What’s the Deal With Pregnancy Acne? (And When Will It Go Away?)

When I was pregnant, I expected to have symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue. But breaking out like a teenager? Not on my pregnancy Bingo card. Still, pregnancy acne is surprisingly common.

Fortunately, there are ways to calm the chaos. Ahead, learn from ob-gyns and dermatologists what’s behind pregnancy acne (spoiler: it’s hormones!), when it starts and what you can safely do to treat it.

Key Takeaways

• What causes pregnancy acne? Pregnancy acne is caused by hormonal changes—especially increased progesterone and androgens—which can boost oil production and clog pores.
• Where does pregnancy acne most frequently appear? Breakouts can appear on the face, chest and back, and may look like blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed pimples or even cystic acne.
• When does pregnancy acne start? Pregnancy acne can start at any time, but it’s often most noticeable in the second and third trimesters.
• How to treat pregnancy acne: Many common acne treatments like retinoids and certain oral medications are off-limits during pregnancy. Pregnancy-safe options may include gentle skincare and ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid.
• When does pregnancy acne go away? For most people, pregnancy acne improves after delivery as hormone levels return to normal.

What Is Pregnancy Acne?

Pregnancy acne is simply acne that pops up during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes in the body. Pregnancy hormones can increase oil production and clog pores, which may lead to more frequent or severe breakouts.

Where does pregnancy acne most frequently appear?

Pregnancy acne can show up in many of the same places as typical acne, but it most commonly shows up on the face. Breakouts can also develop on the chest, shoulders and back, says Dr. Rachel Mandelbaum, an ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in the Los Angeles area and expert for Pure Mama. Where it appears often depends on your skin type and hormone levels.

How Common Is Pregnancy Acne?

Pregnancy acne is very common—in fact, it’s one of the most common skin changes people experience during pregnancy. “Most people notice some skin changes in pregnancy, whether it’s hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, acne or other changes. Acne is actually the most common,” says Dr. Mandelbaum.

That said, not everyone will experience breakouts—and those who have acne before pregnancy may be more likely to develop it while expecting.

We conducted a social media poll on pregnancy acne; 15 percent of our readers said they broke out during pregnancy (and they don’t usually have acne), 11 percent broke out (but had preexisting skin issues), 23 percent had mild breakouts and a lucky 52 percent didn’t experience acne during pregnancy at all. “I always had some, but it got really bad at the end of my first and second trimester,” shares The Bump community member Kali I.

What Causes Pregnancy Acne?

You guess it—those dang pregnancy hormones are to blame. Rising progesterone and androgen levels activate the sebaceous gland, causing an uptick in oil production, which can clog pores and cause acne, explains Dr. Mandelbaum. This is especially likely for those who are already prone to breakouts. Factors like stress and genetics may also influence how severe pregnancy acne becomes.

When Does Pregnancy Acne Start?

Breakouts can begin at any point during pregnancy, as hormone levels fluctuate. For some, they show up early, while others may notice changes later on.

“Pregnancy acne is highly variable from person to person in terms of the trimester in which it’s worst and its trajectory. For most, it’s worst in the second and third trimesters,” says Dr. Mandelbaum.

Of course, for some people, pregnancy acne makes its debut much earlier. Amanda B., a mom of one in New York, says “one of the first pregnancy symptoms I experienced was jawline cystic acne.”

What Does Pregnancy Acne Look Like?

While pregnancy acne isn’t a different type of acne, it can present in a few distinct ways. It can appear on the face, neck, chest or back—no area is off-limits, says Dr. Sonia Batra, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California. However, because these breakouts are driven by hormones, they’re often concentrated along the lower face, including the chin and jawline.

Hormonal shifts can also influence the type of acne you experience. “Since acne during pregnancy is fueled by androgen hormones such as progesterone, it’s more common to have bumps under the skin surface, clogging and congestion of the lower face and deeper nodules or tender cysts,” Dr. Batra explains.

Types of pregnancy acne

There are different types of pregnancy acne, which vary in severity:

• Whiteheads are typically non-inflammatory, blocked pores caused by excess oil production that form bumps.
• Blackheads are non-inflammatory open pores caused by—you guessed it—excess oil production.
• Papules are red, raised inflammatory bumps.
• Pustules are like papules, but filled with pus—they tend to show up as those white- or yellow-centered zits.
• Cystic acne is the most severe type of breakout, characterized by deep, inflamed and pus-filled cysts.

How to Treat Pregnancy Acne

Like many other health conditions that can occur during this journey, coping with pregnancy acne can be complicated because some treatments aren’t considered safe.

In fact, some common acne treatments have been shown to increase the risk of birth defects, per the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), so it’s important to know which treatments you can use and which you should avoid.

