Acne Treatment During Pregnancy - Salicylic Acid?

Updated on May 29, 2008
C.A. asks from Boston, MA
19 answers

I'm in my 2nd trimester, and for some reason, cannot get rid of this pregnancy acne with just regular washing, moisturizing, etc.

I have some Philosophy On a Clear Day Serum, which has salicylic acide in it, and has worked for me in the past. However, the internet is not clear on whether you can use it during pregnancy or not. It would just be on a small portion of my face, but I obviously don't want to use something that would/could harm the baby (I'm 21 weeks along).

Any advice? Any other (safe) miracle cures out there for pregnancy acne?

Thanks!

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

I am 17 weeks and on my third pregnancy and have had horrible skin for all three, but this time I started using Arbonne RE9 skin care system, and it has made a huge difference! Many friends have noticed the change too, so I know it is true. I have very few breakouts where as before I was always covered with acne. If you have any questions about it please let me know, it really has helped me, I never will stop using Arbonne, I love how it has changed my skin for the better!

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A.M.

answers from Boston on

i have read that you can not use it check with your doctor

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M.T.

answers from Boston on

Hi C.-
I used ProActive during pregnancy, and my obstetrician, who I definitely respect (obviously), said it was fine to use. I had acne prior to pregnancy, but with hormone changes, it continued during pregnancy, and the ProActive worked.

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M.C.

answers from Boston on

I'm pregnant too - bad acne too! So much for glowing! =) I heard salicylic is bad but I'm sure different people would tell you different things. I have been using all-natural scrubs every day which helps a bit (mostly Burt's Bees).
M.

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K.C.

answers from Boston on

I used a face wash with salicylic acid in it during my first pregnancy and my daughter suffered no ill effects from it. I am still using it and I am pregnant again. My estetician (sp?)said she has asked several people in her profession and they say it is ok. I did check with my doctors and one was unsure and another didn't seem to think it was a problem. (Neither of them would give a definite ok though) You may want to check with a dermatologist though.

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J.O.

answers from Boston on

that medication is fine to use. the concern for acne meds is that accutane causes birth defects. all others are fine

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A.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi C.,

I too have had bad skin since getting pregnant... I went to the dermotologist and he basically said there is nothing I could do. He reccomended Neutrogena face wash that has salicylic acid in it. I asked my OB and he said that salicylic acid is baby asprin and it was okay to use. It helped a little, but my face still not completely clear. I heard it gets better for some women after week 25 and then gets worse after the baby is born and then when your hormone levels calm down, you get you clear skin back. Good luck on the rest of your pregnancy!!!

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L.Q.

answers from Boston on

Ask your OB! I would not go by the internet anyway or take anyone else advice as the doctor. I asked recently because with this pregnancy my skin is awful and they said I could us benzoyl peroxide (I wouldn't risk using it though as that doctor was my PCP not my OB). I just use Dove soap and Dove facial lotion seems to work well for me but my skin is a lot better than it was several months ago.
Also you may just have "acne/bad skin" with this pregnancy and nothing may help it (hormones) so you may be stuck with it until the baby is born. That is also what my doctor told me with my bad skin (eczema, really dry rough skin...on my body not face). Good luck!

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C.L.

answers from Boston on

tea tree oil is safest and pure natural. u can use q-tip dip in tea tree oil and pat on the acne area after wash face with tea tree soap (desert essence, the brand) face cleansing.. there are also a lotion for face too. it will be helpful and help reduce.

i am 31 wks pregnant and i have been using Origins's glow face cleansing... if i have some pimples around, i would dip tea tree oil and pat on my pimples, it will go way asap than u would expect.

i already prefer use natural product.

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H.A.

answers from Boston on

I too have the same problem. When I talked to my OB about it he was very clear that Benzoyl Peroxide (especially in limited doses) is OK, but that Salysilic Acid is not because it is a member of the Asprin family and asprin is a no-no in pregnancy. I would talk to your OB, though because it is even aparent here that different docs have different thresholds of what can and can not be used. My OB tends to be realistic and not too overly restrictive, but on things that he feels are definitely "out" he tells me to avoid.

