pregnancy (UKTIS).
General Information Only. This page provides educational skincare information and is not medical advice. If you have persistent acne, eczema, rosacea, allergies, skin irritation, pigmentation changes or any medical skin condition, please consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare professional before changing your skincare routine. Individual results vary. Always patch test new products.
Scope: this page summarises two published sources, one UK and one US, and was last checked in October 2026. Medical guidance changes and varies by country. It is general information, not advice for your pregnancy; ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist about your own routine.
Why retinoids are the main ingredient to avoid
Medicines in Pregnancy explains that retinoid tablets, taken at much higher doses than anything applied to the skin, can cause miscarriage and birth defects. Only tiny amounts of a cream or gel are likely to reach the baby, but some women absorb more than others. Most reports of women who used topical retinoids in pregnancy show unaffected babies, yet there are also case reports of birth defects, and it is not yet possible to rule out that the retinoids caused them. For that reason they advise avoiding the products as a precaution.
Their leaflet is about prescription creams such as tretinoin and adapalene. Over-the-counter retinol and retinal serums, which are common in Korean skincare, are not tested in either source, so there is no published statement we can cite that clears them. Our retinol and retinal guide takes the same cautious line. If a product lists retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate, tretinoin or adapalene, ask a healthcare professional before using it, and pause it while you wait for an answer.
This also affects routines that build around retinoids, such as skin cycling, whose retinoid night would need to be replaced with a recovery night.
What the sources say about common acne actives
| Active | UK source (UKTIS) | US source (AAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene) | Should not be used in pregnancy; avoided as a precaution (Medicines in Pregnancy, Oct 2024). | Most experts recommend stopping tretinoin and adapalene during pregnancy (AAD). |
| Tazarotene | Not covered by the UK leaflet reviewed here. | Listed as a medication never to use in pregnancy (AAD). |
| Salicylic acid (BHA) | Not covered by the UK leaflet reviewed here. | Generally considered safe for a limited time in over-the-counter acne products; talk to your obstetrician or dermatologist first (AAD). |
| Azelaic acid | Not covered by the UK leaflet reviewed here. | Thought to be safe; no birth defects seen in animal studies (AAD). |
| Benzoyl peroxide | Not covered by the UK leaflet reviewed here. | Experts say it is safe in limited amounts; talk to your obstetrician or dermatologist first (AAD). |
The AAD notes that pregnant women are not given medications in trials, so what is known comes from animal studies and from women who used treatments while pregnant. See our guides to salicylic acid and azelaic acid for what these ingredients do in a routine.
What you can do in practice
- Read the full ingredient list of serums, ampoules and night creams for retinoid names before use.
- Show your midwife, GP or pharmacist the ingredient list of any active product, not just the product name.
- If you would rather not use acne treatment at all, UKTIS says that is likely to be safe; a gentle, simple routine is a reasonable option. See our beginner guide and acne-prone skin guide for routine structure.
- For ingredients not listed above, do not assume safety; ask a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- Medicines in Pregnancy (UK Teratology Information Service): Retinoid gels and creams (‘topical retinoids’), leaflet dated October 2024, version 5.0. UK. Accessed 16 October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy? US. Accessed 16 October 2026.