Is Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated September 9, 2026
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash
Naturium
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash receives a C+ pregnancy grade, so approach it with caution rather than treating it as fully cleared. The main caution is pyruvic acid, which lacks direct pregnancy studies; routine rinse off exposure is different from a strong professional peel, but this formula's acid concentrations and pH are not established here.
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 Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash?
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash has 24 ingredients. We flagged 1 ingredient to use with caution.
pyruvic acid
CAUTION
Direct pregnancy studies of topical pyruvic acid are lacking, so use low strength products cautiously and distinguish routine rinse off exposure from strong professional peels.
tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
LIKELY SAFE
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is a versatile, water soluble chelating agent and stabilizer used in cleaning and personal care products to enhance efficacy and stability. This ingredient is rated likely safe, but the supporting oral glutamate evidence is indirect and does not establish pregnancy safety for this rinse off chelating agent.
citric acid
SAFE
Citric acid is a natural organic acid commonly used as a preservative and flavor enhancer in food and beverages. Ordinary topical citric acid use is generally compatible with pregnancy, although stronger or lower pH formulations can irritate skin and direct pregnancy studies are lacking.
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 ordinary topical cosmetics, with low exposure expected from skin application.
SAFE
Glycolic acid is a powerful alpha hydroxy acid derived from sugarcane that exfoliates dead skin cells to promote a brighter, smoother complexion. Low concentration topical glycolic acid is generally compatible with pregnancy, with caution for irritation, sun sensitivity, damaged skin, large treated areas, and stronger peels.
lactic acid
SAFE
Lactic acid is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid commonly used in skincare for exfoliation and improving skin texture. Lactic acid is generally compatible with pregnancy at ordinary topical cosmetic concentrations, while strong low pH peels are a separate exposure.
aqua
SAFE
Aqua is the scientific term for water, commonly used as a solvent and base ingredient in various cosmetic and skincare products. Water is the base of this rinse off wash and is unflagged, but that does not establish the whole formula's pregnancy safety.
caprylyl glycol
SAFE
Caprylyl glycol is a versatile moisturizing agent and skin conditioner commonly used in skincare products for its humectant and antimicrobial properties. This moisturizing ingredient is unflagged in the rinse off formula, but no ingredient specific pregnancy assessment is available here.
chondrus crispus extract
SAFE
Chondrus crispus extract is a natural seaweed derivative rich in carrageenan, commonly used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in cosmetics and food products. This seaweed derived thickener is unflagged in this topical wash, rather than specifically confirmed safe by pregnancy studies.
cocamide mipa
SAFE
Cocamide MIPA is a surfactant and foam booster derived from coconut oil and is commonly used in personal care and cleaning products. This cleansing and foam boosting ingredient is unflagged in the rinse off formula, with no pregnancy specific assessment available here.
cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
SAFE
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine is a gentle, amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil, commonly used in personal care products for its cleansing and foaming properties. This cleansing ingredient is unflagged for this wash, but that status does not constitute a pregnancy specific safety review.
didecydimonium chloride
SAFE
This ingredient is unflagged, but there is insufficient ingredient specific information here to draw a pregnancy conclusion for rinse off use.
glycol distearate
SAFE
Glycol distearate is a white, waxy, pearlizing agent commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products to create a shimmering, pearlescent effect. This pearlizing ingredient is unflagged in the topical formula, but no pregnancy specific assessment is available here.
malic acid
SAFE
Malic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound known for its tart flavor and commonly used as a food additive and pH regulator. Malic acid is unflagged, but its food use description does not establish pregnancy safety for topical exposure in this wash.
methylpropanediol
SAFE
Methylpropanediol is a versatile, water soluble solvent and humectant commonly used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to enhance moisture retention and product stability. This solvent and moisturizing ingredient is unflagged in the rinse off formula, without a pregnancy specific assessment here.
polyquaternium 10
SAFE
This ingredient is unflagged, but there is insufficient ingredient specific information here to establish pregnancy safety for rinse off use.
polyquaternium 73
SAFE
Polyquaternium 73 is a conditioning agent used in hair and skincare products to provide smoothness, reduce static, and enhance manageability. This conditioning ingredient is unflagged in the topical formula, rather than specifically reviewed for pregnancy safety.
polyquaternium 80
SAFE
This ingredient is unflagged, but no ingredient specific pregnancy evidence is available here for rinse off exposure.
