While you’re pregnant, you can suffer from many skin ailments including acne. While acne strikes different people for different reasons, most often when it comes to pregnant women it has to do with their fluctuating hormone levels. Because of those hormones, you’ll have acne while you’re pregnant, but once you’ve finally given birth and your hormones find balance, your acne symptoms will go away (typically).
Finding the right products and treatments for your acne can be very confusing when you’re pregnant. While normally safe for you to take when you’re not pregnant, some drugs (both topically and orally) can be very unsafe for your baby when you’re gestating. So, because of those risks, you should take proper care to choose the best acne treatment.
Natural Treatment for Pregnant Women
When you’re pregnant, there are alternatives to topical creams and drugs that you should consider for your skin which are healthy for both you and your baby. These alternatives include a new focus on your diet, fluid consumption, and exercise instead of man-made solutions through creams.
Diets rich with oils, fats, and sugars are very unhealthy for your skin and for your hormone levels and so, instead of eating a bowl of ice cream or going to McDonalds, you should instead eat foods rich with vitamin A. Leafy green vegetables and other veggies like carrots, are very good for you and keeping your skin acne free. Besides vegetables, other foods you should eat plenty of are olives, berries, and cantaloupe, all of which are spectacular for skin and baby health.
The reason why eating vegetables are so good for your skin and body is you consume a lot less toxins and bad nutrients which are acquired from foods found at a fast food restaurant. When those toxins enter your body, they can end up weakening your immune system or cause damage to other parts of your body. Also, when you sweat out those toxins naturally, those toxins can end up clogging your pores and cause pimples.
Another thing you should make sure you’re doing to help cure acne when you’re pregnant, is drink plenty of water. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, and if possible, a little bit more. Water naturally purifies and cleanses your body of nasty chemicals and toxins brought in through food. It is a proven fact that people who keep their bodies hydrated are much less likely to get sick. So if you haven’t been drinking adequate amounts of water, you should start now.
Acne Treatments NOT Safe for Pregnancy
There are many topical and pill form acne treatments that you need to stay away from when you’re pregnant. Some of the ingredients found in acne products have been shown to cause harmful side effects to you and your baby. While many doctors recommend to limit use of acne treatments while you’re pregnant, there are certain ingredients found in acne medications that you SHOULD NEVER USE while pregnant.
Salicylic acids in acne treatments is a definite no no when in comes to pregnant women. Taken orally, research has shown that salicylic acid can cause a higher rate of birth defects as well as increase the chance of a miscarriage. Some birth defects include heart and lung problems in the baby. Topical forms of salicylic acid haven’t gone through as much testing as its oral counterpart, but many studies have shown the creams and gels containing the acid can still be unhealthy for your baby and you if used in large amounts. So, when choosing an acne treatment avoid creams with a high concentration of salicylic acid as well as avoid using too much of the treatment on your skin at any given time.
One ingredient that you can use when you’re pregnant for treating acne however, is benzoyl peroxide (which is known to be safe for pregnant women).
Acne During Pregnancy Safe Treatment Options
AcneFree Clear Skin System
See results in as little as 3 days! Clinically proven to fight acne 24/7. Breakthrough time-released Benzoyl Peroxide formula. For all skin types and ethnicities. For all ages – teens to adults. Dermatologist preferred 3-step system for acne.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer
Effective, yet gentle. Ultra-light, non-greasy formula. Salicylic acid acne treatment. Dermatologist recommended. Neutrogena Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer is an ultra-light moisturizer that also clears and helps prevent blemishes. This oil-free formula provides water-based moisturization all day without a greasy after-feel. Quickly absorbs, and leaves skin soft and smooth. Salicylic Acid helps keep pores clear while naturally derived Aloe and Chamomile extracts help soothe acne-prone skin. When used daily, skin is noticeably clearer, softer, and healthier-looking. Oil-free. Easily absorbed. Softens and smooths. Non-comedogenic.