Essential Oils During Pregnancy: Which Are Safe (And Which to Avoid)
Essential oils during pregnancy is one of the most searched skincare questions in Canada, and one of the most confusingly answered. Some essential oils are considered safe throughout pregnancy at low concentrations. Others should be avoided entirely, especially during the first trimester. And some are only questionable in high doses. This guide gives you the clear list, broken down by trimester and by oil, with the standard caveats that apply to all pregnancy skincare guidance: consult your Canadian midwife, OB, or family doctor before making changes, and when in doubt, choose fragrance-free. For unscented options that skip the question entirely, browse our unscented natural deodorant and other fragrance-free products.
The Short Answer
Most commercial personal care products with essential oils use them at very low concentrations (typically under 2%). At those concentrations, most essential oils are considered safe for pregnancy after the first trimester. First trimester is the most cautious window. Certain oils (rosemary, clary sage, sage, jasmine, peppermint at high concentrations, wintergreen, camphor) are typically on the avoid-list throughout pregnancy. Lavender and chamomile are generally considered the safest at low concentrations.
Fragrance-free is always the safest choice. Every product category we make has an unscented option specifically for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Essential Oils Generally Considered Safe During Pregnancy
The following oils are broadly considered safe in commercial personal care products at low concentrations (under 2%), after the first trimester. This is not medical advice. Consult your Canadian midwife or healthcare provider before use.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — the most widely tolerated calming oil
- Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) — gentle, soothing, safe for skin
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) — anti-inflammatory, safe topically
- Sandalwood (Santalum album) — grounding, safe in low concentrations
- Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) — safe at low concentrations, can be irritating in high doses
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) — usually safe after first trimester at low concentrations
- Bergamot (Bergapten-free versions) — safer options exist; regular bergamot is photosensitizing
- Neroli (Citrus aurantium) — considered safe throughout pregnancy at low concentrations
Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy
Standard avoid-list per aromatherapy and midwifery guidance in Canada and internationally. Some of these are safe in cooking or in very low doses but not in topical skincare during pregnancy.
- Clary sage — can stimulate contractions
- Rosemary — can raise blood pressure
- Sage — hormone effects
- Jasmine — can stimulate contractions
- Peppermint (high concentration) — safer in tiny amounts, avoid strong applications and topical use on the belly
- Wintergreen — high methyl salicylate content
- Camphor — neurotoxic in high doses
- Basil — hormone effects
- Cedarwood (some varieties) — check with your provider
- Cinnamon bark — skin irritant and stimulant
- Fennel — hormone effects
- Hyssop — neurological effects
- Mugwort — traditional abortifacient
- Pennyroyal — toxic in pregnancy
- Wormwood — neurotoxic
This list is not exhaustive. If an essential oil is not on either list above, treat it as questionable and consult your provider before use.
Guidance by Trimester
First Trimester (Weeks 1-13)
The most cautious window. Rapid fetal development, higher miscarriage risk, and increased maternal sensitivity to strong scents (many pregnant Canadians report new fragrance sensitivities in the first trimester regardless of pre-pregnancy tolerance). Most aromatherapy and midwifery sources recommend avoiding all essential oils topically during the first trimester except in very light concentrations (under 0.5%) or diluted heavily in a carrier oil. Fragrance-free skincare is the safest default during this window.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14-27)
The lowest-risk window for essential oil use. Most of the "safe list" oils above can be used at low concentrations (under 2%) in leave-on products, and higher concentrations in wash-off products like body soap. Continue avoiding the entire avoid-list.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-Birth)
Some essential oils that were avoided in the first trimester become useful in the third for labor preparation (clary sage is a common example, used only in late third trimester under midwife supervision). Continue to avoid oils that raise blood pressure, and switch to fragrance-free for any product used near the nipples if you plan to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding Considerations
After birth, essential oil safety changes again. Peppermint can reduce milk supply. Some oils can transfer to baby through direct skin contact. Fragrance-free products applied anywhere that will contact the baby (chest, nipples, arms holding the baby) are the standard recommendation for the first months. Non-nursing areas can generally use safe-list oils at low concentrations.
