Is Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated September 8, 2026
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
Dove Beauty
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash receives a C grade, making it a caution rated rather than an unreserved pregnancy choice. Its ingredient based score includes fragrance and hydrogenated soybean oil cautions, although the oil evidence concerns dietary intake, not ordinary rinse off washing. A fragrance free cleanser is a reasonable alternative if you want to reduce fragrance exposure and uncertainty.
You can use this, but maybe don't make it your everyday go to. Not the end of the world if you've used it. Consult your OBGYN or midwife if you have concerns.
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What Ingredients Are in Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash?
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash has 29 ingredients. We flagged 2 ingredients to use with caution.
fragrance
CAUTION
A fragrant substance used to add a pleasant aroma to products or environments. Fragrance warrants pregnancy caution because mixtures may be undisclosed and can trigger sensitivity, but association studies do not prove harm from this wash at typical rinse off amounts.
hydrogenated soybean oil
CAUTION
Hydrogenated soybean oil is a processed vegetable oil that has been chemically altered to become solid at room temperature, often used in processed foods to improve texture and shelf life. Its CAUTION rating draws on dietary hydrogenated oil evidence, which does not establish pregnancy harm from ordinary topical rinse off exposure.
linalool
LIKELY SAFE
Linalool is a naturally occurring aromatic alcohol found in many flowers and spices, known for its floral, lavender like scent and calming properties. Linalool is rated LIKELY_SAFE, but the pregnancy evidence concerns diluted lavender products and is indirect for its use in this rinse off formula.
palmitic acid
LIKELY SAFE
Palmitic acid is a common saturated fatty acid found in palm oil, animal fats, and various plant oils, often used in cosmetics and industrial applications. Palmitic acid is rated LIKELY_SAFE, and findings about dietary fats or elevated blood levels do not establish pregnancy harm from ordinary rinse off use.
sodium benzoate
LIKELY SAFE
Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly used to inhibit microbial growth in food and beverage products. Sodium benzoate is generally low concern at normal cosmetic preservative levels during pregnancy, with limited direct human pregnancy data.
citric acid
SAFE
Citric acid is a natural organic acid commonly used as a preservative and flavor enhancer in food and beverages. Citric acid is generally compatible with pregnancy at ordinary topical cosmetic levels, although direct pregnancy studies are lacking and irritating formulations should be stopped.
cocamidopropyl betaine
SAFE
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a gentle, amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil, commonly used in personal care products for its foaming and cleansing properties. It is rated SAFE for topical use, but the supporting assessment concerns betaine and is indirect evidence for this distinct surfactant during pregnancy.
glycerin
SAFE
Glycerin is a colorless, odorless, and sweet tasting humectant commonly used in skincare products to attract and retain moisture in the skin. Glycerin is generally compatible with pregnancy in normal topical cleanser use, where exposure is expected to be low.
glycine soja oil
SAFE
Glycine soja oil is a nourishing, antioxidant rich oil derived from wild soybeans, commonly used in skincare for its moisturizing and skin soothing properties. Normal topical soybean oil use is compatible with pregnancy despite limited direct pregnancy studies, with soy allergy and irritation remaining separate considerations.
hydrogenated vegetable glycerides
SAFE
Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides are processed fats derived from vegetable oils, used as emulsifiers and stabilizers in food products. Glycerides are generally low concern during pregnancy at normal topical cosmetic concentrations, although direct pregnancy studies are limited.
sodium chloride
SAFE
Sodium chloride is a common mineral known as table salt, used to enhance the flavor of food and as a preservative. Sodium chloride is rated SAFE, but dietary salt and blood pressure guidance does not assess exposure from washing it off your skin during pregnancy.
sodium hydroxypropyl starch phosphate
SAFE
Sodium hydroxypropyl starch phosphate is a modified, water soluble starch derivative used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in food and cosmetic products. It is rated SAFE for topical use, although the supporting pregnancy rationale concerns starch broadly rather than direct studies of this modified ingredient.