Pregnancy-safe treatments

“First-line treatments include topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or topical antibiotics,” says Dr. Mandelbaum. Other commonly used active ingredients in pregnancy-safe acne treatments include salicylic acid, glycolic acid and niacinamide, which can be found in over-the-counter cleansers, washes, serums and spot treatments. Prescription options such as erythromycin and clindamycin may also be used if a topical antibiotic is needed. Here are a few pregnancy-safe acne ingredients and products you can try with them.

• Benzoyl peroxide: Kills acne-causing bacteria and calms skin inflammation. (e.g. La Roche-Posay Effaclar BPO Multi-Target Acne Treatment with 5.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)
• Salicylic acid: Dissolves oil and sheds the dead skin cells that clog pores. (e.g. CeraVe Acne Control Gel)
• Azelaic acid: Targets acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. (e.g. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension)
• Glycolic acid: Exfoliates skin to brighten skin tone. (e.g. Drmtlgy 24 Hour Acne Serum)
• Niacinamide: Strengthens the skin’s barrier while tamping down oil production. (e.g. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser)

Treatments that are unsafe for pregnancy

Some common acne treatments aren’t considered safe during pregnancy and should be avoided. “Oral or topical retinoids (Accutane, for example) are [off-limits] in pregnancy due to the association with birth defects,” says Dr. Mandelbaum. She adds that spironolactone, another medication often used to treat acne, should also be avoided during pregnancy due to potential risks to baby.

Certain oral antibiotics, like tetracycline and doxycycline, are also not recommended during pregnancy, as they may affect baby’s developing teeth and bones.

If you’re currently using acne medications, check with your healthcare provider before continuing or starting any new treatments.

Safe home remedies and tips for pregnancy acne

In addition to treatment options, small, everyday habits can help keep pregnancy acne under control. Maintaining a simple routine and avoiding the urge to overdo it with products can go a long way in preventing irritation.

Focus on being gentle with your skin. Over-washing, scrubbing, or layering too many products can disrupt your skin barrier and make breakouts worse.

It can also help to pay attention to everyday factors that may contribute to acne, such as oil from your hair transferring to your face or not changing pillowcases often enough.

Other helpful habits include:

• Using oil-free, non-comedogenic skincare and makeup
• Avoiding picking at or popping blemishes
• Keeping your hands away from your face
• Managing stress and maintaining a balanced diet
• Staying hydrated can also support overall skin health. “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” advises Cheyenne T., a mom of three in New York. “Drink plenty of water and don’t forget to moisturize.”

Can Pregnancy Acne Determine Baby’s Sex?

You might have heard the old myth that having acne during pregnancy means you’re having a girl. (The idea is that girls “steal your beauty,” while boys give you that so-called pregnancy glow.)

There’s no scientific evidence to support this. “Acne hasn’t been found to point to one sex or another,” says Dr. Mandelbaum, noting that hormone levels during pregnancy are driven by the placenta and adrenal glands—not baby’s sex.

Some moms, like Lauren B., a mom of two in Florida who’s currently expecting her third baby boy, report experiencing acne while carrying boys—despite hearing the opposite prediction.

When Does Pregnancy Acne Go Away?

Pregnancy acne typically gets better within a few weeks after delivery, says Dr. Traci DeSplinter, MD, an ob-gyn at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Yes, some temporary [postpartum acne]https://www.thebump.com/a/postpartum-acne)) may be par for the course, but as hormone levels return to normal, excess oil production slows down and skin will begin to clear, Dr. DeSplinter says.

To Sum It Up

Pregnancy acne is a common and often frustrating side effect of hormonal changes during pregnancy. While it can show up at any point and look different for everyone, it’s usually temporary and tends to improve after delivery.

The key is to keep your routine simple, stick to pregnancy-safe treatments and avoid ingredients like retinoids, spironolactone and some oral antibiotics, which aren’t considered safe during pregnancy. If you’re unsure about a product or experiencing more severe breakouts, your provider can help you find a safe approach.

How We Developed This Article

Pregnancy acne is a common, but frustrating concern for moms-to-be. To learn about pregnancy acne and safe treatments, we consulted two ob-gyns and a dermatologist. We also consulted sources such as the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Finally, we spoke with real moms who’ve experienced pregnancy breakouts. After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Christine Carpenter is a New York–based writer and mom of two young boys who knows a thing or two about experiencing pesky symptoms like morning sickness and pregnancy acne. That’s why she covers pregnancy, postpartum and parenting topics for The Bump with a focus on helping parents-to-be navigate the physical and emotional changes of this stage. Christine is passionate about making complex health topics like pregnancy-related skin changes feel more approachable and manageable for all moms-to-be.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.