What About Deodorant During Pregnancy?
Deodorant is one of the products pregnant Canadians ask about most. The concerns are twofold: essential oil safety and aluminum safety.
On aluminum: current evidence does not show a clear link between aluminum in antiperspirants and pregnancy complications, but many people prefer to switch to aluminum-free during pregnancy out of caution. This is a reasonable personal choice.
On essential oils in natural deodorants: most natural deodorants use safe-list essential oils at under 2% concentration. If you have any concern, choose an unscented natural deodorant that skips essential oils entirely. Our unscented, aluminum-free, baking-soda-free natural deodorant is designed exactly for this scenario. No essential oils, no aluminum, no baking soda, nothing you need to research before using during pregnancy.
Fragrance-Free Product Categories for Pregnancy
These Gentle Moose products all have unscented or fragrance-free versions safe for pregnancy:
- Unscented natural deodorant (aluminum-free, baking-soda-free)
- Unscented natural soap bars
- Unscented lotion (browse the lotion collection)
- Unscented body butter and body care in the body collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use natural deodorant during pregnancy?
Yes, for most people, when you choose one without essential oils that appear on the pregnancy avoid-list. Unscented natural deodorant is the safest option and eliminates the question entirely. Aluminum-free natural deodorant is also generally considered safer than antiperspirants during pregnancy, though current evidence does not show clear harm from either.
Which essential oils should I absolutely avoid during pregnancy?
Clary sage, rosemary, sage, jasmine, wintergreen, camphor, basil, cinnamon bark, fennel, hyssop, mugwort, pennyroyal, and wormwood are on almost every professional avoid-list. Peppermint should be used with caution and only at very low concentrations. Consult your Canadian midwife or OB before using any essential oil-containing product regularly during pregnancy.
Can I use lavender essential oil during pregnancy?
Lavender is generally considered the safest essential oil for pregnancy at low concentrations (under 2% in leave-on products). It has been used for pregnancy relaxation and sleep support for decades. Very high concentrations should still be avoided, especially in the first trimester.
Are natural deodorants with baking soda safe during pregnancy?
Baking soda itself is not a pregnancy risk (it is sodium bicarbonate). However, some people develop new sensitivities during pregnancy, and baking soda deodorants are known to cause rashes in 25-30% of users. For pregnancy, a magnesium hydroxide (baking-soda-free) formula is a lower-risk choice. See our baking soda deodorant rash guide for more.
What about essential oils in body wash and shampoo during pregnancy?
Wash-off products are lower risk than leave-on products because contact time with the skin is short. Safe-list oils in body wash and shampoo are generally fine during pregnancy after the first trimester. Avoid products with the pregnancy avoid-list oils regardless of format.
Are diffusers safe during pregnancy?
Diffusion is different from topical use because it involves inhalation. Some sources consider it safer, others consider it comparable to topical exposure. If you diffuse essential oils, use safe-list oils only, limit sessions to 30 to 60 minutes, and ensure ventilation. When in doubt, skip the diffuser during the first trimester.
Can I use essential oils while breastfeeding?
After birth, peppermint should be avoided because it can reduce milk supply. Fragrance-free products are the standard recommendation for areas that contact the baby (chest, arms, nipples). Safe-list oils at low concentrations on non-nursing areas are generally fine. Every product used anywhere near the baby should be fragrance-free by default.
My skincare has essential oils but I did not know. Should I panic?
No. Most commercial personal care products use essential oils at concentrations well below the pregnancy risk threshold. If you have been using a scented product without issue and it does not contain avoid-list oils, you have almost certainly been fine. If you want to be extra cautious going forward, switch to fragrance-free versions.
Important Medical Disclaimer
This article is educational information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. Consult your Canadian midwife, OB, family doctor, or a qualified aromatherapist before making decisions about essential oil use during pregnancy. Health Canada and your provincial midwifery association are additional trustworthy sources.
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