Acne Medication And Pregnancy

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Just like your body, your skin has a mind of its own when you’re pregnant. “Pregnancy confers a lot of hormonal changes, and one of the things you may experience is an increase in the activity of sebaceous glands in your skin, ” says Kecia Gaither, M.D., Director of Perinatal Services and Maternal Fetal Medicine for NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln in New York. That means an increase in oil production, which can plug pores and lead to breakouts.

Acne In Pregnancy

The bad news: Your favorite spot treatment or acne wash may not be safe right now, which makespregnancy acne a little harder to treat.

“It’s important to note that whatever you put on your face, regardless of it being topical, gets absorbed into the skin and could affect the baby, says Shari Sperling, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sperling Dermatology in Florham Park, New Jersey.

When in doubt, she says, you'll want to get your doctor's okay before putting anything on your skin during pregnancy.What acne treatment should you avoid during pregnancy?

How To Deal With Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy

Some skin care ingredients are potentially risky to baby and have been associated with birth defects, says Dr. Gaither. A few ingredients you should avoid include:

It can be helpful to look for cleansers and spot treatments with these active ingredients, which are thought to be safe for pregnancy, according to theAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

Pro tip: At your next OB/GYN visit, bring a bag of your skincare products, says Dr. Gaither. Your doctor will be able to look over the list of ingredients and give you better advice than if you simply told her what products you were using.

Best Skin Care Products To Treat Pregnancy Acne 2021 — Doctor Approved

There are still acne treatments out there that you can use during pregnancy. Just keep in mind that everyone's skin is different— if

You’ve noticed a sudden change in your skin, yourOB/GYN and dermatologist should be your first stop for a treatment plan and you should always consult them before trying a new product yourself.How we made our picks for the best acne treatments for pregnancy

Searching for new skincare can be overwhelming, which is why we did the work for you. We first pulled products that met the safety standards established by the AAD and ACOG. From there, we conducted editorial research, focusing on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use, with feedback from OB/GYN and other experts. We also had What to Expect staff and contributors road-test products at home, and sought help from real parents in the What to Expect community to provide insights on products that are effective at tackling acne, yet gentle on your skin during pregnancy.

Causes Of Pregnancy Acne & The Best Treatment

Here are pregnancy-friendly acne products that will help youget rid of existing pimples, prevent new breakouts and erase dark spots to give you that bun-in-the-oven glow everyone keeps talking about.

What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.

It’s tempting to reach for a heavy-duty cleanser when you have acne, but pregnancy is a time to go easy on your skin. “Cetaphil cleansers are great because they deeply cleanse the skin while being non-abrasive, gentle and safe for sensitive skin, ” says Dr. Sperling. She recommends this line, geared toward oily complexions. The foamy texture washes away impurities without leaving behind a heavy residue. The bottle comes with a pump to help the foam flow easily.

What Causes Pregnancy Acne And How Can You Treat It?

Your skin needs a light touch right now. “You want to be very gentle with your skin during pregnancy, ” says Dr. Sperling. Look for cleansers designed for sensitive skin that are non-comedogenic.

She likes CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Not only does the formula clear skin of pore-clogging dirt and makeup, but it’s packed with three ceramides that reinforce skin’s barrier (this keeps potential irritants out) as well as hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that attracts water to hydrate and plump skin. This item is sold in a pump bottle.

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy makemelasma — askin condition that causes brown patches on the face — more likely, but sunexposure can also trigger those unwanted dark spots. This means you need to apply a moisturizer with SPF every single day. If you have acne, you may worry that using one will clog pores, butJuice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer won’t lead to more breakouts. It contains mineral-based SPF, packing 20 percent zinc oxide to block harmful UV rays. It's sold in a small tube that's easy to stash in your purse.

Pregnancy After Cystic Acne Medications: Is It Safe?

When you need to amp up your anti-acne routine in pregnancy, glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) is safe for evening out skin. “Glycolic acid works as an exfoliant, Dr. Sperling explains. It removes dead skin and oil buildup and decreases bacteria, which in turn can help clear up skin.”

Caudalie Glycolic Peel Maskis a twice-weekly, 10-minute treatment (hello, self care!) that can be used on all skin types. If you have sensitive skin, patch-test a little bit in an inconspicuous area first to make sure you don't develop a reaction.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Creamis oil-free and non-comedogenic, an important buzzword to look for on skin care bottles (translation: it won’t clog your pores). The gel-cream texture is quickly absorbed into skin while locking in moisture. Plus, you’ll appreciate that it’s free of parabens, a preservative some pregnant women try to avoid.

Best Skin Care Products For Pregnancy And Nursing 2023

These handy patches cover your blemish witha thin, invisible hydrocolloid shield that both absorbs pimple pus to speed healing and prevent picking, so no red spots are left behind.Dr. Gaither gives hydrocolloid patches the okay during pregnancy— justmake sure the one you choose is non-medicated, as some brands contain salicylic acid, which your doctor may want you to avoid.These patches are not medicatedand are designed to blend into skin so well that no one will know they're there — you can even put concealer on top.

Azelaic acid is thought to be safe during pregnancy, according to the AAD. This ingredient helpskill acne-causing bacteria and decrease keratin production, preventing the protein from building up and plugging pores. As an antioxidant, azelaic acid is also an effective skin brightener, so it can help diminish discoloration or leftover acne scars. Moms-to-be givethis formulahigh praise for keeping breakouts at bay.

, Pregnancy Acne, April 2021.American Academy of Dermatology, Is Any Acne Treatment Safe to Use During Pregnancy?, 2021.American Academy of Dermatology, Stubborn Acne? Hormonal Therapy Can Help, 2021.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents, July 2021.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Skin Conditions DuringPregnancy, June 2020.Kecia Gaither, M.D., OB/GYN, New York, NY.Shari Sperling, D.O., Dermatologist, Florham Park, NJ.

Pregnancy Acne: What Causes It & How To Safely Treat It

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