water
SAFE
Water is a clear, tasteless, and essential liquid that sustains all known forms of life. Water itself is not a pregnancy concern in normal topical use, although the finished cleanser's ingredients and microbial quality still matter.
alpha isomethyl ionone
SAFE
Alpha isomethyl ionone is a synthetic fragrance compound commonly used for its floral, violet like scent in perfumes and cosmetic products. This fragrance ingredient is unflagged, but that does not establish pregnancy specific safety for ordinary rinse off use.
benzyl alcohol
SAFE
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless, aromatic alcohol commonly used as a preservative and solvent in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This preservative and solvent is unflagged, rather than specifically confirmed safe for rinse off use during pregnancy.
capryloyl glycine
SAFE
Capryloyl glycine is a derivative of glycine that functions as a skin soothing and antimicrobial agent in skincare formulations. This skin conditioning ingredient is unflagged, with no pregnancy specific rinse off safety conclusion established here.
citronellol
SAFE
Citronellol is a naturally occurring floral and citrus scented alcohol commonly used in perfumes and fragrances. This scent ingredient is unflagged, which should not be read as a pregnancy specific safety review of rinse off exposure.
coumarin
SAFE
Coumarin is a naturally occurring aromatic compound known for its sweet, vanilla like scent and often used in flavorings and fragrances. Coumarin is unflagged as a fragrance ingredient here, without an established pregnancy specific assessment of ordinary rinse off use.
glyceryl stearate
SAFE
Glyceryl stearate is a moisturizing and emulsifying agent derived from glycerin and stearic acid, commonly used in skincare products to help blend oil and water based ingredients. This moisturizing emulsifier is unflagged, but its listing does not establish pregnancy specific safety for rinse off use.
guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
SAFE
Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride is a conditioning agent derived from guar gum that helps improve hair manageability and smoothness. This conditioning ingredient is unflagged, rather than specifically reviewed for pregnancy safety in rinse off use.
hexyl cinnamal
SAFE
Hexyl cinnamal is a synthetic aromatic compound commonly used as a fragrance ingredient to impart a sweet, floral, and jasmine like scent. This fragrance ingredient is unflagged, without a pregnancy specific safety conclusion for ordinary rinse off exposure.
hydroxystearic acid
SAFE
Hydroxystearic acid is a naturally occurring or synthetic fatty acid derivative used in cosmetics and skincare products for its emollient and conditioning properties. This conditioning fatty acid derivative is unflagged, which does not establish pregnancy specific safety in a rinse off cleanser.
lauric acid
SAFE
Lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil, known for its antimicrobial and skin conditioning properties. Lauric acid is unflagged here, without a specific pregnancy safety assessment for ordinary topical rinse off exposure.
limonene
SAFE
Limonene is a naturally occurring citrus scented compound commonly used for its aromatic properties and potential health benefits. This scent ingredient is unflagged, rather than specifically confirmed safe for rinse off use during pregnancy.
sodium gluconate
SAFE
Sodium gluconate is a water soluble, biodegradable compound used as a chelating agent, corrosion inhibitor, and food additive. This chelating ingredient is unflagged, with no pregnancy specific rinse off safety conclusion established here.
sodium lauroyl isethionate
SAFE
Sodium lauroyl isethionate is a gentle, sulfate free surfactant commonly used in cleansers and body washes to create a rich, foaming lather. This cleansing surfactant is unflagged, rather than specifically reviewed for pregnancy safety in ordinary rinse off use.
sodium methyl lauroyl taurate
SAFE
Sodium methyl lauroyl taurate is a gentle surfactant and cleansing agent derived from amino acids and fatty acids, commonly used in skincare and personal care products. This cleansing ingredient is unflagged, which does not establish pregnancy specific safety for rinse off exposure.
stearic acid
SAFE
Stearic acid is a naturally occurring saturated fatty acid commonly used as an emulsifier and thickening agent in cosmetics and skincare products. This fatty acid thickener is unflagged, without a specific pregnancy safety assessment for ordinary rinse off use.
undecylenoyl glycine
SAFE
Undecylenoyl glycine is a skin conditioning agent known for its antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, often used to help reduce acne and regulate sebum production. This skin conditioning ingredient is unflagged, rather than specifically confirmed safe for topical rinse off use during pregnancy.
