Skincare During Pregnancy

/

So you learned that you are pregnant; congratulations! There are so many things to consider that your skin may be an afterthought, and that’s okay. Don’t fret the fact that you used retinol the first 6 weeks of your pregnancy; chances are your baby will be perfect! But now that you have reached the point at which you are wondering whether or not your skin regimen is safe, you may feel overwhelmed.

There are many discrepancies on the internet when it comes to what is safe to use on the skin during pregnancy. This is because the effects of many specific ingredients have not been studied on pregnant women, and it’s always better to err on the side of safety when we do not know how certain ingredients may affect a growing human in utero. Nevertheless, there is no reason why you can’t have an excellent acne or anti-aging skincare regimen while pregnant.

Always consult with your obstetrician or dermatology provider regarding your skincare products. Most will agree that the following products are safe to use during pregnancy: Vitamin C, azelaic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in low concentrations such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid. Salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA) at a concentration of less than 2% is also typically considered safe.

You may notice you are breaking out more frequently thanks to those lovely hormones. Don’t worry, that “pregnancy glow” may come around, but in the meantime keep in mind that niacinamide and azelaic acid can help fight acne by reducing inflammation. Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliator that helps to unclog pores. Here is a very affordable sample skincare routine for acne-prone skin:

  1. Glycolic acid cleanser.

  2. Niacinamide serum

  3. Azelaic acid

  4. Mineral sunscreen during the day, light-weight moisturizer at night

Don’t assume that your acne cannot be treated with prescriptions just because you are pregnant; be sure to schedule an appointment with your dermatology provider if you are unable to get your acne under control with over-the-counter products.

Maybe you already have that pregnancy glow, but you’re anxious about ditching the retinol. Great news - most of the acne fighting ingredients above also work to prevent wrinkles and dark spots. Here is a very affordable sample anti-aging skincare routine:

  1. Glycolic acid cleanser

  2. Vitamin C serum + niacinamide

  3. Mineral sunscreen during the day, light-weight moisturizer at night

You may have heard about a “retinol alternative” called bakuchiol. I personally used bakuchiol, which is a plant extract, during the first few months of my pregnancy. Ole Henriksen has a daytime bakuchiol serum that I preferred to use in the evening (there is a nighttime version as well, but I had used the daytime version in the past so I stuck with that). I alternated it with an overnight glycolic acid serum. I did not re-purchase the bakuchiol serum once I ran out of it because I fell in love with the glycolic acid serum and used it almost nightly. I was able to tolerate it very well, but it’s important to start slow when it comes to glycolic acid and increase use as tolerated. These were what I like to call my splurge products (i.e., pricey):

Almost any medical professional will advise against the use of vitamin A derivatives (retinols/retinoids) during pregnancy. This is because oral retinoids have caused birth defects, so why risk using it topically?

It’s safe to stick to the above recommendations when breastfeeding as well. As always, when in doubt, talk to your medical provider. Questions? Ask below!