Pregnancy and Acne

The excitement of being pregnant will often bring a glow of joy to a pregnant woman’s face. You often hear about the "glow of pregnancy" or phrases like, "you look like you’re glowing!" which means, generally, that you’re pregnant and you look great. What if, however, the hormonal changes of pregnancy leave you with another kind of ‘glow’- that of oily skin and acne?

If you’re one of those suffering from pregnancy-related acne, it can be tempting to use an over-the-counter acne medication to control the outbreak. Before you do, though- consider your baby.

The medications in many over-the-counter and prescription acne medications can be harmful to your baby.

This includes medications such as [tag-tec]Retin-A[/tag-tec], which has been shown to have some negative effects on the fetus, including cleft lips, retardation, spina bifida, and it may increase your chances of losing the pregnancy.

Clear skin is not worth the risk.

Talk with your doctor about caring for your skin during pregnancy- and don’t use any medications or ointments without your ob-gyn’s consent.

Because your skin may change during the course of pregnancy, you will be wise to practice good, basic skin care habits: use a gentle cleanser or mild soap, wash your makeup off before bedtime, wear moisturizer with sunscreen, and consider using natural skin care products- such as orange peels for exfoliation or lemon water for a refreshing toner.

Keep your doctor aware of your skin care routine, and you’ll protect your baby’s health and well-being.