Acne During Pregnancy

Like me, did you think that your skin would become luminous and clear while you were pregnant? And did you find that, if anything, your skin problems got worse? Welcome to the club. Like many, I bought into the myth about blooming during pregnancy and so it came as a shock when my face started breaking out even worse than usual. I didn’t even know that women could get acne during pregnancy.

I’ve since read up on the subject of acne during pregnancy and it seems that’s it’s all down to a pesky hormone called androgen. Too much of this substance in our bodies can lead to acne. Guess what increases androgen production in our body? You’ve guessed it – pregnancy. It also rises during menstruation, so the chances are, if you have acne outbreaks during your monthly cycle, then you have an above-average chance of getting acne during pregnancy too. While there’s not much you can do about the hormone, you can take steps to help minimize or reduce the acne breakouts.

Of course, there are modern, effective acne treatments, but you need to be very careful about what you use when you are pregnant. The most common acne remedies of Accutane, Tetracycline and Retin-A are not considered suitable for expectant mothers as they may cause problems to occur with the fetus or the baby. 

Instead, use basic skincare guidelines to help your acne breakouts during pregnancy. Wash your face twice a day using a gentle soap and don’t scrub; doing so will over-stimulate your glands to produce more oil. Dry by patting and use a light moisturizer. Don’t squeeze spots and try to have clean hands when you touch your skin.

Be mindful of what you eat – too many fatty or sugary foods won’t help acne during pregnancy, and may make it worse. (I know it’s hard sometimes – I craved sugary foods when I was pregnant). Try when possible to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and unprocessed food. Avoid chemical-laden drinks, and opt instead for water. Drink plenty of it to help clear toxins out of your body.

Exercise can help in several ways – it makes you sweat, which also helps get rid of toxins, and it’s great for improving circulation throughout the body, which will in turn means an increased blood flow and nutrients for your skin. Plus it will help relax you – stress is another factor thought to exacerbate acne problems.

Do have a word with your doctor or dermatologist if you feel unhappy about your acne during pregnancy. They should be able to help, but make sure they know you are pregnant to avoid any problems with medication. Remember too that it’s likely, as your pregnancy progresses, that your skin will start to clear up; many women find this happens after the first trimester. So don’t let acne during pregnancy upset you; it will get better in time.