Pregnancy Acne
Breakouts and acne from increased oil production due to hormones.
Medically reviewed by healthcare professionals | Last reviewed: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Often first trimester, can continue throughout
📊 How Common
About 50% of pregnant women experience acne
Overview
Pregnancy can cause acne breakouts, even if you never had acne before or your acne cleared up in adulthood. Hormone surges increase oil (sebum) production, clogging pores and leading to pimples, especially on your face, back, and chest.
For some women, pregnancy improves their skin, while others experience their worst breakouts during pregnancy. It's unpredictable and varies from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Many acne treatments are unsafe during pregnancy (like isotretinoin and some topicals), so you need to use pregnancy-safe options. The good news is pregnancy acne usually improves after delivery.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Often begins with hormone surge
Second Trimester
May improve or continue
Third Trimester
Variable, often improves
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Increased androgens (male hormones) increasing oil production
- •Excess sebum clogging pores
- •Hormonal fluctuations
- •Stress
- •Genetic predisposition
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Wash face twice daily with gentle cleanser
- ✓Use oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer
- ✓Avoid touching or picking at face
- ✓Use pregnancy-safe topical treatments (benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid)
- ✓Change pillowcase frequently
- ✓Keep hair off face
- ✓Avoid oil-based makeup
- ✓Stay hydrated
- ✓Eat balanced diet (limit sugar and processed foods)
- ✓Consult dermatologist for pregnancy-safe options
🛍️ Comfort Products That May Help
Comfort and preparation products other expecting parents find helpful at this stage. These are convenience picks, not medical advice — always follow your provider's guidance.
Belly Butter / Stretch-Mark Cream
Rich cocoa-butter moisturizer to keep a growing belly comfortable and hydrated.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are editorially chosen comfort and preparation products and are not medical advice.
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Severe cystic acne
- ⚠Acne causing scarring
- ⚠Not responding to safe treatments
- ⚠Acne with excess hair growth or other hormonal symptoms
- ⚠Want prescription treatment (need pregnancy-safe options)
Related Symptoms
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: