The Best Pregnancy Skincare: ESPA Brand Focus

In today’s chatty post I’m focusing on the brand ESPA, the best pregnancy safe skincare I’ve found.

Pregnancy skincare can be a bit mind boggling. What’s safe? What isn’t?

Research states that you need to be careful of harsh skincare ingredients such as Vitamin A, Retinoids, Hydroxy Acids and Hydroquinone as these can cause harm.

Although the skin acts as a barrier, there has been some research that products will be well absorbed and those ingredients can reach the blood stream. So, it’s best to avoid your favourite Vitamin A moisturiser or anything with Retinoids, Hydroxy Acids or Hydroquinone in.

I did A LOT of research on ESPA pregnancy safe skincare as not all of their products are safe! I’ve included the complete list of all the ESPA products that are safe to use in pregnancy below.

Any who, I’ve been using ESPA products for quite some time as I knew I couldn’t use my go to’s, the likes of Sunday Riley Vitamin C serums and Good Genes as they have strong ingredients in them and aren’t safe for pregnancy.

I discovered ESPA at a local salon of mine and I’ve loved near enough everything I’ve tried, apart from perhaps two items that I found ok-ish. I’m a big fan of the brand as it feels like you’re applying luxury skincare treatments that you would usually find at a spa or salon.

My skin-type:

I wanted to discuss my skin-type which has been really dry at the moment. I’ve been looking a little red faced and blotchy as well as breaking out a little bit, which I’m not used to at all! Pre-pregnancy I had dry-combination skin and was super clear.

I do sometimes get clear-skin-glowy-days, but it feels very rare these days!

Mini reviews of ESPA skincare:

The Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser and Hydrating Cleansing Milk are both amazing cleansers and are perfect for dry to combination skin.

I do enjoy using the Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser a teeny bit more than the milky cleanser as it has an exfoliating scrub texture and it smells gorgeous! The milky cleanser is really gentle and great for when skin is feeling a little dry, red and sensitive.

The Refining Skin Polish is also a great exfoliator. I’ve actually been using this for years and always re-purchasing. I always enjoy how it makes my skin look afterwards. Baby smooth!

I’m currently using up the 24-hour Replenishing Moisturizer and it’s ok, not my favourite. I don’t think it’s particularly great for my dry skin as it does sometimes leaves some dry bits on my skin when I’ve applied make-up. However it might be ideal for those with more oilier skin-tones.
I think I’m going to look into other moisturizers once I’ve used this up. Perhaps I’ll try the 24-hour Balancing Moisturizer next.

For eye-creams I’m using the Depuff and Soothe Eye Gel. This is rather nice to use, it’s quite cooling once applied but it doesn’t tackle my wrinkles. I do prefer an eye-cream with a retinol in, however, I can’t use as it’s not safe for pregnancy. So, this is doing the job for the time-being.

Optimal Skin Instant Facial and Overnight Glow Enzyme Peel are the only serums I’m currently using while pregnant. The smell of the Optimal Skin Instant Facial isn’t particularly enjoyable but I think it’s doing a good job as a morning serum before I apply make-up.

I much prefer the Overnight Glow Enzyme Peel, the smell is fruity and it really does make your skin glow! I think I would definitely re-purchase this, even when I’m no longer pregnant.

One product that is also pregnancy safe is the Muscle Rescue Balm which I have on my bed-side table and is not pictured. Although it’s not for the face, it’s AMAZING for achy muscles!

I’d quite like to try some more ESPA products that are pregnancy safe. The Yuzu & Ginger Cleansing Sorbet and Clean & Green Detox Mask sound really nice.

