My Simple Skincare Routine- How I Fought Acne During Pregnancy

I had always had clear skin growing up. I never had any acne during my teenage years and did not have much of a skincare routine what-so-ever. However, that all changed immediately after getting pregnant. Each morning, I would wake up to find a new pimple on my face. It was miserable, to say the least. I knew nothing about skincare, but with help of my best friend Michala and some careful research, I found something that worked for me.

After researching what is safe and what is not safe to use on your skin during pregnancy, I found a list of skincare ingredients to avoid. According to thebump.com, you should avoid the following ingredients:

•  Retinoids – While very little of the ingredient gets absorbed into your skin, studies have suggested a possible link to birth defects.
• Tetracycline– This antibiotic acne treatment can affect the development of baby’s teeth and bones.
• Hydroquinone– While current studies don’t show a distinct link between hydroquinone during pregnancy and an increased risk of adverse effects, it’s best to avoid.
• Salicylic acid– While local and limited use of topical acne-fighting products that contain up to 2 percent of salicylic acid are low-risk for baby, some dermatologists still suggest avoiding it just in case.
• Benzoyl peroxide– The safety of using benzoyl peroxide to treat acne during pregnancy has yet to be established. Consult your physician before using.

With that being said, here is a list of pregnancy safe items I used daily that helped clear up my skin and keep it clear.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AT NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU. OUR FULL DISCLOSURE IS REALLY BORING, BUT YOU CAN READ IT BY CLICKING HERE).

Cleanser

I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser in the morning and at night. It is gentle and doesn’t dry out your skin. I have sensitive skin and seem to be allergic to just about everything, but do not have an issue with this cleanser. It is also safe for pregnancy.

According to thebump.com Cetaphil is a pregnancy safe cleanser, and they rate Cetaphil as one of the top cleansers for pregnant women.

Moisturizer

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer is my favorite lightweight moisturizer. I have used this for years and love it. I put this on morning and evening after washing my face. It soaks in quickly and does not feel heavy at all. I use the one with 15 SPF in it. It is important to use a moisturizer with sun protection in it to reduce aging and protect your skin from harmful rays.

Serum

This was the key to managing my breakouts. The Ordinary Skincare has been my lifesaver. I use two of their products daily and have been impressed. The first one is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This helps add hydration and protect the lipid barrier.

According to Today’s Parent, Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance and can be a go-to ingredient during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It works well and poses no threat to mom or baby.

The second product is The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum. This also helps protect the skin’s natural barrier, improves skin texture, and balances oil production. It is beneficial for all skin types.

Today’s Parent states that Niacinamide is found in some gentler alternatives to the typical acne and rosacea treatments. It is a form of vitamin B3 and can help to reduce redness and inflammation, and is considered safe for pregnancy.

You can also buy the serums in a package with a Vitamin C cream. However, I do not use the cream because it makes my face tingle and I do not like the feeling. It is disclosed on the packing that tingling is expected, I just personally don’t like the feeling and don’t use it. You can find the package on amazon here.

These products cleared up my skin when I had lost hope. Let me know if it works for you!