sodium cocoyl isethionate
SAFE
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a gentle, sulfate free surfactant derived from coconut oil used in cleansers and foaming products to create a rich, creamy lather. This cleansing ingredient is unflagged in the wash, but its description as gentle does not establish pregnancy specific safety.
sodium hydroxide
SAFE
Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic, white, solid compound commonly used as a strong base in cleaning, manufacturing, and chemical processes. This ingredient is unflagged, and the hazards of concentrated sodium hydroxide do not establish pregnancy risk from the finished rinse off formula.
sodium lactate
SAFE
Sodium lactate is a salt derived from lactic acid that acts as a humectant, preservative, and pH stabilizer in various cosmetic and food products. This humectant and pH stabilizing ingredient is unflagged in the wash, with no pregnancy specific assessment available here.
sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
SAFE
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate is a gentle, sulfate free surfactant derived from coconut oil and taurine, commonly used in cleansers and shampoos to create a rich, foaming lather while being mild on the skin and hair. This cleansing ingredient is unflagged in the rinse off formula, but no pregnancy specific evidence is available here.
sodium pca
SAFE
Sodium PCA is a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and supple. This moisture retaining ingredient is unflagged in the topical formula, rather than specifically confirmed safe during pregnancy.
tartaric acid
SAFE
Tartaric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid commonly used as an acidulant in food and beverage products to enhance flavor and stability. Tartaric acid is unflagged, but its food use description does not establish pregnancy safety for topical exposure in this wash.
Answering Your Questions
How much Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash is safe during pregnancy?
If you choose to use it, follow the label's amount and contact time instructions, then rinse thoroughly rather than leaving it on as a peel. Avoid broken or irritated skin, and do not increase the amount or contact time to get stronger exfoliation.
Can you use Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash daily while pregnant?
Follow the label's frequency instructions, but do not assume daily use is suitable if your skin becomes dry, tight, or irritated. Alternate with a gentle non exfoliating cleanser as needed, stop if irritation develops, and follow the product's sun protection warnings.
Why does this body wash receive a C+ pregnancy grade?
The C+ comes from ingredient based scoring, with pyruvic acid flagged for caution because pregnancy specific topical evidence is limited. Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate also contributes to scoring as likely safe, although its supporting evidence concerns oral glutamates rather than this rinse off ingredient. The grade is not proof that ordinary use harms a pregnancy, nor does it mean every unflagged ingredient has been individually reviewed.
Can you use glycolic acid body wash while pregnant?
Low concentration topical glycolic acid is generally considered compatible with pregnancy, although direct pregnancy studies are limited. That does not automatically clear every glycolic acid formula: this wash also contains pyruvic acid, and strength, contact time, treated area, and skin condition affect exposure.
Can I use Naturium The Smoother every day during pregnancy?
There is no established pregnancy specific daily use limit for this formula. Follow its label rather than increasing frequency, and reduce use or stop if irritation occurs; tolerating daily use does not resolve the limited pregnancy evidence for pyruvic acid.
Are exfoliating washes different from chemical peels during pregnancy?
Yes routine rinse off use is a different exposure from a concentrated, low pH professional peel. Higher strength, longer contact, larger treated areas, and damaged skin can increase absorption or irritation, so do not use this wash as a leave on treatment or assume peel guidance applies directly.
Can this glycolic acid wash help pregnancy acne?
Glycolic acid is used in topical acne care and is generally compatible with low concentration use during pregnancy. However, that does not establish this particular wash's effectiveness for your acne or remove its pyruvic acid caution; ask your clinician about treatment if breakouts are painful, persistent, or leaving scars.
Can I use this body wash while breastfeeding?
The C+ pregnancy grade does not establish a separate breastfeeding verdict, and product specific breastfeeding evidence is limited. If you use it, rinse thoroughly and avoid applying it to the nipple or areas where your baby could ingest residue; ask your clinician if you need an exfoliant on the breast.
What could I use instead during pregnancy?
For everyday cleansing, consider a gentle, fragrance free, non exfoliating body wash without pyruvic acid. If you want exfoliation, look for a clearly labeled low strength glycolic or lactic acid product and review the whole formula rather than relying on the featured ingredient alone.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid 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 Naturium Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 12 other Naturium products. 0 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 12 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C+ | Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% | topical acid |
| C+ | Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter | body butter |
| C | Barrier Bounce Bi-Phase Mist | facial mist |
| C | Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion | body lotion |
How Does Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash Compare to Other Body Washes?
We graded 1,384 Body Washes for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid 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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References
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