Pregnancy Acne FAQs

If you’ve become pregnant for the first time, congratulations. Pregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a time when hormones run wild. The body sometimes seems to betray you during pregnancy, and one surprising sign of this can be pregnancy acne.

What Is Pregnancy Acne?

Pregnancy acne, is as you might guess, acne that appears in pregnant women. Because hormone levels in pregnant women are high, particularly levels of androgens, sebaceous glands in some women’s skin enlarge, which increases production of sebum, which is one of the main ingredients in acne. Thus, women who already have adult acne may see worse breakouts when pregnant, and women without acne problems may find that during pregnancy, acne suddenly appears. This will not happen in all pregnant women, but it is not uncommon.

What Can a Pregnant Woman Expect with Regard to Pregnancy Acne?

There is no way to know completely what to expect, as each case is different for each woman. Some women may experience a few mild areas of acne, while others may see a more severe outbreak. Acne may occur during only one part of a pregnancy, may come and go throughout, or may remain consistently for the full pregnancy.

What Are Some Solutions to Pregnancy Acne?

Pregnancy acne behaves just like regular acne. You can’t get rid of it completely, but regular gentle washing with soap and water can help, as can avoiding makeup or using skin-safe makeup products. As with regular acne, popping or squeezing pimples is inadvisable.

Can You Use Proactiv During Pregnancy?

This is a question that is on the minds of many pregnant women. The acne-relieving effects of Proactiv are well known, especially to women who have already been struggling with acne. However, it is also well-known that certain acne medications are dangerous for pregnant women.  The most commonly known of these is Accutane, which should definitely be avoided by women who are pregnant. Proactiv, in general, is usually deemed safe for pregnant women. You should consult your obstetrician before taking any kind of medication, including Proactiv, but most dermatologists agree that Proactiv products, and the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, is generally safe to use when you are expecting. This means that if you were already using the Proactiv system for acne before getting pregnant, you can continue, and if you are subject to pregnancy acne, you can turn to Proactiv as a potentially effective solution (again, with your obstetrician’s approval).

More on Pregnancy Acne

There’s a lot to think about when you are pregnant, and you don’t want to spend too much time focused on the condition of your skin. Fortunately, with the Proactiv system, you don’t really have to. The Proactiv system is simple to understand, simple to use and easy to apply. It can also provide some welcome skin refreshment at a time when general discomfort is not uncommon. If you are suffering from pregnancy acne and want to take action, look into the Proactiv system of products.