Some women have beautiful skin during pregnancy. Others aren’t so lucky and tend to break out more. Your skin can change throughout the pregnancy. My skin tends to break out during the first trimester and is clear during the rest of my pregnancy. Hormonal changes are responsible for these changes.
Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Many prescription acne treatments are not safe during pregnancy. Some are known to cause birth defects. Before using any prescription or over the counter remedy, ask your doctor or midwife. They will be able to tell you which are safe and which should be avoided.
Some ingredients may be too drying for the skin. Benzoyl Peroxide is a common ingredient in over the counter acne medications. This ingredient may dry out your skin when you are pregnant, even if you could use it before your pregnancy.
Natural skin care products are generally safe for the baby and gentle on your skin. Look for ingredients such as tea tree oil and peppermint to treat blemishes. Clay masks are safe and can help clear your skin.
Use a gentle cleanser in the morning and evening to remove oils without drying the skin. Wash your skin gently and avoid scrubbing too much. Also avoid the temptation to squeeze or pick at blemishes. Doing these things not only irritates the skin, but spreads bacteria. This can actually cause your skin to break out even more.
Choose oil free skin care and cosmetic products. If you tend to have dry skin, use an oil free moisturizer. Make up often contains oils that will make your skin worse. Look for oil free alternatives. Natural products or mineral make up is good for your skin and won’t clog pores.
A healthy diet is not only good for the baby, but for your skin as well. Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses each day to flush impurities from your skin. Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. These should all be part of your pregnancy diet anyway.