Treating Acne During Pregnancy

Struggling to keep your stunning pregnancy glow? Are you contending with hormonal acne or pregnancy mask? It can be tempting to add the latest and greatest to your skincare routine when trying to clear up your skin, but during pregnancy, it’s important to keep an eye on the ingredients. The majority of pregnant women understand that what they put in their bodies has the ability to affect the health of their developing baby. However, the potential ramifications of what many mamas put on their bodies are what often get overlooked. While many everyday products are entirely safe for mom and baby, there are several skincare ingredients specialists encourage to avoid while pregnant. But not to worry — SO many women experience acne during their first trimester and safe solutions do exist. Even if you’ve had clear skin forever (including high school), fluctuating estrogen levels can mean dealing with unwanted acne during pregnancy. Wondering what’s ok and what isn’t? We have options for you.

Acne Treatments

While going to a dermatologist is always the safest bet, using a face wash that contains less than 2% salicylic acid should keep any annoying bouts of acne at bay. This low percentage has been deemed safe and will help keep you glowing. When it comes down to what to stay away from — any type of acne lotion, gel, at-home peels and creams need to stay out of the bathroom cabinet.

So the next time you peruse the beauty aisles, be sure to read the labels and keep an eye out for these acne treatment no-no products and ingredients:

• Tretinoin
• Avage, Fabior, Tazorac (tazarotene)
• Avita (tretinoin)
• Salicylic acid
• Differin (adapelene)
• Retinoic acid
• Panretin (alitretinoin)
• Targretin gel (bexarotene)
• Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin)
• Retinol
• Retinyl linoleate
• Retinyl palmitate

Retinoids

Retinoids belong to a class of chemical compounds that are often seen in anti-aging moisturizers and treatments for acne, plaque psoriasis and hyperpigmentation. Retinoids are chemically related to Vitamin A and assist in a process called desquamation (aka shedding dead skin cells at a regular rate to prevent them from creating clogged pores). This is critical because clogged oil ducts lead to acne while clogged hair follicles result in a condition called keratosis pilaris. In addition to helping skin shed regularly, retinoids are also known for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Despite their many potential benefits, experts do not recommend pregnant women use skincare products containing retinoids. Many studies have proven that vitamin A in high doses during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby. For example, Accutane, a name brand many acne sufferers may be familiar with, is an oral retinoid that is known to cause birth defects. But don’t worry, if you’ve been applying products that contain retinoids directly to your skin, you’re in the clear. To be on the safe side however, doctors recommend caution for this type of application or simply just avoiding it altogether.

If you see any of these retinoid-related products or ingredients below on a skincare label, keep walking!

• Avage, Fabior, Tazorac (tazarotene)
• Retinoic Acid
• Targretin gel (bexarotene)
• Differin (adapelene)
• Retin-A, Renova (tretinoin)
• Avita (tretinoin)
• Retinyl linoleate
• Retinyl palmitate
• Panretin (alitretinoin)
• Retinol

Hydroxy Acids

Hydroxy Acids — like beta hydroxy acids (BHA) and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) — are a class of chemical compounds found in skincare products catered to treating skin disorders like acne, redness and inflammation. They’re typically found in toners, cleansers and exfoliants used to prevent signs of aging. Salicylic acid, the most frequently seen BHA ingredient, has been shown in pregnancy studies to cause both birth complications and defects when taken in its oral form. Unfortunately, the effects of other types of BHAs and AHAs on pregnant women have not been extensively studied. Like retinoids, BHAs are to be completely avoided in their oral form. Topically they aren’t particularly dangerous, but are typically recommended against by medical professionals due to their list of potential harmful effects in the oral form. However, a once or twice daily application directly to the skin (excluding face and body peels) have been deemed safe. If you do decide to use a BHA containing product, be sure to stay out of the sun or use sun protection products (they cause sensitivity to the sun).

Now onto the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). You’ve probably heard of lactic acid and glycolic acid — the two most common types of AHAs. Unfortunately, these have not been extensively tested in pregnancy studies. Luckily, only a small amount can really be absorbed into the skin, making them low risk options when used in lower quantities.

The hydroxy-acid ingredient nope list:

• Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
• Hydroxyethanoic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Glycolic acid
• Beta hydroxy acids (BHA)
• Beta hydroxybutanoic acid
• Betaine salicylate
• Dicarbonous acid
• Hydroacetic acid
• Hydroxycaproic acid
• Lactic acid
• Citric acid
• Salicylic acid
• Trethocanic acid
• Hydroxyacetic acid
• Tropic acid
• Azelaic acid

Soy

Soy? You’re probably wondering if you read that correctly. While lotions and facial products with soy bases are typically safe to use, soy is also known for its estrogenic effects that can cause dark patches of skin called melasma or chloasma. If you have melasma, be sure to nix these ingredients from your skincare product diet:

• Lethicin
• Soy
• Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• Phosphatidylcholine

What to Look for When Browsing Skincare Products:

We’ll make it simple for you — anything hypoallergenic, paraben-free or non-comedogenic (products that don’t clog pores) are safe to use on acne and are also safe for baby. May we recommend:

Previse HydroFoam Rejuvenating Hyaluronic Moisturizer – $48

Pregnancy symptoms can wreck a new mom’s beautiful skin. To keep your “pregnancy glow” going, you need a personal care product that locks in moisture. Plus they chose marine and botanical ingredients that have little or no aroma which makes it safe for pregnancy!

Glow Organics Charcoal Face and Body Mask – $49.99

No need to let pregnancy symptoms leave your skin in breakout mode. Calm the effect of pregnancy acne while treating yourself to a spa retreat. Who wouldn’t love that?!

Promise Pregnancy Facial Wash – $16

Pregnancy symptoms can wreck havoc on your skin! The Promise hydrating facial wash is a pregnancy-safe cleanser that can help fight acne, while refreshing and hydrating your skin. 

Just a gentle, friendly reminder — anything you put in or on your body has the ability to affect your unborn baby. Unfortunately, a developing infant is not capable of fighting off irritants like your fully developed body. It’s up to you to control what enters your baby’s fragile system. Evaluating your current skin care regimen is a great place to start, and can be easy when armed with the right research. A quick read-through of the ingredients on your current skincare regimen can help you decide what needs to be switched out. By avoiding a few harsh chemicals and ingredients, your skin will be happier and healthier, and so will your baby. And most importantly, hydrate. Nothing like staying hydrated to keep your skin glowing and fresh, all pregnancy long!