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You’re pregnant – this is amazing time full of change. But can you still use your favourite perfume? And what if you want to make a switch to cleaner and more natural perfumes?
If you need help finding natural perfume for pregnancy, here are my top picks, plus tips for choosing your own natural perfumes in pregnancy.
Contents:
- Can I use perfume in pregnancy?
- Why choose natural perfumes?
- Safety of natural perfume in pregnancy
- Fragrance recommendations for pregnancy
Can I use perfume now I’m pregnant?
Mainstream perfumes are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but there are still some factors to bear in mind.
Perfumes can contain phthalates, known to disrupt the reproductive system – especially in males. Perfume ingredients are a trade secret, so you really don’t know what you’re going to get. Other ingredients include hormone disrupting octinoxate, potentially cancerous BHT and benzophenone. Need I go on?
Pregnancy symptoms are exacerbated by heavy synthetic perfume, for instance headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Pregnant life is hard enough without adding to the complications!
And, as I have found, your taste in fragrance may have changed because of your pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first baby in 2015, the one thing I was not prepared for was how much my sense of smell would change while pregnant and continue through breastfeeding.
I still can’t stand to wear my previously loved perfumes. And I was such a fragrance junkie before being pregnant!
This all makes perfect sense when you think about it. Our sensitive pregnant selves are naturally avoiding harmful substances, cleverly reducing chemical exposure to our developing baby.
Why choose natural perfumes?
If you’re worried about the toxic load, or simply craving something gentler – natural perfumes are the place to look.
I’m talking gorgeous natural fragrances based on essential oils in a base of alcohol or oil, with no harmful preservatives, sunscreens, or other dubious ingredients.
Safety of natural perfume in pregnancy
Natural perfumes are based on absolutes, resins, and essential oils. Some sources recommend avoiding essential oils in your first trimester. If you are healthy, there’s no reason not to use them sensibly in your second and third trimesters.
Please note, when choosing your own natural fragrances for use during pregnancy, it’s best to check with your midwife or doctor before using them. Checking with the brand to get their advice is also a good idea.
You can also check the ingredients yourself. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there about which essential oils are safe in pregnancy, and which are not – here’s a brief list.
Also read this article for a common sense approach to safety of essential oils.
Read on for my favourite natural fragrances I’m using during pregnancy. They smell amazing and some are certified organic. I’m only listing those brands that list all of their ingredients.
I really hope you enjoy them!
Natural perfume for pregnancy
Nurture by Abel Odor
Nurture by Abel Odor is my favourite fragrance of the moment! For mothers, by mothers, this beautiful fragrance is 100% natural and won’t overwhelm your senses during pregnancy.
With top notes of fleur l’orange, Bulgarian rose, and lentisque, a heart of jasmine and ginger, and base notes of East Indian sandalwood – it’s definitely worth getting a sample! PS if you’re in the UK try getting your sample from Ecocentric.
Nurture by Abel Odor
Maison Sybarite fragrances
Maison Sybarite, the first water-based fine fragrance brand, is reassuringly free from parabens, phthalates, and chemical solvents.
Perfect during pregnancy, Maison Sybarite perfumes are alcohol-free, a joy to apply, and gentle on the skin. Read my full review of the glorious Bed of Roses.
Maison Sybarite fragrances
Samples from £5 at Bloom Perfume
Balm Balm perfumes
Balm Balm is a lovely clean brand and their perfumes are 100% natural and organic. The perfumes are simply grain alcohol with essential oils. All the essential oils used in their single note fragrances are suitable for use during pregnancy.
If you’re looking for a simpler fragrance that’s not overpowering, this may be what you’re looking for.
You can even wear the perfumes together for a multitude of options. Let’s have a look at them:
Lavender ~ a classic, clean fragrance that blends so well with other fragrances.
Rose Geranium ~ a cheerful and nostalgic scent, I’ve found this one to be quite long lasting.
Ylang Ylang ~ I absolutely love ylang ylang so this is one of my favourites – exotic and sensual.
Mandarin ~ who can resist cheerful and youthful mandarin?
Bergamot ~ light, refreshing and citrusy.
Balm Balm Single Note Perfume Gift Set
Weleda perfumes
Trust Weleda to deliver on natural, safe, and clean. Weleda perfumes are bright and cheerful – they’re also remarkably long lasting. Weleda verify their perfumes are safe to use during pregnancy which is very reassuring.
