Buying guide · Picks updated November 6, 2026
Best Serums for Pregnancy (2026)
Our top pick for serums for pregnancy in 2026 is The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%: fragrance-free, no essential oils, no retinoids and hydroquinone. These 8 picks pass every rule for this need, out of 74 serums whose full ingredient lists we decoded. Picks updated November 6, 2026.
The catch: a product can suit pregnancy by its ingredient list and still not suit your skin, so patch test first and see a doctor if a flare doesn't settle.
Start with the ingredient list, not the front of the bottle, since labels list ingredients from highest amount to lowest, down to about 1%. Every pick here was chosen by reading its full INCI list, the standard ingredient list on the label. Look for fragrance-free rather than unscented, since unscented products can still hide a masking fragrance, and only the full list proves it.
Edited by Bez · Our full method

Best overall
AffiliateThe Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No labelled fragrance allergens
- No drying alcohol
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
Key ingredients: Peptides
Our picks, ranked by their ingredient lists
The Ordinary
Argireline Solution 10%
serum · 30 ml · 11 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With peptides
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
serum · 30 ml · 23 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With ceramides
- With hyaluronic acid
OGX
ProGrowth + Peptide Clarifying
serum · 385 ml · 33 ingredients
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With niacinamide
- With lactic acid
- With mandelic acid
OGX
ProGrowth + Peptide Serum Mist
serum · 193 ml · 22 ingredients
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With niacinamide
- With panthenol
- With peptides
Anua
Heartleaf 80% Moisture Soothing Ampoule
serum · 30 ml · 18 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With hyaluronic acid
- With glycerin
Balea
Beauty Expert Calming Serum
serum · 30 ml · 23 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With ceramides
- With glycerin
Balea
Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum
serum · 30 ml · 13 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With niacinamide
- With hyaluronic acid
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Essence Water
serum · 150 ml · 24 ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No essential oils
- No retinoids and hydroquinone
- With niacinamide
- With hyaluronic acid
Compare every pick
Affiliate| Product | Ingredients | Fragrance | Essential oils | Labelled fragrance allergens | Drying alcohol | Sulfates | Silicones | Key ingredients | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%Best overall | 11 | Peptides | Amazon | ||||||
| 2The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | 23 | Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin | Amazon | ||||||
| 3OGX ProGrowth + Peptide ClarifyingMost key ingredients | 33 | Niacinamide, Lactic acid, Mandelic acid | Amazon | ||||||
| 4OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Serum Mist | 22 | Niacinamide, Panthenol, Peptides | Amazon | ||||||
| 5Anua Heartleaf 80% Moisture Soothing Ampoule | 18 | Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Panthenol | Amazon | ||||||
| 6Balea Beauty Expert Calming Serum | 23 | Ceramides, Glycerin, Beta-glucan | Amazon | ||||||
| 7Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum | 13 | Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin | Amazon | ||||||
| 8Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water | 24 | Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin | Amazon |
What every pick leaves out
Every pick is also free of retinoids and hydroquinone, so neither one shows up on the ingredient list you read, which makes the choice simpler. Still, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using any active product in pregnancy, even one that passes this list.
How to choose
How do you read the ingredient list in serums for pregnancy?
Start with the INCI list, the standard ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed from highest amount to lowest, down to about 1%. Below that point, the order is free, so it tells you less. Look at the first several names to see what the serum is mostly made of. Our picks come from reading these full lists, not from front-of-bottle claims.
How should you test a new serum first?
Patch test anything new before using it all over. Apply a little to a small area, such as inside the elbow, and wait several days. Then ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using any active product in pregnancy. Every pick here is also free of retinoids and hydroquinone, but that does not replace a professional's advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the best serums for pregnancy in 2026?
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is our top pick in 2026: fragrance-free, no essential oils, no retinoids and hydroquinone. The runners-up are The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Clarifying and OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Serum Mist. Every pick is chosen by code from its full ingredient list.
Are serums for pregnancy safe to use?
Not automatically, so check first. Every pick here is also free of retinoids and hydroquinone. Still, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using any active product in pregnancy. Read the full ingredient list too.
How do I read the ingredient list on a serum?
Start at the top. Ingredients are listed from the highest amount to the lowest, down to about 1%; below that, the order is not fixed. The full list is called INCI, the standard ingredient list on the label.
Should I patch test a new serum during pregnancy?
Yes. Patch test anything new before using it all over. Apply a little to a small area, such as inside the elbow, for several days. This simple step is worth it for every new serum you try during pregnancy.
How are the serums on this page picked?
Picks are made by reading their full ingredient lists. Products with more of the helpful ingredients rank higher, and at most two products per brand make the list. Each list is sourced from the brand's own page or Open Beauty Facts and dated.



