The Best Pregnancy-Safe Self-Tanners for a Babymoon Glow

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Although you probably want to soak in as much sunshine as possible this time of year, doctors say you should try to stay out of the direct sun as much as possible during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. (Too much sun can decrease the amount of the crucial pregnancy nutrient folic acid, according to Northwestern Medicine.)

That said, if you still want that bronzy summer glow to show off on your babymoon or another special occasion — only after rubbing in tons of pregnancy-safe SPF, of course — a self-tanner or tinted moisturizer could be your go-to product instead of spending all day in the sun. However, are all self-tanners safe to use during pregnancy? We asked an OB/GYN to be sure.

When it comes to making sure a self-tanner is safe for pregnancy, look at the ingredients on the label. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products that enhances the pigment by dying the surface layer of the skin is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. “While there are no studies to prove the safety of DHA in pregnancy, DHA has been used in cosmetics since the 1960s with no reported problems,” Dr. Kelly Culwell, MD, Board Certified OB/GYN, also known as “Dr. Lady Doctor,” tells SheKnows. “When used topically (on the skin), minimal DHA is absorbed and likely even less (if any) could make it through the placenta.”

What you should be mindful of is that the FDA has approved DHA for topical use, and not necessarily as a spray. “So it is probably safer to avoid spray tanning booths in pregnancy where it may be harder to avoid inhaling fumes or getting the product in your mouth or eyes which might lead to higher systemic exposure,” Culwell says.

So what should you look for in a pregnancy-safe self-tanner? It’s okay if the product contains DHA, but it is smart to look for plant-based or organic products, because those should have fewer chemical additives — you should always avoid chemicals including parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde during pregnancy to cut back on your risk of birth defects or preterm birth. Just make sure the label has things like “paraben-free” or “pregnancy-safe” before you buy a self-tanner. And the shorter the list of ingredients, the better!

Other than that, you have plenty of options for formulas of self-tanners that are pregnancy-safe: Some lather on like a lotion, while others can be applied in a thicker foam or drops on the skin. Check out our top picks below.