11 Home Remedies To Safely Treat Your Pregnancy Acne

If you have pregnancy acne and are looking for natural treatment and home remedies you’re in the right place.

Pregnancy and acne together may make your life more challenging. Pregnancy alone is tough and if you happen to get acne on top of that then you may not be in such good moods.

Pregnancy acne is one of the most common skin changes due to the hormonal shifts that take place throughout pregnancy.

You want to treat these acne lesions to avoid scarring and because they’re annoying. You may get pregnancy acne on your face, chin, chest or back.

There is no doubt that there are tons of pregnancy acne products out there.

That’s great but when you’re pregnant you want to be careful about anything you’re using on your face because it gets absorbed and may reach your fetus. 

So you know pregnancy acne is common but who’s to blame? Testosterone and androstenedione which belong to androgens.

If these hormones reach abnormally high levels they may cause PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and infertility. Insane, right? 

WHAT IS ACNE?

To put it simply, acne happens when your pores get clogged and create room for bacterial growth. Those clogs may turn into whiteheads or blackheads, but both of them further develop into pimples. 

IS ACNE A SIGN OF PREGNANCY?

Pregnancy hormones like to have a lot of fun and they go wild during pregnancy stages. Yes, you may experience acne in the early stages of your pregnancy, mainly if you had acne previously.

If you currently suffer from acne it may get worse at the beginning of your pregnancy journey. Once your hormones stabilize a little your acne may settle down. 

WHEN DOES PREGNANCY ACNE START?

Not all pregnant women suffer from acne, but pregnancy acne is more common during the early stages.

You may notice an improvement as you’re progressing with your pregnancy, just to see that your acne may actually worsen by the third trimester due to the increase in the androgen level. 

WHAT CAUSES ACNE DURING PREGNANCY?

1. HORMONAL CHANGES

Maternal androgen is the main cause of pregnancy acne because it triggers oil production in the skin. Oily skin means clogged pores which enable bacterial growth.

Not a pretty picture right?

2. OILY SKIN PRODUCTS

If you use oily skin products even greasy makeup products you become more prone to acne breakouts. 

3. PREVIOUS ACNE

If you previously suffered from acne then you are more likely to develop it while pregnant also. Menstrual acne counts too. 

4. WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM

Your immune system may affect your skin making it more sensitive. A weak immune system triggers more bacterial growth so it becomes easier to develop acne. 

Pregnancy acne or acne, in general, is not something to be ignored.

Acne lesions may have a strong emotional and psychological impact so it’s very important to find a balanced way to manage it, depending on its severity:

• mild acne – does not cover large areas of your face
• moderate acne – stubborn red bumps across your face
• severe acne – deep large painful lumps covering most of your face

Pregnancy acne is not a threatening condition, but it may affect you emotionally which is not good for your pregnancy. With some lifestyle changes and with the help of some home remedies, you’ll be in better shape. 

PREGNANCY ACNE MEASURES

Pregnancy is the perfect time to feel pampered. You should be able to enjoy your pregnancy and feel good about yourself. Self-care should be your priority, mainly if you want to avoid acne. 

So here’s what you can do to prevent pregnancy acne:

• keep your face clean – use a natural face wash like Christina Moss Naturals Face Wash
• avoid hot water, it can dry your skin
• pat dry your face rather than rubbing 
• focus on your jawline/hairline areas and keep them clean – they get clogged the most
• avoid oily hair – you heard that right! Oily hair can cause a breakout on your face. Use a good shampoo, like this natural Puracy Shampoo
• use clean towels
• change pillowcases often
• stop poking 

Scrubbing or poking your already irritated and inflamed skin is a really bad idea. I know it’s super tempting but it’s also super bad (think of all those acne scars).

Your skin is sensitive while you’re pregnant so the slightest rubbing motion may irritate it even more. Over rubbing your skin removes moisture which will actually determine your oil glands to secrete more oil.

In case you forgot, more oil causes clogged pores, thus acne. No, thank you!

Instead use gentle exfoliation, gentle circular motions and oil-free moisturizer (and oil-free products in general).

MORE MEASURES TO PREVENT PREGNANCY ACNE

1. MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

Your skin needs to be hydrated. As a matter of fact, staying hydrated is a must during your pregnancy. And of course, your skin makes no exception.

You don’t want to strip off its natural moisture though. Instead, you should focus on maintaining the pH balance of your skin. 

How?

2. AVOID TOO MUCH SUN EXPOSURE

Too much sun exposure can cause not only acne but also skin pigmentation. Here’s an oil-free sunscreen you can try. It’s formulated for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

3. AVOID MAKEUP

If you love makeup (like I do) then this is going to be hard for you. But I want you to remember that your skin is suffering.

Some of those pimples can be really painful sometimes. So covering all that irritation just doesn’t sound good. Let your skin breathe. 

Ok, you won’t give up makeup. At least use water-based cosmetics. Neutrogena has this oil-free liquid foundation you can try.

4. REDUCE YOUR CARBS

Fewer carbs (mainly sweets and refined grains) and unsaturated foods (anything baked and fried) will prevent pregnancy acne.

Use honey as a sweetener, because I know what it’s like when those cravings hit you.

5. VITAMIN B2

Vitamin B2 deficiency may trigger increased oil secretions, so you’ll end up with oily skin. Foods rich in vitamin B2 include spinach, eggs, yogurt and almonds. 

