Acne-fighting ingredients are in all types of skincare products. Between acne cleansers, toners, spot treatments, and serums, there’s no shortage of skincare products being advertised to give you clear skin. It’s especially overwhelming when you’re pregnant and have to worry about whether or not an ingredient or skincare product is safe for pregnancy. To make matters worse, even if you have an idea of which ingredient you want to use, you then have to choose whether you want a face wash, toner, or serum. So, how do you decide which is right for you?

In this article, I’ve made it easy for moms-to-be dealing with breakouts by sharing my go-to acne routines during pregnancy. I’ll explain what to avoid, what to use and how often, and what personally worked for me during my pregnancy.

Can I use the same acne products during pregnancy that I was using before I got pregnant?

Depending on the severity and type of acne you’re experiencing while pregnant, you may not have to overhaul your whole skincare routine. You may even already have some acne products that are pregnancy-safe and perfectly fine to use throughout both your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. With that said, the majority of acne products on the market contain ingredients that aren’t pregnancy safe, namely salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (in high concentrations), and retinoids. 

With salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, the poison makes the dose. Since it can be hard to determine the exact percentage a skincare product contains, you’ll often see doctors discouraging their use entirely just to be safe. Generally speaking, however, skincare products containing 2% or less salicylic acid and 5% or less benzoyl peroxide are fine to use during pregnancy. These lower concentrations can usually be found in acne cleansers and toners whereas serums and spot treatments often contain more. If you are concerned about a specific skincare product and whether or not it’s pregnancy-safe, always consult with your doctor. 

Stronger ingredients like retinoids must be avoided during pregnancy entirely and you should stop use immediately when you find out you’re pregnant. This can be difficult since they are often used for acne and can be purchased both over the counter and prescribed by a doctor. Even small percentages should be avoided as retinoids have been shown to cause birth defects. 

Common skincare products containing retinoids that you may be using to treat acne include retinol serums, creams and moisturizers, and Differin (also known as adapalene) gel. For prescriptions, Retin-A, adapalene, and tazarotene are topical skincare products containing retinoids to avoid using during pregnancy. Prescription oral retinoids like Accutane should also be immediately stopped and avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Acne Skincare Routines for Pregnancy

If You’re Pregnant and Have Mild Acne

I often heard before getting pregnant that your skin either glows during pregnancy or you end up an oily greaseball covered in breakouts. I was terrified that I would be the latter given I’ve had acne-prone skin all my life. Surprisingly, my skin was quite clear throughout my pregnancy. 

Before you call me lucky, it was a double-edged sword. I seemed to produce absolutely no oil anywhere, even my scalp, and had dry, flaky skin everywhere on my body. No matter what I wore, clothes irritated me and even my bed sheets made me itch. I would slather oil and body cream in thick layers every night only to be flaky again as soon as I woke up. That being said, it was nice not to have to worry about the painful, cystic breakouts I had been used to before pregnancy.

If you’re like me and have mild acne concerns throughout your pregnancy, then I suggest simply switching out your normal face wash to an acne cleanser. Acne cleansers tend to have the lowest concentration of ingredients and only stay on the skin for a handful of seconds which makes them a great skincare product to use to stay ahead of breakouts and prevent acne from forming in the first place. I always suggest starting slow with a new acne product, even if it’s a cleanser, and using it 2-3 nights a week while your skin gets acclimated. 

One of the biggest mistakes I see clients make when they have acne is using too many ingredients at too high of a concentration at once. If you aren’t actively having breakouts, don’t go overboard with a serum or treatment as these can dry your skin out and possibly strip your skin barrier (especially if you’re already producing less oil like I was).   

My favorite acne cleansers and face washes for pregnancy contain AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) such as glycolic, acid, lactic, PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), Benzoyl Peroxide (5% or less concentration), and sulfur. These are considered the gentlest class of chemical exfoliants as they are water-soluble, meaning they only work on the skin’s surface where they help remove dead skin cells and buildup (including the bacteria that causes acne) and help increase skin cell turnover. Another benefit of AHAs and PHAs is that they have been shown to have moisturizing properties and help increase our own skin’s natural moisturizing factors which is important during pregnancy if you’re like myself and have dry skin.  

One of the best acne cleansers for pregnancy that’s ideal for dry skin is the Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser. It has a milky, cream-like formula that’s great to use in the mornings or if you have irritated skin. This is a cleanser I’ve often used even pre and post pregnancy when my skin is feeling dehydrated. Next up is the Differin Acne Face Wash with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. I consider this the perfect cleanser for acne to start with if you don’t know your skin type–it’s not overly drying yet it thoroughly washes the face. Lastly, if you have excessively oily skin and get breakouts, I recommend the Honest Beauty Get Clarity Cream to Foam Acne Cleanser which contains both sulfur and AHAs to absorb excess oil while getting rid of dead skin cells and other buildup. 

Remember to always start slow and work your way up when using a new acne cleanser. Follow up with a good moisturizer for your skin type and you’re done! If you’re oily, opt for an oil-free or gel moisturizer. If you’re dry, choose a thicker cream. In the mornings, be sure to wear sunscreen if you’re going outside. It seems surprisingly simple but if you’re not dealing with a lot of breakouts, a little prevention with an acne cleanser is all you need.  

