Is sunscreen safe to use during pregnancy?

Yes — sunscreen is not only safe during pregnancy, it is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. The FDA classifies zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE). These mineral UV filters sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream, making them the preferred choice during pregnancy. The most important thing is that you use sunscreen consistently and protect your skin from UV exposure.

What type of sunscreen is best during pregnancy?

Mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide are generally my first choice during pregnancy. Zinc oxide is anti-inflammatory, highly photostable, and provides excellent broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It also avoids the questions that continue to be studied around chemical UV filter absorption and potential hormonal activity. For women who find mineral sunscreens difficult to wear cosmetically, a well-formulated combination sunscreen can be a reasonable compromise.

Are chemical sunscreen ingredients safe during pregnancy?

The available human data are generally reassuring, but some questions remain open. A 2019 JAMA study confirmed that common chemical sunscreen ingredients — including oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octocrylene — are absorbed into the bloodstream at higher levels than previously recognized. This does not mean they are unsafe. A review of 29 human studies found no association between elevated oxybenzone levels and adverse effects on fertility, fetal growth, or childhood neurodevelopment, though some associations with thyroid hormones and pubertal timing deserve further study. Because zinc oxide works well and sidesteps these open questions, it remains my preference during pregnancy.

What is sunscreen doping, and why does it matter during pregnancy?

Sunscreen doping refers to the practice of adding ingredients that function similarly to chemical UV filters to mineral sunscreen formulas without classifying them as active ingredients. Because they are not regulated as sunscreen actives by the FDA, these compounds do not appear on the active ingredient list and can be used at higher concentrations than regulated filters. Common examples include butyloctyl salicylate (similar to octisalate) and diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate (similar to octinoxate). If you are trying to avoid chemical UV filters during pregnancy, read the full ingredient list rather than relying on front-of-package claims like '100% mineral.'

Can sunscreen help prevent melasma during pregnancy?

Yes. UV exposure is one of the primary drivers of melasma, which is more common during pregnancy due to elevated hormone levels that increase melanin production. Consistent use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen starting in the first trimester is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk and severity of pregnancy-related pigmentation. Pairing sunscreen with UPF clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and shade provides the most complete protection.

What are the concerns with oxybenzone and octinoxate specifically?

Oxybenzone has been associated with possible effects on hormone signaling — particularly thyroid hormones — in some studies, and has raised environmental concerns related to coral reef health. Octinoxate has demonstrated estrogen-like activity in laboratory and animal studies and has also been linked to environmental concerns. However, human data on both ingredients have generally not shown measurable effects on reproductive hormones. I still favor zinc oxide during pregnancy because it performs well and avoids these ongoing questions.

How to Pick a Sunscreen during Pregnancy (and Ingredients to Avoid)

Q: Are European or newer-generation chemical sunscreen filters safer than those available in the US?

Many newer UV filters used in Europe, Asia, and Australia have significantly better safety profiles than the older chemical sunscreen ingredients regulated in the United States. The most notable example is bemotrizinol (also known as Tinosorb S), a broad-spectrum filter that is highly photostable, has minimal skin absorption, and has not demonstrated the hormonal concerns associated with older chemical filters. It has been used internationally for more than 20 years and became available in the US as of June 2026. While I still generally favor zinc-based sunscreens during pregnancy, bemotrizinol-containing formulas are likely to become an attractive option for patients seeking a cosmetically elegant sunscreen with an excellent safety profile.

By Heather D. Rogers, MD, FAAD, Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Sunscreen is one of the most important things you can do for your skin during pregnancy. Not only does it help prevent skin cancer, but it can also reduce pregnancy-related pigmentation such as melasma, which is often worsened by UV exposure.

The challenge is that pregnancy makes many women more cautious about the ingredients they put on and in their bodies. Sunscreen is no exception. There are three general categories of sunscreen available today: mineral, chemical and combination sunscreens. While the available evidence suggests sunscreen is safe to use during pregnancy, I generally favor mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, particularly when you are applying sunscreen to large areas of your body every day.

I also encourage patients to supplement sunscreen with UPF clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and shade whenever possible. If you can afford the cabana or find an umbrella, it is usually much cheaper than fixing sun damage later.

