So I’m a little upset with myself right now. Or a lot. This is why - ever since I went off the bc pill, about 2 years ago, my skin has gone back to it’s acne-riddled, teenage-like appearance. Huge bummer because while on the pill (for about 12 years) my skin was generally pretty great. But anyway, now that I’m preggo, it’s gone COMPLETELY nuts. I’m talking (b)acne, on my throat, all over my face, UGH. Disgusting. And really annoying. So needless to say, I’ve been using a Clinique acne treatment kit that came very highly recommended to me by friends.
Yesterday I was looking around online to maybe find something that would work better for me, since the Clinique only seems to help a little, when I suddenly see all these warnings saying to absolutely NOT use Salicylic Acid during pregnancy! WHA??? Why the h-e-double-hockey-sticks didn’t anyone mention that to me before, esp my OB??? I seriously had zero idea that it was an issue, it never even occurred to me. There’s such an incredibly small amount of it in topical acne meds that I didn’t think twice about it (and yes, I’ve only used topical stuff). Basically I’m just very disappointed - in myself for not thinking of it, and my OB for not mentioning it. I know that acne during pregnancy is very common, I would think this would be something she would discuss with all pregnant women!
Anyway, just needed to vent a little I guess and find out if any of you have any thoughts/experiences with this? [name]Even[/name] better, since acne meds are out, does anyone have any all-natural acne treatments that actually work? I picked up a [name]Burt[/name]'s Bees Herbal Acne Treatment stick yesterday and a [name]Shea[/name] Moisture Organic [name]Black[/name] African Soap bar and I’m going to try both. But I’d love to hear what’s worked for you? My yucky skin is seriously bumming me out.
I’ve heard mixed things on salicylic acid…some lists seem to say that you should avoid it entirely, but others say that the amount in a drugstore cleanser is fine, it’s the oral supplements or heavy duty stuff that should be avoided. So that’s not very helpful…ask your doctor?
I use Cetaphil, my skins actually been pretty good through pregnancy, but super sensitive. I also like Yes to Grapefruit cleanser for random breakouts and have heard good stuff about the [name]Burt[/name]'s bees acne line. I havent looked it up, but if teatree oil is okay, its great for acne.
Oh no! I’ve never had a lot of problems with unclear skin, but when I got pregnant I started getting a few spots here and there. So I went to Space NK and bought the following products:
Skin Clearing Face & Body [name]Wash[/name] by [name]Clark[/name]'s Botanicals (morning and evening: use a washcloth to moisten face and to remove the gel after)
Intense Hydration Serum by [name]Eve[/name] Lom (one teeny tiny drop applied after your face is dry)
Pore Collector Gel by Algenist or Smoothing [name]Marine[/name] Cream by [name]Clark[/name]'s Botanicals (day creams)
It worked almost over night! I’ve also never tried anything that didn’t make me look and feel good by By [name]Terry[/name], [name]Eve[/name] Lom, Jurlique, Perricone MD, Dr [name]Brandt[/name] or Shu Uemura.
The only thing keeping my skin clear is from a brand called Vichy. Its called Normaderm. I buy it at the drug store (CVS- I’ve never seen it anywhere else) It does have salicylic acid, but it works. I’ve tried literally every single brand available. This one is the only one that works. It is a bit pricey.
Ironically, BC makes me breakout. Sigh. Seriously considering going off. The stuff makes me crazy.
I’ve noticed this too since this is the longest time I’ve ever been off BC. I use a tea tree oil based cleanser made be Desert [name]Essence[/name]. [name]Tea[/name] tree cleansers are just as effective as harsher 10% benzoyl peroxide cleansers, and then you don’t have to worry about bleach spots on your towels. I make my hubby use SA pads by neutrogena, and we keep a 5% BP scrub in the shower.
Oh my goodness, i feel your pain! My story is exactly the same, 12 years on the pill with clear skin then, when i came off birth control and it went crazy! It was crazy through my pregnancy, although it did get better as the pregnancy went on, but it didn’t really start to clear until i’d stopped breast-feeding.
I was told by my doctor that the standard, over the counter acne treatments with s. acid are fine during pregnancy, they are very weak. If you feel uncomfortable about it though, anything with Witch-[name]Hazel[/name] or teatree is good. Cetaphil is a great suggestion, or the really basic Neutrogena soap because hormonal skin is super sensitive so its a good idea not to anger it. Regularly exfoliate, but really, really gently (a clean muslin washcloth is the best thing) and a fine clay or charcoal mask once a week. Avoid anything with perfumes or alcohol that will strip your skin.
The one thing that i’ve found really helps is taking calcium and magnesium supplements. I started taking them while breastfeeding and the effect on my skin was amazing! I think they have an anti-inflamatory effect and probably aren’t a bad idea when you’re pregnant, although i would check with your doctor first.
Hang in there though, it will get better as your hormones calm down!
Sorry to hear! I use Jurilque, which doesn’t have any acids in it. I’ve found that using anything with acids during pregnancy makes it worse! I use a clarisonic on my face everyday which really cleans out my pores and then the mild Jurilque system. For spots since I’ve been trying to stay away from the acids I actually use bacitracin. I originally thought since it was greasy it wouldn’t work but the bacitracin is an antibiotic so it actually dries out and clears up the pimple ( infection). If you’re going to try that though I suggest only on pimples that have puss. The clarisonic is a little pricey but def worth the investment
I get terrible hormonal break outs during my cycle, the only thing that has ever worked for me is [name]Evening[/name] [name]Primrose[/name] Oil supplements! You need to take 4-6 a day and I believe it also supposedly helps fertility! I highly recommend trying it!