If You’re Pregnant and Have Moderate to Severe Acne

Whether you’re excessively oily, breaking out more often, or don’t notice enough changes to your skin after using an acne cleanser, then you may want to add another step to your acne skincare routine during pregnancy. Here’s where it gets tricky for most people, but I’ll break it down in steps for you and explain your options: you can add a toner or serum (or both) and spot treat your breakouts.

Toners have come a long way, and these days acne toners specifically come in a wide variety of formulas made to be as hydrating as possible while still fighting breakouts. My favorite pregnancy-safe toners for acne are those that contain AHAs, PHAs, and niacinamide. Toners, like cleansers, have a lower percentage of active ingredients compared to those of serums, but unlike cleansers, they are left on the face and can be mixed with other ingredients such as humectants and antioxidants for even more skin benefits. 

My personal favorite toner that I used even pre-pregnancy is the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid. This toner is especially great if you’re prone to irritation as it has apple water that soothes and hydrates the skin. For those who need and can tolerate something stronger, my second favorite toner that is also pregnancy-safe for acne is the Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water. This toner is quite effective but also strong, so I definitely recommend only using it 2-3 times a week until you know your skin can tolerate it. If you have particularly oily skin and/or enlarged pores, I suggest the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner to treat your acne during pregnancy. 

Next up for treating acne during pregnancy are serums. Serums are usually where you get the most concentration of ingredients. Like toners, the best pregnancy-safe acne serums will have ingredients like AHAs, PHAs, niacinamide, and one of my personal favorite ingredients, azelaic acid. There are so many serums on the market, most of which contain a mix of these ingredients, so finding the right serum for your skin, especially during pregnancy can be overwhelming. With this in mind, if you don’t know which acne serum to use when you’re pregnant, I recommend choosing a serum formulated with another pregnancy-safe ingredient that’s different from your cleanser and/or toner. 

For a pregnancy-safe serum that contains AHAs, I recommend the CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment. This is also a good skincare product if you have dry or sensitive skin. If you can tolerate a stronger AHA serum, especially if you’re excessively oily and have a lot of whiteheads and clogged pores, I recommend the Alpha Skin Care Renewal Serum with 14% AHA. If you have hyperpigmentation or pregnancy melasma, then I recommend something with azelaic acid or niacinamide like the Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%. 

If you’re dealing with the occasional breakout, especially pustules or pimples with a head on them, then you may be able to treat your pregnancy acne by simply spot treating these breakouts as they occur. I suggest spot treating with a sulfur-based acne product like the De La Cruz Sulfur Treatment which can be left on for 10 minutes before being washed off. Pimple patches are also perfectly safe for pregnancy. If your breakout is really stubborn, you can use the sulfur treatment and wear a pimple patch afterward.

As with an acne cleanser, always start slowly incorporating a toner, serum, or spot treatment (especially ones with high percentages!) to make sure you don’t cause any skin sensitivities and your skin can acclimate. By starting slowly and seeing how your skin reacts you can fine-tune how often and when you use your acne products during pregnancy. You may even find you don’t need to use them every day, or you may find you prefer using your acne serum on the days you don’t use an acne cleanser. 

If You’re Pregnant and Have Severe Acne and Cystic Breakouts

Many women unfortunately find themselves dealing with painful, large breakouts that don’t respond to over-the-counter options. This is completely normal during pregnancy and often corrects itself a few months postpartum. In the meantime, you don’t have to suffer! Your OBGYN is able to treat you with something or offer suggestions. 

This doesn’t mean you have to give up your current acne products if you’re using an acne cleanser, toner, or serum like those discussed above, but you may need something stronger to help long-term. Commonly prescribed pregnancy-safe acne treatments that you can discuss with your doctor are a 15% azelaic acid gel, also known as Finacea, a clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel, and erythromycin.

It’s important to see your OBGYN or dermatologist as only they can determine which of these acne prescriptions is right for your acne during pregnancy. Lastly, don’t be embarrassed or afraid to speak up! Many women deal with acne even if they’ve never dealt with it before once they become pregnant (and sometimes during breastfeeding). It is your doctor’s job to help you navigate these changes. 

Body Acne During Pregnancy

Body acne is common during pregnancy, especially on the chest and back. If you’re dealing with body acne while pregnant, all of the products and techniques mentioned above will work. The skin on the body is tougher than that of the delicate skin on our face and can even handle using acne products more often or stronger concentrations of acne ingredients. In fact, most people can use an acne cleanser on their body everyday without causing irritation. Remember, you don’t have to buy acne products specifically for the body. 

Skin changes during pregnancy, especially acne, can be a particularly difficult aspect of pregnancy. Many of the symptoms we deal with while pregnant are internal and can be hidden from the world. We can’t, however, easily hide our skin. I truly believe that knowledge is power, and learning how to treat acne within its many limitations during pregnancy is all we can do as we wait for it to pass. Fortunately most women report their skin returns to its normal, pre-pregnancy type a few months after birth, and these changes aren’t permanent. 

Disclaimer: The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions regarding a medical condition.

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