Can we still use Proactiv?

rlanser

Hi everyone!

I am pregnant with my first and supper excited! My doctor won?t see me until I am 10 weeks, so I have about 5 weeks left, and 4 before I meet with her nurse. I have read some mixed things on using Proactiv face wash. I don?t really have acne anymore until recently obviously, but it still is not that bad. I have just become so used to using it that I have never stopped. But now that I am pregnant, I have been thinking of switching since some of the things I have read say not to use it. Have any of you been able to ask your doctor about it or heard anything?

Thanks!!

SunshineMuffin

I never bothered asking my OB or MFM because my dermatologist told me not to use it while pregnant. There are plenty of products we can use, so why play around, right?

laurenmichael725

My doc. said it is off limits, but I think you can still use the mask since it has sulfur in it and the toner I believe is ok.  Not the face wash or the repair lotion.  You need to stay away from peroxide and salicylic acid, though some doctors disagree about the safety of the latter.  I'm staying away from it.  I recently purchased face wash and spot treatment from Belli.  It's a line specifically for pregnancy.  A bit pricey, but so far so good.  It just came a couple of days ago, but it seems good.  Sulfur, lactic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that are safe during pregnancy.

Drea926

laurenmichael725:

My doc. said it is off limits, but I think you can still use the mask since it has sulfur in it and the toner I believe is ok.  Not the face wash or the repair lotion.  You need to stay away from peroxide and salicylic acid, though some doctors disagree about the safety of the latter.  I'm staying away from it.  I recently purchased face wash and spot treatment from Belli.  It's a line specifically for pregnancy.  A bit pricey, but so far so good.  It just came a couple of days ago, but it seems good.  Sulfur, lactic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that are safe during pregnancy.

 

Shoot...I just realized my face wash has salicyclic acid in it...I hadn't even thought about it and my doc never mentioned otherwise. I'll switch to something else now, but do you think I've done any damage? 

candreco

Drea926:

laurenmichael725:

My doc. said it is off limits, but I think you can still use the mask since it has sulfur in it and the toner I believe is ok.  Not the face wash or the repair lotion.  You need to stay away from peroxide and salicylic acid, though some doctors disagree about the safety of the latter.  I'm staying away from it.  I recently purchased face wash and spot treatment from Belli.  It's a line specifically for pregnancy.  A bit pricey, but so far so good.  It just came a couple of days ago, but it seems good.  Sulfur, lactic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that are safe during pregnancy.

 

Shoot...I just realized my face wash has salicyclic acid in it...I hadn't even thought about it and my doc never mentioned otherwise. I'll switch to something else now, but do you think I've done any damage? 

If you're just washing your face with it and not drinking it, you're fine.

rlanser

Thanks everyone!! I think I am going to go get the Neutrogena Naturals line today. I have heard some good things about it. I don't really need Proactiv anymore anyway, so it is time for a change.

Thanks again!

laurenmichael725

Drea926:

laurenmichael725:

My doc. said it is off limits, but I think you can still use the mask since it has sulfur in it and the toner I believe is ok.  Not the face wash or the repair lotion.  You need to stay away from peroxide and salicylic acid, though some doctors disagree about the safety of the latter.  I'm staying away from it.  I recently purchased face wash and spot treatment from Belli.  It's a line specifically for pregnancy.  A bit pricey, but so far so good.  It just came a couple of days ago, but it seems good.  Sulfur, lactic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that are safe during pregnancy.

 

Shoot...I just realized my face wash has salicyclic acid in it...I hadn't even thought about it and my doc never mentioned otherwise. I'll switch to something else now, but do you think I've done any damage? 

 

I'm sure it's fine.  It's probably just an extra safe precaution.  Some doctors tell their patients it's OK to use, others suggest switching to another active ingredient.  Don't worry!

MCRM22011

I was told no salicylic acid products. I currently have some Mario Badescu products with zinc oxide in them and my dr. believed they were fine. She seemed to not have been asked about them. I use their Orange face wash (with no acne ingredients in them, just AHA's), their Silver Treatment for blackheads, and the Buffering Lotion for cystic acne.

SunshineMuffin

MCRM22011:

I was told no salicylic acid products. I currently have some Mario Badescu products with zinc oxide in them and my dr. believed they were fine. She seemed to not have been asked about them. I use their Orange face wash (with no acne ingredients in them, just AHA's), their Silver Treatment for blackheads, and the Buffering Lotion for cystic acne.

 

The Buffering Lotion is a miracle!  I've dealt with cystic acne for nearly 18 years.  I have been fortunate to only get one at a time though.  I thought I would be a monster for the 9 pregnancy months because I can't get the steroid injections now. The Mario Badescu product actually works!  It is the only topical my cystic acne has ever responded to. 

mamaariel

Weird...I ONLY use Proactiv when I'm pregnant. I asked my OB the first time and she looked it up and told me that it'd be fine to use. Thank goodness too cuz I was miserable w/ how bad my skin was looking...felt like I was in jr high again and was not feeling good. I stopped using it after Maggie was born and started again about 2 weeks ago and am soo glad that I got the approval...I tried to do other stuff w/ tea tree oil and it just didn't work for me.

BuckyBalls

laurenmichael725:

My doc. said it is off limits, but I think you can still use the mask since it has sulfur in it and the toner I believe is ok.  Not the face wash or the repair lotion.  You need to stay away from peroxide and salicylic acid, though some doctors disagree about the safety of the latter.  I'm staying away from it.  I recently purchased face wash and spot treatment from Belli.  It's a line specifically for pregnancy.  A bit pricey, but so far so good.  It just came a couple of days ago, but it seems good.  Sulfur, lactic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that are safe during pregnancy.

I've also been using the Belli products. They're no Proactiv, but they're definitely better than nothing!

littlebeansmama

My doctor told me it's fine to use.

OP - if you're not sure, you may want to call your Dr. office and ask. Seems like there are a lot of differing opinions as far as what skin care products are safe to use during pregnancy.

TrudyCampbell

According to my derm, no. I started using benzoyl peroxide again in the 3rd tri. I'd hold off until atleast the 2nd trimester.