The two I have here are Grenade, which I believe is the same fragrance used in the pomegranate range, and Agrume, which is used in the sea buckthorn range. Both are beautifully citrusy.
Unfortuntely Weleda no longer makes these lovely perfumes, but you can still pick up a sample or bottle on eBay.
Weleda perfumes
Walden perfumes
According to Walden, their perfumes are made from the finest natural ingredients. The name is derived from Henry David Thoreau’s book on escaping materialism into nature – Walden.
There are 6 Walden fragrances to choose from, and they come as eau de parfum, perfume oils, purse sprays, a gift set, and samples.
They’re perfect when you want your natural perfume a little more complex and with greater depth.
I love Walden perfumes, but they recommend not using them during pregnancy. Read on to find out why I recommend them with caution.
Safety of Walden perfumes during pregnancy
Checking through the ingredients, there are a few essential oils I’ve read should be avoided during pregnancy. These are jasmine and rosemary because they can induce contractions. There’s also patchy information out there on amyris which is in most Walden perfumes.
One of the things to bear in mind with essential oils is the concentration. I don’t know the concentration used in Walden perfumes, but I’m a big believer in common sense. I’m not applying these essential oils neat. Perfume is something I wear infrequently. Therefore, I’m recommending them with caution.
I really don’t really worry about the small amounts of essential oils in one application. You can make your own mind up!
Anyway, let’s have a look at the different fragrances.
Castles in the Air ~ a light and feminine blend of bergamot, lemon, champaca, ylang ylang, and lavender.
A Little Star Dust ~ a luxury blend of ylang ylang, iris and and jasmine with hints of amyris and tonka bean.
The Solid Earth ~ petitgrain citrus freshness with a warm heart of vetiver and patchouli.
A Different Drummer ~ spicy pepper, cedarwood and amber, finished with amyris sandalwood.
Two Eternities ~ forest flowers, wild roses, jasmine, and iris over bergamot and sweet orange.
See The Moonlight ~ a classic chypre with bergamot, jasmine, and hints of rose.
I highly recommend buying the samples or gift set to get a taster of all the fragrances.
Walden perfumes
Other natural perfumes to try
Neom Organics
Totally on my wishlist to try and completely safe during pregnancy. Their signature perfume is called Energy Burst, a 100% natural eau de parfum to help boost your energy. A fragrance with benefits, and especially useful during pregnancy!
Neom Organics perfumes
Acorelle perfumes
I’ve tried a few samples of Acorelle perfumes, and although I wasn’t too keen at the time I’d like to try more from the range. Again, not sure about the essential oils used but many are based on a single note, so it would be easy to check the safety.
Acorelle perfumes
Pacifica perfumes
Checking the ingredients on these and natural essential oils are listed as the fragrance constituents. Again, I’m not sure which oils so I’d need to check. I keep meaning to try this range!
Pacifica perfumes
Final thoughts on natural perfume for pregnancy
I hope I’ve given you plenty of ideas for natural perfume during pregnancy. If synthetic perfumes have turned you off during pregnancy, it’s good to know there are plenty of natural and safe alternatives.
Common sense should prevail, but it’s worth stating again that during pregnancy you should check with your midwife or doctor before using any essential oil based natural products.
What is your favourite natural perfume for pregnancy? Let me know in the comments!
Update: My baby arrived in November – read Cara Grace’s birth story!
I love this idea for my pregnant friend! She loves lavender so this will be a perfect gift for her!
These sound so great! I love the Define Me perfumes, made with coconut oil! XO ~Anna http://www.pepperedinstyle.com
Thank you, Anna! I’ll check those out!
Wow, there are so many to choose from! I love ylang ylang also!
There are! It’s so nice isn’t it? So complex.
I’m expecting and was just wondering about perfumes a few days ago when I put a “traditional” perfume on for an event. Thanks for providing info about so many options! I’m excited to check them out.
Oh that’s fab news, congratulations! I’m glad you find my post helpful.
I’m not pregnant, but I’m definitely going to check these out! I don’t wear much perfume because I hate that most have so many questionable ingredients! Thanks for sharing these brands!
Thank you, Amber! I feel the same, I hate not knowing what’s in them!