First look: “I wish SKN TO SKN had existed when I was pregnant”

Pregnancy is a funny time for skin. Mine swung wildly from dry and itchy to oily and spot-prone during both my pregnancies, with a few mystery rashes thrown in for good measure. And the paranoia? Off the charts. I’d find myself squinting at the back of moisturiser bottles on a morning, Googling “is salicylic acid safe when pregnant?” 

And it appears I wasn’t alone in doing this. Mum of two Sara Stokes had a similar experience, having struggled with hormonal acne and intense sensitivity during both pregnancies. She too was frustrated by the lack of skincare products available to women during all stages of motherhood that were both safe and effective. 

That’s how SKN TO SKN was born, as Sara left her job in the music industry to start the brand she wished existed when she was pregnant. 

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You may not have heard of SKN TO SKN before. The brand launched in 183 Boots stores across the UK and Ireland in July 2025 and is billed as the first clinically proven skincare line created specifically for all stages of motherhood. Designed by dermatologists, approved by GPs, tested on pregnant women and backed by clinical trials, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of what you can and can’t slather on your face when you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum.

That alone makes it interesting. But SKN TO SKN also promises something else: products that are not only safe, but effective. Because while “safe” is reassuring, it doesn’t automatically mean your skin is going to look good.

So, four products, four steps, morning and night. Here’s how they stack up in my opinion.

Step one: Balancing Act Gel-to-Oil Cleanser (£29, 100ml)

I’ve always had a soft spot for gel cleansers, so this one was an easy sell. You massage it onto dry skin, it shifts makeup, SPF and general daily grime, then it transforms into an oil before rinsing away. It’s powered by maracuja oil, omegas 3, 6 and 9, jojoba oil and vitamin E – in other words, it’s nourishing as well as cleansing.

In user trials by SKN TO SKN, 98% of women said their skin felt hydrated and 100% agreed it felt nourished. Clinical percentages can sometimes feel meaningless, but I will say this: it didn’t leave my skin tight or squeaky. It felt soft, clean and comfortable, which is all you really want from a cleanser.

The packaging is very Ordinary-esque – minimalist, functional, no frills – which actually works with the brand’s promise of transparency. No “mystery actives” hidden behind marketing fluff. Ingredients and percentages are right there on the box.

Would I swap it for my usual? Possibly, yes. It’s gentle enough for hormonal skin, doesn’t clog pores and feels like a treat without being fussy.

Step 2: Multi-Tasking Face Serum (£35, 30ml)

This is SKN TO SKN’s hero product and it’s easy to see why. A pregnancy-safe retinol alternative, it tackles breakouts, fine lines and dullness all at once. The formula includes peptides, azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid and purslane extract. It’s basically the brand’s way of saying: “Yes, you can look glowy in pregnancy without risking anything dodgy.”

Clinical trials showed hydration up 29%, wrinkles down 16% and smoother skin within 28 days. That’s a big claim, but the texture is what sold me. It’s water-based and absorbs quickly without stickiness.

Hormonal skin can be unpredictable – I had acne flare-ups in pregnancy that I hadn’t seen since my teenage years – and this is exactly the kind of product I wish I’d had. It’s not harsh, but it feels active. Like something’s actually happening, rather than just sitting there being “safe”.

In fact, Professor Caitriona Ryan, one of the dermatologists behind the range, calls it “the hero product”. And, much as I hate marketing speak, she’s probably right.

Step 3: Glow & Go Daily Moisturiser with Mineral SPF 30 (£30, 30ml)

If you’re only going to buy one product from the range, I’d argue it should be this one. It’s a moisturiser and an SPF rolled into one, with a light tint so you can skip foundation if you want.

Mineral sunscreens often come with the dreaded white cast, but according to SKN TO SKN, 91% of users said this one doesn’t, and I’d agree. It goes on light, sinks in quickly and leaves a nice glow. The tint is subtle - it’s not going to replace a full-coverage foundation - but it evens things out enough that I was happy to leave the house without makeup on the school runs. It’s also a great go-to for those with dry, sensitive skin as it’s clinically proven to increase hydration by 35% in 28 days, according to SKN TO SKN.

I’ve always been terrible at remembering SPF. In pregnancy, I became slightly obsessive about it, after reading that hyperpigmentation is more common thanks to hormones. If this had been around then, it would’ve been a lifesaver. Instead, I faffed about with separate moisturisers and mineral sunscreens that made me look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

This one just works. And as a daily product, that’s what matters.

Step 4: Sleep Cheat Night Cream (£30, 30ml)

Here’s where I was sceptical. I’m not big on night creams - I find they’re usually too heavy, too greasy and too much of a faff when all I want is sleep. But this one is lighter than most, absorbs quickly and I was pleased to find it doesn't leave a sticky film.

It’s packed with omega oils, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and something called Botani Butter, which makes it sound like a health food but is actually a natural emollient that soothes skin. The clinical trial showed hydration up 40% after four weeks, which is impressive if you can stick with a routine long enough to measure it. It’s also been clinically proven to repair the skin’s natural barrier and reduce wrinkle depth by 15% in 28 days - and lord knows I need that. 

For me, the main selling point is that it feels like it’s helping without being a chore. On nights when I usually skip skincare altogether, this is light enough that I don’t mind taking the extra minute to slap it on.

And crucially, no breakouts so far - a big win considering how my skin usually reacts to creams.

Why brands like SKN TO SKN matter

What I like about SKN TO SKN isn’t just the products, though they’re good. It’s the fact that the brand exists at all. When I was pregnant, I spent more time worrying about whether my moisturiser might harm my babies than I did about what it was actually doing for my skin. So it’s fair to say that I wish SKN TO SKN had existed when I was pregnant.

There was a gap in the market: skincare that was genuinely safe for all stages of motherhood, but still felt like proper skincare. Not just “basic moisturiser with a picture of a bump on the bottle”.

This brand fills that gap. It’s evidence-based, tested on pregnant women, backed by medical professionals and created by mothers who clearly get it. The name - SKN TO SKN - nods to skin-to-skin bonding, and you can feel that sense of care in the way the products have been designed.

Is it going to revolutionise skincare? Probably not. But will it save expectant mums hours of anxious Googling and give them products they can actually enjoy using without worry? Absolutely.

Final thoughts: SKN TO SKN landed in Boots with a clear mission - to make pregnancy-safe skincare that’s as effective as it is reassuring. The four-step routine is simple, the formulas are solid, and the brand is refreshingly transparent.

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially the serum and the SPF moisturiser. Those two stand out as products I’d happily keep using beyond pregnancy.

Do I wish it had existed when I was pregnant? A thousand times yes. Because if there’s one thing new mums don’t need, it’s another reason to second-guess themselves.

About SKN TO SKN

Our journey began with a simple mission: to empower mothers, and provide skin solutions that make a real difference during pregnancy.

We are a brand dedicated to safety, education, transparency, and effectiveness. Every product is backed by science, ensuring that mothers feel supported, confident, and valued throughout their journey.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to prioritise yourself when you become a mother. So, she’s on a quest to find the best beauty, fashion and wellness products that are practical and affordable, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.