Pregnancy Acne: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It (Safely!)
Jul 16, 2025@samanthaschneidermd Pregnancy acne got you stressed? Don't worry, we've got the tips to keep your skin glowing safely! β¨ 1οΈβ£ Gentle cleanser, twice a day 𧴠2οΈβ£ Shampoo daily for hairline acne π§Ό 3οΈβ£ No picking or squeezing! π« 4οΈβ£ Stick to non-comedogenic products π 5οΈβ£ Keep hair & hands off your face! β π« Avoid retinoids & certain oral meds — always check your labels! π Got questions? Drop them below! π¬ #PregnancyGlow #AcneSolutions #SafeSkincare #DermatologyTips β¬ original sound - Samantha Schneider, MD
Pregnancy Acne: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It (Safely!)
By Dr. Schneider, Board-Certified Dermatologist
Pregnancy brings a lot of changes—some magical, some… less so. If you're suddenly dealing with breakouts, you’re not alone. Acne during pregnancy is incredibly common, and it's all thanks to those powerful hormones doing their thing behind the scenes.
Let’s talk about why pregnancy acne happens and, more importantly, how you can treat it safely—for both you and baby.
Why Am I Breaking Out?
During pregnancy, your body goes through a surge in hormones, especially androgens. These hormones cause your skin to produce more sebum (oil), which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Pregnancy acne can show up on your:
- Face
- Hairline
- Chest
- Back
It may feel frustrating—but with a gentle, intentional approach, you can absolutely keep it under control.
Safe & Simple Steps to Manage Pregnancy Acne
1. Use a Gentle Cleanser
Stick with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that won’t strip your skin. Harsh products can cause irritation and make breakouts worse.
2. Wash Your Hair Regularly
Yes, really! Oily or dirty hair can transfer oil and bacteria to your skin—especially around your hairline, shoulders, and back—so regular shampooing can help prevent breakouts in those areas.
3. Hands Off Your Face
Picking or popping pimples might feel satisfying in the moment, but it can lead to scarring and inflammation. Let blemishes heal naturally.
Try hydrocolloid pimple patches to reduce irritation and protect spots from picking.
4. Watch What’s Touching Your Skin
- Avoid touching your face with your hands
- Clean your phone screen regularly
- Keep hair off your face and change your pillowcases often
What Ingredients Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Some acne treatments are off-limits during pregnancy, so it’s important to read your product labels carefully.
Avoid:
π« Retinol/Retinoids (including adapalene and tretinoin)
π« Certain oral acne medications—always consult your OB or dermatologist first
Okay in moderation (confirm with your provider):
β
Benzoyl peroxide wash
β
Salicylic acid (in low concentrations)
β
Glycolic acid (low strength)
β
Azelaic acid
β
Erythromycin (prescription antibiotic)
Reminder: I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you’re pregnant, always check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist before starting or stopping any products or medications.
When to See a Dermatologist
If you're doing all the right things and your acne still isn’t improving, it might be time to get professional support. There are safe, prescription-strength options that can make a real difference—even during pregnancy.
The Bottom Line
Pregnancy acne is common—but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. With gentle care, safe ingredients, and support from your medical team, you can keep your skin calm, clear, and glowing through every trimester.
Be sure to share this with a friend who might be expecting and breaking out, too.
Follow Dr. Schneider on TikTok Instagram Facebook
Want the transcript for this video instead?
Did you know acne during pregnancy is totally common? Let's talk about why it happens and how to handle it safely for both you and baby. During pregnancy. Your skin can change in a lot of ways. The main reason for acne is hormonal fluctuation. The change in hormones leads to increased sebum production.
That's the oil in your skin, which can clog your pores and cause those unwanted breakouts. But there are things that you can do during pregnancy. Here's how you can tackle acne and pregnancy safely. First of all, you wanna wash with a gentle cleanser. If you're getting acne on your chest, your back, your hairline, you wanna make sure that you're shampooing your hair regularly.
Reese dirty hair can lead to more acne breakouts. I know it's so tempting to pick at your skin, but don't pick your pimples. Don't pop 'em. Just leave them alone. Squeezing or picking can lead to scarring. Let the pimple heal naturally. If you are having a larger pimple and you need to put something on it to make it feel better, you can get pimple patches, just the hydrocolloid ones, and watch what's touching your face.
Stop touching it with your fingers. Make sure you're cleaning your phone. Making sure again, that your hair is clean so it's not rubbing on your face. Here's an important note about treatments, though. There are certain treatments that are not safe in pregnancy. Retinol is a big one. Retinol is in a lot of over the counter products.
You need to look at the products that you're using. If you are using a product that has retinol in it. You need to stop until you deliver and really until you're done breastfeeding, of course, certain oral medications are not safe in pregnancies. You need to speak with your medical team about that, but don't worry.
There are prescription medications that you can use in case you need to. Erythromycin is an option, so is oleic acid. You can even use benzoyl peroxide wash. You can use salicylic acid or glycolic acid, but I would use them in very small amounts. Remember, I am a doctor, but I am not your doctor. So if you're making any changes to your regimen, you should make sure that is okay with your healthcare team.
You are trying things at home, but your acne is just not getting better. You should make an appointment with a dermatologist so that you can get help. Pregnancy acne may feel frustrating, but with the right approach, you can work on clearing your skin and keeping it glowing during this exciting time. Got questions about pregnancy skincare, drop 'em in the comments below, and don't forget to share this with a friend who might need it.
