If you’re pregnant and wondering what you can do to clear acne, our beauty lead shares everything she’s learnt after surrering horror breakouts herself
For most of my adult life, acne hasn’t been something I’ve had to think about. Except for some hormonal breakouts in my teenage years, and some minor congestion issues in my adult years, I’ve been somewhat blessed with a clear complexion. That, however, changed the moment I became pregnant.
It’s a problem many newly pregnant women know well. One day, you’re in your happy baby bubble and the next, you’re reminded that all of those extra hormones don’t come without several less-than-desirable downsides. Aside from the bloating and the constant hunger (or the sickness for many), acne often rears its ugly head. For me, the promise of the pregnancy glow was a lie.
At around four weeks pregnant, I started to feel my skin texture changing. It no longer felt smooth but rough and bumpy, as if every single pore along my jawline was clogged. That bumpy texture extended down my chest and back.
For a few weeks, the texture was my only problem. Next came the spots. Those blocked pores started to get inflamed, causing painful cysts and whiteheads that popped up fresh every morning. Picking, as it usually does, only made the problem worse. Spot stickers became my best friend, and harsh lighting got the brunt of my pregnancy anger. The worst of my breakouts happened at around the 12-week mark, just before my first trimester wrapped up.
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Though I’d read in forums that hormones settled in the second trimester, I wasn’t about to wait. As a beauty editor, I have experts at my fingertips whom I can plead for help on this matter. And with such contradicting information online about what can and can’t be used on the skin while pregnant – retinoids, salicylic acid, AHAs – I felt I owed it to all my fellow pregnant women suffering the same spotty fate as I was. Once and for all, I wanted to know exactly how to clear the breakouts, and I wasn’t about to be told to simply wait until the baby is born.
What CAN you do to clear acne in pregnancy?
Taking pity on me, skin barrier specialists CeraVe linked me up with consultant dermatologist Dr Ellie Rashid, who frequently partners up with the brand to shed light on an array of skin concerns. Not just a skin expert, but as a mum herself, I was confident she’d have the answers I needed.
Taking a look at my skin, she explained that it was plain old acne, not a fungal infection (which can often cause a bumpy, rash-like skin texture). And to my delight, she didn’t tell me to wait it out. Instead, she explained all of my options for treatment while pregnant. For anyone else looking for this information, here’s what she shared…
Safe topicals to use during pregnancy
Azelaic acid – A gentle multitasker that helps calm breakouts, reduce redness and even out skin tone
Low-dose salicylic acid: A pore-clearing BHA that helps keep congestion and breakouts in check – use under 2% strength in pregnancy, or as a wash-off product.
Vitamin C – Brightens dullness and supports collagen
Niacinamide – Balances oil, shrinks pores and strengthens the skin barrier
Glycolic acid and AHAs – Lightly exfoliate to smooth texture
Benzoyl peroxide – Targets acne-causing bacteria to keep breakouts under control – use under 5% strength in pregnancy, or as a wash-off product.
Dr Rashid also says that all the usual hydrating ingredients are fine, including hyaluronic acid, shea butter, glycerin and ceramides. If you’re using skin-drying topicals, you definitely want to pay attention to barrier support with the rest of your skincare.
What you should avoid using on your skin in pregnancy
Retinoids (retinol, retinal, tretinoin) – Linked to vitamin A toxicity
High-dose salicylic acid (BHA peels or oral forms) – Large amounts can be absorbed into the bloodstream and aren’t considered safe
Essential oils (certain types in high concentrations) – Can be sensitising
What if skincare isn’t enough?
Because I was really struggling with my acne, and because I had already tried many of the pregnancy-safe topicals listed above, I asked if there was anything else I could try. Dr Rashid explained that certain topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin, and in some cases oral erythromycin, can be used when all else fails – and if the acne is severe enough.
If my acne was causing scarring, I would have considered oral medication more. But it wasn’t, so I felt safer in sticking to topicals. I did end up choosing the topical clindamycin (mine is combined with zinc), and I used it in conjunction with a prescribed 15% azelaic acid treatment, using one in the morning and the other at night.
Now, I’m halfway through my second trimester, and I’m happy to report my acne is almost completely healed. It took a few weeks of consistently applying my treatments. Thankfully, I caught it soon enough to avoid skin scarring. My advice to anyone pregnant and really struggling with their skin – don’t suffer through it. You win no awards for feeling miserable in a time that’s meant to be your happiest. If you can’t see a dermatologist, talk to your GP about options.
Shop my pregnancy skin essentials
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser, £14.50
With salicylic acid, this gently cleanses the skin while smoothing and exfoliating blocked pores. It worked wonders on my skin texture once I’d tackled the inflamed bumps.
Medik8 Clarity Peptides 10% Niacinamide-Infused Peptide Serum, now £27
Featuring 10% niacinamide, this lightweight serum works to improve the appearance of dull, blemish-prone skin while calming and hydrating the complexion. It’s also great under make-up.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, £11.10
As I mentioned, I got a prescription for a 15% azelaic acid, but this would have been my choice if I didn’t have a dermatologist to hand. The 10% formula works to gently exfoliate the skin, helping with texture issues.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Mineral Sunscreen SPF30, £29
I swapped to mineral SPF as my skin is sensitive to chemical SPF formulas at the best of times, let alone during pregnancy. This one has added vitamin C to brighten and even skin tone.
CeraVe Blemish Barrier Patches, £9
When I say I’ve lived in these, I mean it. Even if they just go over a blemish to stop me picking at it, they’re a brilliant barrier. I do also find they calm redness and shrink most spots overnight (not the under-the-surface ones).
