You’re probably aware that your body will go through some changes during your pregnancy, like an expanding belly and unusual cravings. But you also likely didn’t anticipate your skin to revert back to what it was like when you were a teenager.

Expecting a little bundle of joy can make you more prone to breakouts, but standard remedies you’ve used in the past may not be OK to use during this time. Cue you, frantically searching for pregnancy-safe acne treatments to help you get clear skin again.

There’s a lot to navigate with pregnancy acne treatment, and it makes sense to have questions. Read on for everything you need to know, plus a few of our top picks to help you combat those pesky pimples.

What Causes Pregnancy Acne?

The usual suspect—hormones—are to blame. “Pregnancy acne is primarily caused by hormonal changes, specifically an increase in androgen hormones like progesterone and testosterone in the first trimester,” says Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics. “This can cause the oil glands in the skin to produce more sebum, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.”

And don't worry, it’s not just you who is going through this. “A lot of women experience pregnancy acne,” says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

If you haven’t experienced pregnancy acne yet, consider yourself lucky. “While the hormone changes happen in all women, this does not mean all pregnant women will develop acne,” Rodney says. “Those with a history of acne or acne during their menstrual cycles are more likely to develop pregnancy acne.”

How to Treat Pregnancy Acne

Treating pregnancy acne can be a little more complicated than tackling breakouts when you’re not expecting, simply because there are some ingredients you’ll want to avoid. Those include:

Retinoids. These include retinol, tretinoin and adapalene, and should be avoided in topical and oral forms. “These are known contributors to birth defects,” Rodney says.
Adapalene. Also known as Differin gel, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you skip this during pregnancy.
Vitamin A. Rodney warns that high doses of vitamin A have also been linked to birth defects and liver issues.

Instead, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends looking for products that contain ingredients like topical benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or glycolic acid. Rodney also notes that lactic acid and sulfur are safe for pregnancy, while cautioning, “it's always best to check with a healthcare provider before using any new products during pregnancy,” just to be safe.

ACOG also recommends the use of topical salicylic acid. Studies have shown that the use of low-dose, topical salicylic acid has no adverse effect on pregnancy. However, animal studies have shown a link between higher doses taken orally and birth defects. In the interest of caution, we've avoided recommending any products that use salicylic acid as an active ingredient.

Best Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatments

There are pregnancy-safe acne treatments that are effective. Try one or several of these to find the right one for you and your skin.

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How We Chose the Best Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatments

Pregnancy acne can be frustrating to deal with. To help you choose the best pregnancy-safe acne treatments, we spoke with a dermatologist and a board-certified ob/gyn for the advice they offer patients about choosing these products. We also consulted information from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Dermatology on the best and safest ingredients to use on your skin during your pregnancy. From there, we tracked down the most popular pregnancy acne products on the market and narrowed the field based on safety of ingredients, effectiveness and value. Reviews from real users were also considered to make sure we had the best sense of how these products perform for a range of expectant mothers.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Plus, More From The Bump:

The Best Pregnancy-Safe Makeup Products to Try

15 Best Tested and Reviewed Pregnancy-Safe Skin Care Products

The Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen for All Skin Types

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