Pregnancy Acne: What causes it + Safe ways to treat it

Acne may sound like a bad thing but really, it is just a common occurrence that happens to many pregnant women and it is just a sign that your body is going through hormonal changes, especially during the first two trimesters. So when a friend says your face looks “glowy”, just know that it is probably from the oil that is covering your face and you know what comes next. 

What Causes Acne Breakouts and When will These Appear? 

During your first trimester, you will experience a spike in progesterone levels and what this means is that the glands in your skin will grow and produce more sebum, resulting in oils that would first clog your pores and then lead to the appearance of breakouts, an increase of bacteria on your skin and inflammation – and these will peak at your third trimester. 

At this point, you may see hormones as pests but in actuality, these are essential hormones that function to get your cervix ready for labour, and this explains why acne breakouts are more severe as you approach full term. For women who are prone to experiencing acne breakouts during their menstrual cycle, it is quite likely that they too will experience acne breakouts during pregnancy. Another factor that would trigger these ugly breakouts is added stress. Stress hormones wouldn’t only bring to surface more acne, but also worsen existing ones as well. 

The bright side is that these attacks on your skin are only temporal as these will clear up once your hormones return to normal. Still, many can’t stand the sight of these horrid breakouts and want quick a fix, commonly referring to over-the-counter or prescribed treatments. However, what they may not be aware of is that pregnancy acne happens naturally and so it must be treated naturally. By ingesting or applying the medication, there is a high risk that your child may be affected.

How to Treat Acne Breakouts Safely? 

The safest way to treat acne breakouts and oily skin is through homemade drugless remedies made from ingredients that you would naturally have in your kitchen, though it may not necessarily be the best. People have the tendency of overdoing it because of the mentality of it being “natural” when in fact, you could possibly burn yourself and worsen the post-acne scar. 

Apple Cider Vinegar: 

Make a toner by mixing 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, with 3 parts distilled water. This will create naturally occurring enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids, which will absorb the excess oil from your skin. Distilled water is a must as, without it, the acidity of unfiltered apple cider vinegar could dry and burn your skin. 

Citrus Fruits: 

Lime juice contains alpha-hydroxy acid that would act to unclog pores and get rid of dead skin cells. Using a cotton ball that has absorbed the formula, apply it to your face and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. 

Oatmeal and Cucumber: 

These two have natural cooling and soothing properties and can be made into a mask by blending both of these ingredients and placing them into a freezer. When you need to use it, thaw it out for a bit until able to be applied on your face. Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes then wash off. 

If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable for you to consult with your doctor before trying any of these remedies, as hormonal acne can be pretty tricky. It is not a risk you want to take while pregnant. 

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