Safety score
Pregnancy-focused assessment
One or more ingredients have a low-risk flag in MamaSkin's current assessment. Review the notes and your own circumstances.
Formula and assessment check
Ingredient safety review updated 22 January 2026. Product formulas can change, so compare the ingredients shown here with the packaging you have.
Report a formula mismatchSee how the listed formula falls across MamaSkin's pregnancy-focused risk bands.
16
No known risks
5
Low risk
0
Medium risk
0
High risk
Ingredients with a higher risk flag appear first, followed by the rest of the formula.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Azelaic acid is used topically for acne and pigmentation. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG lists OTC azelaic acid among ingredients that can be used during pregnancy if needed. Product information for 20% azelaic acid states that adequate controlled pregnancy studies are lacking, reports reassuring animal data and estimates about 3.6% absorption after a single topical dose. MamaSkin retains Low Risk while avoiding a categorical “pregnancy-safe” claim.
Sources: MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/, Skinoren 20% cream product information https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/285/smpc
Dimethicone is a silicone polymer used as a skin protectant and slip/conditioning agent. It is considered inert with minimal dermal absorption; the main practical issues are cosmetic (feel) and occasional irritation in very sensitive users. It is not a pregnancy-specific concern in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Dimethicone, Methicone, and Substituted-Methicone Polymers as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-dimethicone-methicone-and-substituted-methicone-polymers-2
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid used for exfoliation and as a preservative. Exposure depends on concentration, product category, treated area, frequency, skin condition and inhalation or oral potential. Current SCCS assessments support specified cosmetic uses and restrictions; ordinary limited-area low-strength topical use is not equivalent to a professional peel, large-area leave-on treatment or oral salicylate exposure. MamaSkin retains Low Risk with those route and exposure qualifications.
Sources: SCCS/1646/22: Final Opinion on Salicylic Acid https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/sccs-final-opinion-salicylic-acid-2023-06-09_en; SCCS follow-up on children's exposure https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/sccs-opinion-salicylic-acid-cas-no-69-72-7-ec-no-200-712-3-childrens-exposure_en
Pregnancy concerns around licorice are based mainly on high oral glycyrrhizin intake, which has been linked to shorter gestation and cortisol-related effects in offspring; by contrast, licorice root extracts have been assessed as safe as used in cosmetics, so routine topical skincare exposure fits a cautious low-risk classification.
Sources: CIR: Cosmetic safety assessment covering Glycyrrhiza glabra-derived ingredients https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=49a63435-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6
Alkyl benzoate emollient used in cosmetics; available cosmetic safety assessments do not indicate pregnancy-specific concerns with routine topical use.
Sources: CIR Safety Assessment of Alkyl Benzoates (2012); CIR alkyl benzoates dossier / C12-15 alkyl benzoate data.
Common emollient derived from fatty acids and glycerin. Used to soften skin and improve texture without pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
A glucose-derived emulsifier or emollient. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed methyl glucose ethers and esters are safe in current practices of use and concentration.
Sources: CIR: Methyl Glucose Ethers and Esters conclusion, IJT 35(Suppl. 2), 2016; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener. Not the same as drying alcohols and not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Emulsifier and emollient used to stabilise creams and lotions. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Skin-conditioning ingredient commonly used in leave-on skincare. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Adenosine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Allantoin is a soothing skin protectant commonly used to help reduce irritation and support comfort, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
A terpene alcohol used for skin conditioning and soothing. Cosmetic safety reviewers reaffirmed bisabolol as safe at current cosmetic concentrations, and reproductive and developmental testing did not identify adverse effects. Bisabolol can increase skin penetration, so formulators should consider the safety of other ingredients in the same product.
Sources: CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Bisabolol https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=6fcf160b-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6; CIR re-review material https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/bisabolol.pdf
Silicone emollient and solvent used to improve slip and spreadability. No known pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern in normal topical cosmetic use based on reviewed cosmetic safety sources. Spray or aerosol formats may warrant extra caution because inhalation/local lung exposure concerns have been raised for those uses.
Sources: SCCS: Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) in cosmetic products; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Microbial polysaccharide thickener used to build viscosity and form a soft film on skin. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Microbial Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Solvent and humectant used to improve texture and ingredient solubility. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Solvent and humectant commonly used in leave-on products. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Formulations can change without notice. For the most accurate result, compare this list with your packaging and scan the exact ingredient label in MamaSkin when you repurchase.
The risk band is the primary conclusion. The score adds detail within that band and should not be used to compare products as if a one-point difference were clinically meaningful.
MamaSkin provides pregnancy-focused information, not medical advice. Your midwife, GP, pharmacist or dermatologist should take priority when your circumstances differ from typical cosmetic use.
