acne treatment when pregnant

To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care:

• Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water.
• Shampoo regularly. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair every day.
• Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. Doing so can cause infection or scarring.

Full Answer

Are there any natural remedies for acne during pregnancy?

Aug 15, 2019 · To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care: Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water. Shampoo regularly. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair every day. Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. ...

Which acne products are safe during pregnancy?

Jul 13, 2017 · Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne during pregnancy ( Zeichner, 2011 ).

What to do for severe acne during pregnancy?

Jun 17, 2020 · Oral zinc is another treatment option for mild-to-moderate acne during pregnancy. Zinc may reduce the production of skin oil and is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Oral zinc can be taken alone or in combination with other treatments, but the maximum amount of zinc that should be taken during pregnancy is 11 mg/day.

Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?

Dec 16, 2020 · 22 Top Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatments (2021 Update) 1. Belli Acne Control Spot Treatment. Belli makes one of the safest acne treatments for pregnant women. It’s part of... 2. BELLA B Foaming Face Wash. BELLA B also makes pregnancy-safe skincare products. This foaming cleanser does not... 3. Body ...

What is the best acne treatment while pregnant?

Best Acne Treatments for Pregnancy, According to Doctors and Real Parents-to-BeBest Cleanser for Oily Skin : Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash.Best Cleanser for Dry Skin : CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.Best Moisturizer with SPF for Pregnancy Acne : Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer.More items...•Sep 18, 2021

What acne spot treatment is safe during pregnancy?

The topical treatment Erythromycin is safe during pregnancy, says Dr. Hale, which is an anti-bacterial solution you can dab on top of a breakout. Talk to your dermatologist about whether or not a prescription for Erythromycin can help you.Dec 13, 2021

How can I get rid of hormonal acne during pregnancy?

To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care:Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water. ... Shampoo regularly. ... Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. ... Avoid irritants. ... Watch what touches your skin.

Can I use salicylic acid when pregnant?

Yes, people can safely apply products containing salicylic acid once or twice a day during pregnancy. Cleansers and toners commonly include this ingredient. However, doctors recommended using products containing salicylic acid no stronger than 2 percent. Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA).Jun 28, 2018

How to treat acne during pregnancy?

To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care: 1 Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water. Avoid certain products, such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks, because they tend to irritate skin, which can worsen acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. 2 Shampoo regularly. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair every day. 3 Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. Doing so can cause infection or scarring. 4 Avoid irritants. Don't use oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products or acne concealers. Use products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause acne. 5 Watch what touches your skin. Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects on your face. Tight clothing or hats also can pose a problem, especially if you're sweating. Sweat and oils can contribute to acne.

How to prevent acne on face?

Don't use oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products or acne concealers. Use products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause acne. Watch what touches your skin. Keep your hair clean and off your face.

Can acne be used during pregnancy?

While most ingredients in over-the-counter topical acne treatments haven't been studied in pregnancy, typically only small amounts are absorbed into the skin. This makes it unlikely that the treatments would pose a risk to a developing baby.

How to get rid of acne on hairline?

Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water. Avoid certain products, such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks, because they tend to irritate skin, which can worsen acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. Shampoo regularly. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, ...

Can sweating cause acne?

Tight clothing or hats also can pose a problem, especially if you're sweating. Sweat and oils can contribute to acne. Medication also can be used to treat pregnancy acne but any medication applied to your skin or swallowed during pregnancy can enter your bloodstream and affect your baby.

Can you get acne while pregnant?

Your health also plays a role in what acne treatments you can use while you’re pregnant. If you want to treat acne during your pregnancy, it helps to get expert advice from your obstetrician or a dermatologist before using any acne treatment. Image. Getty Images.

Can you buy salicylic acid without a prescription?

Salicylic acid: Often found in acne treatment you can buy without a prescription, salicylic acid is generally considered safe when used for a limited time. For this reason, you should talk with your obstetrician or dermatologist before using it during your pregnancy.

Can you take Adapalene while pregnant?

Adapalene (brand name: Differin® gel): Most experts recommend stopping this treatment during pregnancy. Antibiotics (you apply to your skin): Applying clindamycin during pregnancy is thought to be safe. Before using it while you’re pregnant, it’s best to check with your obstetrician or dermatologist.

Can you take Cefadroxil while pregnant?

Antibiotics (you take): Cefadroxil is an antibiotic that can help clear severe acne. In giving pregnant animals large amounts of this antibiotic, researchers haven’t seen birth defects. The antibiotics that are often used to treat acne, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin, also seem safe during pregnancy.

Is it safe to use Benzoyl Peroxide while pregnant?

Azelaic acid: This is thought to be safe to use during pregnancy. In animal studies, researchers haven’t seen birth defects. Benzoyl peroxide: Often found in acne treatment you can buy without a prescription, experts say it’s safe to use in limited amounts. For this reason, you should talk with your obstetrician or dermatologist before using it ...

Is dapsone safe for pregnant women?

Laser and light therapies: Lasers have been used to safely treat medical conditions in women who are pregnant. As such, lasers are considered relatively safe for women who are pregnant.

