How to Treat Acne During Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can have some very unpredictable results. The increase in androgen and progesterone levels can cause women's oil glands to work overtime. Some women, who have struggled with acne all their lives, find that pregnancy is a time of reprieve from those blemishes and pimples. For others, pregnancy is the first time they've had to control breakouts and treat acne. Of course, treating acne without potential harm to your baby can be a bit tricky.

Things You'll Need

• Glycolic acid acne preparation
• Mild soap
• Clay facial masque

Instructions

Use Medication to Treat Acne

1. Avoid using prescription medications to treat acne. Both oral and topical prescription medicines have the potential to be teratogenic (harmful to a fetus), though some less than others. Check with your doctor about the teratogen-level rating of anti-acne medication before using it.

2. Use an over-the-counter preparation with glycolic acid. Unlike the common benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid preparations, glycolic acid has been shown to to be safe to treat acne topically during pregnancy.

3. See a dermatologist if your acne is severe and not responding to any type of home treatment. Dermatologists are specially trained to treat skin problems in all types of patients, including pregnant women.

Avoid Acne During Pregnancy

1. Switch to water-based makeup products if you currently use oil-based makeup. Look specifically for products that are designed to prevent breakouts and not clog your pores. Such products are marketed as "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic."

2. Wash, don't scrub, your face with water and a gentle soap such as Cetaphil at least twice a day. Remove any makeup and wash your face again before going to bed.

3. Resist the urge to squeeze and pop pimples, whiteheads, blackheads or other types of blemishes. Doing do can spread infection and possibly leave permanent scars.

4. Treat yourself to a clay facial masque once a week. In addition to being soothing, it can help reduce the oiliness of your skin.

5. Keep your hair clean and away from your face. The residue of hair products can exacerbate acne during pregnancy.

Tips & Warnings

• Some pregnant women use toothpaste to treat blemishes, saying that dabbing a bit of toothpaste (cream formulas, not gels) over each blemish at bedtime dries out the skin and reduces future outbreaks.

• Pregnant women should never take the drug Accutane or use a retinoid topical ointment, such as Retin A. Accutane is associated with severe birth defects and retinoids are derived from Vitamin A, another substance which, in excessive amounts, is associated with birth defects.