Motherhood, Meet SKN TO SKN: The Pregnancy and Postpartum-Safe Skincare Line We've Been Waiting For.
Images Courtesy Of SKN TO SKN
When Sara Stokes became pregnant for the first time, she expected changes, but she didn’t expect how difficult it would be to find skincare she could actually trust. Ingredient labels were vague, advice was inconsistent, and even beauty experts couldn’t give her a clear answer.
“I went into dozens of beauty stores and no one could give me a straight answer,” she recalls. “Every label said ‘check with a doctor,’ but even most doctors aren’t trained in cosmetic ingredients. That’s when I knew something had to change.”
A former music industry executive, Sara was no stranger to big pivots, but this felt personal. As she navigated the confusing overlap between hormonal skin concerns and conflicting safety advice, she realised there was a serious gap in the industry. And she wasn’t alone.
“I started this brand from my own frustration,” she says. “There was nothing safe and effective for skin during pregnancy, and the lack of education lit a fire in me.”
That fire led to her third baby: SKN TO SKN, the first clinically backed, expert-led skincare brand formulated specifically for the full maternal journey: from trying to conceive, through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum. Built in collaboration with dermatologists, GPs, chemists and women’s health professionals, SKN TO SKN strips away questionable ingredients and focuses on targeted, science-based solutions to hormonal skin changes, like acne, pigmentation, dryness and sensitivity. Its debut line includes four smart, multi-use products designed to do exactly that.
And the industry took notice. Before the products even launched, Boots placed an order, leading to a nationwide rollout across 183 stores, a rare move for an untested beauty brand. From frustration to innovation, SKN TO SKN is leading a new era of maternal skincare, one rooted in science, clarity, and real support. Because motherhood changes everything, and your skincare should rise to meet it.
By Alice Codford
In Partnership With SKN TO SKN.The Maternal Skincare Dilemma.
Images Courtesy Of SKN TO SKN
For anyone trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding, skincare suddenly becomes complicated. Once beloved products - the serums and treatments that defined a self-care routine - are flagged as questionable or even unsafe.
Retinoids, often used for acne and anti-aging, are linked to birth defects. High-dose salicylic acid and certain essential oils raise red flags for absorption or hormone disruption. Even “clean” products can contain ingredients that are best avoided during this time.
What’s worse is the lack of guidance. Product labels say, “ask your doctor.” Doctors say, “ask your dermatologist.” And most women are left to Google their way through a maze of conflicting advice, all while their skin is reacting to one of the most dramatic hormonal shifts of their lives. This is exactly what founder Sara Stokes experienced during her first pregnancy.
“I’d stand in stores scanning labels, hoping someone, anyone, could tell me what was safe,” she says. “But no one could. It was vague, inconsistent, and frankly, scary.”
That moment didn’t just highlight a gap, it exposed a blind spot in the beauty world. And it’s what sparked the creation of SKN TO SKN: a brand built to simplify, support, and redefine what safe, effective skincare looks like during all stages of motherhood.
The Mother Behind the Mission.
Images Courtesy Of SKN TO SKN
For Sara Stokes, the idea for SKN TO SKN wasn’t born in a lab, it started in front of a bathroom mirror. In 2020, during her first pregnancy, her skin was in crisis: painful breakouts, dry patches, and sensitivity that no longer responded to her usual products. She reached for the trusted “holy grail” items, but many contained ingredients flagged as unsafe for pregnancy, like retinol or high concentrations of acids.
“I had no idea some of the products I relied on could pose risks,” she says. “Once I started reading labels and researching, it was like opening Pandora’s box.”
Determined to find safer options, Sara turned to the high street. But what she found was limited: stretch mark creams, nipple balms, and vague advice, nothing tailored to actual skincare needs during pregnancy or postpartum.
By her second pregnancy, two years later, she hoped the industry had evolved. But again, she found the same absence: no clear guidance, no science-backed options, and no real conversation around what happens to skin during motherhood, even though over 90% of pregnant women report skin changes.
That frustration became a turning point. Sara made the bold decision to leave behind a 15-year career in music and build the brand she wished had existed.
The name, SKN TO SKN, is a nod to the powerful intimacy of the “skin-to-skin” moment between mother and baby, a symbol of connection, trust, and care. And that’s exactly what she set out to create through skincare: formulas that feel safe, supportive, and grounded in science. Partnering with an all-female team of dermatologists, GPs and cosmetic chemists, all of them mothers, Sara developed products specifically for the unique skin needs of women at every maternal stage. Each product is multi-functional, pregnancy-safe, and effective without compromise.
