Does pregnancy cause acne?

Pregnancy affects every woman—and their skin—differently. For some women, the change in hormones during pregnancy can help clear up acne—for others, it gets worse. If you’re struggling with acne while pregnant, here are the do’s and dont’s for how to treat it.

What to Do?

Prevention of new pimples is key. Switch to using oil-free and non-comedogenic cosmetics and really dial in your diet (be particularly careful of cow’s milk and other dairy products as well as foods high on the glycemic index). Also be mindful of any over-the-counter medications you’re taking during pregnancy as many of these contain glycolic acid—derived originally from sugar cane.

There are certain anti-acne prescriptions that are safe to use while pregnant, but always consult with your doctor if you are continuing or discontinuing any medications. The prescription anti-acne medications that are considered safe in pregnancy are erythromycin and azelaic acid. Azelaic acid has an added benefit of improving the common pigment changes that can happen during pregnancy. If your acne is moderate or severe, you may need additional treatment, too. Most dermatologists agree that after the fourth month of pregnancy, benzoyl peroxide topical gels can be used but in small areas/quantities.

Blue light phototherapy is also considered safe and can be used in instances where topical prescription or over-the-counter medications aren’t working to clear your skin. This treatment is a great way to reduce both acne bacteria and the inflammatory process in the skin. Unfortunately, these light treatments aren’t covered by insurance and need to be administered by a dermatologist once a week, so the treatment can get pricey. Home use blue light acne devices are less effective than office-based treatments, but can offer some relief.

What Not to Do?

Topical retinoids and oral antibiotics like tetracyclines and erythromycin should always be avoided in pregnant women. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is an absolute no-no when a woman is pregnant, too.

More info:

Acne in pregnancy - safe treatmentsSkincare safety in pregnancy
Skincare safety in pregnancy

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