Every woman has a different experience when it comes to pregnancy, including how her skin reacts. While some women bask in the desired pregnancy glow, others wake up to discover their skin looks like they rubbed it in pizza.
Acne is common during pregnancy because the skin’s sebaceous glands increase their oil production. Some women might even develop brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy,” on their faces.
If this makes you want to bury your head under the pillow, don’t lose heart. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests these steps to treat acne, and they apply during pregnancy, too:
- Don’t pop, squeeze or pick at acne.
- Gentle skin care can improve results (begin with a mild cleanser).
- Always apply acne products to clean skin (check with your doctor for safety of all medications, including acne medicine. More on this later.).
- Cleanse after sweating.
- If your hair is oily, shampoo daily.
- Use oil-free products.
- Avoid abrasive skin products.
- After acne clears, continue treating.
- See dermatologist if acne does not clear.
For chloasma, the AAD recommends using makeup and concealers with white and yellow undertones to cover up the darkness. It’s also suggested you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to prevent further darkening of the skin. For many women, the “mask” fades within a few months after delivery and their skin returns to its normal shade.
Some acne medications must not be used by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant because of potential harm to a fetus.
These medications include:
- Hormonal therapy: estrogen, flutamide, spironolactone,
- Isotretinoin
- Oral tetracylines: doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline
- Topical retinoids: adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin
If you have any questions regarding your baby’s health and over-the-counter or prescription acne products, make an appointment with your OB/GYN physician or dermatologist.