Has Anyone Dealt with Acne During Pregnancy?

Hi!
I had it bad too, but only with my first pregnancy. Don't use anything OTC, most have ingredients not safe with pregnancy. I had a couple facials which really helped. After my son was born my skin went back to normal! I know how frustrating it is, especially if you are used to a clear complexion. Good Luck!

I broke out too and it was hormone related. If you are that worried about it I would go see a dermatologist.My skin also changed after my little guy-it either that or old age is setting in!

Holly~

I had the same situation!! Just like the others and when I see other women pregnant with the same situation I just think "Im not alone"!!!!!! You have so much going on with your body and I understand that you want to have that "I'm pregnant and glowing" but just ride it out and use cverup if you can. I have extremely sensitive skin and I use a product called "fresh" they have an incredible cucumber face wash that is so light on your skin. I will be honest its pricey but it worked for me:)
M.

I was told NOT to use anything with benzoyl peroxide or salacylic acid, which are the common ingredients in OTC stuff.
I got a couple of facials and that seemed to help.
How far along are you? My skin got so much better at about 4 months.
I ended up finding out (after trying all kinds of fancy stuff) that Dove bar soap and Oil of Olay sensitive moisturizer was the best combination for me...go figure :)
I avoid sun and always use sunscreen, so I can't be of any help with the tanning part :)

I broke out a lot during my pregnancy. I was told to stay away from anything with benzoyl peroxide. A lot of acne treatments are also not safe to use during pregnancy. I did have a facial and that really helped. The girl was nice and she was very helpful. I don't know where exactly you live, but I went to L. Thomas Salon in Tinley Park. Good luck!

Holly,

I have struggled with acne since going away to college, 19 yrs ago. I am 37 and still struggle with acne. In my recent research, I've found that FlaxSeed Oil 2 TBS morning and night could help and possibly an old wives tale of rubbing 1/2 lemon directly onto your face every evening (sounds strange but may be the safest since you are pregnant).

A college friend recommended the lemon when I was in college. She said her grandmother did exactly that to her and the lemon juice cleared up the acne.

Seeing how you are pregnant It would be best in talking to your dr about the amount of Flaxseed oil is safe for you to consume.

I know exactly how you are feeling. Stay strong.

Sending you the best wishes,
F.

I had some mild acne when I was pregnant. I usually always have clear skin, so it is the hormones causing your breakouts. My OB told me I could use benzoyl peroxide to treat it, and it is safe. I used Proactive and it worked.

DO NOT use anything with retinol or salacylic acid in it. Both of those can cause harm to the fetus.

I had pretty bad breakouts during my first pregnancy, and while it is better right now in my second, it is still prevelant. Every now and then I get facials when I am pregnant to help control it. The aesthetician I go to has done a great job helping me control it, knowing that our budget is tight and I can't come in all the time and change my face cleansing products to an expensive line. She has given me samples to try to see if they help, and if so then I only have to invest in maybe one product and add that to my cheap daily routine. My aesthetician is in Wicker Park, which you probably don't want to travel to. But I would say this, definately go to one that comes recommended. I tried to find one closer to my house, picked a random salon/spa that is suppose to be of great quality, and ended up with some scaring on my face from the extractions she did too harshly and my face completely dried out from a toner that she gave me to control the oil she thought I had in my face. So don't just go to a random one, find someone that people highly recommend!! I of course have switched back to the one that is a bit further away, and now she is the only one I trust without a glowing recommendation!!

I had bad acne my first trimester - but it got better around the time that ended. Hang in there!

Funny you posted about this. I am having the same problem with acne. I did not have this problem with previous pregnancies. I did talk to my Dr. he said to stick with over the counter stuff. I have been using Nuetragena Clear Skin (i think this is what it is called) and it is helping a little bit...but there is still some acne.

Good Luck!!

Hmm.. I never knew about acne products you aren't supposed to use during pregnancy. I actually had a pretty clear complexion, until I hit my 2nd trimester my 2nd pregnancy. I am in my 30's & I use Stridex pads & acne creme all the time... I guess I bettter do my research, i didn't think facial products could be harmful..

