It's a question we asked ourselves when Anara was just a distant dream and it's a question that subsequently became the basis on which Anara was born. But it's also a question that challenges the norms of the beauty industry.
We believe skincare should support you through all seasons and sensitivities: pregnancy, menopause, emotional stress and everything in between.
Here we explore why some commonly used ingredients are restricted or discouraged during pregnancy, and why we choose to leave them out, not just for nine months, but for good.
Why some skincare ingredients are avoided during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the skin can become more sensitive, and the body is more vulnerable to certain ingredients due to hormonal shifts and the risk of systemic absorption. As a result, many health professionals and regulatory bodies advise avoiding certain skincare ingredients.
Here are some common skincare ingredients that fall under scrutiny and we explain why we don't use them in any Anara product.
1. Retinol (Vitamin A derivatives)
Retinol, retinyl palmitate, and other vitamin A derivatives are known for their anti-ageing and acne benefits, but they’re also associated with potential risks to fetal development when taken in high doses, especially orally. Even though topical absorption is limited, most experts advise avoiding retinol entirely during pregnancy.
At Anara: We don’t use retinol. Instead, we use bakuchiol, a natural, plant-based ingredient, that has been clinically shown to deliver similar well-ageing benefits without irritation or risk, and is deemed safe for use on sensitive skin and during pregnancy.
2. Essential oils are not all created equal
Essential oils are natural, but that doesn’t always mean they’re safe in every context. Some essential oils are advised against during pregnancy due to their potential to stimulate the uterus, affect hormone balance, or irritate sensitive skin.
At Anara, we are incredibly mindful of this. Our approach is to use only essential oils that are:
• Considered safe during pregnancy at appropriate low concentrations
• Included for a clear skin or sensory benefit
• Gentle enough for sensitive or reactive skin
We avoid commonly cautioned essential oils like clary sage, cinnamon, tansy, aniseed and basil, all of which can be problematic during pregnancy.
Instead, we use a small number of carefully chosen, pregnancy-safe essential oils, including:
• Mandarin Orange – Cherished for centuries across Chinese, Ayurvedic and Mediterranean traditions, this beautifully gentle and uplifting oil brightens, boosts circulation and fades pigmentation, while also being a sensory delight. It's often used in baby products and pregnancy blends, making it a favourite across all ages and life stages.
• Rose Otto – Known as the Queen of Oils, it has been long revered for its calming and uplifting scent and skin-soothing powers. It reduces redness, eases sensitivity and delivers lasting hydration.
• Frankincense – Known as liquid gold and revered for its grounding aroma and skin-rejuvenating powers. It has been used for its healing properties in ancient skincare preparations for thousands of years.
Because essential oils can be potent, it’s not just about which you use, but also about how much, why, and for whom. Every oil in our range is selected with this care in mind.
3. Phenoxyethanol
This common synthetic preservative is widely used as a paraben alternative, but it’s restricted in products for infants in the EU and flagged by some studies for potential toxicity in high concentrations or in cumulation.
At Anara: We avoid phenoxyethanol entirely and instead either use a natural alternative or where natural preservatives don't give the level of cover we require to ensure the product is safe, we choose a gentle, synthetic alternative that has been proven to be safe for sensitive skin and during pregnancy.
4. Synthetic Fragrance (Parfum)
“Fragrance” is often a catch-all term for dozens of undisclosed chemicals. Some of which can trigger allergies, hormone disruption, or skin sensitivity, especially during pregnancy.
At Anara: Our products are free from synthetic fragrance. The subtle scent comes only from natural origin ingredients and gentle essential oils that serve a skin-loving purpose - nothing hidden, nothing unnecessary.
Why we take a long-term view - not just a pregnancy view.
The reason we avoid these ingredients isn’t just about pregnancy. It’s about respecting the cumulative exposure of what we put on our skin, every day, year after year. Many people with sensitive skin, eczema, hormonal fluctuations, or autoimmune conditions also react poorly to the very ingredients pregnancy cautions against.
So we asked: If we wouldn’t recommend them during pregnancy… why include them at all?
Every ingredient we use has a purpose, for every season and sensitivity.
We believe in formulating with purpose. Every ingredient in Anara Skincare is:
• Gentle enough for pregnancy but also effective for all stages of life
• 99-100% natural origin and up to 92.5% organic
• Clinically backed where it matters
• Safe for sensitive skin, hormonal fluctuations and for use around the delicate eye area
And every product in the Anara range is certified by the Vegan Society and approved as cruelty free under the Leaping Bunny Programme. These certifications go far beyond what meets the eye. The process of certification involves each and every ingredient we use to be tracked all the way to its source, and then followed on the journey it takes to become part of the final Anara product.
Whether you’re navigating motherhood, menopause, or just looking for a simplified, luxurious routine, our capsule collection is here to support your skin with confidence.
Our final thought: Skincare shouldn’t need to come with caution labels and safety shouldn't be a special feature. You deserve full transparency as to what you are putting on your skin and why.
So we ask you the question “If it’s not safe in pregnancy, do you want to be using it at all?”
