Hair, Skin and Nail Supplements in Pregnancy: What to Check on the Label
“Beauty from within” supplements are everywhere: hair, skin and nail gummies, collagen powders, glowing-skin capsules. They are rarely designed with pregnancy in mind. We have not reviewed trials of individual beauty ingredients in pregnancy, and we will not pretend to. What we can do is give you the official NHS reference points, so you can check any label against them.
Check one: vitamin A (retinol)
The NHS says: do not take cod liver oil or supplements containing vitamin A (sometimes called retinol) when you are pregnant, because too much vitamin A can harm your baby's development. Multivitamins and beauty blends commonly list it. Look for:
- “Vitamin A”, “retinol” or “retinyl” (for example retinyl palmitate) in the ingredients or nutrition panel
- Fish liver oils, including cod liver oil
If a label is unclear, ask your pharmacist before you buy. The NHS also says to avoid foods very high in vitamin A, with liver given as the example.
Check two: vitamin D
The NHS recommends 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily during pregnancy, and says not to take more than 100 micrograms a day because it could be harmful. If you are stacking a multivitamin, a beauty supplement and a separate vitamin D tablet, add up the vitamin D across all of them.
Check three: folic acid
The NHS recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid daily until the 12th week of pregnancy. Some people are advised a higher dose, which a GP can prescribe. See our supplements guide for who. If your beauty supplement contains folic acid, count it towards your total rather than doubling up without advice.
The stacking trap: the risk is rarely one product on its own. It is two or three products, each with a little vitamin A or vitamin D, adding up. Keep a list, add the numbers, and show it to your pharmacist or midwife.
What about the other ingredients?
Many beauty supplements also contain ingredients such as biotin, collagen, plant extracts or herbal blends. This guide does not assess those. The NHS advises speaking to your GP if you take over-the-counter medicine or herbal remedies while trying to conceive, and it is sensible to apply the same caution during pregnancy. Check with your midwife, GP or pharmacist before taking anything that is not on the NHS recommendations.
The bottom line
Before taking any hair, skin or nail supplement in pregnancy, check for vitamin A first, then add up vitamin D and folic acid across everything you take. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hair, skin and nail supplements safe in pregnancy?
It depends on the product. The NHS says not to take supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) in pregnancy, and many multivitamins and beauty blends contain it. Check the label and ask your pharmacist.
How much vitamin D can I take in pregnancy?
The NHS recommends 10 micrograms daily and says not to take more than 100 micrograms a day, as it could be harmful.
Do I need folic acid if my beauty supplement has some?
The NHS recommends 400 micrograms daily until the 12th week. Count what your supplements contain towards your total, and ask your pharmacist or GP if you are unsure.
Is cod liver oil safe in pregnancy?
The NHS says not to take cod liver oil during pregnancy because of its vitamin A content.
What about biotin or collagen in pregnancy?
We have not reviewed trials on these in pregnancy. Check with your midwife, GP or pharmacist before taking them.
Sources
- NHS. Pregnancy vitamins and supplements. Page last reviewed 3 June 2026. nhs.uk
- NHS. Trying to get pregnant. Page last reviewed 2 June 2026. nhs.uk
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin or scalp condition, or you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist before changing your routine.
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