The 7 Best Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatments for Those Hormonal Breakouts
Here’s what a dermatologist has to say.
When I was pregnant, I swear my face was in worse shape than it was during puberty. I broke out all over my forehead and chin, and I’d get the absolute worst acne on my chest. As if morning sickness and an itchy belly weren’t bad enough, I had to look like I'd gotten into a tussle with a swarm of bees on top of that. (RIP, Thomas J.)
I never figured out how to control it because I was too worried about the ingredients in acne treatments. But now, if it happened again, I’d be ready. And so will you, because I spoke to a dermatologist and found out what causes the acne, what’s safe, what pregnant people should look for, and what they should avoid.
Pregnancy-Safe Acne Treatments
- Brightens and Clears: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension
- Best Smell: 100 Percent Pure Lavender Oat Milk Cleanser
- Most Gentle: Go-To Properly Clean
- Designed for Pregnant People: Belli Acne Treatment
- A Pimple Vacuum: Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Patches
- Best Mask: Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Mask
- Best Spot Treatment: Kiehl's Breakout Treatment
Why You’re Breaking Out
Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Robin Schaffran tells Best Products, “Pregnancy acne is induced by hormonal changes during pregnancy.” Pregnancy is a hormonal soup, and unlike is the case with PMS-related breakouts, the hormones just keep going for the duration of your pregnancy. This is especially frustrating because options are limited when it comes to pregnancy-safe acne treatments.
What You Can Do
There are a few medications and ingredients that you have to avoid during your pregnancy, notes Schaffran. Oral medications such as Accutane or tetracycline-type medications, including doxycycline and minocycline, and topical medications such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or other retinoids are definite no-gos. As retinoids and other vitamin A derivatives are often the first line of defense in acne flares, treating the acne without them can feel like tying your arms behind your back.
However, no matter which treatment you ultimately choose, Schaffran stresses that you really should talk to your provider before you use anything. Every pregnancy is different, and that means that a therapy that might be safe for one person may not necessarily be right for someone else.
The Most Common Ingredients
The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) says that there are some treatments that are considered safer than others. However, they caution that you should be in contact with a dermatologist and your doctor at all times. The treatments I'm including are topical and can be purchased over-the-counter, but if you have stubborn, treatment-resistant acne during your pregnancy, you might want to consider a prescription option.
- Azelaic acid is a compound found in some grains that works to soothe inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of the acid are particularly great for rosacea and red, inflamed acne. It is thought to be considered safe for pregnancy.
- Benzoyl peroxide is considered safe in limited amounts, but this is one of the treatments that you really need to discuss with your provider. It's an antiseptic that is used in tons of acne products, and it's very popular. However, it's a pretty strong chemical.
- Salicylic acid is the primary ingredient in aspirin, and while you can't take aspirin while you're pregnant, using its anti-inflammatory chemical sibling topically is generally considered safe in small amounts.
- Highly diluted lavender, citric acid, and mint in face washes or moisturizers may tone down the oiliness and redness in the skin.
- Sulfur works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, but it is gentler and safer.
- Chamomile cools and soothes the skin, working to limit redness and swelling.
You can also try unmedicated hydrocolloid patches, which draw out fluid and bacteria from superficial pimples.
Additionally, more and more acne treatments – like the ever popular ClearBalm and Truly — contain CBD. This is a very gray area in regards to safety, as CBD is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the studies around its use during pregnancy are limited. There's just not enough data to determine if it is or isn't safe.
That being said, below are our most reliable pregnancy-safe acne treatments.
