What is Pregnancy Acne and How Can Women Tackle It?

Pregnancy is a marvellous time in a woman’s life, especially if they have been dreaming of it for quite long. While our mothers reminisce upon it as being one of the happiest times in their lives, almost no one ever talks about the unwanted cons some women may have to deal with when they’re pregnant. 

One such unexpected and annoying side effect of pregnancy is acne breakouts. But before you panic, pregnancy acne isn’t some different type that you should fear. It is simply acne vulgaris aggravated because of pregnancy-related hormonal changes. 

Pregnancy acne is mainly caused due to an increase in androgen levels, a predominantly male hormone that helps in the foetus’ organ development and neural functioning, among other vital roles. However these androgens also lead to an excess sebum production that may cause acne in the pregnant woman. 

Acne during pregnancy is more common than you’d think and it usually surges during the first and second trimesters. As the hormonal changes already have an intense effect on the women going through pregnancy, an added problem like acne can often feel too overwhelming. 

After all, being pregnant and dealing with acne isn’t a straight route and definitely gets complicated with a whole human foetus growing in one’s womb. As whatever the mother consumes also affects the baby’s growth, some of the common prescription medicines and acne treatments can be unsafe during pregnancy. 

While researchers can’t really test different medications on pregnant women, there aren’t any concrete studies about them. Yet whatever data we have is based on observations from animal studies and women who have previously used acne treatments while being pregnant. 

From said observations, medications like isotretinoin, tazarotene, spironolactone, adapalene, tretinoin, among others are deemed unsafe for a pregnant woman to consume as they may cause severe birth defects. It is usually recommended that you check with your doctor before continuing any medication for acne treatment.

While any conceiving woman can get pregnancy acne, women who usually breakout during menstruation are more prone to it. It is usually best to tackle pregnancy acne the same way you’d tackle regular acne. Following a basic skincare routine, devoid of the unsafe products, should help minimise it.

Some practices that may help you minimise and prevent further breakouts include:

• Cleansing your face twice a day with a mild face wash.
• Being gentle with your skin and keeping it hydrated with a non-comedogenic moisturiser.
• Applying sunscreen to protect it from harsh UV rays of the sun.
• Avoiding smoking, excess consumption of caffeine, aerated drinks and having a healthy diet.

You c which contains ingredients like tulsi, aloe vera, chamomile calendula, salicylic acid and glycolic acid. While you should always consult with your dermatologist before using a new product, it is especially a good practice to check in with your gynaecologist if you’re pregnant.

On a concluding note, pregnancy is a time where a woman is going through a lot of physical and emotional changes. A lot of factors weigh in when deciding what may work for you and what won’t. Before trying any sort of new product, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor for a pregnancy-friendly acne routine.