What's the best way to treat pregnancy acne?
Answers from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.Pregnancy acne can be treated with self-care and medication.
Pregnancy acne isn't a special form of acne. Some women simply seem to have trouble with acne during pregnancy. The likely culprit is an overproduction of oil (sebum) — which happens when certain hormones go into overdrive.
To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care:
- Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Twice a day, use your hands to wash your face with a mild soap and warm water. Avoid certain products, such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks, because they tend to irritate skin, which can worsen acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin.
- Shampoo regularly. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair every day.
- Don't pick or squeeze blemishes. Doing so can cause infection or scarring.
- Avoid irritants. Don't use oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hairstyling products or acne concealers. Use products labeled water-based or noncomedogenic, which means they are less likely to cause acne.
- Watch what touches your skin. Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects on your face. Tight clothing or hats also can pose a problem, especially if you're sweating. Sweat and oils can contribute to acne.
Medication also can be used to treat pregnancy acne but any medication applied to your skin or swallowed during pregnancy can enter your bloodstream and affect your baby. While most ingredients in over-the-counter topical acne treatments haven't been studied in pregnancy, typically only small amounts are absorbed into the skin. This makes it unlikely that the treatments would pose a risk to a developing baby.
Generally, skin treatments containing erythromycin (Erygel) and clindamycin (Cleocin T, Clindagel, others) are considered safe. The safety of using benzoyl peroxide to treat pregnancy acne hasn't been established. This treatment should only be used if clearly needed.
Acne medication known to cause birth defects — including oral isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis) and topical retinoids — must be avoided during pregnancy.
If you're concerned about pregnancy acne, consult your dermatologist or your health care provider. Together you can weigh the benefits and risks of various treatment options.
Aug. 25, 2016 See more Expert AnswersProducts and Services
- Free Pregnancy App — Expert knowledge at your fingertips!
- Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
See also
- Air travel during pregnancy
- Allergy medications during pregnancy
- Ankle swelling during pregnancy
- Antibiotics and pregnancy
- Aspirin during pregnancy
- Baby brain
- Pregnancy back pain
- Breast-feeding while pregnant
- Childbirth classes
- Couvade syndrome
- Dental work during pregnancy
- Thinking about exercise during pregnancy?
- Falling during pregnancy: Reason to worry?
- Flu and pregnancy
- Flu shot in pregnancy
- Hair dye and pregnancy
- Headaches during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?
- Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tips
- Leg cramps during pregnancy
- Introducing a new sibling
- Placenta
- Pregnancy due date calculator
- Pregnancy and exercise
- Pregnancy and fish
- Pregnancy and hot tubs
- Pregnancy and lactose intolerance
- Pregnancy constipation
- Pregnancy diet: Essential nutrients
- Pregnancy glow: Is it real?
- Pregnancy nutrition don'ts
- Pregnancy nutrition basics
- Pregnancy weight gain
- Pregnant. Now What Happens?
- Prenatal testing
- Prenatal testing: Quick guide to common tests
- Prenatal vitamins and pregnancy
- Prenatal yoga
- Rheumatoid arthritis medications: Dangerous during pregnancy?
- Second pregnancy differences
- Sex during pregnancy
- Sleep during pregnancy
- Vegetable recipes
- Fetal ultrasound
- Smoking and pregnancy
- Twin pregnancy
- Vaccines during pregnancy
- Fetal ultrasound
- Working during pregnancy
- X-ray during pregnancy