Pregnancy acne - causes & treatment methods
Pregnancy acne - causes & treatment methods
Find out more about acne during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body undergoes numerous changes. The metabolism is boosted and the hormone balance goes crazy. Instead of the hoped-for baby glow, many women experience pregnancy acne as a result. Pregnancy acne is not uncommon and can usually be treated with simple remedies. You can find out what pregnancy acne is and which products help here.

What is pregnancy acne?
If your skin becomes blemished during pregnancy, you don’t usually need to worry. Pregnancy acne is harmless and not uncommon. Its symptoms are similar to those of conventional acne. Blackheads and pimples appear on the face, décolleté and back. In rare cases, painful inflammation is also possible.
Many different changes can occur during pregnancy. In addition to stretch marks and water retention, pregnancy acne also becomes an annoying problem for many women. These skin blemishes can affect women who are prone to them as well as women who have never been affected by acne. Pregnancy acne often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. In some women, however, the annoying red pimples only appear after giving birth. In some cases, pregnancy acne subsides during pregnancy. In many women, however, it only disappears after delivery or after breastfeeding. During this time, you can only wait patiently and alleviate the symptoms of pregnancy acne.
What are the causes of pregnancy acne?
Your body undergoes numerous changes during pregnancy. The metabolism runs at full speed and the hormone balance changes. These changes are the main cause of pregnancy acne. Your body produces more of the male sex hormone during pregnancy. This hormone activates the sebaceous glands and causes changes in the appearance of the skin. In some women, the increased sebum production makes the skin softer and smoother, resulting in the famous baby glow. In other women, however, the sebaceous glands become blocked, resulting in the appearance of unpleasant blackheads and pimples.
Increased activity of the sebaceous glands can cause your sebaceous glands to become blocked. Clogged sebaceous glands make it more difficult to drain sweat and other waste products. As a result, blackheads develop and, in combination with bacteria, small inflammations known as pimples can occur.
Dos and don’ts for pregnancy acne
Pregnancy acne can only be treated symptomatically. As the cause lies in the altered hormone balance during pregnancy, prevention is hardly possible. In some cases, however, a healthy lifestyle can ensure that the symptoms are milder. Drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough sleep and de-stressing your life are advisable in the case of pregnancy acne.
Your skin hygiene is particularly important for the relief of pregnancy acne. Squeezing the pimples is not advisable. This often only pushes the deep-seated sebum further into the skin, causing the inflammation to spread. The skin should be treated twice a day with mild cleansers. pH-neutral soaps and creams are suitable for this. You should then gently dab your face rather than rubbing it raw. A peeling can be used about once a week so that the sebum can drain off better. Healing clay or steam baths can also alleviate the symptoms of pregnancy acne.
When it comes to skin care, you should use gentle and mild products. Oily and greasy creams often make acne worse. Kerosenes, silicones, mineral oils and animal fats usually cause additional damage to the skin. You should also avoid ingredients such as alcohol, fruit acid and salicylic acid. These products not only damage your sensitive skin, but can also have an effect on an unborn baby. It is advisable to discuss the treatment of pregnancy acne with your dermatologist and gynecologist.
Treatment options with a dermatologist
Pregnancy acne usually disappears on its own. This can happen during pregnancy or after weaning. Until the pregnancy acne subsides, you can only treat the symptoms to achieve relief. Nevertheless, pregnancy acne can be unpleasant or even painful. If you experience discomfort from pregnancy acne, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist. There you can find out about various treatment methods and find the right treatment for your needs.
Pregnancy acne is only treated externally so that the unborn baby is not exposed to any risk. In severe cases, pregnancy acne can also be treated with medication. However, many ingredients are not suitable for pregnant women. The dermatologist can recommend suitable treatment methods and products so that you can enjoy your pregnancy again without any worries.