Chemical Sunscreen Concerns

Chemical sunscreen ingredients absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat. The most common chemical sunscreen ingredients available in the United States include avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

In 2019, a study published in JAMA showed that several chemical sunscreen ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream at higher levels than previously recognized. This does not mean they are unsafe. It simply means we have a better understanding of how much exposure occurs when sunscreen is applied under real-world conditions.

Animal studies have demonstrated hormonal effects from some chemical sunscreen ingredients when exposure levels are high enough. Human studies, however, have generally been reassuring. To date, there is no convincing evidence that sunscreen use causes fertility problems, pregnancy complications, developmental abnormalities, or reproductive harm in humans.

That said, some reported associations continue to be studied.

Oxybenzone and Related Benzophenones

Benzophenone derivatives such as oxybenzone are used to absorb UV radiation. Some studies have suggested possible effects on hormone signaling, particularly thyroid hormones. Oxybenzone has also been implicated in environmental concerns related to coral reef health.

Octinoxate

Octinoxate has demonstrated estrogen-like activity in some laboratory and animal studies, raising questions about its potential hormonal effects. It has also been associated with environmental concerns involving coral reefs.

Octocrylene

Octocrylene has been detected in blood, urine, and breast milk following sunscreen use. Animal studies have reported neurotoxicity and progesterone-like activity, although the relevance of these findings to human sunscreen use remains unclear.

Octisalate

Octisalate has demonstrated endocrine-disrupting effects in laboratory studies involving human sperm cells. The clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain.

A recent review article in the International Journal of Dermatology examined 29 human studies evaluating oxybenzone and octinoxate exposure. Elevated levels of oxybenzone were not associated with adverse effects on fertility, female reproductive hormone levels, fetal growth, childhood neurodevelopment, or sexual maturation. Some studies identified possible associations with thyroid hormone levels, testosterone levels, kidney function, and pubertal timing, which deserve further investigation. Octinoxate exposure has not been associated with measurable effects on thyroid or reproductive hormone levels in humans.

For me, this is where risk and practicality meet. The available human data are generally reassuring, but because zinc-based mineral sunscreens work well and avoid these questions altogether, they are usually my first choice during pregnancy.

What About EU Chemical Sunscreens?

It is important to note that most of the absorption and hormone concerns discussed above involve older chemical sunscreen ingredients available in the United States.

Many newer sunscreen filters used throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia have significantly better safety profiles. The most notable is bemotrizinol (also known as Tinosorb S or Parsol Shield), a broad-spectrum UV filter that is highly photostable and has minimal skin absorption.

Bemotrizinol has been used internationally for more than 20 years and has not demonstrated the hormonal concerns associated with older chemical sunscreen ingredients. It is now available in the United States as of June 2026

While I still generally favor zinc-based sunscreens during pregnancy, bemotrizinol-containing sunscreens are likely to become an attractive option for patients looking for a cosmetically elegant sunscreen with an excellent safety profile.

Combination Sunscreens

Combination sunscreens contain both mineral and chemical UV filters. These formulations are often easier to apply and more cosmetically elegant than traditional mineral sunscreens because they can reduce the amount of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide needed in the formula.

For women who dislike the texture or appearance of mineral sunscreens, a combination sunscreen may be a reasonable compromise. However, because they still contain chemical UV filters, I generally prefer a true zinc-oxide based sunscreen during pregnancy when possible.

Recent Controversy Regarding "Doping" Mineral Sunscreens

Historically, both chemical and mineral UV filters were listed as active ingredients on sunscreen labels. More recently, a somewhat controversial practice has emerged where ingredients that function very similarly to chemical UV filters are added to mineral sunscreens without being classified as active ingredients in the United States.

This practice is sometimes referred to as sunscreen doping.

These ingredients are often added to improve texture, reduce whitening, increase SPF, and make mineral sunscreens feel more elegant on the skin. The result is that some products marketed as "100% mineral" contain ingredients that behave very similarly to chemical UV filters.

Many of these compounds are regulated as UV filters in other parts of the world but are not regulated as sunscreen actives in the United States. Because of this, they do not have to appear on the active ingredient list and can be used without the concentration limits that apply to FDA-regulated sunscreen filters.

