Sunscreen During Pregnancy: What to Use and How to Use It Safely

Geoff Acton
4 days ago
3 min read

Pregnancy can change how skin responds to sunlight. Hormonal shifts increase melanocyte activity, which makes pigmentation conditions such as melasma more likely, particularly with UV exposure (Oakley & Patel, 2023). At the same time, sun protection remains important during pregnancy, especially in high-UV environments like Australia. Dermatology organisations consider sunscreen use appropriate during pregnancy, with emphasis placed on choosing well-tolerated products and using them correctly (American Academy of Dermatology Association [AAD], 2024).

This article covers the essentials most pregnant women want clear guidance on: what type of sunscreen to use, how much to apply, and how to use it safely as part of everyday life.

What type of sunscreen is recommended during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-focused dermatology guidance commonly points to mineral sunscreens based on non-nano zinc oxide as a conservative option, particularly for women with sensitive or reactive skin (AAD, 2024). Zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and remains on the surface of the skin to help block UV exposure, rather than being absorbed.

Because pregnancy can increase skin sensitivity, products designed to minimise irritation are often preferred. Zinc oxide–based sunscreens are widely used in formulations intended for sensitive skin and frequent reapplication, and modern versions offer improved transparency and skin feel compared with older formulations.

When should sunscreen be used?

Sunscreen should be used whenever meaningful sun exposure is expected, particularly when the UV Index is 3 or higher, which occurs frequently across much of Australia (Whiteman et al., 2019). Pregnancy-related pigmentation can be triggered by relatively small amounts of UV exposure, which is why many women choose to apply sunscreen daily to areas such as the face, neck, and chest, even for short periods outdoors.

How much should you apply and how often?

Using enough sunscreen is essential to achieve the protection stated on the label. Research consistently shows that most adults apply significantly less than required, which reduces real-world SPF performance (Henderson et al., 2022).

For full-body coverage, adults need approximately 35 mL, or about seven teaspoons. For everyday use on the face and neck, the aim is to apply enough product to form an even layer rather than a thin cosmetic application.

Sunscreen should be applied before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours during continued outdoor activity, as well as after swimming, sweating, or towel drying (Whiteman et al., 2019). During pregnancy, fragrance-free formulations can be easier to tolerate and may help with regular reapplication.

Ingredients some pregnant women choose to avoid

While sunscreen use during pregnancy is supported by dermatology organisations, some women prefer to minimise exposure to certain chemical UV filters due to ongoing research into systemic absorption and the limited availability of pregnancy-specific outcome data (Matta et al., 2019; AAD, 2024).

Filters commonly mentioned in this context include oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. Choosing a zinc oxide–based mineral sunscreen provides a straightforward way to achieve broad-spectrum protection without relying on these filters.

A note on sun exposure during pregnancy

There is no single “safe” amount of sun exposure during pregnancy. UV risk depends on intensity, time of day, skin type, and environment. Sunscreen works best when combined with other sun-protective measures such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and hats, and avoiding peak UV periods where possible (Whiteman et al., 2019).

Pregnancy can also affect thermoregulation, so avoiding overheating and taking breaks from sun and heat when needed is important.

Choosing a zinc oxide–based mineral sunscreen offers a simple, well-established way to protect skin during pregnancy. With broad-spectrum coverage and a surface-level mode of action, zinc oxide powder remains a trusted option for daily sun protection, particularly for sensitive or reactive skin.

References

Henderson, S., King, K., Karipidis, K., Tinker, R., & Green, A. (2022). Effectiveness, compliance and application of sunscreen for solar ultraviolet radiation protection in Australia. Public Health Research & Practice, 32(1).https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3212205

Matta, M. K., Zusterzeel, R., Pilli, N. R., et al. (2019). Effect of sunscreen application on plasma concentration of sunscreen active ingredients. JAMA, 321(21), 2082–2091.https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.5586

Oakley, A. M., & Patel, B. C. (2023). Melasma. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459271/

Whiteman, D., Neale, R., Aitken, J., et al. (2019). When to apply sunscreen: A consensus statement for Australia and New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 43(2), 171–175.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12873