Is Retinol Safe During Pregnancy? OB-GYN Approved Insights

Safe Acne Treatments During and After Pregnancy | The Spoiled Mama

Safe Acne Treatments During and After Pregnancy: What Every Mama Should Know

Let’s talk about safe acne treatment during and after pregnancy. While your doc may have warned you against consuming caffeine, certain fish types and alcohol, what you put on your skin is important too.

Many skincare products contain retinol/retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A), and it’s important to watch how much of that you put on your skin. You know what’s best for you and your body. We strive to be transparent and list all our ingredients on our labels and website. There’s a lot of conflicting advice online - our recommendations are backed by FDA-reviewed research and OB-GYN insights.

The Truth About Retinol and Pregnancy

Here’s the lowdown: The FDA approves retinol (AKA retinyl palmitate) during pregnancy with daily limits of 1.5 mg. When applied as a spot treatment, our products - Rehab Serum and Remodel Serum - do not exceed FDA recommendations.

Your baby’s safety is our top concern (that’s why our founder started The Spoiled Mama in the first place!), but you should also discuss which treatment will work best for you with your doctor or OBGYN.

Try a Safe Acne Treatment During & After Pregnancy

We understand not every Mama feels comfortable using retinol during pregnancy, which is why we formulated these products to work just as well after, and be safe enough to use while breastfeeding.

Is retinol safe to use during pregnancy?

According to the FDA and Dr. Margaret Miller, topical retinyl palmitate is not absorbed by the skin and is safe in small doses when spot-applied. Always consult your OB-GYN.

We consulted our OB and skincare specialists, who referenced this booklet from the FDA Office of Women’s Health. According to Dr. Margaret Miller, the OWH Science Program Director, “research showed no evidence that the product retinyl palmitate was absorbed when applied to the skin. Therefore, the product was not a threat…” (see page 8).

“I was impressed by how quickly I got a return phone call, and that a doctor was calling me personally,” said Dr. Rusoff.

Dr. Miller explained that research showed no evidence that the product retinyl palmitate was absorbed when applied to the skin. Therefore, the product was not a threat to her baby.

“That information really made me feel much better,” said Dr. Rusoff, who is now the mother of a healthy baby girl.

Get Your Glow On

Made with a low-dose retinol* complex and 72% organic content, Rehab is a safe acne treatment for new and preggo Mamas. It tones using natural components like witch hazel and green tea and makes the skin glow as it pumps in moisture with hyaluronic acid.

"Kick Acne Butt" Kit

Aloe vera & witch hazel soothe problematic skin
Tones & removes dirt and oil that leads to acne and clogged pores
Helps to fade dark spots called melasma (mask of pregnancy)

Feature	Rehab Acne Serum	Remodel Stretch Mark Serum
Primary Concern	Acne & Oil Control	Scars & Stretch Marks
Retinol %	0.5% (spot-safe)	0.5% (spot-safe)
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea	Tamanu Oil, Elasticity Boost
Use: Pregnancy?	✅ Spot-Treatment	✅ Spot-Treatment
Use: Postpartum?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Is Retinyl Palmitate Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes—when used in moderation. Our Rehab Acne Serum and Remodel Stretch Mark Serum each contain just 0.5% retinol, well below the FDA’s recommended safety threshold of 700–800 IU of vitamin A per kg daily.

According to the FDA Office of Women’s Health, retinyl palmitate is not absorbed into the bloodstream when used topically, especially in small spot-treatment applications like those for hormonal acne and stretch marks.

This makes both serums pregnancy-safe when used as directed. As always, consult your OB-GYN to ensure it fits your skincare routine.

Pregnancy-Safe Retinol: Micro FAQ

Q: Is retinol safe during pregnancy?
Yes, in limited quantities. The FDA allows topical use of retinol (retinyl palmitate) during pregnancy, provided it doesn’t exceed 700–800 IU of vitamin A per kg of body weight daily. Always consult your OB-GYN.

Q: How much retinol is in The Spoiled Mama’s Rehab and Remodel Serums?
Both serums contain 0.5% retinol, a low-dose formulation well within FDA safety limits when used as a spot treatment.

Q: Are these serums absorbed into the bloodstream?
No. Per the FDA, topical retinyl palmitate shows no evidence of skin absorption, making it safe for limited application during pregnancy.

Q: Can I use Rehab and Remodel while breastfeeding?
Yes, when applied as spot treatments. Our formulas are OB-approved and contain organic ingredients that support postpartum skincare as well.

Not quite ready for retinol? No worries, Mama! Discover pregnancy-safe alternatives like azelaic acid, niacinamide, and witch hazel in our gentle yet effective Balance Toner for Hormonal Acne — made for glowing, breakout-free skin during and after pregnancy.

If you have any further concerns, feel free to take or email our ingredient list to your OB to discuss retinyl palmitate and whether it’s right for your pregnancy routine.

*The FDA approves retinyl palmitate/retinol (vitamin A) during pregnancy with daily limits of 1.5 mg. This serum contains 0.5% retinol and does not exceed the FDA’s recommendation when applied as a spot treatment. Please discuss with your doctor or OBGYN about which treatment will work best for you.