I am one of the unlucky few who just never had perfect skin, and boy did pregnancy make it worse! I got breakouts on my face, shoulder back, and chest! And to make matters worse, I struggled to control it because I didn’t want to use acne products with ingredients that would harm my baby. Pregnancy acne or pregnancy pimples as I love to call them is a skin breakout in pregnancy caused by hormone changes. Pregnancy pimples are quite common and according to www.whattoexpect.com while it is not guaranteed that you will have a breakout during your pregnancy, the chances are quite high…sorry.
If you’re anything like me, one of your first pregnancy gifts from mother nature is those pregnancy pimples. I get them throughout all three pregnancies and my biggest concern was how do I treat them with products that will not harm my unborn baby. I have done the research and I am more than happy to share them with you.
Pregnancy Pimples Safe Treatments
Because a whole new person is developing inside your womb, most oral medications will be off the table for you. Topical products during this precious time are your friend. Even though topical products are typically safer, there are some ingredients that are just no-goes for pregnant women.
Ingredients to Absolutely Avoid (Unsafe Pregnancy Acne Treatment Ingredient)
Salicylic Acids
Like aspirin salicylic acid can cause birth defects to your unborn child. The risk is reduced if the product contains less than 2% salicylic acid but why take the chance?
Tetracycline
This is an antibiotic that is sometimes prescribed for acne treatment. However, this is very unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided completely.
Perfumes
Acne treatments containing perfumes should also be avoided because some potent perfumes contain phthalates which can disrupt hormones and thereby resulting in developmental issues for the fetus
Phthalates
This ingredient is found in a lot of beauty products as some form of preservative to increase their shelf lives but they can disrupt hormones and can be harmful to the developing baby
Retin A or Tretinoin
Studies have found that the sister drug of Retin A or Tretinoin called Isotretinoin also called Accutane contains substances that can be harmful to an unborn, it is advisable that pregnant moms avoid acne products containing Retin A or Tretinoin.
Pregnancy Safe Acne Treatment Products
Thankfully, due to decades of research, we now know what products are safe to use during pregnancy to treat pregnancy pimples. According to The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) there are some treatments that are considered safer than other when it comes to treating acne during pregnancy, so it’s always best to consult with your dermatologist and your doctor if you are in doubt.
When it comes to treating acne during pregnancy topical products including those you can buy over the counter are your best bets. Here are some of my favorite products that have helped me in all three of my pregnancies all of which are safe to use during pregnancy.
BELLI MATERNAL ANTI-BLEMISH FACE WASH
Designed specifically for pregnant women, the manufacturers have excluded the harmful chemicals that affect mothers and unborn children. This product is not only safe for pregnant women but it is also safe to use for people with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. It’s also a plus that it is cruelty-free and plant-based.
BELLI ACNE CONTROL SPOT TREATMENT
Since Belli manufactures skincare specifically with pregnant women in mind, I have to include them on my list twice! The brand Belli is known to be the manufacturer of some of the best acne skin care products for pregnant women. This brand will help you with your pregnancy pimples. Its main ingredients are lemon peel, green tea, olive oil, cucumber, camelia, and lactic acid. There are no artificial dyes in the product and no perfumes. This product has been approved by OBGYNs and dermatologists as safe for pregnant women. It is also not tested on animals and is gluten-free.
NEUTROGENA CLEAR PORE CLEANSER/MASK
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask is a very affordable pregnancy-safe acne product to use. It does not contain harmful chemicals and it’s great for pregnancy pimples, especially for those who of us (myself included) who have oily skin. You can use it as a cleanser, or you can leave it on longer and use it as a mask. It contains benzoyl peroxide at 3.5% which is very effective for fighting acne and less irritating than some of its counterparts.
LA ROUCH-PROSAY EFFCLAR DUO
This product is good for pregnancy pimples. It contains 5.5% benzoyl peroxide; it also contains a more gentle form of beta hydroxy acid. While this is perfectly safe, it is recommended for spot treatment because it can cause some irritation.
TULA PURIFYING FACE CLEANSER WITH PROBIOTIC TECHNOLOGY
This facial cleanser is safe for pregnant women struggling with pregnancy pimples. It is on the more expensive side but it is worth it, if you can afford it. It is gentle on the skin but goes deep into the pores to get rid of all the dirt that contributes to pimples and acne.
Of course, there are tons of other products that haven’t made it to my list that you can try. You can use my guide for the list of ingredients you want to avoid. The website https://www.15minutebeauty.com is also a very good source when it comes to pregnancy-safe acne products. She has compiled a list of pregnancy-safe acne products from various brands such as The Ordinary, Drunk Elephant, Bioderma and so much more. I hope this helps. Until next time, stay safe!
XOXO Monica
