$30.00
Sephora
$30.00
Credo
So you’re expecting — does that mean you need a pregnancy-safe shampoo?
While shampoo can’t harm your baby, certain ingredients can exacerbate scalp dryness, dandruff and other concerns during pregnancy.
Recommended by Seattle, Washington-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers, this shampoo has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and panthenol, and has received the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association (meaning it’s been vetted by a panel of experts and is considered safe for those with eczema to use.) I also used this during my own pregnancy and found that my own scalp issues — flaking and itchiness — disappeared. While I’m not entirely sure whether this was the work of the shampoo, my hormones or both, I still loved the sleek design of the bottles and that it thoroughly cleansed my curly hair without stripping away moisture.
Vanicream is a favorite among derms for sensitive skin, so it’s little surprise that it’s a good option for a dry or itchy scalp. This shampoo uses zinc pyrithione to fight dandruff, and “is a great option for those who are pregnant and have sensitive skin,” says Garshick. Plus, she likes that “it’s free of sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde and fragrance.” In other words, it checks all the boxes of things you might not want in your shampoo.
Rogers recommends using baby shampoo since these are typically very gentle and free of potential irritants. One option we like is this mild formula from Burt’s Bees, which we include in our guide to the best shampoos for babies. It’s formulated without sulfates, parabens, fragrance and phthalates. Plus, you can also use it as a body wash.
This formula is designed by a dermatologist, and is free of almost every concerning ingredient you can think of — not only is it vegan, but it’s also free from fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, parabens and even silicones (which some people don’t like, as they can build up on hair and leave a residue over time). It has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and is formulated to be noncomedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores. It has hemisqualane to reduce frizz and bisabolol to soothe the scalp, according to the brand, and has a 4.4-star average rating from 588 reviews on Amazon.
Designed for oily hair, this shampoo bar forgoes sulfates for coconut oil-derived surfactants.” It’s a great option because it’s free from harsh chemicals, making it safe for pregnancy — and it effectively cleanses while leaving the hair feeling fresh and invigorated,” says Garshick. You can choose from four formulations, each of which has its own scent (Citrus Squeeze, Coconut Vanilla, Lavender Rosemary, Peppermint Ice). Keep in mind: The scents are derived from essential oils, which can be irritating to some.
Using a blend of glycolic acid, zinc pyrithione and fermented tea extract, “this shampoo is considered safe in pregnancy to help address the redness, flaking and itching that can be associated with seborrheic dermatitis,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. It’s free of parabens, and is gentle enough for sensitive scalps, according to the brand.
Dermatologists rave about this dandruff shampoo, which uses ketoconazole, an antifungal ingredient that tackles the Malassezia yeast — a buildup of which can contribute to dandruff. It’s gentle enough for color-treated hair and you can use it every few washes to control flakes, according to the brand. However, it does have fragrance and sulfates, which is worth factoring in.
The first and most important thing to note is that you don't have to ditch your favorite shampoo due to pregnancy safety concerns. Most ingredients aren’t tested on pregnant women for safety (due to ethical concerns), so experts usually make recommendations out of an abundance of caution. Plus, “shampoos are not in contact with your skin for very long, so the risk of absorption of unwanted chemicals is lower than with skin care products,” says Rogers.
However, if you do have a scalp issue like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis — which can arise or come out of nowhere during pregnancy, possibly due to hormonal changes — you may want to use a medicated shampoo with active ingredients. Here, some common ingredients and how they might factor in:
In addition to the active ingredients, skim the ingredient list for questionable ingredients — like phthalates and parabens — to minimize irritation and stay on the safe side. “Phthalates might have the potential of damaging endocrine bodily functions,” says Janniger. Parabens might also disrupt hormones at high levels — although clear evidence remains to be seen — so if you’re being extra-cautious, she recommends keeping an eye out for methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben in particular.
And finally, although you might love to suds up with a delicious-smelling shampoo, “some essential oils, particularly when used in high concentrations, may pose risks during pregnancy as skin irritants,” says Rogers, pointing out rosemary, basil, jasmine and sage oils in particular.
Ultimately, your best bet is a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free shampoo to keep irritation to a minimum, according to Garshick.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like curl types and travel diffusers. For this article, Pai spoke to four dermatologists to narrow down the best pregnancy-safe shampoos to shop, and highlighted their recommendations about what to consider when shopping.
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