6. STAY HYDRATED

You need to stay hydrated because you’re pregnant, but also because you’ll benefit big time.

Your skin will be really happy and healthy. If water will help prevent any acne outbreak, why not right?

These are a few tips on how you can somehow control the spread of acne. And I said somehow because they may not remove the acne.

You may need some additional efforts. Like these all-natural home remedies for example.

PREGNANCY ACNE NATURAL REMEDIES

1. COCONUT OIL

My all-time favorite, because it’s good for anything. You can use it at bedtime after you clean your face. Take some coconut oil and massage the affected area.

Don’t rinse and leave it overnight. Why should your skin trust coconut oil? Because it’s antimicrobial and antifungal, so it fights the bacteria that causes acne.

And not only that. It hydrates your skin.

2. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Make sure it’s raw and unrefined. This type of vinegar is strong so you need to mix it (1 part vinegar 3 parts distilled water).

Voila, you have your natural toner high in hydroxy acids and natural enzymes. Apply this mixture on your skin to absorb the oil. 

3. BAKING SODA

I personally use baking soda for anything, including for my cuticles. For acne though you won’t use it as a face scrub.

First, you mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. After that, you apply small amounts to the affected areas.

Let the mixture dry and rinse. Baking soda is known for its healing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

4. LEMON

When life gives you acne you make lemonade. That’s not how the saying goes but it’s somewhere close. You need some lemon juice from a fresh lemon.

Apply the juice on the affected area. Let it dry and rinse with cool water. You can actually dilute the juice with some water if it’s too strong for you.

So why would you choose lemon for your pregnancy acne? Because it’s a natural astringent with alpha hydroxy acid that helps unclog your pores and exfoliates your skin. 

5. HONEY

Clean your face with warm water before applying honey directly to the affected area. Let it sit for about 30 minutes or so. Rinse well.

Honey is very soothing and it’s also antiseptic and antibacterial.  It’s definitely worth a try.

6. WITCH HAZEL

This has multiple benefits: natural astringent, antibacterial, balances skin’s pH and regulates oil production. With all of these powerful actions, your pores will breathe easily and won’t get clogged.  

7. TURMERIC

Mix turmeric with water to make a paste and apply it directly on your acne. You can leave it up to an hour and after that rinse it off.

You can even go a step further and leave it overnight. It won’t be a bad idea, because turmeric is a natural antiseptic and helps with skin tone and texture.

Be aware that turmeric may stain so you may want to use some gloves while doing it or wearing old clothes that you don’t mind staining. 

8. ALOE VERA

I know you can buy the gel, but it’s better if you use raw aloe vera leaves. You only need one aloe vera leaf (they are quite big). Take out the gel and put it in a container of your choice.

Use some to massage your clean face. Leave it on for about 30 minutes (or overnight if it’s not to sticky for you) and rinse it off with water.

Aloe vera gel does wonders for your skin because it’s packed with nutrients and reduces acne. 

9. ESSENTIALS OILS

If you’re talking about home remedies then you need to talk about essential oils. Their multiuses are endless. You need to combine them with a carrier oil though and what’s better than coconut oil?

I actually mentioned it above. You can use coconut by itself or mix it with one or two drops of lavender oil or/and tea tree oil.

Apply the blend on your acne. These oils are powerful together due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial and oil balancing properties. 

10. PAPAYA

Mash some raw papaya and apply it on the areas where you have acne. Let it work for 10 minutes and rinse with water afterward.

Papaya is beneficial because it exfoliates your skin and inhibits excess oil secretion. That sounds good for your pregnancy acne, right?

11. ORANGE

Oranges are delicious but also very useful: they are antiseptic and have astringent properties. Not to mention they are high in vitamin C.

What you can do is use some dried orange peels to make a mask. Grind them and add some rose water so you get a paste.

The same drill: apply on your acne for 5 minutes and rinse it off. 

IS IT SAFE TO TREAT ACNE DURING PREGNANCY?

Pregnancy acne is a temporary condition and tends to get better once the pregnancy hormones stabilize. Treating acne during pregnancy is more of a personal decision.

You need to consult your doctor before using anything while you’re pregnant.

ACNE TREATMENTS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

There are certain medications and treatments that are not safe to use for your pregnancy acne. 

1. ISOTRETINOIN

This is a strong oral medication, so strong that most women need to start taking two types of birth control pills before. This medication has a high risk of causing birth defects.

2. HORMONE THERAPY

This kind of therapy uses anti-androgens and these hormones are known to cause birth defects.

3. ORAL TETRACYCLINES

Tetracycline is an antibiotic containing doxycycline and minocycline, which can be harmful to the baby. They can affect your baby’s bone development and teeth color.

4. ORAL CORTICOSTEROIDS

They are not recommended during pregnancy because they increase the risk of oral clefts in newborns, preterm birth and miscarriages.

5. TOPICAL RETINOIDS

They (adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin) can enter your bloodstream and reach your fetus and have a negative impact. 

WHEN DOES PREGNANCY ACNE GO AWAY?

Pregnancy acne may solve on its own once your hormone levels go back to normalcy. This could happen in your later pregnancy stages or after childbirth.

Taking care of your skin may speed up things. 

CAN PREGNANCY ACNE PREDICT THE BABY GENDER?

There is no scientific evidence supporting this fact. But there is a myth saying that pregnant women who lose their beauty (acne) during their pregnancy they are expecting a girl. 

What’s your experience with pregnancy acne?

Read

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