Pregnancy acne - so annoying!!

mejane123

Anyone else had this problem?  I've read that the additional hormones commonly cause acne during pregnancy, but I can't find anything saying what works on it. On places like my forehead, hairline, and chin, it almost feels like a rash because there are so many pimples.  What have you ladies used to help keep it under control, if anything?  I know salicylic acid is out of the question, but that's been my old stand-by so I'm trying to find a decent replacement.  Thanks!

URMySunshine77

I have the exact same issue! I was using some dermatologist-prescribed topic medication before I became pregnant, but now I am afraid to use anything but soap. 

mkinMI

Yes!  I had this bad with my first pregnancy.  It was on my chest and back too.  I basically just dealt with it.  I don't know if there is really anything you can do for it.

mejane123

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking.  It's so hard because all I want to do is pop every pimple I see, but I know that'll only make it worse.  I've been using Clinique face wash and moisturizer and a witch hazel based toner, but it still seems to keep getting worse.  I'm sure the heat this time of year isn't helping any, either.  Thanks!

schoonerlover79

You took the words out of my mouth! Im not one that normally gets acne or zits and mine are even painful.  I went so far as to put toothpaste on everything last night before going to bed! ( Didn't really work for the record).

I look forward to some treatments from people, I have tried everything.

 

hilsy85

My dermatologist gave me a pregnancy safe topical cream. But honestly, I think it just gets better over time...my skin was awful from weeks 10 to 20...now at 23 weeks it's finally clearing up. 

nikipau144

There is really not much you can do except wait it out. It sucks, but it will get better with time.

orinjuse

I feel ya! I have never had this much acne in my life! Hairline, chin - just painful! I asked my OB what I could use to control it, and she said OTC facewash was fine, just nothing super strong, and I spot-treat with salicylic acid lotion that is only .05% in strength and she said that was fine too. It's been helping keep it all under control.

Also started using Bare Minerals to even out and tone down everything.

Good luck! Hope this doesn't last the entire pregnancy! 

princess25sns

I have struggled with acne my whole life. So I wasn't really surprised when I got it with pregnancy. But it's different from my usual acne. I only have the break outs along my jaw line and on my neck---and it's painful! I went to my dermatologist, but everything she prescribed me my OB said "No way". 

So I found this stuff online. It's all natural, like a mud mask, with a really mild moisturizer. And best of all, it's made specifically for pregnant women! It's called Lerosett made by Guinilla of Sweden. They offer a 21 day free trial period and you can send the product back if you aren't satisfied with the results. I figured it was worth a try! My acne has improved quite a bit. It hasn't disappeared, but it's a lot easier to deal with. I'd suggest trying this product. I mean, if it doesn't work then you aren't losing anything but the cost for shipping. Good luck!

https://www.gunillaofsweden.com/Best_Pregnant_Acne.php?gclid=CNW1n4HqqLACFQ5ThwodyQzCVA 

jenwill

With my first pregnancy, my OB okayed salicylic acid. For the record it didn't do much.

With this pregnancy, my dermatologist prescribed Clindamycin lotion. Doesn't totally get rid of it but it has definitely helped! I'm also using a facial scrub once a day and witch hazel based astringent once a day.  

URMySunshine77

jenwill:

With my first pregnancy, my OB okayed salicylic acid. For the record it didn't do much.

With this pregnancy, my dermatologist prescribed Clindamycin lotion. Doesn't totally get rid of it but it has definitely helped! I'm also using a facial scrub once a day and witch hazel based astringent once a day.  

When not pregnant, I use Clindamycin, but I have been paranoid about using any prescription meds. However, my OB said that any acne medications except for Retin-A and Accutane are acceptable when expecting. 

FutureG2010

I hear you girl! Pregnancy acne sucks. I've always dealt with acne, and had found 8% benzoyl peroxide (in extra strength proactiv) to be the only thing that worked, but when i found out i was pregnant i stopped using it and geez has my acne come back with a vengeance.... Where is the pregnancy glow lol?!

What have people heard about using benzoyl peroxide in pregnancy? It looks like barely any is absorbed thru the skin, and most places say its alright for use in pregnancy. I'm just so scared to use any meds at all for fear of harming the baby that I feel guilty wanting to use it again...

hilsy85

FutureG2010:

I hear you girl! Pregnancy acne sucks. I've always dealt with acne, and had found 8% benzoyl peroxide (in extra strength proactiv) to be the only thing that worked, but when i found out i was pregnant i stopped using it and geez has my acne come back with a vengeance.... Where is the pregnancy glow lol?!

What have people heard about using benzoyl peroxide in pregnancy? It looks like barely any is absorbed thru the skin, and most places say its alright for use in pregnancy. I'm just so scared to use any meds at all for fear of harming the baby that I feel guilty wanting to use it again...

Benzoyl Peroxide is class c, which means that there haven't been any adequate studies on the effect on the fetus, but there has been shown to possibly be some adverse affects on animal fetuses. HOWEVER, the term "Adverse affects" is really broad, and honestly probably only applies if you're bathing in it daily. My OB okayed benzoyl peroxide but I stopped using it around week 14 because I didn't feel comfortable anymore. 

elizb137

I have a huge bump on my nose right now, it is sooo painful. like it's under the skin almost, I can't see where the head of the pimple is if that makes sense. It's driving me nuts lol. My face is not as bad as my chest though, yuck! I've been using peppermint oil soap on my chest, that helps a little, and spot treating it w/ salycylic acid like others have said. My last pregnancy it didn't start until much later, somehow I got so lucky this time and it started almost right away. Yay hormones huh?

megmassey523

My skin has been developing red patches since I was about 16 weeks, and I've been using Burt's Bees Cleansers to help clear it up.  I use this cleanser that's great for sensitive skin:   https://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/face-care-sensitive-skin/sensitive-facial-cleanser.html

I also love their Orange Essence cleanser.  It has a great fresh smell to it, and leaves skin feeling really soft.  https://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/face-care-facial-cleansers/orange-essence-facial-cleanser.html  

I use the Orange cleanser in the morning 'cause the citrus smell really wakes me up, and the Sensitive cleanser before I got to bed at night.  It's really helped to clear up my skin and get rid of some of splotchy areas.  But that's just what worked for me.  I picked both cleansers up at Walmart.