Answering Your Questions
How much Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash is safe during pregnancy?
Use only enough to cleanse wet skin, following the package directions, and rinse thoroughly. There is no established pregnancy specific quantity for this formula; using more or leaving it on longer is unnecessary.
Can you use Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash daily while pregnant?
If you choose to continue using it, follow the label and your skin's tolerance rather than a pregnancy specific schedule. Stop if it causes irritation, and consider a fragrance free wash if you want to reduce repeated fragrance exposure.
Why does Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash receive a C grade?
The C grade comes from ingredient based scoring, with fragrance and hydrogenated soybean oil rated CAUTION and linalool, palmitic acid, and sodium benzoate rated LIKELY_SAFE. Fragrance raises mixture disclosure and sensitivity concerns; the hydrogenated oil evidence concerns eating fats and does not establish harm from this rinse off body wash. The grade is not proof that ordinary washing harms your pregnancy.
Which body wash should I choose instead during pregnancy?
Look for a fragrance free, gentle rinse off cleanser suited to your skin, and check the full ingredient list rather than relying on pregnancy friendly marketing. Fragrance free selection addresses this product's fragrance concern, but it does not automatically establish the safety of every alternative.
Can I use this body wash while breastfeeding?
This pregnancy grade does not establish breastfeeding specific safety for the finished formula. If you use it, rinse thoroughly and avoid applying it to the nipple or areola so your baby does not ingest residue.
What should I avoid in a body wash during pregnancy?
For this formula, fragrance is the most directly relevant consideration if you want to reduce exposure to undisclosed scent mixtures or avoid sensitivity triggers. Do not assume warnings about eating an ingredient, taking supplements, or using concentrated essential oils apply equally to a diluted rinse off cleanser.
Does the fragrance mean this body wash contains phthalates?
No the fragrance listing alone does not confirm phthalates in this formula. Some pregnancy studies associate fragranced product use with higher exposure to a DEP metabolite, but that does not establish this product's composition or prove harm from typical rinse off use.
Should I worry if I already used it during pregnancy?
The C grade is not evidence that previous showers harmed your baby, and normal occasional fragrance use is not treated as an emergency. You can choose a fragrance free cleanser going forward without assuming your earlier use caused harm.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash?
Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sheamoisture Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Body Wash - 13 Fl Oz | Sheamoisture | body wash |
| A | Fine'Ry. Women'S Body Wash - Sweet On The Outside - 14.5Oz | Fine'Ry. | body wash |
| A | Dove Limited Edition Nourishing Body Wash Apple Caramel Crumble 20 Fl Oz | Dove | body wash |
| A | Body Wash - Silver Birch And Mandarin - 16Oz | Goodfellow & Co | body wash |
Are Other Dove Beauty Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 12 other Dove Beauty products. 1 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 11 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| B+ | Dove Beauty Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Fragrance-Free Beauty Bar Soap | soap |
| C- | Dove Beauty Antibacterial Body Wash Pump 24Hr Lotion-Soft Skin | body wash |
| C | Dove Beauty Advanced Care Hand Wash - Deep Moisture - Scented - 12 Fl Oz | hand wash |
| C- | Dove Beauty 0% Aluminum Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena Women'S Deodorant Stick - 2.6Oz | deodorant |
How Does Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash Compare to Other Body Washes?
We graded 1,384 Body Washes for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash earns a C grade, placing it among the majority of Body Washes. Only 2% of products in this category get an A grade, so it pays to choose carefully.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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