
The Ordinary

Face Cleansers
No higher-risk flags in the assessed ingredients. This is a screening result, not a guarantee of pregnancy safety.
18 of 18 ingredients rated
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser as No known risks (99/100). This screening result is not a guarantee of safety for every pregnancy.
No higher-risk ingredient flags are shown in the assessed entries. Ingredients without a matched rating are marked Not assessed, not No known risks.
18 of 18 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsThe recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Lightweight emollient used to support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Coconut-derived emollient ester used as a lightweight skin-conditioning ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.
Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for alkyl esters/emollient esters; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
A sugar-derived fatty-acid ester used as an emulsifier and emollient. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed sucrose fatty acid esters, including sucrose stearate, are safe in current practices of use and concentration. No pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical exposure.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters as Used in Cosmetics, IJT 40(Suppl. 2), 2021; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
A plant-derived fixed oil or lipid used as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient. Cosmetic safety review focuses on oxidation, irritation, impurities and source allergy; no pregnancy-specific reproductive or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical exposure.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils as Used in Cosmetics; European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory.
Common emollient derived from fatty acids and glycerin. Used to soften skin and improve texture without pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
A sugar-derived humectant or starch hydrolysate used to retain moisture and support formula texture. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed saccharide humectants and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate are safe in current practices. Dermal absorption of larger carbohydrate materials is expected to be limited.
Sources: CIR: Saccharide Humectants safety assessment; Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate final report, September 2015; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
A sugar, starch, inulin or cellulose derivative used for emulsification, film formation, absorbency or formula texture. These carbohydrate-based materials are not expected to produce meaningful systemic exposure through intact skin, and related cosmetic safety assessments do not identify a reproductive or developmental hazard for normal use. Fine dry powder should not be deliberately inhaled.
Sources: CIR safety assessments of Starches and Modified Starches, Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives, Saccharide Esters and Plant Polysaccharide Gums; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf; European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory.
Large polymer thickener and stabilizer used in gels, serums and creams. Systemic exposure from topical cosmetic use is expected to be low, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern identified in reviewed cosmetic references.
Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for acrylates/polyacrylate crosspolymers; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
isoceteth-20 is used as a cosmetic surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning agent. Relevant cosmetic-safety assessments support use when formulated to be non-irritating and with appropriate impurity controls. Local skin or eye irritation is possible at higher concentrations, but no pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical or rinse-off use.
Sources: CIR safety assessments of alkyl PEG ethers, N-acyl taurates, fatty amidopropyl amines and related cosmetic surfactants https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/taurat122015FR.pdf; CIR Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Polymer used for texture and absorbency. Large-molecule ingredient with low systemic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Vitamin E antioxidant used to protect oils and support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone is a cosmetic formulation, mineral, sugar-derived or organic-acid ingredient. Available identity, use and related safety evidence did not identify a pregnancy-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic exposure. Cosmetic-grade purity and ordinary irritation precautions remain applicable.
Sources: CIR ingredient and related-family safety assessments; CIR Quick Reference Table https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/quick-reference-table-december-2025; European Commission CosIng
Chelating ingredient used to improve formula stability by binding trace metals. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.
Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for chelating agents; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
A naturally occurring hydroxy dicarboxylic acid used mainly to adjust pH, support exfoliation or condition skin. No pregnancy-specific systemic concern was identified for normal topical cosmetic exposure. At sufficiently high concentration or low pH, hydroxy acids can sting, irritate skin and increase sensitivity to other irritants; those local effects depend on the finished formulation rather than indicating reproductive toxicity.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-malic-acid-and-sodium-malate-used-cosmetics; CIR assessments of alpha-hydroxy acids as used in cosmetics; European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory for Malic Acid and Tartaric Acid.
Preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure when used as intended.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)
Preservative used to help protect formulas from microbial growth. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support present cosmetic use; no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern was identified in the material reviewed, although some users may still notice local irritation or sensitivity.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Chlorphenesin as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Squalane, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
No higher-risk ingredient flags are shown in the assessed entries. Ingredients without a matched rating are marked Not assessed, not No known risks. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
18 of 18 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.