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The 4 Best Pregnancy-Safe Body Washes
Why this matters
Pregnancy hormones do a lot of things to skin: it becomes more reactive, drier, sometimes itchier (especially in the third trimester as the belly stretches). Conventional body washes with sulfates and synthetic fragrance can make all of that worse. A simple swap to a gentle, fragrance-free or essential-oil-scented body wash often makes a noticeable difference within a week.
This is also a category where morning sickness matters. If smells trigger nausea, fragrance-free is the safer pick, even pleasant essential-oil scents can become unbearable at 8 weeks.
What to look for
- EWG Verified or low-hazard ingredients.
- pH-balanced for skin (around 5.5).
- Fragrance-free if you're scent-sensitive.
- Hypoallergenic if you have eczema or pregnancy itch.
What to avoid
- Sulfates (SLS, SLES), drying for already-dry pregnancy skin.
- Synthetic fragrance (potential phthalate carrier, often hard for pregnancy noses).
- Parabens (propyl, butyl).
- PEGs with 1,4-dioxane contamination risk.
Our top picks
1. ATTITUDE Pregnancy Body Wash, Score: 82/100
EWG Verified. 98% natural origin, argan leaf extract, pH-balanced for pregnancy skin. Best pregnancy-specific pick.
2. The Moms Co. Natural Body Wash, Score: 80/100
Both EWG Verified AND Made Safe certified, rare double credential. Coconut cleansers, B5, orange + ginger essential oils. Best for dual-certification shoppers.
3. The Honest Co. Purely Sensitive Body Wash, Score: 79/100
Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic. Aloe vera + chamomile + coconut. Same bottle works as a shampoo. Best for family use.
4. Tubby Todd Hair & Body Wash, Score: 77/100
EWG-verified ingredients. Designed for the family, works for pregnant moms, eventually for the newborn. Very loyal user base. Best for family bath routine.
Pregnancy itch, when to escalate
Mild "stretching skin" itch over the belly is normal. Sudden, severe itch, especially on the palms and soles, often worse at night, can be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that needs medical attention. Body wash won't help that. If your itch is severe or wakes you up, call your OB.
For run-of-the-mill belly itch, the body wash is half the answer. The other half is a moisturizer right out of the shower, see our belly cream guide.
How we ranked
Composite scoring rubric, see methodology.
Medical disclaimer: Not medical advice.