The ESK blog

What are the best and safest skincare products to use for pregnancy breakout?

19 August 2024

Dr Anne Thomson

What are the best and safest skincare products to use for pregnancy breakout?

Look at you, gorgeous mama-to-be!

Dealing with pregnancy breakouts? You’re not alone. Those pesky pimples are actually pretty common during pregnancy, especially if you had acne in the past. We think it makes an unwelcome reappearance thanks to all the hormonal changes your body is going through - although the exact mechanism remains a mystery. Let’s dive into what causes these breakouts, how common they are, and most importantly, how to treat them safely.

Why Do Pregnancy Breakouts Happen?

We might as well just blame it on the hormones! During pregnancy, your body ramps up production of certain hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone. At least in theory this should reduce oil production, clogged pores and breakouts. But in reality the opposite can be true in some people and we don’t know why.

So how do you combat acne if it happens in your pregnancy?

Treating acne in pregnancy is often fraught because so many of the products we usually recommend for acne can’t be used in pregnancy.

Safe and Effective Skincare Routine

Here’s a breakdown of the best and safest skincare products to keep those breakouts in check:

Good Cleanser: Start with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to wash away dirt and excess oil. Look for something mild that won’t strip your skin of its natural moisture.

Niacinamide: This is a wonderful ingredient for pregnant women. It’s anti-inflammatory, helps regulate oil production, and can reduce the redness and irritation of acne. Plus, it’s totally safe to use.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid are great for gently exfoliating your skin and keeping those pores clear. They’re considered pregnancy safe! Just stick to lower concentrations to avoid irritation.

Azelaic Acid: This is a top pick for treating acne during pregnancy. It’s effective at reducing inflammation and can help unclog pores. Plus, it’s safe for you and your baby.

Salicylic Acid: Another good option, but in moderation. Using it on a limited area of the body like the face is considered safe for spot treatment. Avoid high-strength peels and treatments.

Can You Use Antibiotics?

Topical antibiotics can be prescribed for pregnancy acne and are usually considered safe. Options like clindamycin or erythromycin can help reduce bacteria and inflammation. However, always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication. Oral antibiotics can be safe but we tend to tread cautiously with some of the more common anti-acne antibiotics. In pregnancy, dermatologists recommend penicillins or aminopenicillins followed by cephalosporins and macrolides. Check in with your GP about which are ok and which to avoid.

Retinoids: The Big No-No

Retinoids, including topical retinol, retinal and prescription-strength versions like tretinoin, are a definite no during pregnancy. There are concerns that they can cause serious birth defects, so it’s best to steer clear until after your baby arrives. They’re fine in breastfeeding mums.

Building Your Routine

Here’s a simple, safe routine to keep your skin clear and healthy:

Cleanser: Gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser twice a day.

Calming Cleanse

Our Calming Cleanser is a non-foaming, coconut sugar-based formula with a gentle pH of 4.5-5, making it ideal for sensitive skin types, including those with eczema and rosacea.

This creamy cleanser effectively removes impurities while preserving the skin’s natural hydration and pH balance. Its non-soap formula minimises irritation and dryness, providing a soothing cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.

Designed for sensitive skin, Calming Cleanser avoids harsh ingredients like astringents, camphor, and menthol, which can trigger irritation. Gentle yet thorough, it supports a healthy microbiome and barrier, leaving skin calm, soft, and ready for the next step in your routine.

Featuring;

A coconut sugar base with soothing botanical
A thorough yet gentle cleanse
Suitable for daily use and even as a make-up remover

A creamy soap-free cleanser for skin that needs a gentle, silky wash.

Coconut based with soothing botanicals
Leaves skin clear & hydrated
May be used as a make-up remover

Treatment: Use niacinamide and/or azelaic acid after cleansing.

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

Microneedle patches.

Our Spotless Patches are your new go-to for tackling early-stage bumps, right from home! Each pack includes 8 patches, each patch packed with 300 dissolving, painless Hyaluronic Acid microneedles.

These microneedles deliver a potent blend of ingredients like salicylic acid, vitamin B3, tea tree oil, and green tea directly to the spot. This powerful formula works to calm and clear the skin and helps you stop bumps in their tracks. Keep a pack on hand for a quick, targeted solution that’s easy, effective, and skin-friendly. Say goodbye to surprise unwanted blemishes and hello to clear, confident skin!

Featuring;

Painless 0.3mm dissolving microneedles made of hyaluronic acid
Ingredients to tackle early-stage bumps
Proven results for both acne and acne scars
Gentle application and no rebound dark spots

Each pack contains 8 patches. Each patch is single use.

Moisturiser: A lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated.

B Calm

B Calm is formulated to support irritable and blemish prone skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Ceramides strengthen resilience, Salicylic Acid exfoliates and calms the skin, and Niacinamide helps regulate oil and reduce the appearance of blemished skin.

Featuring:

- Ingredients to support an improved skin barrier

- Helps manage excess oil production

- Supports a clearer-looking skin

Sunscreen: Daily broad-spectrum SPF to protect your skin (especially important if you’re using AHAs or other exfoliants).

Zinc Shade

Zinc Shade is a lightweight matte day cream and primer. Its non-greasy, matte finish allows for smooth application and works well under makeup.

We spent countless iterations perfecting this lightweight, non-greasy formula to avoid the typical white cast and thick feel of zinc products. The results? A matte finish that works beautifully under makeup. With well tolerated matte finish, it's also well suited to irritable and blemish and bump prone skin. With SPF 15 it also provides broad-spectrum sun protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Key features:

Lightweight, matte formula suitable for daily use
Smooth application with minimal white cast
Broad-spectrum UV protection
Tested SPF 15 with enhanced UVA coverage

Usage: Apply evenly to all exposed areas of skin before sun exposure. Reapply as needed throughout the day.

Tyrosinase inhibitor: Use a pregnancy safe tyrosinase inhibitor like 4-n-butylresorcinol if you have concerns around melasma.

Enlighten

Enlighten is specifically designed to help reduce the appearance of pigmentation. This lightweight cream helps to gently create a more even skin tone and hydrate and improve the barrier function of the skin.

While rarely used, 4-n-butylresorcinol (4nB) has some of the best evidence in this arena. Enlighten combines 4nB and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to create a rare combination of gentle yet effective ingredients. Enlighten helps tackle a mottled or uneven skin tone and is suitable for long term daily use

Featuring: