Natural Remedies for Acne During Pregnancy

Acne results from clogged pores due to the overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands. It can be treated through prescribed medication or over-the-counter lotions, but pregnant women often turn to natural remedies in order to avoid any medical complications with the fetus. There are several remedies to help dry out pimples and even help prevent recurring outbreaks that don't require mothers to ingest chemicals. However, natural treatments have not often been tested through clinical trials, so true efficacy is unknown.

Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can bring about several conditions, including increased acne. The hormones cause the sebaceous glands in pores to produce more sebum (oil), which adheres to dead skin cells and dirt to clog pores. While prescription medications such as antibiotics like tetracycline, or topical creams like Retin-A are normally safe for non-pregnant women, they are not recommended for pregnant women due to the risks they present to the baby. Additionally, some studies show topical treatments that contain salicylic acid could also impose potential risk to the health of fetal development.

While the American Academy of Dermatology lists several medications that should be avoided throughout pregnancy, it does not stand behind any natural remedies due to the lack of testing and few clinical trials for these treatments. However, several studies have shown that over-the-counter lotions containing benzoyl peroxide are generally safe for pregnant women. Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing bacteria and removing dead skin cells to help prevent pimples and blackheads. It has a low rate of absorption into the skin and underlying bloodstream, which will not interfere with fetal development.

In natural medicine communities both tea tree oil, an essential oil from Australia, and eucalyptus oil are recommended to help treat acne due to their bacteria-killing properties. The Department of Dermatology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia conducted a study comparing the efficacy of tea tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide in treating acne lesions. The study concluded that while tea tree oil took longer to work, both the five percent oil and five percent benzoyl peroxide solutions reduced the number of acne lesions. Also, the tea tree oil patients experienced fewer side effects.

Using masks is another option for natural acne treatment during pregnancy. Because the product sits on the skin only temporarily, there is little chance that the ingredients will seep into the bloodstream. Some popular masks for treating and preventing acne use clay, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and dries out excess oil production. Dr. Haushchka, a brand known for its holistic philosophy and natural ingredients, makes a Cleansing Clay Mask that contains loess (clay), Indian cress/nasturtium (tropaeolum majus) extract, witch hazel (hamamelis virginiana) extract and corn (zea mays) starch.

New York dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson, associate adjunct professor at NYU, advises that pregnant women should always consult with their physicians before starting any new skin care regimen--natural or otherwise. Additionally, a safe approach to choosing treatments should be guided by whether the treatment gets absorbed by the skin and if it has been studied for use by pregnant women. Berson recommends using a mild cleanser and moisturizer, since treating pimples usually dries out the skin, as well as cosmetics that are labeled noncomedogenic (they won't clog pores).