SKN TO SKN isn’t just a brand. It’s a solution to a gap women have been navigating alone for too long. Because no woman should have to feel like skincare becomes unsafe the moment she becomes a mother.
What Sets SKN TO SKN Apart.
In a beauty industry filled with buzzwords and vague promises, SKN TO SKN offers something rare: skincare that’s transparent, high-performing, and rooted in real medical insight, built specifically for the maternal journey.
Ingredient Integrity, Always: SKN TO SKN products are free from the most commonly flagged ingredients for pregnancy and postpartum, including:
Retinoids
High-dose salicylic acid
Hydroquinone
Chemical sunscreens
Certain essential oils
Known hormone disruptors like parabens and phthalates
Instead, the brand uses gentle, clinically studied ingredients that support skin through hormonal changes, improving barrier strength, calming inflammation, and boosting hydration, without risk or irritation.
Every formula lists exactly what’s in it (and why), so there’s no need to second-guess your routine.
Expert-Led, Mother-Centric: What truly sets SKN TO SKN apart is its doctor-led formulation process, guided by a world-class advisory board, including:
Professor Caitriona Ryan – Consultant Dermatologist, Founder of The Institute of Dermatologists and Clinical Professor, University College Dublin
Dr. Raj Arora – Women’s Health GP and Founder of The Face Bible
Together with cosmetic chemists and, many of whom are mothers themselves, they’ve ensured each formula is science-backed, purpose-driven, and safe for all stages: from pre-conception through postpartum recovery.
Rigorously Tested, Trusted by Women: Each product goes through extensive testing protocols, including:
Two independent toxicologist-led safety assessments
Non-comedogenic and sensitivity testing
SPF testing (UVA/UVB/blue light)
Clinical trials on women
Consumer trials conducted on pregnant women
This isn't about vague “clean” claims, it’s about real standards, real testing, and real peace of mind.
Skincare That Works With You: Rather than dilute efficacy in the name of safety, SKN TO SKN takes a smarter approach: safe swaps, not sacrifices. The result? Multi-use products that deliver real results for hormonal acne, sensitivity, dryness, and pigmentation, without fear or guesswork.
Whether you're trying to conceive or adjusting to life with a newborn, SKN TO SKN offers skincare that moves with you, intuitive, intelligent, and resilient, just like the women it’s made for.
The Pregnancy Safe Products
The Balancing Act Gel-to-Oil Cleanser: The Ultimate Cleanser for Sensitive, Hormone-Impacted Skin.
A gentle yet effective cleanser that melts away makeup, SPF, and impurities in one step. Powered by virgin maracuja oil, Omegas 3, 6 & 9, and Vitamin E, it hydrates, softens, and supports the skin’s natural barrier, leaving your complexion clear, nourished, and rebalanced. Shop it here.
The Multi-Tasking Face Serum: The Pregnancy-Safe Retinol Alternative for Glowing, Healthy Skin.
A gentle retinol alternative, this lightweight water-based serum is powered by Astaxanthin, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and an azelaic acid derivative to brighten, hydrate, and refine the skin. Clinically proven to reduce fine lines, boost hydration, and improve skin texture, this multitasking serum delivers visible results without the irritation. Shop it here.
The Glow & Go Daily Moisturiser with Mineral SPF30 (Light Tint & Deep Tint).
A silky, multi-tasking daily moisturiser with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and broad-spectrum mineral SPF 30. It hydrates, brightens, and evens skin tone while protecting against UVA, UVB, and blue light, helping prevent hyperpigmentation without the greasy finish.
Available in two sheer tints: Light, to even tone and mask white cast on lighter skin; and Deep, to blend seamlessly into deeper tones and neutralise greyish hues common with mineral SPFs. Shop it here.
The Sleep Cheat Night Cream: The Overnight Skin Reset.
A medium-weight night cream that absorbs easily, leaving skin feeling soft, supple, and perfectly prepped for restful sleep. Shop it here.
SKN TO SKN can be found at skntoskn.com, selected Boots stores, Boots.com, the Institute of Dermatologists and Face Bible.
To celebrate SKN TO SKN’s launch into Boots, the community are invited to come and enjoy some well deserved “me-time” with complimentary ballet barre, free coffee and protein shakes, SKN TO SKN samples and exclusive merch.
No childcare? No problem, your little ones can enjoy a bubble disco with @peaceandriotuk while you enjoy a work out or a hot coffee. Come and meet the founder Sara, and GP advisor @dr_rajarora who will be chatting to beauty director @bridgetmarch about all things skincare during all stages of motherhood:
Notting Hill Club, 11 Lambton Place, London W11 2SH on Tuesday 15th July. Book here!