ESPA Pregnancy Safe List

• 24-Hour Balancing Moisturizer 
• 24-Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturizer 
• 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturizer 
• Age-Rebel Eye Hydrator
• Balancing Foam Cleanser
• Balancing Herbal Spa-Fresh Tonic
• Balancing Treatment Oil
• Bergamot & Jasmine Bath & Shower Gel
• Bergamot & Jasmine Body Lotion
• Bergamot & Jasmine Hand Lotion
• Bergamot & Jasmine Hand Wash
• Bergamot & Jasmine No Rinse Hand Cleanser
• Bio-Active Eye Cleanser
• Body Smoothing Shower Gel
• Clarifying Clay Mineral Mask
• Clean & Green Detox Mask
• Cooling Body Moisturizer
• Depuff and Soothe Eye Gel
• Detoxifying Bath & Body Oil
• Detoxifying Salt Scrub
• Dual-Action Shavemud
• Energizing Bath & Shower Gel
• Energizing Bath Oil
• Energizing Body Oil
• Energizing Pulse Point Oil
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Cleansing Hand Spray
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Conditioning Hand Lotion
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Hand Balm
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Hand Wash
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree No Rinse Hand Cleanser
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Nourishing Body Lotion
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Nourishing Conditioner
• Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Purifying Shampoo
• Exfoliating Body Polish 
• Fitness Bath Oil
• Fitness Bath Salts
• Fitness Shower Gel
• Fitness Shower Oil
• Fortifying Bath & Body Oil
• Fortifying Bath Oil
• Fortifying Mineral Bathing Salts
• Fruit Water Cleansing Gel
• Geranium & Petitgrain Cleansing Hand and Body Wash
• Geranium & Petitgrain Conditioning Hand Lotion
• Geranium & Petitgrain Hand Balm
• Geranium & Petitgrain Hand Wash
• Geranium & Petitgrain No Rinse Hand Cleanser
• Geranium & Petitgrain Nourishing Body Lotion
• Geranium & Petitgrain Nourishing Conditioner
• Geranium & Petitgrain Purifying Shampoo
• Ginger & Thyme Cleansing Hand and Body Wash
• Ginger & Thyme Conditioning Hand Lotion
• Ginger & Thyme No Rinse Hand Cleanser
• Ginger & Thyme Nourishing Body Lotion
• Ginger & Thyme Nourishing Conditioner
• Ginger & Thyme Purifying Shampoo
• Hydrating Cleansing Milk
• Hydrating Floral Spa-Fresh Mist
• Hydrating Floral Spa-Fresh Tonic
• Invigorating Body Reviver
• Muscle Rescue Balm
• Neroli & Green Mandarin Conditioning Hand Lotion
• Neroli & Green Mandarin Hand Balm
• Neroli & Green Mandarin No Rinse Hand Cleanser
• Neroli & Green Mandarin Nourishing Conditioner
• Neroli & Green Mandarin Purifying Shampoo
• Neroli & Mandarin Nourishing Body Lotion
• Nourishing Body Oil
• Nourishing Cleansing Balm
• Nourishing Lip Treatment
• Optimal Hair Pro-Conditioner
• Optimal Hair Pro-Shampoo
• Optimal Skin Instant Facial
• Optimal Skin Nutrients Mist
• Optimal Skin Pro-Cleanser
• Optimal Skin Rejuvenating Night Booster
• Overnight Glow Enzyme Peel 
• Pomelo Lip Balm
• Positivity Bath & Body Oil
• Positivity Bath and Shower Gel
• Positivity Pulse Point Oil
• Postshave Rescue
• Purifying Micellar Cleanser
• Purifying Tea Tree Gel
• Refining Skin Polish
• Relaxing Salt Scrub
• Replenishing Treatment Oil
• Restful Bath & Body Oil
• Restful Pulse Point Oil
• Restorative Bath Milk
• Restorative Bath Oil
• Restorative Cocooning Body Cream
• Restorative Pulse Point Oil
• Skin Rescue Balm
• Smooth & Firm Body Butter
• The Anointing Oil
• The Cleansing Milk
• Tri-Active™ Lift & Firm Intensive Serum 
• Tri-Active™ Lift & Firm Mask
• Tri-Active™ Regenerating Define & Tighten Body Serum
• Tri-Active™ Resilience Clarify & Fortify Scalp Serum
• Tri-Active™ Resilience Detox & Purify Scrub Shampoo
• Tri-Active™ Resilience Rest and Recovery Night Balm
• Yuzu & Ginger Cleansing Sorbet 

Other than ESPA for my face and Mama Mio for my body, I haven’t tried any other pregnancy safe skincare brands. These are the best ones I’ve found so far.

If you have any other brand recommendations or any pregnancy safe moisturizers for super dry skin please do let me know!

Do have a look on the ESPA website if you’re interested in trying anything I’ve mentioned. You can also buy from the likes of Amazon and Look Fantastic. They usually have quite a lot of offers on those two websites, so do keep an eye out!