When Does Pregnancy Acne Start & How to Minimize It

While most people associate acne with puberty, acne can also occur during pregnancy. Pregnancy acne is usually mild but may be a surprising symptom that most women do not anticipate. Read on to learn more about pregnancy acne and how to minimize it.

When Does Pregnancy Acne Start?

Women can experience acne at any time during pregnancy, though most will begin to notice blemishes at around 6 weeks into their pregnancy. In most cases, pregnancy acne will improve during the first trimester, though more serious breakouts may return during the third trimester when androgen hormones peak.

Why Does Acne Appear During Pregnancy?

There are two main factors that are the cause of pregnancy acne including changes in your hormones and changes in your immune system during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, your body will experience extreme hormone changes. The hormone progesterone is responsible for creating an ideal environment for the unborn baby. Androgen levels also rise during pregnancy and prepare your body for delivery. These hormonal changes can also cause your skin glands to produce more oil or sebum. This can lead to clogged pores and excess bacteria, resulting in acne.

How to Address Acne Concerns During Pregnancy.

Women who are unhappy with acne during pregnancy can achieve clearer looking skin with the right skincare products. There are some products that are safe to use during pregnancy, while others are not.

Products to Avoid While Pregnant

There are some skincare products that are not safe to use during pregnancy, and it is important to educate yourself on these products to keep you and your baby safe. If you are not sure if a product is safe to use, be sure to consult your OB/GYN or dermatologist. 

Some skincare products that are not safe to use while pregnant include:

  • Spironolactone
  • Isotretinoin
  • Adapalene (Differin)
  • Tazarotene
  • Certain oral antibiotics

Products You Can Use While Pregnant

Thankfully, there are also many skincare products that can safely be used during pregnancy. Again, we always recommend you double check with your doctor. Some of these include:

  • Glycolic acid
  • Salicylic acid
  • Azelaic acid

Pregnancy Skin Care Routine for Acne

While you cannot completely prevent pregnancy acne, there are some steps that you can take to reduce the appearance of acne, including the following daily skincare routine.

Morning Routine

  • Cleanse: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
  • Toner: Toner completes the cleansing process by removing remaining dirt or oil.
  • Moisturize: Avoid heavy moisturizers, as these may worsen acne.
  • Sunscreen: Daily sunscreen application is important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays as well as help prevent sun damage to the skin.

Night Routine

  • Cleanse: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
  • Exfoliate: Use a gentle exfoliator 1-2 times a week.
  • Toner: Toner completes the cleansing process by removing remaining dirt or oil.
  • Serum: Applying Microbiome Restorative All in One Serum helps skin appear balanced
  • Moisturize: Avoid heavy moisturizers, as these may worsen acne.

Extra Tips

Some other tips that can be helpful for combating pregnancy acne include changing your pillowcases frequency, avoiding touching your face as much as possible, taking steps to keep your hair off of your skin as much as possible, and avoiding popping or picking existing blemishes.

Read our Complete Guide to Pregnancy Skincare Routines

If you are seeking further information regarding skincare and pregnancy, check out our Complete Guide to a Pregnancy Skincare Routine. Here you can also find recommended Epicuren products that will help you achieve the appearance of youthful, glowing skin. Also, check out our guide to pregnancy skincare products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to acne concerns during pregnancy?

To  reduce the appearance of acne during pregnancy, be sure to follow a gentle skincare routine daily. This will help to keep acne-causing oil and bacteria at bay.

When does pregnancy acne stop?

Pregnancy acne usually becomes lighter during the first trimester but may worsen as androgen levels peak during the third trimester.

What causes acne in early pregnancy?

Excessive production of sebum due to hormone fluctuations is the main cause of acne in early pregnancy.

Where do most people get pregnancy acne?

Most women see pregnancy acne on their faces, neck, chest, and back.

Does pregnancy acne go away?

Most pregnancy acne will go away soon after the baby is delivered.

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