Pregnancy Acne - Benzoyl Peroxide/Clindamycin - HELP!

Updated on April 18, 2014
S.T. asks from Castle Rock, CO
3 answers

Hi moms. I'm pregnant with my second boy, about 21 weeks. With my first I got TERRIBLE pregnancy acne, but... only for about 3-4 weeks in the early stages/first trimester. My doctor prescribed me clindamycin, a lotion form and it seemed to work miracles. So, with #2 after suffering from terrible breakouts for about 5 weeks I asked for another prescription of the same stuff. He actually prescribed the same stuff, but it wasn't the lotion, just the liquid with the little applicator tip thing. I figured I try it out. Seemed to help after a few weeks; maybe 40-50% better. Then after using it every day as prescribed for about 6 weeks I was still breaking out, and it got worse again. The clindamycin didn't seem to be doing anything and I was fed up. My doctor okayed my to try Benzoyl Peroxide. I've used Proactiv in the past, had great luck with it when I first used it maybe 10-12 years ago but when I went back to it it seemed to not work and/or make my acne worse. So I did some research and came across acne.org and the acne regimen and ordered it right away. So within the first 5 days my skin looked dramatically better, I followed the directions to a T. So I've now been using it for over 3 weeks and the last 3-4 days I've seen a pretty drastic INCREASE in my acne. This has happened before with BP. I don't know what to do, my skin is dry, I"m using tons of the moisturizer as directed but every morning it looks worse. Should I cut back on the BP? Am I using too much? Or should I discontinue completely ? Try the clindamycin again in the lotion form? Help! Any advice or experience with this is welcome. I know hormones are crazy and I just want to get my skin under control, it's never been perfect, but this is seriously stressing me out. It's so bad this time around.

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More Answers

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I had the same problem with my first. Literally nothing worked. Nothing. It was all hormonal and you just can't get the under control.

What did help was a warm washcloth compress before bed at night and first thing in the morning. It will draw the oil to the surface.
I used that, and then also discovered Mario Badescu's buffering lotion. It at least decreased the cystic acne and shortened the life of those that I did get.
I still use that stuff 6 years later!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Go to a dermatologist. You need expert advice and pregnancy safe medicine.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I would consult with my OB/GYN as well as my dermatologist to figure out what works for you so you can hopefully get it under control and prevent scarring.

1 mom found this helpful
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