I’m sorry! That doesn’t sound fun. I remember a physician on “The Peoples’ Pharmacy” speaking about how turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and as such is good for acne. He said his son took a tablespoon a day and it cleared him up. A tablespoon sounds like quite a lot, but I think it’s pretty yummy with sauteed veggies or with scrambled eggs or you can stir it into the water when you’re boiling rice (which will wind up yellow). Also, turmeric is available in tablet form. All that said, I don’t really know about its safety during pregnancy, but might be something to investigate. [name]Ginger[/name] also has anti-inflammatory properties so it might help to incorporate more ginger into your diet as well. I’d also recommend drinking tons of water if you’re not already doing so.
Also, have you considered consulting a dermatologist who can steer you to safe products? (And perhaps put your mind at ease about the small amounts of salicylic acid you’ve used.)
I am an Esthetician and I have worked with all kinds of acne sufferers so I guess I might be able to help. First, where on your face is the majority of the bumps? Hormonal acne usually only shows up on your neck and jawline, but during pregnancy it can happen on your shoulders, back, and cheeks. Salicylic acid is derived from [name]Willow[/name] Bark and is generally okay for pregnant women in it’s over the counter form (like Clean & Clear, Oxy, etc.) but personally, I find that Benzoyl Peroxide works better and is less drying and irritating. [name]Tea[/name] Tree oil is alright in diluted form on the body only! [name]Do[/name] not use pure [name]Tea[/name] Tree oil on your face because it can potentially cause something similar to a chemical burn. I do not recommend [name]Tea[/name] Tree anyway because it causes redness and inflammation on more sensitive skin. Also, whatever you do, do not stop moisturizing because it seems like you have excess oil. Depriving your skin of moisture will make acne worse because your oil glands will start over compensating and actually produce much more oil than normal. Start using a toner or mild astringent after you wash, before you moisturize. Be sure to drink a lot of water and a daily vitamin C supplement helps too.
Products I recommend:
Kiss My Face Organics Break Out acne clearing gel - this does have tea tree oil in it, so do not use if you have sensitive skin.
Witch [name]Hazel[/name] - simple, but it works
[name]Queen[/name] [name]Helene[/name]'s Mint Julep Masque - dot on to all pimples, broke out areas
[name]Avalon[/name] Organics Vitamin C facial cleanser - very mild, does not over dry
Aveda Outer [name]Peace[/name] collection - all of it is good, the moisturizer especially. [name]Kinda[/name] pricey though
Any product with Kaolin clay is great for excess oil, if you have a particularly large pimple just dot on a Kaolin clay masque and go to sleep. [name]Don[/name]'t pick or squeeze your face because it increases redness and inflammation. [name]Hope[/name] that helped.
Also, you don’t need to use a product formulated for just acne like Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide to get results. [name]Just[/name] look for things that say “noncomedogenic” and have ingredients good for blemished skin like: Fruit enzymes, vitamin C, aloe vera, green tea, mint, citrus. Here is a list of ingredients to avoid: http://www.caryskincare.com/acnecomedogeniclist.html
Thanks everyone! These are some great tips and suggestions and I’ll definitely be trying some of them out. I’m pretty desperate at this point. I’m excited to try the [name]Burt[/name]'s Bees Herbal Acne Treatment and the organic soap - they’re both pretty cheap and found at Target. If they help, I’ll be a happy girl!
@Rowangreeneyes - do you just buy a bottle of Benzoyl Peroxide and cotton ball it on the problem areas?
With this pregnancy, and the last one, I’m breakout on each side of my chin, jawline, and neck… it’s ridiculous. and though it’s flared up since TTC 18 months ago, it’s worse when actually pregnant.
I use [name]Mary[/name] [name]Kay[/name] for all my products.
Any over the counter product with Benzoyl Peroxide should be fine. Or you can go to a beauty supply store for something slightly stronger. I’m not really a fan of [name]Mary[/name] [name]Kay[/name], there products are way too rich for people with oily/blemished skin.
First, where on your face is the majority of the bumps? Hormonal acne usually only shows up on your neck and jawline, but during pregnancy it can happen on your shoulders, back, and cheeks. Salicylic acid is derived from [name]Willow[/name] Bark and is generally okay for pregnant women in it’s over the counter form (like Clean & Clear, Oxy, etc.) but personally, I find that Benzoyl Peroxide works better and is less drying and irritating. [name]Tea[/name] Tree oil is alright in diluted form on the body only! [name]Do[/name] not use pure [name]Tea[/name] Tree oil on your face because it can potentially cause something similar to a chemical burn. I do not recommend [name]Tea[/name] Tree anyway because it causes redness and inflammation on more sensitive skin. Also, whatever you do, do not stop moisturizing because it seems like you have excess oil. Depriving your skin of moisture will make acne worse because your oil glands will start over compensating and actually produce much more oil than normal. Start using a toner or mild astringent after you wash, before you moisturize. Be sure to drink a lot of water and a daily vitamin C supplement helps too.