What products are safe during pregnancy in Canada?

MamaKind rates supplements, skincare, food, and gear for safety during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and trying to conceive. We use Health Canada, SOGC, LactMed, and MotherToBaby guidelines. Each product gets a 1–10 safety rating with stage-specific guidance. Browse our curated product list.

Is retinol safe during pregnancy?

Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene) are generally not recommended during pregnancy due to vitamin A concerns. Use fragrance-free, gentle skincare without actives like retinol or high-dose salicylic acid. MamaKind rates pregnancy-safe skincare products for Canadian women.

Where can I find pregnancy-safe product ratings in Canada?

MamaKind provides evidence-based safety ratings for supplements, cosmetics, food, and gear — tailored for Canadian women who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Ingredient guide

Salicylic acid in pregnancy: what to know

Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in acne and exfoliating skincare — cleansers, toners, spot treatments, and chemical exfoliants. Many people in Canada want extra clarity about it during pregnancy, partly because it is chemically related to aspirin. MamaKind ratings are informational and this is not medical advice. For personal questions, please check with your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or a service like MotherToBaby.

Check a product Browse pregnancy-safe skincare

See also: pregnancy-safe products and our guide to pregnancy-safe skincare in Canada.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used on the skin to unclog pores and gently exfoliate. It is the most common BHA in acne and blemish-focused skincare, from face washes and toners to targeted spot treatments and chemical peels. Chemically, salicylic acid is part of the salicylate family — the same family as aspirin — which is a big reason many people pause to check on it during pregnancy.

Over-the-counter cosmetic products typically contain salicylic acid at about 0.5% to 2%. Stronger in-office peels (around 20% to 30%) are a different category — those are medical procedures, not daily skincare.

Why does salicylic acid raise questions during pregnancy?

Concerns about salicylates in pregnancy come mainly from oral aspirin at higher doses, not from leave-on or rinse-off cosmetics. When salicylic acid is applied to the skin, only a small amount enters the bloodstream, particularly at the low concentrations used in everyday OTC skincare.

Patient-facing guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology notes that low-strength topical salicylic acid is generally considered safe to use for a limited time during pregnancy, while higher-strength formulations (over 2%) and full-body or long-duration use warrant more caution. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — referenced in MotherToBaby's topical acne treatments fact sheet — lists salicylic acid among OTC acne ingredients that may be used during pregnancy if needed. The caveats tend to concentrate around high-percentage peels, prolonged high-dose leave-on use, and use over large areas of skin.

None of this means salicylic acid is automatically “off limits” — it means the concentration, how often you use it, and the size of the area you treat all matter, and a quick conversation with your provider, pharmacist, or a service like MotherToBaby is always reasonable.

Where salicylic acid may appear on ingredient labels

Salicylic acid and its close relatives show up under several names. Common ones include:

Salicylic acid
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA)
2-hydroxybenzoic acid
Willow bark extract (Salix alba) — a natural source of salicin, related to salicylic acid
Sodium salicylate
Capryloyl salicylic acid (“LHA”)
Betaine salicylate

You can paste any product link or name into MamaKind's product check to flag salicylates and see stage-specific context, including whether the concentration is likely to fall in the low-concern range.

Pregnancy-friendly skincare alternatives

If you would rather simplify your routine or swap out salicylic acid altogether, these options are broadly considered lower-concern in public patient resources:

Azelaic acid — often recommended as a pregnancy-friendly option for acne, redness, and post-inflammatory marks.
Glycolic or lactic acid (low percentages, rinse-off or occasional leave-on) as a gentler exfoliant.
Benzoyl peroxide in short-contact cleansers — dermatology sources describe it as safe to use in limited amounts; confirm specifics with your provider.
Niacinamide for tone, texture, and barrier support.
Gentle salicylic acid cleansers(rinse-off, ≤ 2%) if you want to keep using a BHA — short contact time means less absorption than a leave-on product.
Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) — especially important when using any exfoliating actives.

Also see our separate retinol in pregnancy guide if your routine combines retinoids and salicylic acid. Browse curated options in pregnancy-safe skincare, or jump to our full pregnancy-safe products landing page.

When to check with your healthcare provider

Talk to your doctor, midwife, pharmacist, or dermatologist — rather than stopping or starting any product on your own — if:

You are considering a higher-strength salicylic acid peel or treatment (around 20% or more).
You are using leave-on salicylic acid products over large areas of skin or daily.
You are also taking oral aspirin, other NSAIDs, or have been advised to avoid salicylates.
You have persistent hormonal or cystic acne that is affecting your quality of life.
You are treating a specific medical skin condition, not general maintenance.

In Canada, you can also call MotherToBaby for free, evidence-based counselling on medications and exposures in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Sources

MamaKind is an independent Canadian information site. We are not a medical provider. Guidance on this page is informational and may not reflect the most recent updates from the sources above. Always confirm with a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical questions.

Check a product Pregnancy-safe products