Can you use lasers while pregnant?

As such, lasers are considered relatively safe for women who are pregnant. If you are considering using a laser or light treatment for your acne while pregnant, please make an appointment to see a dermatologist first. There are many different types of lasers and light treatments.

What is the best treatment for acne?

Erythromycin: If your dermatologist decides you need a prescription medication for your inflammatory acne, erythromycin is an option. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that helps reduce acne-causing bacteria. It’s not the most effective acne treatment, though, and is most often prescribed along with another acne treatment.

Can you take tetracycline while pregnant?

As such, they should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tetracycline: Oral tetracycline, as well as its derivatives doxycycline and minocycline, can interfere with normal bone growth as well as discolor teeth of a developing fetus. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not use these antibiotics.

Is it safe to use glycolic acid while pregnant?

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. You can find it in many OTC products, and it’s considered very safe to use during pregnancy. Start off slowly, though, because it may irritate your skin. Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter and prescription acne medications.

Is benzoyl peroxide safe for pregnancy?

But it’s one of the most widely recommended acne treatment medications and most physicians consider it safe to use during pregnancy.

Can an esthetician treat acne?

Acne Treatment Facials: This is a completely non-medicated option for treating your acne. During an acne facial, an esthetician will deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and do extractions to clean out your pores. It’s a nice way to pamper yourself during your pregnancy (just be sure to let your esthetician know you’re pregnant).

Is clindamycin safe for acne?

It is originally indicated to treat rosacea but can be a helpful medication. Clindamycin : This is another topical antibiotic which is safe and another part of a topical acne regimen. It can be a lower cost alternative and can be used in conjunction with other medications.

Does isotretinoin cause miscarriage?

Isotretinoin also increases the chance of miscarriage. Topical retinoids: Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not use the topical retinoids Differin (adapalene), Tazorac (tazarotene), and Retin-A (tretinoin). The effect of topical retinoids on a developing fetus has not been studied thoroughly.

Can anti-androgens be used during pregnancy?

These medications can reduce skin oil production and improve acne. However, they should never be used during pregnancy because there is a risk that they cause feminization of a male fetus. 2,4

Can prednisone cause acne?

Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone [Category C], are potent medications that can treat severe acne, especially when both topical medications and oral antibiotics fail. However, research has shown that prednisone can cause severe birth defects as well as a slight increase in the risk of miscarriage. In addition, using corticosteroids repeatedly or long-term during pregnancy can cause growth failure of the fetus that results in the baby's being born at a low weight. Therefore, oral corticosteroids should be used only for exceptionally severe acne, after the first trimester, for less than one month, and under close medical supervision. 2,3

Does pregnancy cause acne?

As a result of hormonal changes in the body, pregnancy has an unpredictable effect on acne. Most women experience improvement in their acne during pregnancy. However, some women experience acne flares, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (red/dark marks left behind after an acne lesion heals), truncal acne (acne on the chest and back), and even a first episode of acne while they are pregnant. 1

Can you take acne medication while pregnant?

Determining how to treat acne during pregnancy is challenging. Scientists do not include pregnant women in clinical trials of acne medications because of the risk to the fetus. Therefore, there is no direct evidence concerning the safety of most acne medications during pregnancy.

Can topical medication be used on acne?

For mild-to-moderate acne, topical treatments are the preferred first choices. Even for severe acne, topical medications can be effective. It is important to note that topical medications are not without risk because in some instances they can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, especially when used on large areas of skin for a considerable amount of time. 3

Does benzoyl peroxide help acne?

Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide [Category C] demonstrates antibacterial, pore-unclogging, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help clear acne. Theoretically, benzoyl peroxide poses only a small risk to the fetus. While it is absorbed into the skin, the kidneys quickly remove it from the bloodstream.

Do antibiotics help with acne?

Oral antibiotics improve acne because they prevent the growth of acne bacteria, and they reduce inflammation. However, oral antibiotics are only somewhat effective in treating acne since they do not clear the skin.

What is the best face wash for oily skin?

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Face Wash. Shop now at Amazon. One of the best products for oily skin during pregnancy is the Toleriane foaming cleanser. It’s ideal for acne-prone complexions. It’s based on prebiotic thermal water, which is rich in minerals to promote a healthy skin tone.

How long does a bottle of a gel last?

It’s less drying and less risky during pregnancy, too. One bottle of the gel lasts up to two months if you’re following their program. The solution is pH-balanced and free of artificial fragrances and dyes. 10.

Is there a face wash that is cruelty free?

Here’s a face wash that’s cruelty-free and vegan. It’s free of common allergens and doesn’t contain sulfates, perfumes, dyes, caffeine, mineral oil, xenoestrogens, rosemary, or clary sage. Use it on your face, chest, and back – anywhere you have hormonal acne.

Can acne be used during pregnancy?

Part of the problem with acne treatments during pregnancy is that there are no human trials. We only find out what’s problematic after the fact. Conversely, tests done on pregnant animals are sadly quite common. Experiments show that topical azelaic acid doesn’t seem to have adverse effects on pregnancy.

