Are you expecting a little tot in a few months? It’s quite a lifestyle change, we know, which, of course, includes your skincare routine. You may have been already told to switch to pregnancy-safe products that are safe for you and your baby. As we all know, sunscreen is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine so it’s better to find one you can use without worries sooner rather than later.
What are pregnancy-safe sunscreens?
Safe for mum and baby.
What we call sunscreens that are safe for pregnant women are actually physical or mineral sunscreens. These are formulated with UV filters — specifically titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide — that physically ward off UV rays by blocking and “reflecting” them back into the environment. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, partially absorb UV rays and transform them into another form of energy before releasing them back into the environment.
Pregnant and nursing mothers are recommended to use physical sunscreens since these sit on the skin, are hypoallergenic, and also help prevent other pregnancy-related concerns that can be worsened by sun exposure. Since your skin may be more sensitive during this time, you’d want a formula that doesn’t contain any potentially irritating ingredients.
It’s also important to consider the SPF levels of a sunscreen — pregnant or not — which is ideally SPF30 at the minimum.
Sunscreen ingredients to avoid while pregnant
Ongoing studies show that some sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed by your skin and find their way into your bloodstream after one use. These ingredients include avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate, which are typically found in chemical sunscreens. Just to err on the side of caution while researchers try to find out the risks these ingredients pose on pregnant and breastfeeding mums, it's better to stick to physical sunscreens and wear UV protective clothing.
Now that you know why you should switch to pregnancy-safe sunscreen, here are some recommendations that you can find in Singapore.
1. Evereden Sheer Botanical Facial Sunscreen SPF30
The Evereden Sheer Botanical Facial Sunscreen. (ever-eden.com)
Evereden is a skincare brand made especially for mums and their kids. Its face sunscreen is 100% mineral-based (it uses zinc oxide as a UV filter) and is very lightweight. Its mineral SheerTech Zinc™ technology also creates an invisible barrier between the skin and UV rays. Yes, no white casts here.
Why you should pick it up: It has a nourishing blend of rose and ginger root extracts as well as sunflower and jojoba seed oils to pamper your skin.
You can find this product on Evereden’s website and Amazon for SGD47.23 per 50ML.
2. La-Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Gentle Lotion
The La-Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Gentle Lotion. (laroche-posay.us)
Formulated with Cell-OX Shield technology, the La-Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Gentle Lotion contains both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide filters to protect your skin. It also contains vitamin E for antioxidant action, and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA) — a derivative of salicylic acid — to provide some subtle exfoliation.
Why you should pick it up: The La-Roche Posay Anthelios range is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and has been dermatologically tested.
You can find this product on Amazon for SGD54.42 per 90ML.
3. Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 PA+++
Supergoop!’s Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion. (supergoop.com)
If you want a tinted sunscreen option for added protection and coverage, the Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion is a good choice. The zinc oxide sunscreen lotion has a lovely pink hue that blends into translucent on most skin tones. The brand also claims it will work on acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin types.
Why you should pick it up: It’s nourishing and soothing with its blend of winter cherry, coconut fruit extract and blueberry extract.
You can find this product on Sephora for SGD74 per 50ML.
4. Mama’s Choice Daily Protection Face Moisturiser
The Mama’s Choice Daily Protection Face Moisturiser. (mamaschoice.sg)
For expectant mums who prefer a minimalistic skincare routine, the Mama’s Choice Daily Protection Face Moisturiser will be a good addition to your regimen. It’s formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as sunscreen filters, while rice extract and hyaluronic acid provide the hydration you need.
Why you should pick it up: It’s a non-greasy moisturiser that’s suitable for our humid climate.
You can find this product on their website for SGD16.90 per 30ML.
5. Drunk Elephant Umbra™ Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
The Drunk Elephant Umbra™ Sheer Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen. (sephora.sg)
The Drunk Elephant Umbra™ Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is another safe sunscreen for pregnancy that you can get in Singapore. Aside from having SPF30, it’s also formulated with antioxidants like astaxanthin, grape juice extract and sunflower shoot extract to further neutralise free radicals and other environmental aggressors.
Why you should pick it up: It also offers anti-ageing perks with raspberry seed and marula oils to pamper your skin.
You can find this product on Amazon for SGD65.90 per 90ML.
6. COOLA Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Fragrance-Free
The COOLA Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. (naturallybetterco.com.sg)
Add the COOLA Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion to your skincare routine if you want a pregnancy-safe sunscreen you can apply on your body. It’s made with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract to block UV rays and free radicals from damaging your skin. It’s also fragrance-free, so it’s ideal for those whose skins are reactive to such ingredients.
Why you should pick it up: It’s made for the body, but it’s definitely gentle enough to apply on your face too.
You can find this product on Amazon for SGD66 per 148ML.
7. Think Thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50
Think Thinkbaby Sunscreen SPF 50. (sg.iherb.com)
This mineral sunscreen comes highly recommended by pediatric dermatologists for its highly effective yet gentle formula. It offers both UVA and UVB protection and is safe to use for both mum and baby.
Why you should pick it up: It's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, perfect if you're off for a swim.
It's priced at SGD22.68 per 89ML and SGD33.89 per 177ML at iHerb.
8. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Body
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Body. (amazon.sg)
On the hunt for a full-body pregnancy-safe sunscreen? This one from CeraVe is a 100%-mineral sunscreen formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect your skin from UV rays. There's also hyaluronic acid to boost the skin's natural moisture levels. Did we mention that it's been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Skin Cancer Foundation Daily Use Seal of Approval to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin?
Why you should pick it up: It has three types of ceramides that restore the skin's natural barrier and help lock in moisture.
It's priced at SGD23 per 150ML on Amazon.
11. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen Lotion
Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen Lotion. (amazon.sg)
Aveeno is one of the trusted brands by dermatologists, especially for sensitive skin. So it's no surprise that it also has a pregnancy-safe sunscreen for expectant mums with sensitive complexions. It's made with 100% zinc oxide, a naturally sourced active ingredient, vitamin E, feverfew, and nourishing oats.
Why you should pick this up: If you're going on your babymoon soon, its travel-friendly size will make it easy to slip into your hand-carry bag or everyday tote for reapplication.
You can find this on Amazon for SGD53.75 per 59ML.
12. Earth Mama Kids Uber-Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40
Earth Mama Kids Uber-Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40. (pupsik.sg)
If you suffer from eczema, this pregnancy-safe sunscreen has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance™ by the National Eczema Association, so you know it passed the most rigid standards for eczema-safe skincare. Did we mention that it's reef-safe, too?
Why you should pick this up: It's formulated with organic colloidal oatmeal and shea butter to soothe irritated skin.
You can find it on Pupsik for SGD39.90 per 84G.
This article was first published on 1 Mar 2023. Last updated: 16 May 2024.
Want more matte sun protection? Check out these non-greasy sunscreens.
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