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S.W.

answers from Boston on

I think you're actually supposed to avoid acne treatments with salicylic acid in them while you're pregnant. I broke out on my back and somewhat on face, and also used pro-active and had great results. I checked with my doc as well and was told products with benzoyle peroxide are ok, esp in limited doses.
Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would definitely talk to your OB. Some of the responses have said that benzoyl peroxide is okay, but I was told that it is a DEFINITE NO during pregnancy. It's a "Class C" drug, which means it has proven detrimental effects to the fetus.

As for salicylic acid in face wash, I was told by my OB that this was okay, and I used it all through my pregnancy. But now I see a bunch of people saying they were told NOT to use it. So who knows???

I guess your very safest bet is to skip both. Sorry.

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J.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi C.!!Congrats on your babe!!I had AWEFUL acne all over my back my whole pregnancy,it hurt so bad!!Anyway I went to a dermatoligst,she gave me some antibiotic creams ect...nothing helped!!(i couldnt even wear tank tops,it was sooo bad)(funny tho-it wasnt on my face)so anyway during my 2nd trimester my ob said it was ok to use pro-active,i used the wash and the exfoliating scrub(my hubby had to help),it cleared up some after about a week or so,you should definatly ask your doctor,what i did was i brought in a print out of the product so she could see whats in it!Although it didnt clear all up,it did help alot!!Please check with your OB before you try this tho.If you decide not to use th pro active,i would try not to over stimulate your skin(too much product can cause more break outs,try not to touch your face either!!I know its hard but as you know oils and germs live on your hands ect..)Well I hope you get this cleared up,I know its so frustrating!!Good Luck,let me know if you find another soulution!!

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub during my pregnancy, it contained 2% Salicylic acid. As far as I know this was not harmful.

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M.W.

answers from Providence on

Hi C.,

I had the dreaded pregnancy acne when I was pregnant with my son who is now 2 and for some time after he was born I still had it and hated it! I am a sales consultant for The Happy Soul. The Happy Soul is a retailer of aromatherapy & spa products that sell exclusively through *Home Party, *Catalog, & *Internet Sales. We have a product called Aromatherapy in a bag and one of the kits is "Perfect Acne Cleanser"
It works wonderfully! And it is all natural. It contains our unscented Gentle Skin Cleanser and 3 pure essential oils to mix in for the control of acne. It comes with the recipe and is extremely easy to use! I double checked and all of the essential oils included are safe for pregnancy. It really does work - I have my whole family using it now!!

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact me at ____@____.com or you can go directly to the website at thehappysoul.com

Congratulations on your wonderful gift!
God Bless,
M.

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K.A.

answers from Boston on

Hi C.-

I know you are getting contradicting opinions but I was told by my OB/GYN that the ORAL products that contain salicylic acid and glycolic acid are a no-no but in the topical form used once or twice a day is fine. I use a glycolic cream product given to me by my derm, It is called MD Forte with 3 different levels of acid. My derm also said it can be used during pregnancy. I gave it up in my first trimester and had terrible skin and started using it again during my second and now third trimester.

Here is a website that you might find helpful, http://www.babycenter.com/0_safe-skin-care-during-pregnan...

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C.H.

answers from Boston on

no salicylic acid during pregnancy. I know what a pain. Try you health food store, im about to try a himalayan salt bar for my skin because im tired of chemicals and them not working or making it worse! Its all natural and is supposed to be great and that along with tea tree oil for blemishes should help out while you pregnant, and you might find you like them better than all those harsh chemicals, Good Luck

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C.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi,
I am 24 weeks along and have had terrible acne with this pregnancy. I started using teh Arbonne Nutrimin RE9 skin care line and my acne is gone and I have never had better skin. You can email me if you would like more information about the products.
C.

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi C. -

You can use products that have benzoyl peroxide in them during pregnancy. Also, try to and get a facial once in awhile - it is relaxing and will also help acne.

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