Don’t look like a hag even if you feel haggard, be a yummy mummy-to-be with these safe, natural beauty buys!
What better time to take a good look at the ingredient listing on your favourite beauty products than when you’ve got a bun in the oven?
From moisturisers to makeup and nail polish, what you use may pass through your skin barrier and be absorbed into your body. That’s why expectant mums should avoid products that contain potentially harmful ingredients. Examples include:
* Retinoids Commonly found in acne treatments, these can increase the risk of miscarriage, or result in babies with birth defects.
* Toluene Check your nail polishes for this ingredient, which acts as a solvent. This chemical raises the risk of miscarriage, and can damage the brain and cells.
* Ammonia Found in many hair dyes and treatments, it can irritate the skin and lungs.
* Parabens These preserve moisturisers and makeup, but also mimic the female hormone oestrogen, and can cause birth defects in babies.
Here are safe options we like…

RMS Beauty Swift Shadows powder eyeshadow
Price $32
From The Naturally Better Company (free delivery in Singapore for orders over $100, $6 shipping otherwise).
What Made with raw food-grade ingredients and mineral colour, this brand was rated Safest Cosmetic Line by The Environmental Working Group USA . Featuring buriti and organic jojoba oils, this pressed, not baked eyeshadow avoids heat exposure, which preserves the integrity of the ingredients. Available in 18 shades.
Parents say These luminous shadows give a subtle glow when applied with a brush or a sponge, that’s perfect for daily wear. For a more dramatic look, moisten your brush with water and use it to apply the shadow so you’ll get more colour impact. It’s so versatile you can even use it as an eye liner or eyebrow filler.
Naturalmente Breathe Compact Blush
Price $48
From Adonica Kube ($5 delivery charge for purchases under $100).
What This blush, which rebalances oily skin, boasts active ingredients like organic apricot seed powder and orange essential oils. Rich with vitamins E and F, it’s free from alcohol, silicones, parabens, DEA, formaldehyde, SLS and plastic. This website offers two shades, Pink Quartz and Sunset Matt.
Parents say The Breathe blush is extremely easy to blend, thanks to its velvety texture. Though the price is a little high, it’s a long-lasting product that is suitable for sensitive skin and does not disintegrate easily.
SUII Naturals Artisan Lipstick
Price $16
From SUII Naturals (free delivery in Singapore).
What This Singapore brand “strips cosmetic formulations down to a basic formula using food- grade ingredients where possible, eliminating any type of chemical nasties”. Their moisturising lipsticks are available in seven shades, and do not contain glycols, parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrances. Ingredients include argan oil, beeswax, shea butter and mineral pigments that are US FDA/EU safe.
Parents say Free of harsh chemicals, the colour is rich and glides on smoothly (no need to use a lip balm before!). It also smells really yummy. Need we say more?
Keep your skin well hydrated with the following options!
Frank Skincare Radiant Preg Luxury Face Oil
Price $48/30ml
From Frank Skincare (free delivery in Singapore).
What Plagued by hormonal skin problems like excess sebum, acne or brown spots now that you’re expecting? This 100 per cent certified organic face oil combines seven ingredients, including argan oil, jojoba seed oil, and calendula to help skin heal. The safe blend of essential oils and organic ingredients protects your skin’s collagen, shields UV rays, is naturally anti-inflammatory, and accelerates cell renewal. After the first trimester, use it in place of your moisturiser and serum.
Parents say Quality ingredients at a great price, and it’s made right here in Singapore. We love that just a small bottle can last ages ― you can either use it as a mist when mixed with your regular toner, or pat a couple of drops on your face twice a day. We love that the website has a detailed breakdown of each ingredient and purpose, so you know exactly what you’re slathering on your skin!
Clarins Beautiful Mum Collection
Price $185
From Clarins (free delivery with purchases of over $100).
What These must-haves for mothers-to-be will help maintain their skin tone and elasticity, as well as offer relief against fatigue and water retention. The set includes a Tonic Body Treatment Oil (100ml), a Stretch Mark Control Cream (200ml), an Exfoliating Body Scrub (100ml), an Energizing Leg Emulsion (125ml) and a Shaping Facial Lift (10ml).
Parents say The luxurious collection not only makes you look good, it helps you feel good as well. Says mum of two Jeanette Koh, “I swear by the Clarins Stretch Mark Control Cream. This set is good value for money and would be a perfect gift for an expectant mum.”
100% Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with SPF20
Price $59.90/50ml
From Allerganics (free delivery with $60 purchased).
What 100% Pure is a line of all natural beauty products. Fully vegan and also gluten free, fruit and veggie pigments colour these moisturisers. They also contain organic white tea, aҫai and pomegranate oils, plus vitamins to benefit your skin. The SPF 20 formula protects you from UV rays while antioxidants provide protection from environmental hazards. Comes in nine shades to suit every skin tone.
Parents say Providing sheer to medium coverage, this moisturiser goes on smoothly, which is great for daily use. Offers an impressive range of colours, although some say that the shades arren’t light enough, so it probably suits those with a more tanned complexion. Eco mums-to-be will also cheer that even the packaging is derived from recycled paper and printed with vegetable ink.
Butter London Nail Polish
Price $14.72/11ml
From Naturelova (free delivery in Singapore).
What Butter London’s range of vitamin-enriched nail polish is “8-free”, meaning it doesn’t contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or TPHP. The quick-drying formula is chip resistant and promotes strong and healthy nails as it includes hydrolysed silk, horsetail extract, as well as vitamins B, C and E.
Parents say You might be feeling all bloated and glum, so let Butter London’s Diamond Geezer nail polish on your digits make an impression. Free from harmful chemicals, this is a great varnish that’ll see you through your pregnancy to even when you’re caring for a newborn.
Zoya Nail Polish
Price From $18.00/15ml bottle
From Redmart
What This USA brand boasts a long-wearing formula that is vegan, cruelty- plus “5-free”. This means that it doesn’t contain toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP. Power your points in metallic or sparkly hues, or pick a matte shade that’s great for daily use.
Parents say The rich pigment is impressive and long-lasting ― in fact, you may only need one coat for the bolder shades. The polish dries quickly and it’s also reasonably priced compared to other well-known brands.
O A Herbal Hair Dye Color
Price $80/Five x100g packs (good for 12 to 16 applications)
From Origin Asian Lifescience (free delivery in Singapore for orders over $60).
What Plant-based herbal hair dyes that are 100 per cent natural and free from any harmful chemicals, preservatives, emulsifiers, synthetic colorants, PPD and ammonia. These dyes won’t lighten your hair because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals that’ll strip the colour from your hair. Safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mums.
Parents say “I usually go to the salon to get my hair coloured, and I do get worried when I smell the strong chemicals,” says Joyce Tan, who is 6 months pregnant. “This looks like a good alternative, especially to touch up the roots on my own.”
Click here for more SmartParents Buyer’s Guides.
Main photo: iStock
You may also like…
BUYERS GUIDE Car seats for babies to tots (below 90cm)