Does Cerave body wash help with acne?

CeraVe’s body wash treats body acne as well as keratosis pilaris. (That’s when you have “chicken skin” bumps on the back of your arms or other parts of your body.)

Does tea tree oil kill pimples?

Plus, they avoid using parabens, gluten, artificial fragrances and dyes, and phthalates. This spot treatment features tea tree oil and colloidal sulfur to kill pimples, causing bacterias. It dries them up naturally. But the addition of chamomile soothes the skin.

Can you use salicylic acid while pregnant?

Safe acne treatments during pregnancy. As long as you don’t overdo it, you can use salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid to treat pimples while you’re pregnant. Since your skin may be more sensitive than usual, it’s best to go with a mild concentration. Again, consult with your doctor to be sure.

What is the best treatment for acne during pregnancy?

Other antibiotics that may be prescribed are penicillins and cephalosporins. Light and laser therapies for acne are also safe.

Can you take retinol while pregnant?

Topical retinoids (tretinoin, isotretinoin and adapalene) High concentration salicylic acid. Do not take the following oral medicines: Tetracyclines in later pregnancy, eg doxycycline, minocycline, lymecycline – these may discolour the teeth of the baby.

Can acne be treated while pregnant?

Treatment of acne in pregnancy. On the whole, it is preferable to avoid drugs in pregnancy in case they have an effect on the fetus.

Can acne get worse during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the severity of acne can improve or get worse. It is common for acne to get a bit worse in early pregnancy and for it to improve as pregnancy progresses. This may relate to the increased levels of oestrogen present in pregnancy.

How to get rid of pimples with tea tree oil?

“A few drops of tea tree directly on the blemish can be a good option when looking for a safer spot treatment,” says Dr. Sperling. To prevent irritation, dilute the oil with water first. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil helps reduce inflammation in red, angry pimples. Plus, the herbal scent is a nice pick-me-up. The size is tiny, but a little goes a long way.

Can hydrocolloid patches be used during pregnancy?

These handy patches cover your blemish with a thin, invisible hydrocolloid shield that both absorbs pimple pus to speed healing and prevent picking, so no red spots are left behind. Dr. Gaither gives hydrocolloid patches the okay during pregnancy — just make sure the one you choose is non-medicated, as some brands contain salicylic acid, which your doctor may want you to avoid. These patches are not medicated and are designed to blend into skin so well that no one will know they're there — you can even put concealer on top.

Is salicylic acid safe for acne?

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. There's some debate about whether these common acne-fighters are safe. Many doctors say you should avoid them, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says they may be okay in small doses. To be safe, ask your doctor before using products with these ingredients.

Is Cetaphil cleanser safe for pregnant women?

“ Cetaphil cleansers are great because they deeply cleanse the skin while being non-abrasive, gentle and safe for sensitive skin, ” says Dr. Sperling. She recommends this line, geared toward oily complexions. The foamy texture washes away impurities without leaving behind a heavy residue. The bottle comes with a pump to help the foam flow easily.

Does Juice Beauty moisturizer help with acne?

If you have acne, you may worry that using one will clog pores, but Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer won’t lead to more breakouts. It contains mineral-based SPF, packing 20 percent zinc oxide to block harmful UV rays. It's sold in a small tube that's easy to stash in your purse.

Is glycolic acid good for pregnancy?

When you need to amp up your anti-acne routine in pregnancy, glycolic acid ( an alpha hydroxy acid) is safe for evening out skin. “Glycolic acid works as an exfoliant," Dr. Sperling explains. "It removes dead skin and oil buildup and decreases bacteria, which in turn can help clear up skin.”

Does Juice Beauty have SPF 30?

This means you need to apply a moisturizer with SPF every single day. If you have acne, you may worry that using one will clog pores, but Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer won’t lead to more breakouts. It contains mineral-based SPF, packing 20 percent zinc oxide to block harmful UV rays.

What is the generic name for Accutane?

The generic name for Accutane is isotretinoin. Retin-A: Retin-A is a prescription cream that is applied to the skin to treat acne. The generic name for Retin-A is tretinoin. Tetracycline: Tetracycline is an antibiotic taken orally to treat acne and respiratory infections.

Can you take tetracycline while pregnant?

Tetracycline: Tetracycline should not be used during pregnancy unless recommended by your health care provider. The American Academy of Pediatrics has approved tetracycline safe for use during breastfeeding.

Can pregnant women use benzoyl peroxide?

When choosing over-the-counter medicated acne cleansers and treatments, it is advised that you consult with your health care provider first. There are products that contain benzoyl peroxide, which has been recommended as safe for pregnant women to use.

Can you get acne while pregnant?

Acne During Pregnancy. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels can bring a variety of skin changes, which makes acne during pregnancy a common complaint. Acne can be treated by a dermatologist in non-pregnant women through prescription drugs such as Accutane, Retin-A, and Tetracycline. However, use of these drugs is discouraged by pregnant women ...