For example, the FDA limits octisalate to a maximum concentration of 5% when used as a sunscreen active ingredient. However, butyloctyl salicylate, which is structurally very similar to octisalate, can be used at much higher concentrations because it is not regulated as a sunscreen active.

The most common ingredients to watch for include:

Butyloctyl salicylate (similar to octisalate)
Tridecyl salicylate (similar to octisalate)
Ethyl ferulate (similar to octocrylene)
Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate (similar to octinoxate)

If you are trying to avoid chemical UV filters during pregnancy, it is worth reading the full ingredient list rather than relying on front-of-package marketing claims. A sunscreen can be marketed as "100% mineral" and still contain ingredients that function very similarly to chemical UV filters.

Mineral sunscreens are often my first choice for pregnancy, rosacea and sensitive skin. Zinc oxide is anti-inflammatory, highly photostable, and provides excellent broad-spectrum protection.

You can read more about sunscreen doping at Lab Muffin Beauty Science.

Recommended Mineral Sunscreens During Pregnancy

The following mineral sunscreens are options I recommend during pregnancy. They vary in texture, finish and zinc oxide concentration.

Kinship Self Reflect SPF 32

SPF 32 | 22.4% zinc oxide. Offers excellent mineral protection in a lightweight formula that is comfortable enough for daily use.

Vanicream Facial Moisturizer SPF 30

SPF 30 | 19% zinc oxide. An affordable, fragrance-free option that is well tolerated by sensitive skin.

Supergoop PLAY Mineral SPF 30

SPF 30 | 16% zinc oxide. Offers 80 minutes of water resistance, making it a good choice for outdoor activities and exercise.

TiZO Ultra Zinc SPF 40

SPF 40 | 20% zinc oxide. A non-tinted mineral sunscreen with high zinc oxide protection that works well for both the face and body.

Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen Mineral SPF 40

SPF 40 | 20.4% zinc oxide. An affordable, widely available mineral sunscreen that performs remarkably well for the price.

Le Prunier Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31 UVA/UVB/HEV PA+++

SPF 31 | 4.1% zinc oxide. A cosmetically elegant mineral sunscreen that wears beautifully under makeup, though its zinc oxide concentration is lower than many of the other options on this list. (Sorette approved)

KORA Organics Silky Sun Drops 100% Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 30

SPF 30 | 17% zinc oxide. A lightweight serum texture that layers easily into a daily skincare routine. (Sorette approved)

Well People Daygleamer SPF 34

SPF 34 | 14.28% zinc oxide. A sheer mineral sunscreen that blends well and feels lightweight on the skin. (Sorette approved)

True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield SPF 30

SPF 30 | 19% zinc oxide. Combines broad-spectrum mineral sun protection with hydrating ingredients. (Sorette approved)

Final Thoughts

While the available human data on sunscreen ingredients are generally reassuring, I still tend to favor zinc oxide-based mineral sunscreens during pregnancy because they work well and avoid many of the questions that continue to be studied. The most important thing is that you use sunscreen consistently and protect your skin from UV exposure.

About the Author: Dr. Heather D. Rogers, MD

Dr. Heather D. Rogers, MD is a double board-certified procedural dermatologist and Mohs surgeon and the co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Seattle, where she sees patients full-time. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in skin health, aging, and skin cancer prevention, and for her clear, evidence-based skincare guidance. Her expertise has been featured by national media outlets including NBC Select, where she provided expert guidance on choosing sunscreen during pregnancy and evaluating sunscreen ingredients. Dr. Rogers serves on the American Academy of Dermatology Media Team, the Credo Beauty Council, the Sorette for Motherhood Scientific Advisory Board, and the NewBeauty Brain Trust.

She is the founder of Doctor Rogers Skincare, a dermatologist-developed line reflecting her less-is-more, science-backed approach to healthy skin. Dr. Rogers is a graduate of Stanford University, the University of Washington School of Medicine, and completed her dermatology training at Columbia University Medical Center.

Instagram: @drheatherrogers
Practice: mdinseattle.com
Skincare: doctorrogers.com

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