Ahh the glow of pregnancy. I’ve seen it, experienced it and felt at times that it was a bold faced lie. I’ve been pregnant three times and have three beautiful children as a result, but let’s face it—When you’re pregnant, not all is roses and sunshine. Yes, I was one of those irritating pregnant women my friends hated—I felt great when I was pregnant and didn’t experience morning sickness or some of the dreaded skin changes like acne that most fell victim to. Even so, I empathized with them when even the thought of food caused them to vomit or as another zit donned their face. And more importantly, I created a skin care regimen safe for them to use to gain some of their skin sanity back.
When you’re pregnant, everything changes, including your skin. Many women experience acne, hyperpigmentation or melasma, dryness and itching. Some women also get stretch marks. Not all is bad—many pregnant women report an increase in hair and nail growth. Unfortunately, some lose that incredible hair growth a few months after delivery, a condition known as telogen effluvium. But while pregnancy is full of skin changes, being pregnant doesn’t mean abandoning your entire skincare routine. It just requires a few tweaks to ensure safety for you and baby.
The first thing to know is what I call the “red light” ingredients. These are the ones to avoid such as tetracycline antibiotics, spironolactone and topical and oral retinoids. Tetracyclines, our favorite antibiotic class in dermatology, can cause discoloration of the teeth and impair bone growth. Spironolactone, due to its ability to block androgens (male hormones) effects and synthesis, is also a no-no. Spironolactone can interfere with the normal development of a male fetus’ genitalia. Retinoids are vitamin A derived drugs, and they can impact a developing baby causing birth defects.The strongest evidence is with oral retinoids, like isotretinoin, more commonly known as the branded version Accutane. Topical retinoids are also contraindicated in pregnancy and are often used for antiaging or acne treatment and include tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, retinol and retinal. While there is minimum absorption for topical retinoids, we don’t have a defined idea of what a safe amount would be, so the recommendation is to avoid them. In other words, minimum does not mean safe.
While you might have to put the brakes on your topical retinoid, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have other options to continue your antiaging routine when you’re pregnant. Some of the best antiaging ingredients you might already be using can be continued such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid. And my favorite antiaging product of all—sunscreen. I know you might be tired of hearing it, but it’s true. Sunscreen is our best antiaging product. Both mineral and chemical ingredients are considered safe in pregnancy but if you are uncomfortable with chemical filters, then use a mineral only one. Plus, sunscreen is a must if you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation or melasma. It’s an essential part of a treatment plan to battle pigmentation and a tinted one is best for added protection against visible light.
Your acne doesn’t have to go unchecked either. Topical salicylic acid (under 2%), benzoyl peroxide (4% or less) and clindamycin can help keep breakouts under control when you’re pregnant. Niacinamide and sulfur can also reduce pimples and help with inflammation. And my personal favorite is azelaic acid—a great topical to do double duty—it can treat both acne and hyperpigmentation/melasma.
Even if you’re not antiaging focused or dealing with acne, good skincare is still beneficial in pregnancy. Gentle cleansers and moisturizers with staples like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid or petrolatum are great options to care for your skin. Fragrance free options can keep sensitive skin and noses calm.. Remember that natural doesn’t always equal safe and be sure to read labels so you know the ingredient list. A good rule of thumb is keep it simple, skip the retinoids, use your sunscreen and when in doubt, ask your dermatologist.
Trotter’s Take: Pregnancy skincare doesn’t mean no skincare. Check with your dermatologist about what you can safely use to create your own pregnancy glow.
Want to really get that pregnancy glow on? Then listen in with Dr. Kelly Tyler, as we chat about pregnancy skincare that you can use.
