Struggling with pregnancy acne? Learn what causes it, which ingredients are safe to use, and get practical skincare tips to help manage breakouts during pregnancy—real advice for real moms.
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So much changes from the moment you find out that you are expecting to the moment when you first hold that sweet little baby in your arms. It’s your job to protect them from everything harmful, and this starts whenever they are growing inside your womb. We almost have to approach everything differently at that point. We change what we eat, what we drink, and most definitely – the chemicals we surround ourselves with.
There’s a lot about pregnancy that’s glowing and magical… and then there’s pregnancy acne.
No one warns you that your second-trimester glow might be blindsided by a sudden breakout—or that your skin could feel more like high school than motherhood in bloom.
But if you’re struggling with blemishes, breakouts, or full-blown hormonal chaos on your face right now—you are not alone. Pregnancy acne is common, frustrating, and yes, totally normal. Let’s break down what’s happening, what’s safe to use, and how to calm your skin and your confidence.
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Whenever you’re pregnant, you have to be extra concerned about reading product labels and making sure that you are choosing the gentlest products to use on your skin. We all focus so much on making sure that we are ingesting the healthiest things, but we too often forget that our skin is our largest organ and 80% of everything applied to it immediately goes into our bloodstream. And whenever you are pregnant, that’s shared with your growing baby.
But pregnancy acne is a whole different beast. It’s tough because you know that you have to treat your skin with extra care during this time in your life, but you also just want to get rid of those freaking breakouts once and for all. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
What Causes Pregnancy Acne?
During pregnancy, your hormones are working overtime—and those surges (especially in the first and second trimester) can cause your oil glands to kick into high gear. The result? Oily skin, clogged pores, and sudden breakouts in places you may have never broken out before.
Some women who have never had acne before develop pregnancy acne, while others who struggled with skin issues pre-pregnancy might see their symptoms worsen. It’s unpredictable—and usually tied to rising androgen levels, which increase sebum (oil) production in the skin.
In order to treat it, you should first know what causes it. And also, that pregnancy acne is very common and you are most definitely not alone in this struggle. What to Expect says, “Two things conspire to cause breakouts, which tend to hit sometime around week 6 of pregnancy: hormone surges, of course (in this case, progesterone, which causes your glands to increase acne-causing secretions of oil, called sebum) can clog up pores and cause bacteria to build up, leading to breakouts. And your body is also retaining more fluids, which contain toxins that can lead to zits.”
Welp, that makes total sense.
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Is Pregnancy Acne Normal?
Yes—so normal. In fact, up to 40% of pregnant women experience acne at some point during their pregnancy. It can show up on your face, back, chest, and even your neck or shoulders. And just like everything else in motherhood, the severity varies wildly from person to person.
The good news? For most people, it’s temporary. The bad news? It’s hard to know how to treat it safely.
How to Treat Pregnancy Acne
Eating right and staying hydrated are obviously your first steps in making sure that your skin stays healthy. Beyond that, the key word when treating pregnancy acne really is gentile. Veer away from picking at your skin or trying to scrub pregnancy acne away. I also don’t recommend using any types of treatments during pregnancy, unless you clear it with your doctor first.
Cleanse Gentile. I know that whenever we feel or see pimples starting to emerge, we instantly want to cleanse over and over in an attempt to wash them away. Don’t do that! Over-washing is only going to irritate your already sensitive pregnancy skin. Instead, opt for a cleansing oil instead (you can read more about the wonders of cleansing oil here).Â
Try: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
This lightweight cleansing oil gently yet effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping essential lipids from the skin, which is exactly what you need during pregnancy. Effective in eliminating makeup residue, blackheads and sebum, whille preventing pore congestion. It’s an essential step for double cleansing, with glowy glass skin results.
Moisturize gently. Using a moisturizer both morning and night is just as important to help with pregnancy acne as it is any other time in your life. Skin that is overly oily is most likely over-producing oil because whatever your using to cleanse is stripping your skin of its natural oils.
Try: Honest Beauty Deep Hydration Face Cream for Dry Skin
This Deep Hydration Face Cream is infused with moisture-rich seed oils to soften and condition while supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Made for dry skin types and for daily use in both the AM and PM –Â love a product that works double-time!
Protect your skin from the sun. Not only is your skin more sensitive to the sun during pregnancy, but a lot of the lotions and cleansers you use for acne, especially during pregnancy, make your skin more susceptible to sunburns and sun damage.
Try: Belli Skincare Pure Radiance Sunscreen SPF 30 for Face & Body
Applied daily, both of these products will greatly aid in protecting your skin against any harmful damage from the sun’s rays. The Belli Brand is an overall pregnancy-safe skincare brand that I highlight recommend!
What Skincare Ingredients Are Safe During Pregnancy?
This is where things get tricky. Many of the traditional acne-fighting ingredients—like retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide—are either not recommended or are considered risky during pregnancy, especially in high concentrations. I have a full ingredient watch-out list here.Â
Mindset Reminder: You’re Not “Less Than” Because of Acne
Let’s say this louder for the mamas in the back: Pregnancy acne doesn’t define you.
You’re growing a human. You’re juggling emotions, exhaustion, and hormones—all while trying to function like a normal human being. If your skin isn’t glowing, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re human, and you’re hormonal.
It’s okay to want clearer skin. It’s also okay to be gentle with yourself while you navigate this chapter.
When to Talk to Your Doctor or Dermatologist
If your pregnancy acne becomes severe, painful, or impacts your confidence in a major way—you don’t have to suffer silently. There are safe prescription options available during pregnancy, and your healthcare provider can help you create a plan that works for your body and your baby.
Final Thoughts: Your Skin Will Catch Up With You
Just like the rest of your body postpartum, your skin will find its way back. The breakouts won’t last forever. And no matter how you feel looking in the mirror right now—you are still glowing, mama.
Whether you’re managing pregnancy acne with gentle cleansers and natural spot treatments, or simply choosing to ride it out with grace—your body is doing something extraordinary. Let’s be kinder to it in the process.
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Do you have any tried-and-true remedies for managing pregnancy acne? I also think that educating yourself about your skincare is so important all the time, but especially important during pregnancy. Let yourself become familiar with beauty products and skincare labels so that you can make the best choices for yourself. I will always, always recommend a clean beauty routine because it will definitely play a major role in giving you the most control over what’s being absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin.
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XOXO,
Allison
