Skincare in pregnancy and breast feeding.

Leanne Rea Skin Clinic
Jul 28
3 min read

Pregnancy-Safe Skincare with Obagi and pHformula: Science-Backed Luxury for Your Glow

Pregnancy is a time of transformation, both within and without. As your body nurtures new life, your skin may respond with unexpected changes—sensitivity, dryness, pigmentation, or breakouts. Navigating skincare during this delicate chapter requires products that are not only efficacious and clinically formulated, but also safe for both mother and baby.

At the intersection of dermatological science and luxurious self-care, two brands stand out: Obagi and pHformula. Each offers expertly crafted solutions designed to support your skin’s evolving needs—while maintaining the highest safety standards during pregnancy.

Obagi: Clinical Precision, Gentle Elegance

Renowned globally for its results-driven formulations, Obagi is a name synonymous with medical-grade skincare. While not every Obagi product is pregnancy-safe, several are perfectly suited to maintain skin clarity, hydration, and radiance during these nine months.

Pregnancy-Safe Obagi Must-Haves:

Obagi Gentle Cleanser
- A silky, non-irritating cleanser designed to remove impurities without disrupting the skin’s barrier.
- Ideal for sensitive, dry, or reactive skin.
Obagi Hydrate® and Hydrate Luxe®
- Dual-action moisturisers that offer long-lasting hydration.
- Powered by Hydromanil, a cutting-edge ingredient that delivers moisture in a time-released manner.
Obagi Professional-C® Serum 10%
- A stable, low-concentration vitamin C serum that delivers antioxidant protection and brightening without irritation.
- Helps target dullness and pigmentation (such as melasma, which is common in pregnancy).
Obagi Daily Hydro-Drops®
- A feather-light, oil-free serum infused with niacinamide, abysinnian oil, and omega-rich hibiscus oil to deeply nourish and smooth skin.
- Leaves a luminous, dewy finish.

Note: Obagi products containing retinoids (Retinol or Tretinoin) or high levels of salicylic acid are not recommended during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new skincare routine.

pHformula: Pharma-Cosmeceuticals

Respect Skin Integrity

Bridging dermatology and aesthetics, pHformula offers pharma-cosmeceutical treatments designed to correct skin disorders with a unique blend of controlled chemical resurfacing and gentle, regenerative care.

What sets pHformula apart is their derma membrane structure (DMS) delivery system—allowing potent actives to penetrate effectively, without compromising skin comfort. And yes, they offer a curated selection safe for pregnancy.

Pregnancy-Safe pHformula Essentials:

E.X.F.O. Cleanse
- A gentle exfoliating cleanser with lactobionic acid that delicately removes buildup while supporting the skin's microbiome.
- Prepares the skin to receive treatment products more effectively.
VITA B3 Cream (5% Niacinamide)
- A brightening and barrier-repairing cream that helps reduce redness, improve hydration, and even out skin tone.
- Ideal for calming pregnancy-induced pigmentation and sensitivity.
Hydra Serum
- A deeply quenching serum with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and urea, providing instant and lasting hydration.
- Perfect for tight, dry, or flaky skin.
SOS Rescue Cream
- A nourishing balm packed with allantoin, vitamin E, and skin-identical lipids, designed to soothe irritation, flakiness, or windburn.
- Works beautifully as a night treatment or post-treatment recovery.

Expert Tip: pHformula’s resurfacing treatments are customised by skin professionals. If you’re pregnant, ensure you consult a certified practitioner who can adapt protocols to exclude contraindicated actives such as retinol or strong AHAs.

The Art of Skincare During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is not the time to compromise your glow or your safety. With the right combination of clinical-grade formulations, nurturing actives, and expert guidance, your skincare routine can become a daily ritual of self-love and confidence.

Whether you gravitate toward Obagi’s medical elegance or pHformula’s cosmeceutical innovation, rest assured there are pregnancy-safe options that don’t sacrifice luxury or results.