Iam currently expecting number four and I ment to ask my midwife yesterday and totally forgot!!! It will be nice to see what everyone else says but I think it is hormonal and there is little you can do to make it better!!!

Holly,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Unfortunately because of all the hormornal changes your body is going through acne is a result of this constant change. Going to the dermatologist might help, but in reality they can't do a whole lot for you. I heard tea tree oil works really well and you can purchase it at the Body Shop. They have a cleansers as well on the spot products for your blemishes. I hope this helps!

Holly and others:
The joys of being a woman! Ah yes, it is those hormones playing around all over your body. You are very wise NOT to use the over the counter products. As a matter of fact, Clearasil is about the worst product on the market - it's been in a recent study of being potentially carcinogenic! Since you have sensitive skin as well, the majority of the OTC products have alcohol based astringents, not good at all for skin and especially if you have some dry areas and are sensitive. You are smart to stay away from chemicals, as topicals and lotions get into the bloodstream 70% faster and are more readily absorbed this way. I can get you information on a whole acne line with moisturizer and products that are proven safe and beneficial. Unfortunately, there is no "quick fix" for this and some of the harsher products that may "temporarily" work, don't treat for the long term. Arbonne products are all safe and natural. The baby's line is amazing!!! Check it out at www.arbonne.com and let me know if you are interested. If anyone is truly concerned about what products they put on their skin or their family's (especially newborns), then you definitely want to check this site out. I wish you luck as I know very well from experience - I suffered with acne since I was 13!! I am an official expert in this area, have had 3 kids and done it all, but found the best! Take care of yourself and good luck.
Some bronzing powder will help you with your "ghost" issues. My daughter is very fair and we used some on her this weekend with her spaghetti strapped dress and she looked great! Very natural looking too, not like those other brands!
K.

I could have written this... The unbelievable acne was one of our first signs that something was going on. I looked like a teenager - pimples all over my face, neck, and back. Some of them were so inflamed they hurt. I tried over-the-counter stuff (clearsil, etc) and it had no effect. Your hormones are doing this from the inside out. Keep your skin clean and lightly moisturized (it was the worst when my skin got too dry). There is not much else you can do. I had the best results with cetaphil cleanser, seabreeze astringent, and sensitive skin oil of olay moisturizer. I still had acne, but that kept it a little in check. I had a facial once, and that seemed to soothe it a little, but not enough to be worth the uncomfortable position I had to lie in to have it done....

Within 10 days of delivering my daughter everything cleared up. I have had the best skin I've had since puberty for the last 17 months. Hang in there.

You might want to try Xeno. It is a device that kills the bacteria in pimples. Find it on the internet or at Target. It is kind of expensive ($150) but might do the trick. I get cystic acne and it sometimes works for me. For the really bad, hormonal, underground pimples, I get a cortizone injection at my derm's office. They clear up in about 24 hours after an injection. My derm says they are safe during pregnancy. Benzol peroxide is safe during pregnancy but stay away from salacylics and defintely stay away from retinols (differin, etc.) The retinols can cause serious birth defects. Good luck!

There is a company that makes organic and some vegan bath products. Its called Lush and they have a small shop in the Macy's downtown (the big huge one that used to be the Marshall Fields). And they have this soap called Fresh Farmacy it smells like calamine lotion but it helps dry out your pimples. Some people might find it too drying but they also have moisturizers too. If you do get anything from there make sure to keep it very dry, none of their products have preservatives.

www.lush.com

And do you know the sex of your baby yet?

yes, I did. Unfortunately, there are so many products you cannot use during pregnancy! Fortunately, there was something that helped me...Sea Breeze Astringent which you can get at the drugstore for a few bucks. I think this stuff is like acid and would normally never use it, but I was desperate during my pregnancy and this helped control it. My midwife said it was safe to use.

Good luck!!